Grace Reports Third Quarter 2012 Adjusted EPS of $1.04 and Narrows 2012 Earnings Outlook

Grace Reports Third Quarter 2012 Adjusted EPS of $1.04 and Narrows 2012 Earnings Outlook

• Base pricing and sales volumes increased 5.3 percent, offset by lower rare earth surcharges and currency translation

• Sales in emerging regions increased 17 percent

• 2012 outlook for Adjusted EBIT narrowed to the range of $510 to $520 million

COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- W. R. Grace & Co. (NYS: GRA) announced third quarter net income of $75.5 million, or $0.99 per diluted share. Net income for the prior-year quarter was $81.3 million, or $1.07 per diluted share. Adjusted EPS was $1.04 per diluted share compared with $1.16 per diluted share for the prior-year quarter.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, was $205.7 million, or $2.70 per diluted share, compared with $211.3 million, or $2.80 per diluted share for the prior-year period. Adjusted EPS was $3.07 per diluted share compared with $3.06 per diluted share for the prior-year period.

"Our results were in line with our plan," stated Fred Festa, Grace's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "All three of our operating segments improved base pricing and increased sales volumes as strong growth in the emerging regions offset weaker demand in the advanced economies. Our disciplined approach to productivity, cost control and working capital improved earnings and cash flow in the quarter."

Third Quarter Results

Third quarter sales of $776.6 million declined 10.1 percent compared with the prior-year quarter as improved base pricing (+3.7 percent) and higher sales volumes (+1.6 percent) were offset by lower rare earth surcharges (-9.5 percent) and unfavorable currency translation (-5.9 percent). Sales in emerging regions represented 39.1 percent of sales and grew 16.8 percent compared with the prior-year quarter. Acquisitions contributed $7.2 million to sales in the quarter, while divestitures decreased sales by $5.3 million.

Gross profit of $284.8 million declined 10.0 percent compared with the prior-year quarter as improved base pricing and higher sales volumes were more than offset by unfavorable currency translation, unfavorable product mix and the impact of lower rare earth costs and volumes on capitalized inventory values. Gross margin of 36.7 percent increased 10 basis points compared with the prior-year quarter, continuing at the top-end of the company's target range of 35 to 37 percent.

Adjusted EBIT of $129.1 million decreased 9.0 percent compared with $141.9 million in the prior-year quarter. The decrease primarily was due to lower segment operating income in Catalysts Technologies and Materials Technologies, which partially was offset by higher segment operating income in Construction Products and lower corporate expenses. Adjusted EBIT margin improved to 16.6 percent compared with 16.4 percent in the prior-year quarter.

Adjusted EBIT Return On Invested Capital was 34.6 percent on a trailing four-quarter basis, compared with 32.6 percent for the prior-year quarter. The increase in Adjusted EBIT Return On Invested Capital primarily was due to improved working capital management.

Nine Month Results

Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, decreased 1.2 percent to $2.36 billion as improved base pricing (+4.8 percent) and higher sales volumes (+2.0 percent) were offset by unfavorable currency translation (-4.1 percent) and lower rare earth surcharges (-3.9 percent). Sales in emerging regions represented 36.3 percent of sales and grew 14.8 percent compared with the prior-year period.

Gross profit of $866.0 million decreased 0.8 percent compared with the prior-year period. Gross margin of 36.7 percent increased 10 basis points compared with the prior-year period.

Adjusted EBIT was $384.0 million, an increase of 3.7 percent compared with the prior-year period. The improvement in Adjusted EBIT was due to improved pricing, higher sales volumes and lower expenses.

Catalysts Technologies

Sales down 19.0 percent; segment operating income down 17.9 percent

Third quarter sales for the Catalysts Technologies operating segment, which includes specialty catalysts and additives for refinery, plastics and other chemical process applications, were $298.9 million, a decrease of 19.0 percent compared with the prior-year quarter. The decrease was due to lower rare earth surcharges (-22.3 percent) and unfavorable currency translation (-4.5 percent), which more than offset improved base pricing (+7.4 percent) and increased sales volumes (+0.4 percent).

Sales of FCC catalysts decreased during the quarter due to lower rare earth surcharges and unfavorable currency translation. Base pricing improved approximately 9 percent and sales volumes increased approximately 4 percent. Sales volumes were adversely affected by approximately $22 million, or 7 percent, due to the previously announced refinery closures.

Sales of polypropylene catalysts increased double digits compared with the prior-year quarter. Sales of polyethylene catalysts declined due to inventory destocking in Europe and Asia.

Segment gross margin was 40.5 percent compared with 40.2 percent in the prior-year quarter. The increase in gross margin primarily was due to improved base pricing and lower manufacturing costs.

Segment operating income was $92.0 million compared with $112.1 million in the prior-year quarter. Segment operating margin was 30.8 percent, an increase of 40 basis points compared with the prior-year quarter.

Materials Technologies

Sales down 3.4 percent; segment operating income down 4.1 percent

Third quarter sales for the Materials Technologies operating segment, which includes packaging technologies and engineered materials for consumer, industrial, coatings and pharmaceutical applications, were $214.4 million compared with $222.0 million in the prior-year quarter. The 3.4 percent decrease was due to unfavorable currency translation (-8.2 percent) which more than offset higher sales volumes (+4.2 percent) and improved pricing (+0.6 percent).

Segment gross margin was 32.8 percent compared with 33.3 percent in the prior-year quarter. The decrease in gross margin was due to higher manufacturing costs incurred during the quarter.

Segment operating income was $39.8 million, a decrease of 4.1 percent compared with the prior-year quarter. Segment operating margin was 18.6 percent compared with 18.7 percent in the prior-year quarter.

Construction Products

Sales down 3.6 percent; segment operating income up 21.5 percent

Third quarter sales for the Construction Products operating segment, which includes specialty construction chemicals and specialty building materials used in commercial, infrastructure and residential construction, were $263.3 million, a decrease of 3.6 percent compared with the prior-year quarter. Higher sales volumes (+1.1 percent) and improved pricing (+1.1 percent) were offset by unfavorable currency translation (-5.8 percent). The acquisition of Rheoset Industria during the quarter contributed $7.2 million to sales, which more than offset a $5.3 million decrease in sales due to the 2011 divesture of the vermiculite business.

Sales of Construction Products in emerging regions, which represented 35.2 percent of sales, increased 13.1 percent compared with the prior-year quarter due to strong sales in emerging Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Sales in North America, which represented 39.9 percent of sales, decreased 5.8 percent, primarily due to lower demand for residential reroofing products resulting from last year's mild winter. Sales of specialty construction chemicals in North America increased approximately 4 percent. Sales in Western Europe, which represented 14.3 percent of sales, decreased 26.9 percent compared with the prior-year quarter due to unfavorable currency translation, the continuing weak construction environment and the company's decision to exit low-margin business in Southern Europe.

Segment gross margin of 35.4 percent increased 90 basis points compared with the prior-year quarter primarily due to improved pricing, higher sales volumes and a favorable sales mix comparison between the acquired and divested or exited businesses.

Segment operating income of $36.7 million increased 21.5 percent compared with the prior-year quarter primarily due to improved gross margin. Segment operating margin improved to 13.9 percent compared with 11.1 percent in the prior-year quarter.

Other Expenses

Total corporate expenses of $21.8 million decreased 16.2 percent compared with the prior-year quarter, primarily due to disciplined cost control and previously announced restructuring actions.

Defined benefit pension expense for the third quarter was $17.6 million compared with $15.9 million for the prior-year quarter. The 10.7 percent increase primarily was due to year-over-year changes in actuarial assumptions including lower discount rates and a lower expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.

Interest expense was $11.5 million for the third quarter compared with $11.1 million for the prior-year quarter. The annualized weighted average interest rate on pre-petition obligations for the third quarter was 3.6 percent.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded at a global effective tax rate of approximately 33.0 percent. Income taxes paid in cash, net of refunds, were $41.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, or approximately 13.5 percent of income before income taxes.

Grace has not had to pay U.S. Federal income taxes in cash in recent years since available tax deductions and credits have fully offset U.S. taxable income. Grace expects to generate significant U.S. Federal net operating losses upon emergence from bankruptcy.

Since Grace will not emerge from bankruptcy this year, the company expects to use approximately $35 million in carryover tax credits and approximately $18 million in domestic production incentives to reduce U.S. Federal taxable income in 2012. These credits and deductions would not have been available had Grace emerged from bankruptcy and generated a U.S. Federal net operating loss in 2012. Grace expects its 2012 global cash tax rate to increase from 13.5 percent to approximately 22.5 percent for this year only as the company works to maximize the present value of its current and future tax attributes.

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, was $282.8 million compared with $54.7 million in the prior-year period. The improved cash flow primarily was due to lower pension contributions and improved working capital performance.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $286.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared with $155.2 million in the prior-year period.

2012 Outlook

As of October 24, 2012, Grace updated its outlook for 2012 Adjusted EBIT to the range of $510 million to $520 million, an increase of 6 to 9 percent compared with 2011 Adjusted EBIT of $478.6 million. The company expects 2012 Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $630 million to $640 million.

The following updated assumptions are components of Grace's 2012 outlook:

• Consolidated sales of approximately $3.15 billion. Improved sales volumes and base pricing are offset by lower rare earth surcharges and unfavorable currency translation of approximately $170 million and $115 million, respectively;

• Consolidated gross margin in the high end of the 35-37 percent target range;

• An average euro exchange rate of $1.28 for the fourth quarter, compared with an average of $1.34 for the fourth quarter of 2011;

• An effective tax rate of 33.0 percent;

• Capital expenditures of approximately $140 million; and

• Diluted shares outstanding at year end of approximately 77 million.

Grace is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the income effects of the consummation of the Joint Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan") because the value of certain consideration payable to the asbestos trusts under the Plan (primarily the deferred payments and the warrant) will not ultimately be determined until the effective date of the Plan, the timing of which is uncertain. When the Plan is consummated, Grace expects to reduce its liabilities subject to compromise, including asbestos-related contingencies, recognize the value of the deferred payments and the warrant and recognize expense for the costs of consummating the Plan and the income tax effects of these items.

Chapter 11 Proceedings

On April 2, 2001, Grace and 61 of its United States subsidiaries and affiliates, including its primary U.S. operating subsidiary, W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn., filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in order to resolve Grace's asbestos-related liabilities.

On January 31, 2011, the Bankruptcy Court issued an order confirming Grace's Joint Plan of Reorganization. On January 31, 2012, the United States District Court issued an order affirming the Plan, which was reaffirmed on June 11, 2012 following a motion for reconsideration. Five parties have appeals pending before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

The timing of Grace's emergence from Chapter 11 will depend on the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining conditions set forth in the Plan. The Plan sets forth how all pre-petition claims and demands against Grace will be resolved. See Grace's most recent periodic reports filed with the SEC for a detailed description of the Plan.

Grace has not recorded accounting adjustments for the Plan because of the uncertainty of the value of the consideration payable to the asbestos trusts under the Plan (primarily the deferred payments and the warrant). Grace may adjust the recorded amount of its asbestos-related liabilities prior to the effective date of the Plan if it determines that the currently recorded amount of its asbestos-related liabilities does not represent a reasonable estimate of the consideration payable to the asbestos trusts. Grace will adjust its asbestos-related liabilities when material conditions to the Plan are satisfied and when the consideration payable to the asbestos trusts under the Plan can be measured. Such adjustment will be made no later than the effective date of the Plan.

Investor Call

Grace will discuss these results during an investor conference call and webcast today starting at 11:00 a.m. ET. To access the call and webcast, interested participants should go to the Investor Information - Investor Presentations portion of the company's web site, www.grace.com, and click on the webcast link.

Those without access to the Internet can listen to the investor call by dialing +1.866.730.5766 (international callers dial +1.857.350.1590) and entering conference ID 84018437. Investors are advised to access the call at least ten minutes early in order to register. An audio replay will be available at 1:00 p.m. ET on October 24 and will be accessible by dialing +1.888.286.8010 (international callers dial +1.617.801.6888) and entering conference call ID 14454327. The replay will be available for one week.

About Grace

Grace is a leading global supplier of catalysts; engineered and packaging materials; and, specialty construction chemicals and building materials. The company's three industry-leading business segments—Grace Catalysts Technologies, Grace Materials Technologies and Grace Construction Products—provide innovative products, technologies and services that enhance the quality of life. Grace employs approximately 6,000 people in over 40 countries and had 2011 net sales of $3.2 billion. More information about Grace is available at www.grace.com.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements, that is, information related to future, not past, events. Such statements generally include the words "believes," "plans," "intends," "targets," "will," "expects," "suggests," "anticipates," "outlook," "continues" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all statements regarding Grace's Chapter 11 case; expected financial positions; results of operations; cash flows; financing plans; business strategy; budgets; capital and other expenditures; competitive positions; growth opportunities for existing products; benefits from new technology and cost reduction initiatives, plans and objectives; and markets for securities. For these statements, Grace claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Like other businesses, Grace is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from its projections or that could cause other forward-looking statements to prove incorrect. Factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: developments affecting Grace's bankruptcy, proposed plan of reorganization and settlements with certain creditors, the cost and availability of raw materials (including rare earth) and energy, developments affecting Grace's underfunded and unfunded pension obligations, risks related to foreign operations, especially in emerging regions, acquisitions and divestitures of assets and gains and losses from dispositions or impairments, the effectiveness of its research and development and growth investments, its legal and environmental proceedings, costs of compliance with environmental regulation and those factors set forth in Grace's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are readily available on the Internet atwww.sec.gov. Reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Grace's projections and forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. Grace undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revision to the projections and forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this announcement.