Dow Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results

Dow Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results

Dow Reports 4Q Loss of $0.61 Per Share, or Adjusted Earnings Per Share of $0.33 - Up 32 Percent versus 4Q11, Due to Higher Margins Over Raw Materials and Improved Demand in North America and Asia Pacific;

In 2012, Company Delivers $4 Billion of Cash Flow from Operations, Continues Implementation of $2.5 Billion of Cost Reduction and Efficiency Actions, Increases Full-Year Declared Dividends by 34 Percent

MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Dow Chemical Company (NYS: DOW) :

Fourth Quarter 2012 Highlights

• Dow reported a loss of $0.61 per share, or earnings of $0.33 per share on an adjusted basis⁽¹⁾. This compares with a loss of $0.02 per share in the same quarter last year, or adjusted earnings of $0.25 per share. Certain items in the quarter totaled a loss of $0.94 per share, driven primarily by previously announced restructuring actions, coupled with a goodwill impairment charge in the Company's Formulated Systems business.

• Sales for the quarter were $13.9 billion, down 1 percent versus the year-ago period. Agricultural Sciences achieved a new sales record, with sales growing 17 percent. Increases were also reported in Electronic and Functional Materials (up 3 percent), Performance Plastics (up 1 percent) and Coatings and Infrastructure Solutions (up 1 percent). These increases were more than offset by declines in Feedstocks and Energy (down 9 percent) and Performance Materials (down 5 percent).

• Volume was flat for the quarter, as a 5 percent decline in Western Europe offset volume growth in Asia Pacific (up 5 percent) and North America and Latin America (each up 1 percent). Excluding Dow's Feedstocks and Energy operating segment, volume in North America increased 7 percent, reflecting improving demand.

• Price decreased $91 million, or 1 percent, while purchased feedstock and energy costs declined $413 million versus the year-ago period. On a sequential basis, price was up $333 million, or 2 percent, outpacing increases of $218 million in purchased feedstock and energy costs. Sequentially, price increases were led by Performance Plastics and Feedstocks and Energy, each up 4 percent.

• Equity earnings were $44 million, or $206 million excluding the impact of certain items. This compares with $259 million in the year-ago period. Dow Corning represented the largest driver of the decline.

• EBITDA⁽²⁾ was $125 million, or $1.6 billion on an adjusted basis⁽³⁾. Agricultural Sciences achieved a new fourth quarter EBITDA record.

• The Company leveraged the benefit of positive U.S. shale gas dynamics, driving a 430 basis point increase in Performance Plastics adjusted EBITDA margin year over year⁽⁴⁾. To further leverage this advantage, Dow also achieved the first major milestone in its U.S. Gulf Coast integration investments, as its previously idled St. Charles Operations ethylene cracker restarted in December, in line with Dow's year-end target.

• Cash flow from operations was $1.6 billion for the quarter, bringing full-year cash flow from operations to $4.1 billion.

• The Company demonstrated its ongoing commitment to shareholder remuneration, evidenced by the acceleration of its fourth quarter dividend payment.

Comment

Andrew N. Liveris, Dow's chairman and chief executive officer, stated:

"The second half of 2012 saw significant deterioration in the markets we serve, particularly in China. In response, Dow identified and took aggressive action to mitigate the effects of a slow-to-no-growth global environment - by deploying cost and cash flow levers and by continuing to prudently manage our portfolio and prioritize growth investments.

"Our Agricultural Sciences business continues to outperform, driven by its technology pipeline. Performance Plastics also posted strong results in the quarter, bolstered by feedstock advantages in North America and the Middle East, coupled with improving pricing momentum. In addition, our Kuwait joint ventures posted exceptional results in the quarter.

"We delivered on our cash flow target for the year, and our focus on rewarding shareholders remained resolute, as evidenced by a 34 percent increase in declared dividends for 2012."

2012 Full-Year Highlights

• Dow reported full-year 2012 earnings of $0.70 per share, or $1.90 per share on an adjusted basis. This compares with prior-year earnings of $2.05 per share, or $2.54 per share on an adjusted basis.

• Dow took action throughout the year to navigate volatile economic conditions, including reducing structural costs, prioritizing growth investments and announcing the shutdown of down nearly 30 facilities. In total, the Company has set in motion $2.5 billion in cost reductions and cash flow improvements, with $1 billion expected in 2013.

• Sales were $56.8 billion, down 5 percent, or 3 percent on an adjusted basis⁽⁵⁾. Sales decreased in all operating segments excluding Agricultural Sciences (up 13 percent) and in all geographic areas year over year, led by Western Europe.

• Agricultural Sciences achieved record-level sales and EBITDA, posting $6.4 billion and $977 million, respectively.

• Volume decreased 2 percent, or increased 1 percent on an adjusted basis⁽⁶⁾. Asia Pacific and Europe reported volume growth during the year (up 3 percent and 1 percent respectively). Volume in North America remained flat, primarily due to the impact of shutdowns in Feedstocks and Energy.

• Price declined 3 percent. On an adjusted basis⁽⁷⁾, price was down 4 percent, or $2.1 billion. Currency accounted for $1.3 billion - nearly two-thirds of the decline. Purchased feedstock and energy costs decreased $2.5 billion, or 11 percent year over year.

• Equity earnings were $536 million, or $698 million excluding certain items. This compares with 2011 equity earnings of $1.2 billion, or $1.1 billion excluding certain items. The decline was due primarily to Dow Corning.

• For the full year, Dow reported EBITDA of $5.6 billion, or $7.5 billion on an adjusted basis.

• The Company's effective tax rate for the year was 34 percent, versus an effective tax rate of 23 percent in 2011, driven in part by a change in the geographic mix of earnings, as well as lower equity earnings.

• Dow maintained its focus on lowering debt, reporting a $613 million reduction in gross debt in 2012. In addition, year-over-year interest expense declined $72 million.

• Dow continued to demonstrate its priorities for uses of cash, rewarding shareholders with a 34 percent increase in dividends declared per share in 2012 versus 2011.

Review of Fourth Quarter Results

The Dow Chemical Company (NYS: DOW) reported sales of $13.9 billion, down 1 percent. Record sales gains in Agricultural Sciences (up 17 percent), together with gains in Electronic and Functional Materials (up 3 percent) and Performance Plastics and Coatings and Infrastructure Solutions (both up 1 percent), were offset by declines in the remaining segments.

The Company reported flat volume growth for the quarter, as a 5 percent decline in Western Europe offset volume growth in Asia Pacific (up 5 percent) and North America and Latin America (each up 1 percent). Excluding the Company's Feedstocks and Energy segment, volume in North America increased 7 percent, reflecting improved demand conditions.

Price was down 1 percent due largely to currency, while purchased feedstock and energy costs declined $413 million versus the same quarter last year. On a sequential basis, price was up 2 percent, outpacing increases of $218 million in purchased feedstock and energy costs.

EBITDA for the quarter was $125 million, or $1.6 billion on an adjusted basis.

Dow reported a loss of $0.61 per share, or earnings of $0.33 per share on an adjusted basis. This compares with a loss of $0.02 per share in the same quarter last year, or adjusted earnings of $0.25 per share. Certain items in the quarter totaled a loss of $0.94 per share, driven primarily by the impact of previously announced restructuring actions, coupled with a goodwill impairment charge in the Company's Formulated Systems business.

Dow's global operating rate was 78 percent for the quarter, up 6 percentage points versus the year-ago period, as a result of limited destocking in the value chain.

Research and Development (R&D) expenses and Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses together increased $69 million versus the year-ago period, due primarily to ongoing investments in Agricultural Sciences.

The Company reported equity earnings of $44 million for the quarter, or $206 million excluding the impact of certain items. This compares with $259 million in the year-ago period. Dow Corning represented the largest driver of the decline.

"The second half of 2012 saw significant deterioration in the markets we serve, particularly in China," said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow's chairman and chief executive officer. "In response, Dow identified and took aggressive action to mitigate the effects of a slow-to-no-growth global environment - by deploying cost and cash flow levers and by continuing to prudently manage our portfolio and prioritize growth investments.

"Our Agricultural Sciences business continues to outperform, driven by its technology pipeline. Performance Plastics also posted strong results in the quarter, bolstered by feedstock advantages in North America and the Middle East, coupled with improving pricing momentum. In addition, our Kuwait joint ventures posted exceptional results in the quarter.

"We delivered on our cash flow target for the year, and our focus on rewarding shareholders remained resolute, as evidenced by a 34 percent increase in declared dividends for 2012."

Electronic and Functional Materials

Sales in Electronic and Functional Materials were $1.1 billion, up 3 percent from the same quarter last year, as price declined 4 percent and volume increased 7 percent. Dow Electronic Materials reported modest revenue growth, driven primarily by Semiconductor Technologies, where higher foundry utilization in Korea and Taiwan contributed to stronger demand year over year. Semiconductor Technologies experienced mid-to-high single-digit sales growth, as double-digit volume growth was offset by price declines in the business.

Functional Materials revenue increased in all geographic areas, as volume gains outpaced price declines. Stronger year-end demand in key market segments such as energy, water, pharmaceutical, personal care and food drove volume gains. The food sector saw particular strength during the year, driven by new product introductions.

Equity earnings for the segment were $13 million, or $21 million on an adjusted basis. This compares with $32 million in the year-ago period. The decline was driven by Dow Corning as a result of costs associated with the joint venture's recently announced restructuring actions and ongoing polysilicon value chain weakness. EBITDA was $155 million or $211 million on an adjusted basis. This compares with $234 million in the year-ago period.

Coatings and Infrastructure Solutions

Coatings and Infrastructure Solutions reported sales of $1.6 billion, up 1 percent compared with the same period last year. Volume increased 5 percent versus the prior year, while price decreased 4 percent.

Dow Coating Materials reported sales gains as a result of improving demand conditions and share gains in both Industrial and Architectural Coatings, which drove volume improvements. This offset price declines during the quarter. Lower pricing in epoxy-based products continued to hamper sales and profitability. Dow Building and Construction experienced a reduction in sales, as volumes decreased versus same quarter last year - primarily as a result of the 2012 implementation of previously announced STYROFOAM™ asset closures in Europe. Dow Water and Process Solutions reported a slight sales decline as a result of lower volumes, which were driven by the timing of large capital projects and softness in the industry.

The segment reported equity losses of $46 million, or equity earnings of $35 million on an adjusted basis. This compares with $102 million in the same period last year. The decline was driven by Dow Corning, as a result of costs associated with the joint venture's recently announced restructuring actions and ongoing polysilicon value chain weakness. EBITDA for the segment was $36 million or $129 million on an adjusted basis. This compares with EBITDA of $177 million or $237 million on an adjusted basis in the year-ago period.

Agricultural Sciences

Agricultural Sciences reported record fourth quarter sales of $1.6 billion, up 17 percent versus the year-ago period. Volume increased 13 percent and price rose 4 percent. The segment also reported record sales for the year of $6.4 billion, driven by increased customer adoption of new products and healthy industry fundamentals.

Fourth quarter sales of Crop Protection rose 10 percent versus the year-ago period, driven by broad-based gains across all geographic areas. Sales of new crop protection products grew 11 percent for the quarter and 19 percent for the full year, placing the business on track to exceed its target of $800 million in annual sales from these products by 2013.

Seeds, Traits and Oils reported a 44 percent sales gain in the quarter versus the year-ago period, driven by continued strong growth in both North America and Latin America. For the year, Seeds, Traits and Oils sales increased 27 percent, with significant increases in key crops, including corn, soybeans and healthy oils. Strong farmer demand fueled gains for SmartStax^® corn hybrids.

EBITDA for the segment was a new fourth quarter record of $156 million, up from $145MM last year.

Performance Materials

Sales in Performance Materials were $3.4 billion, down 5 percent versus the year-ago period. Volume declined 2 percent and price declined 3 percent on an adjusted basis compared with the same period last year. Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America all reported price and volume declines. Double-digit volume gains in Polyurethanes, Amines and Oxygenated Solvents drove sales growth in North America.

Propylene Oxide / Propylene Glycol sales declined, driven primarily by lower prices in all regions. Polyurethane sales were lower principally due to the shutdown of toluene diisocyanate capacity in Brazil. Sales declined in Polyglycols, Surfactants and Fluids due to lower volume in Europe and Asia Pacific. Volume gains in Oxygenated Solvents and Chlorinated Organics were more than offset by lower prices in all geographic areas. Revenue increased in Epoxy, due to new Liquid Epoxy Resin capacity in Europe, as well as higher Phenolics sales.

Equity losses for the quarter were $25 million. The segment reported EBITDA losses of $137 million on a reported basis, or EBITDA of $267 million on an adjusted basis. This compares with EBITDA of $225 million, or $344 million on an adjusted basis during the year-ago period.

Performance Plastics

Sales in Performance Plastics were $3.7 billion, up 1 percent compared with the same quarter last year. Price increased 2 percent, as volume declined 1 percent. Volume gains were achieved in North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Fourth quarter sales increased in Performance Packaging, driven by gains in North America and Latin America. Performance Packaging volumes declined in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), partially offset by increases in North America. EMEA recorded the most price improvement over the same quarter last year.

Dow Elastomers sales declined versus the year-ago period, despite volume growth in North America, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. Dow Electrical and Telecommunications sales were down as increases in Asia Pacific were offset by declines in other areas. Dow Hygiene and Medical increased both volume and price in the quarter, with double-digit volume gains in Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Equity earnings for the segment were $33 million, which compares with $32 million in the year-ago period. EBITDA for the segment was $803 million, or $829 million excluding certain items. This compares with EBITDA of $667 million in the same period last year.

Feedstocks and Energy

Sales in Feedstocks and Energy were $2.6 billion, down 9 percent versus the same period last year. In Hydrocarbons, sales declined as a result of lower sales of olefins due to lighter feedslates, as well as the expiration of contract sales related to the divestiture of Dow's Polypropylene business. The Chlor-Alkali / Chlor-Vinyl business benefited from higher caustic soda prices due largely to stable demand and tight supply conditions in North America and Europe. These prices were more than offset by lower year-over-year vinyl chloride monomer sales, as a result of lower volumes, driven by asset shutdowns in 2011. Sales declined in Ethylene Oxide / Ethylene Glycol compared with the year-ago period. These declines were due in part to lower available volume stemming from planned maintenance activities.

Equity earnings were $152 million, up from $115 million in the same quarter last year. EBITDA for the segment was $186 million, or $193 million on an adjusted basis. This is up from $175 million in the same quarter last year.

Review of Results for 2012

Sales were $56.8 billion, down 5 percent, or 3 percent on an adjusted basis, with currency representing nearly two-thirds of the decline. Sales decreased in most operating segments and in all geographic areas. This was led by Western Europe, which was down 4 percent.

On a reported basis, volume decreased 2 percent in 2012. Adjusted volume increased 1 percent, as Asia Pacific and EMEA reported volume growth during the year (up 3 percent and 1 percent respectively). Volume in North America remained flat year over year, while Latin America reported a volume decline of 1 percent.

Price was down 3 percent, or 4 percent on an adjusted basis. Currency was a key driver, contributing $1.3 billion - or more than half of the decline. Purchased feedstock and energy costs decreased $2.5 billion.

EBITDA for the full year was $5.6 billion, or $7.5 billion on an adjusted basis.

Dow reported full-year earnings of $0.70 per share, or $1.90 per share on an adjusted basis. This compares with prior-year earnings of $2.05 per share, or adjusted earnings of $2.54 per share.

Dow's global operating rate was 81 percent, up 1 percentage point versus 2011.

Research and Development (R&D) expenses and Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses together increased $135 million on a full-year basis. Agricultural Sciences represented $128 million of this increase, reflecting the Company's commitment to prioritize spending in key growth sectors.

Throughout the year, the Company maintained its focus on lowering debt, reporting a gross debt reduction of $613 million in 2012. In addition, year-over-year interest expense declined $72 million.

Outlook

Commenting on the Company's outlook, Liveris said:

"Dow enters 2013 squarely focused on driving earnings growth, increasing cash flow and rewarding shareholders. And while our business plans do not call for material macroeconomic tailwinds, we will fully harvest our feedstock strength, particularly in Performance Plastics, and further accelerate growth in our technology-driven Agricultural Sciences segment. In addition, we have deployed $2.5 billion of cost reductions and cash flow improvements, and are aggressively managing our portfolio - by prioritizing our growth programs and driving selective, non-core divestitures. Collectively these actions demonstrate our firm resolve to control what we can control, and proactively implement the right strategic decisions to accelerate Dow's performance.

"We have the right catalysts firmly in place. Our feedstock advantage, particularly as the ethylene cycle unfolds, and the commercialization of our technology pipeline, as well as our integration investments in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Sadara as a whole differentiate Dow, and will continue to propel our strategy to deliver higher earnings growth and increasingly reward shareholders."

Dow will host a live Webcast of its fourth quarter earnings conference call with investors to discuss its results, business outlook and other matters today at 9:00 a.m. ET on www.dow.com.

®™* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow

^®SmartStax multi-event technology developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC and Monsanto. SmartStax is a trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC.

About Dow

Dow (NYS: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2012, Dow had annual sales of $57 billion and employed approximately 54,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

Use of non-GAAP financial measures: Dow's management believes that measures of income adjusted to exclude certain items ("non-GAAP" financial measures) provide relevant and meaningful information to investors about the ongoing operating results of the Company. Such financial measures are not recognized in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP financial measures of performance. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures are provided in the Supplemental Information tables.

Note: The forward-looking statements contained in this document involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations will be realized. The Company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.