Exhibit 99.1

 

  

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media: Investor Relations:
July 30, 2019 Gary Chapman Ivan Marcuse
The Woodlands, TX (281) 719-4324 (281) 719-4637
NYSE: HUN    

 

Huntsman Announces Second Quarter 2019 Earnings;

Strong Cash Flow Generation in the Quarter

 

Second Quarter Highlights

 

·Second quarter 2019 net income of $118 million compared to $623 million in the prior year period; second quarter 2019 diluted earnings per share of $0.47 compared to $1.71 in the prior year period.

 

·Second quarter 2019 adjusted net income of $146 million compared to $246 million in the prior year period; second quarter 2019 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.63 compared to $1.01 in the prior year period.

 

·Second quarter 2019 adjusted EBITDA of $318 million compared to $415 million in the prior year period.

 

·Second quarter 2019 net cash provided by operating activities was $304 million. Free cash flow was $240 million for the quarter.

 

·Balance sheet remains strong with a net leverage of 1.7x.

 

·Second quarter 2019 share repurchases of approximately 4 million shares for approximately $81 million.

 

·On July 26, 2019 announced a definitive agreement with Sasol to acquire the 50% interest that Huntsman does not own in the Sasol-Huntsman maleic anhydride joint venture located in Moers, Germany for $92.5 million, adjusted for net debt and other agreed upon adjustments.

 

   Three months ended   Six months ended   
   June 30,   June 30, 
In millions, except per share amounts  2019   2018   2019   2018 
Revenues  $2,194   $2,404   $4,228   $4,699 
Net income  $118   $623   $249   $973 
Adjusted net income(1)  $146   $246   $254   $483 
Diluted income per share  $0.47   $1.71   $0.98   $2.82 
Adjusted diluted income per share(1)  $0.63   $1.01   $1.09   $1.98 
Adjusted EBITDA(1)  $318   $415   $575   $820 
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations  $304   $228   $273   $339 
Free cash flow(2)  $240   $174   $139   $230 

 

See end of press release for footnote explanations

 

 

 

 

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today reported second quarter 2019 results with revenues of $2,194 million, net income of $118 million, adjusted net income of $146 million and adjusted EBITDA of $318 million.

 

Peter R. Huntsman, Chairman, President and CEO, commented:

 

“We are pleased with the relative resilience of the margins in our core downstream portfolio.  In spite of challenging economic conditions, we generated $240 million of free cash flow in the quarter and reaffirm our stated objective of generating 40% free cash flow to adjusted EBITDA. Regardless of second half economic uncertainties, we will continue to control our costs, protect our margins and focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet and cash generation.  We will continue to follow a balanced approach to capital allocation between maintaining a competitive dividend, ongoing share repurchases and strategic organic and inorganic growth in our downstream portfolio.”

 

Segment Analysis for 2Q19 Compared to 2Q18

 

Polyurethanes

 

The decrease in revenues in our Polyurethanes segment for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same period of 2018 was due to lower average MDI and MTBE selling prices, partially offset by higher MDI and MTBE sales volumes. MDI average selling prices decreased primarily due to a decline in component MDI selling prices in China and Europe. MTBE average selling prices decreased in China primarily as a result of lower pricing for high octane gasoline. MDI sales volumes increased primarily due to the start-up of our new Chinese MDI facility in 2018 and the acquisition of Demilec in the second quarter of 2018. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to lower MDI margins driven by lower MDI pricing and lower PO/MTBE margins in China, partially offset by higher sales volumes.

 

Performance Products

 

The decrease in revenues in our Performance Products segment for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same period of 2018 was due to lower average selling prices, partially offset by slightly higher sales volumes. Average selling prices decreased in our derivatives business, primarily due to lower raw material costs, and in our upstream intermediates business, primarily due to lower feedstock costs and weakened market conditions. The increase in sales volumes was primarily due to the impact of the planned maintenance outage at our Port Neches, Texas facility in the second quarter of 2018. The decrease in segment adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to lower average selling prices and lower margins, primarily in our upstream intermediates businesses and in certain amines.

 

Advanced Materials

 

The decrease in revenues in our Advanced Materials segment for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018 was due to lower sales volumes and lower average selling prices. Sales volumes decreased primarily due to lower sales volumes in our power and automotive related markets, partially offset by favorable product mix effect from sales volumes in our aerospace components market. Average selling prices decreased primarily due to the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar against major international currencies, partially offset by higher local currency selling prices. Segment adjusted EBITDA decreased due to higher fixed costs and the impact of stronger US dollar against major international currencies.

 

Textile Effects

 

The decrease in revenues in our Textile Effects segment for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same period of 2018 was due to lower sales volumes, partially offset by higher average selling prices. Sales volumes decreased primarily due to lower demand resulting from market uncertainties surrounding U.S. and China trade. Average selling prices increased in response to higher raw material costs, partially offset by the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar against major international currencies. The decrease in segment adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to lower sales volumes and higher raw materials costs, partially offset by higher average selling prices.

 

2 -

 

 

Corporate, LIFO and other

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2019, adjusted EBITDA from Corporate and other for Huntsman Corporation increased by $2 million to a loss of $37 million from a loss of $39 million for the same period of 2018.

 

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Outstanding Debt

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2019, our free cash flow was $240 million compared to $174 million in the prior year period. We reconfirm our full year 2019 targeted free cash flow conversion of approximately 40%. As of June 30, 2019, we had $1,538 million of combined cash and unused borrowing capacity.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2019, we spent $66 million on capital expenditures compared to $54 million in the same period of 2018. In 2019, we expect to spend between approximately $350 million to $360 million on capital expenditures.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2019, we spent approximately $81 million to repurchase approximately 4.0 million shares. As of the end of the second quarter 2019, we have approximately $608 million remaining on our existing $1 billion multiyear share repurchase program.

 

Income Taxes

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2019, we recorded income tax expense of $50 million compared to $4 million during the same period in 2018. In the second quarter 2019, our adjusted effective tax rate was 25%. We expect our forward adjusted effective tax rate will be approximately 22% - 24%.

 

Earnings Conference Call Information

 

We will hold a conference call to discuss our second quarter 2019 financial results on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

 

Participant dial-in numbers:

Domestic callers:                       (877) 402-8037

International callers:                  (201) 378-4913

 

Webcast link: https://78449.themediaframe.com/dataconf/productusers/hun/mediaframe/31065/indexl.html

 

The conference call will be accompanied by presentation slides that will be accessible via the webcast link and Huntsman’s investor relations website, ir.huntsman.com. Upon conclusion of the call, the webcast replay will be accessible via Huntsman’s website.

 

Upcoming Conferences

 

During the third quarter 2019 a member of management is expected to present at:

Jefferies Global Industrials Conference on August 7, 2019

UBS Global Chemicals Conference on September 4, 2019

RBC Capital Markets Global Industrials Conference on September 10, 2019

 

A webcast of the presentation, if applicable, along with accompanying materials will be available at ir.huntsman.com.

 

3 -

 

 

Table 1 – Results of Operations

 

   Three months ended   Six months ended 
   June 30,   June 30, 
In millions, except per share amounts  2019   2018   2019   2018 
Revenues  $2,194   $2,404   $4,228   $4,699 
Cost of goods sold   1,761    1,849    3,398    3,604 
Gross profit   433    555    830    1,095 
Operating expenses   230    254    481    496 
Restructuring, impairment and plant closing costs   -    1    1    3 
Expenses associated with the merger   -    1    -    1 
Operating income   203    299    348    595 
Interest expense   (29)   (29)   (59)   (56)
Equity in income of investment in unconsolidated affiliates   12    18    22    31 
Fair value adjustments to Venator investment   (18)   -    58    - 
Loss on early extinguishment of debt   -    (3)   (23)   (3)
Other income, net   2    8    6    15 
Income before income taxes   170    293    352    582 
Income tax expense   (50)   (4)   (102)   (57)
Income from continuing operations   120    289    250    525 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax(3)   (2)   334    (1)   448 
Net income   118    623    249    973 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax   (8)   (209)   (20)   (285)
Net income attributable to Huntsman Corporation  $110   $414   $229   $688 
                     
Adjusted EBITDA(1)  $318   $415   $575   $820 
Adjusted net income(1)  $146   $246   $254   $483 
                     
Basic income per share  $0.48   $1.73   $0.99   $2.87 
Diluted income per share  $0.47   $1.71   $0.98   $2.82 
Adjusted diluted income per share(1)  $0.63   $1.01   $1.09   $1.98 
                     
Common share information:                    
Basic weighted average shares   231    239    232    240 
Diluted weighted average shares   232    243    234    244 
Diluted shares for adjusted diluted income per share   232    243    234    244 

 

See end of press release for footnote explanations

  

4 -

 

 

Table 2 – Results of Operations by Segment

 

   Three months ended       Six months ended     
   June 30,   Better /   June 30,  

Better /

 
In millions  2019   2018   (Worse)   2019   2018   (Worse) 
Segment Revenues:                              
Polyurethanes  $1,198   $1,313    (9%)  $2,265   $2,535    (11%)
Performance Products   537    593    (9%)   1,077    1,196    (10%)
Advanced Materials   275    292    (6%)   547    571    (4%)
Textile Effects   215    227    (5%)   404    427    (5%)
Corporate and eliminations   (31)   (21)   n/m    (65)   (30)   n/m 
                               
Total  $2,194   $2,404    (9%)  $4,228   $4,699    (10%)
                               
Segment Adjusted EBITDA(1):                              
Polyurethanes  $201   $269    (25%)  $341   $530    (36%)
Performance Products   71    94    (24%)   151    196    (23%)
Advanced Materials   55    62    (11%)   108    121    (11%)
Textile Effects   28    29    (3%)   50    55    (9%)
Corporate, LIFO and other   (37)   (39)   5%   (75)   (82)   9%
                               
Total  $318   $415    (23%)  $575   $820    (30%)

 

n/m = not meaningful

 

See end of press release for footnote explanations

 

5 -

 

 

Table 3 – Factors Impacting Sales Revenue

 

   Three months ended   
   June 30, 2019 vs. 2018   
   Average Selling Price(a)               
   Local   Exchange   Sales Mix   Sales       
   Currency   Rate   & Other   Volume(b)   Total   
Polyurethanes   (14%)   (3%)   1%   7%   (9%)  
Polyurethanes, adj   (14%)   (3%)   2%   3%   (12%) (c)
Performance Products   (6%)   (2%)   (2%)   1%   (9%)  
Performance Products, adj   (6%)   (2%)   (1%)   (2%)   (11%) (d)
Advanced Materials   3%   (4%)   (2%)   (3%)   (6%)  
Textile Effects   11%   (4%)   (1%)   (11%)   (5%)  
Total Company   (6%)   (3%)   (3%)   3%   (9%)  
Total Company, adj   (6%)   (3%)   (2%)   0%   (11%) (c)(d)

 

   Six months ended   
   June 30, 2019 vs. 2018   
   Average Selling Price(a)               
   Local   Exchange   Sales Mix   Sales       
   Currency   Rate   & Other   Volume(b)   Total   
Polyurethanes   (14%)   (3%)   1%   5%   (11%)  
Polyurethanes, adj   (13%)   (3%)   1%   2%   (13%) (c)
Performance Products   (6%)   (2%)   1%   (3%)   (10%)  
Performance Products, adj   (5%)   (2%)   0%   (4%)   (11%) (d)
Advanced Materials   3%   (5%)   1%   (3%)   (4%)  
Textile Effects   11%   (4%)   0%   (12%)   (5%)  
Total Company   (6%)   (3%)   1%   (2%)   (10%)  
Total Company, adj   (6%)   (3%)   2%   (4%)   (11%) (c)(d)

 

(a) Excludes sales from tolling arrangements, by-products and raw materials.

(b) Excludes sales from by-products and raw materials.

(c) Pro forma adjusted to exclude the 2Q18 impact from unplaned outages at Rotterdam onset by third-party constraints.

(d) Pro forma adjusted to exclude the 2Q18 impact of planned T&I at Port Neches.

 

6 -

 

 

Table 4 – Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

 

           Income Tax           Diluted Income 
   EBITDA   (Expense) Benefit   Net Income   Per Share 
   Three months ended   Three months ended   Three months ended   Three months ended 
   June 30,   June 30,   June 30,   June 30, 
In millions, except per share amounts  2019   2018   2019   2018   2019   2018   2019   2018 
Net income  $118   $623             $118   $623   $0.51   $2.57 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (8)   (209)             (8)   (209)   (0.03)   (0.86)
Net income attributable to Huntsman Corporation   110    414              110    414    0.47    1.71 
Interest expense from continuing operations   29    29                               
Interest expense from discontinued operations(3)   -    11                               
Income tax expense from continuing operations   50    4   $(50)  $(4)                    
Income tax expense from discontinued operations(3)   2    84                               
Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations   92    83                               
Acquisition and integration expenses and purchase accounting adjustments   -    7    -    (2)   -    5    -    0.02 
EBITDA / (Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(3)   -    (429)    N/A      N/A     2    (334)   0.01    (1.38)
Noncontrolling interest of discontinued operations(1)(3)   -    188     N/A      N/A     -    188    -    0.77 
U.S. tax reform impact on tax expense    N/A      N/A     3    49    3    49    0.01    0.20 
Release of significant income tax valuation allowances (a)    N/A      N/A     -    (95)   -    (95)   -    (0.39)
Fair value adjustments to Venator Investment (b)   18    -    -    -    18    -    0.08    - 
Loss on early extinguishment of debt   -    3    -    (1)   -    2    -    0.01 
Expenses associated with merger, net of tax   -    1    -    -    -    1    -    - 
Certain legal settlements and related expenses   -    1    -    -    -    1    -    - 
Amortization of pension and postretirement actuarial losses   17    18    (4)   (4)   13    14    0.06    0.06 
Restructuring, impairment and plant closing and transition costs   -    1    -    -    -    1    -    - 
                                         
Adjusted(1)  $318   $415   $(51)  $(57)  $146   $246   $0.63   $1.01 
                                         
Adjusted income tax expense(1)                      $51   $57           
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax                       8    209           
Noncontrolling interest of discontinued operations(1)(3)                       -    (188)          
Adjusted pre-tax income(1)                      $205   $324           
Adjusted effective tax rate(4)                       25%   18%          
Effective tax rate                       29%   1%          

 

           Income Tax           Diluted Income 
   EBITDA   (Expense) Benefit   Net Income   Per Share 
   Six months ended   Six months ended   Six months ended   Six months ended 
   June 30,   June 30,   June 30,   June 30, 
In millions, except per share amounts  2019   2018   2019   2018   2019   2018   2019   2018 
Net income  $249   $973             $249   $973   $1.07   $3.98 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (20)   (285)             (20)   (285)   (0.09)   (1.17)
Net income attributable to Huntsman Corporation   229    688              229    688    0.98    2.82 
Interest expense from continuing operations   59    56                               
Interest expense from discontinued operations(3)   -    20                               
Income tax expense from continuing operations   102    57    (102)   (57)                    
Income tax expense from discontinued operations(3)   -    104                               
Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations   182    165                               
Acquisition and integration expenses and purchase accounting adjustments   1    8    -    (2)   1    6    -    0.02 
EBITDA / Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax(3)   1    (572)    N/A      N/A     1    (448)   -    (1.83)
Noncontrolling interest of discontinued operations(1)(3)   -    243     N/A      N/A     -    243    -    1.00 
U.S. tax reform impact on tax expense    N/A      N/A     3    49    3    49    0.01    0.20 
Release of significant income tax valuation allowances (a)    N/A      N/A     -    (95)   -    (95)   -    (0.39)
Fair value adjustments to Venator Investment (b)   (58)   -    -    -    (58)   -    (0.25)   - 
Loss on early extinguishment of debt   23    3    (5)   (1)   18    2    0.08    0.01 
Expenses associated with merger   -    1    -    -    -    1    -    - 
Certain legal and other settlements and related expenses   -    8    -    (1)   -    7    -    0.03 
Amortization of pension and postretirement actuarial losses   35    35    (8)   (8)   27    27    0.12    0.11 
Impact of Switzerland income tax rate change   -    -    32    -    32    -    0.14    - 
Restructuring, impairment and plant closing and transition costs   1    4    -    (1)   1    3    -    0.01 
                                         
Adjusted(1)  $575   $820   $(80)  $(116)  $254   $483   $1.09   $1.98 
                                         
Adjusted income tax expense(1)                      $80   $116           
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax                       20    285           
Noncontrolling interest of discontinued operations(1)(3)                       -    (243)          
Adjusted pre-tax income(1)                      $354   $641           
Adjusted effective tax rate(4)                       23%   18%          
Effective tax rate                       29%   10%          

 

(a)During the six months ended June 30, 2018, we released $95 million of valuation allowances in Switzerland and the U.K. We eliminated the effect of this significant change in tax valuation allowances from our presentation of adjusted net income to allow investors to better compare our ongoing financial performance from period to period. We do not adjust for insignificant changes in tax valuation allowances because we do not believe this provides more meaningful information than is provided under GAAP.
(b)Represents the changes in market value in Huntsman's remaining interesting in Venator.

 

See end of press release for footnote explanations

 

7 -

 

 

Table 5 – Selected Balance Sheet Items

 

   June 30,   March 31,   December 31, 
In millions  2019   2019   2018 
Cash  $449   $444   $340 
Accounts and notes receivable, net   1,310    1,286    1,272 
Inventories   1,094    1,228    1,134 
Other current assets   160    178    212 
Property, plant and equipment, net   3,047    3,055    3,064 
Other noncurrent assets   2,440    2,449    1,931 
                
Total assets  $8,500   $8,640   $7,953 
                
Accounts payable  $925   $911   $961 
Other current liabilities   497    531    554 
Current portion of debt   228    276    96 
Long-term debt   2,277    2,323    2,224 
Other noncurrent liabilities   1,753    1,736    1,369 
Huntsman Corporation stockholders’ equity   2,611    2,620    2,520 
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries   209    243    229 
                
Total liabilities and equity  $8,500   $8,640   $7,953 

 

Table 6 – Outstanding Debt

 

   June 30,   March 31,   December 31, 
In millions  2019   2019   2018 
Debt:               
Revolving credit facility  $185   $235   $50 
Accounts receivable programs   236    276    252 
Senior notes   1,977    1,969    1,892 
Variable interest entities   81    85    86 
Other debt   26    34    40 
                
Total debt - excluding affiliates   2,505    2,599    2,320 
                
Total cash   449    444    340 
                
Net debt - excluding affiliates(5)  $2,056   $2,155   $1,980 

 

See end of press release for footnote explanations

 

8 -

 

 

Table 7 – Summarized Statement of Cash Flows

 

   Three months ended   Six months ended 
   June 30,   June 30, 
In millions  2019   2018   2019   2018 
Total cash at beginning of period(a)  $444   $676   $340   $719 
                     
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations   304    228    273    339 
Net cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations(3)   -    249    -    301 
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations   (64)   (411)   (118)   (480)
Net cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations(3)   -    (94)   -    (161)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (231)   150    (48)   64 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   (4)   (35)   2    (19)
                     
Total cash at end of period(a)  $449   $763   $449   $763 
                     
Supplemental cash flow information - continuing operations:                    
Cash paid for interest  $(27)  $(47)  $(53)  $(59)
Cash paid for income taxes   (54)   (51)   (68)   (77)
Cash paid for capital expenditures   (66)   (54)   (136)   (109)
Depreciation and amortization   92    83    182    165 
    -                
Changes in primary working capital:                    
Accounts and notes receivable   (26)   10    (39)   (94)
Inventories   135    (2)   45    (107)
Accounts payable   (12)   14    (47)   50 
                     
Total cash used in primary working capital  $97   $22   $(41)  $(151)
                     
Free cash flow(2):                    
Net cash provided by operating activities  $304   $228   $273   $339 
Capital expenditures   (66)   (54)   (136)   (109)
All other investing activities, excluding acquisition and disposition activities(b)       2          (1 )       2          (1 )
Non-recurring merger costs(c)   -    1    -    1 
                     
Total free cash flow  $240   $174   $139   $230 
                     
Adjusted EBITDA  $318   $415   $575   $820 
Capital expenditures   (66)   (54)   (136)   (109)
Capital reimbursements   3    1    7    2 
Interest   (27)   (47)   (53)   (59)
Income taxes   (54)   (51)   (68)   (77)
Primary working capital change   97    22    (41)   (151)
Restructuring   (2)   (6)   (11)   (6)
Pensions   (26)   (28)   (55)   (59)
Maintenance & other   (3)   (78)   (79)   (131)
                     
Total free cash flow(2)   $240   $174   $139   $230 

 

(a)Includes restricted cash and cash held in discontinued operations until the Deconsolidation of Venator.
(b)Represents "Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired",  "Cash received from purchase price adjustment for business acquired", and "Proceeds from sale of business/assets".
(c)Represents payments associated with one-time costs of the terminated merger of equals with Clariant.

 

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Footnotes

 

(1)We use adjusted EBITDA to measure the operating performance of our business and for planning and evaluating the performance of our business segments. We provide adjusted net income because we feel it provides meaningful insight for the investment community into the performance of our business. We believe that net income (loss) is the performance measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) that is most directly comparable to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income (loss). Additional information with respect to our use of each of these financial measures follows:

 

Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted diluted income (loss) per share, as used herein, are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is computed by eliminating the following from net income (loss): (a) net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax; (b) interest; (c) income taxes; (d) depreciation and amortization (e) amortization of pension and postretirement actuarial losses (gains); (f) restructuring, impairment and plant closing costs (credits); and further adjusted for certain other items set forth in reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) in Table 4 above.

 

Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted diluted income (loss) per share are computed by eliminating the after tax impact of the following items from net income (loss): (a) net income attributable to noncontrolling interest; (b) amortization of pension and postretirement actuarial losses (gains); (c) restructuring, impairment and plant closing costs (credits); and further adjusted for certain other items set forth in reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) in Table 4 above. The income tax impacts, if any, of each adjusting item represent a ratable allocation of the total difference between the unadjusted tax expense and the total adjusted tax expense, computed without consideration of any adjusting items using a with and without approach.

 

We do not provide reconciliations for adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss) or adjusted diluted income (loss) per share on a forward-looking basis because we are unable to provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing and amount of certain items, such as, but not limited to, (a) business acquisition and integration expenses and purchase accounting adjustments, (b) merger costs, and (c) certain legal and other settlements and related costs. Each of such adjustments has not yet occurred, are out of our control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

 

(2)Management internally uses a free cash flow measure: (a) to evaluate the Company's liquidity, (b) to evaluate strategic investments, (c) to plan stock buyback and dividend levels and (d) to evaluate the Company's ability to incur and service debt. Free cash flow is not a defined term under U.S. GAAP, and it should not be inferred that the entire free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. The Company defines free cash flow as cash flow provided by operating activities less cash flow used in investing activities, excluding acquisition/disposition activities and non-recurring separation costs. Free cash flow is typically derived directly from the Company's condensed consolidated statement of cash flows; however, it may be adjusted for items that affect comparability between periods.

 

(3)During the third quarter of 2017 we separated our Pigments and Additives division through an Initial Public Offering of Venator Materials PLC. Additionally, during the first quarter 2010 we closed our Australian styrenics operations. Results from these associated businesses are treated as discontinued operations.

 

(4)We believe adjusted effective tax rate provides improved comparability between periods through the exclusion of certain items that management believes are not indicative of the businesses’ operational profitability and that may obscure underlying business results and trends. In our view, effective tax rate is the performance measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP that is most directly comparable to adjusted effective tax rate.

 

The reconciliation of historical adjusted effective tax rate and effective tax rate is set forth in Table 4 above. We do not provide reconciliations for adjusted effective tax rate on a forward-looking basis because we are unable to provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing and amount of certain items, such as, but not limited to, (a) business acquisition and integration expenses, (b) merger costs, and (c) certain legal and other settlements and related costs. Each of such adjustments has not yet occurred, are out of our control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

 

(5)Net debt is a measure we use to monitor how much debt we have after taking into account our total cash. We use it as an indicator of our overall financial position, and calculate it by taking our total debt, including the current portion, and subtracting total cash.

 

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About Huntsman:

 

Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals with 2018 revenues more than $9 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 75 manufacturing, R&D and operations facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 10,000 associates within our four distinct business divisions. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com.

 

Social Media:

 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Huntsman_Corp
Facebook: www.facebook.com/huntsmancorp
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/huntsman

 

Forward-Looking Statements:

 

Certain information in this release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Huntsman companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, volatile global economic conditions, cyclical and volatile product markets, disruptions in production at manufacturing facilities, reorganization or restructuring of Huntsman’s operations, including any delay of, or other negative developments affecting the ability to implement cost reductions and manufacturing optimization improvements in Huntsman businesses and realize anticipated cost savings, and other financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws.

 

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