0001306830-15-000006 8-K 22 20150122 2.02 7.01 9.01 20150122 20150122 Celanese Corp 0001306830 2820 980420726 DE 1231 8-K 34 001-32410 15542810 222 W. LAS COLINAS BLVD., SUITE 900N IRVING TX 75039-5421 972-443-4000 222 W. LAS COLINAS BLVD., SUITE 900N IRVING TX 75039-5421 Celanese CORP 20041102 Blackstone Crystal Holdings Capital Partners (Cayman) IV Ltd. 20041022 8-K 1 q420148-kdoc.htm 8-K Q4 2014 8-K DOC UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 22, 2015 CELANESE CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 001-32410 98-0420726 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File (IRS Employer of incorporation) Number) Identification No.) 222 West Las Colinas Blvd. Suite 900N, Irving, TX 75039 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (972) 443-4000 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition On January 22, 2015, Celanese Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release reporting the financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014. A copy of the press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K ("Current Report") as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 2.02 disclosure. Each non-US GAAP financial measure used in the press release is reconciled to the most comparable US GAAP financial measure in Exhibit 99.2, which includes other supplemental information of interest to investors, analysts and other parties and which is incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 2.02 disclosure. Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure On January 23, 2015, Mark C. Rohr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Christopher W. Jensen, Senior Vice President, Finance of the Company, will make a presentation to investors and analysts via a webcast hosted by the Company at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT). The webcast, prepared remarks from Mark Rohr and Chris Jensen and a slide presentation may be accessed on our website at www.celanese.com under Investor Events & Presentations. A copy of the slide presentation and a copy of the prepared remarks posted for the webcast are attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 99.3 and Exhibit 99.4, respectively, and are incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 7.01 disclosure. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits (d) Exhibits Exhibit Number Description 99.1 Press Release dated January 22, 2015* 99.2 Non-US GAAP Financial Measures and Supplemental Information dated January 22, 2015* 99.3 Slide Presentation dated January 22, 2015* 99.4 Prepared Remarks from M. Rohr and C. Jensen dated January 22, 2015* *In connection with the disclosure set forth in Item 2.02 and Item 7.01, the information in this Current Report, including the exhibits attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of such section. The information in this Current Report, including the exhibits, shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any incorporation by reference language in any such filing. This Current Report will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information in this Current Report that is required to be disclosed solely by Regulation FD. 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. CELANESE CORPORATION By: /s/ James R. Peacock III Name: James R. Peacock III Title: Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Date: January 22, 2015 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Number Description 99.1 Press Release dated January 22, 2015* 99.2 Non-US GAAP Financial Measures and Supplemental Information dated January 22, 2015* 99.3 Slide Presentation dated January 22, 2015* 99.4 Prepared Remarks from M. Rohr and C. Jensen dated January 22, 2015* * In connection with the disclosure set forth in Item 2.02 and Item 7.01, the information in this Current Report, including the exhibits attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of such section. The information in this Current Report, including the exhibits, shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any incorporation by reference language in any such filing. This Current Report will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information in this Current Report that is required to be disclosed solely by Regulation FD. 3 EX-99.1 2 q420148-kex991.htm EARNINGS RELEASE Q4 2014 8-K EX99.1 Exhibit 99.1 [[Image Removed]] Celanese Corporation 222 West Las Colinas Blvd. Suite 900N Irving, Texas 75039 Celanese Corporation Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Results Dallas, January 22, 2015: Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global technology and specialty materials company, today reported record fourth quarter 2014 adjusted earnings per share of $1.28 versus $1.04 in the prior year quarter. Fourth quarter 2014 financial highlights: • Record fourth quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.28, up 23 percent from prior year, driven by increased flexibility in the Acetyl Chain to respond to industry dynamics and the impact of productivity initiatives • Record fourth quarter adjusted EBIT margin of 18.1 percent, 300 basis points higher year-over-year • Deployed $49 million of cash, repurchasing approximately 820 thousand shares Full year 2014 financial highlights: • Record adjusted earnings per share of $5.67, up 26 percent from prior year, primarily due to the increased ability to respond to changing industry dynamics in the Acetyl Chain and the strength of the model in the Materials business • Record adjusted EBIT margin of 18.6 percent, a 240 basis points increase over prior year • Record operating cash flow of $962 million and adjusted free cash flow of $553 million driven by strong earnings • Deployed $250 million of cash, repurchasing approximately 4.3 million shares • Increased cash dividends paid to shareholders by 73 percent compared to prior year, to $144 million • Improved credit profile through debt payments in excess of $200 million and an incremental $100 million US pension plan contribution 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, 2014 September 30, 2014 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2013 (unaudited) (In $ millions, except per share data) Net sales Advanced Engineered Materials 331 366 1,459 1,352 Consumer Specialties 278 291 1,160 1,214 Industrial Specialties 265 314 1,224 1,155 Acetyl Intermediates 814 937 3,493 3,241 Other Activities — — — — Intersegment elimination (129 ) (139 ) (534 ) (452 ) Total 1,559 1,769 6,802 6,510 Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, 2014 September 30, 2014 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2013 (unaudited) (In $ millions, except per share data) Operating profit (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation(1) Advanced Engineered Materials 57 51 221 904 Consumer Specialties 104 105 388 346 Industrial Specialties 16 16 76 64 Acetyl Intermediates(1) 146 175 562 153 Other Activities (376 ) (36 ) (485 ) 41 Total (53 ) 311 762 1,508 Net earnings (loss) (85 ) 252 620 1,101 Adjusted EBIT / Total segment income(2) 282 355 1,268 1,056 Operating EBITDA(2) 354 428 1,558 1,358 Diluted EPS - continuing operations(3) $ (0.54 ) $ 1.66 $ 4.04 $ 6.91 Diluted EPS - total $ (0.55 ) $ 1.63 $ 4.00 $ 6.91 Adjusted EPS(2) $ 1.28 $ 1.61 $ 5.67 $ 4.50 ______________________________ (1) Operating profit (loss) for Acetyl Intermediates has been adjusted to remove 50% of the operating profit (loss) attributable to the company's Fairway venture which is 50% owned by Celanese Corporation, but consolidated into the results of Celanese Corporation under US GAAP. (2) See "Non-US GAAP Financial Measures" below. (3) Fourth quarter 2014 includes an aggregate net loss of $256 million, primarily related to net actuarial losses partially offset by gains on pension plan and medical plan changes. Fourth quarter 2013 includes an aggregate net gain of $753 million, primarily related to the final disposition of the Kelsterbach site, net actuarial gains and net gains on pension plan and medical plan changes partially offset by exit costs and asset impairment losses for certain sites. Additional information about the company's prior period performance is included in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in its Current Year Reconciliations to Non-US GAAP Financial Measures available on the company's website at www.celanese.com in the Investor Relations section. 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I am pleased to report record fourth quarter earnings of $1.28 per share, 23 percent higher than the prior year. We generated these strong results with a more robust and responsive business model in the Acetyl Chain(4) along with productivity actions. In our Materials business(4), we delivered excellent results as we continued to add value to customers through innovation and specified products and applications. I am thankful to our global teams for their hard work and dedication," said Mark Rohr, chairman and chief executive officer. "For the year, we grew adjusted earnings to $5.67 per share, a record and 26 percent higher than the prior year. Our strong earnings drove operating cash flow of $962 million and adjusted free cash flow of $553 million, both records. We returned a significant portion of this cash to shareholders, deploying $250 million to repurchase approximately 4.3 million shares of stock during the year. We distributed $144 million in dividends in 2014, a 73 percent increase over the prior year. We also improved our credit profile, making more than $200 million in debt payments and funded our US pension plan by an additional $100 million. We finished the year with the strongest balance sheet in our history." Full Year Business Segment Overview Advanced Engineered Materials In Advanced Engineered Materials, segment income margin expanded 20 basis points to 22.5 percent on record segment income of $329 million, driven by the business' ability to leverage deep customer relationships and develop solutions that resonate with customers' growth strategies. Volumes increased 9 percent reflecting increased sales in Asia and Europe driven by auto, industrial and consumer applications. Global auto penetration increased to approximately 2 kg per vehicle. Pricing was 1 percent lower than the prior year reflecting the segments' targeted growth strategy in Asia as well as overall product mix. Affiliate earnings improved by $13 million. Consumer Specialties Segment income in Consumer Specialties was $460 million as segment income margin expanded 380 basis points over the prior year to 39.7 percent, both records. Pricing increased 1 percent which combined with productivity initiatives, including lower raw material costs, more than offset 5 percent lower volumes. Dividends from the cellulose derivatives ventures increased $23 million. Industrial Specialties Industrial Specialties' segment income was $64 million with segment income margin of 5.2 percent, 110 basis points lower than the prior year. Volumes increased 1 percent driven by growth in the business' differentiated VAE technology in Asia and Europe. Pricing increased 5 percent but was more than offset by higher raw material costs, primarily VAM in emulsion polymers in Europe and higher ethylene in EVA polymers. Acetyl Intermediates In Acetyl Intermediates, segment income margin expanded 640 basis points to 15.7 percent on segment income of $547 million. Pricing increased 11 percent over prior year due to increased flexibility in the segment's business model and unplanned industry outages. The higher pricing and productivity initiatives more than offset 3 percent lower volumes. ______________________________ (4) Acetyl Chain includes Acetyl Intermediates and Industrial Specialties segments; Materials includes Advanced Engineered Materials and Consumer Specialties segments. 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recent Highlights • Received The American Composites Manufacturers Association's Most Creative Composites Application Award for "Excellence in the Design Category" for high-performance carbon fiber strands used in overhead conductors. • Introduced a family of low-friction and low-wear thermoplastic polymers for medical devices that enables the device to operate smoothly providing a high degree of patient comfort and consistency. • Opened a new sales center in Istanbul, Turkey to support customer growth of the company's intermediate chemistry, engineered materials and emulsion polymers portfolio in Turkey and the greater European region. • Announced formation of a Commercial and Technology Center in Mexico to support the growth of global customers, particularly in Latin America, and to advance technical capabilities. • Signed a letter of intent with Setsunan to compound the company's engineered polymers in Setsunan's Japanese facilities. • Increased share repurchase authorization to $500 million; $451 million remaining at December 31, 2014. Fourth Quarter Business Segment Overview Advanced Engineered Materials Advanced Engineered Materials' segment income margin was 19.3 percent on segment income of $64 million. Volumes declined 6 percent sequentially reflecting typical seasonal trends in North America and Europe across end use markets. Auto penetration was consistent at approximately 2 kg per vehicle. Pricing declined 1 percent due to product and regional mix. Consumer Specialties In Consumer Specialties, segment income margin was 39.6 percent, consistent with prior quarter, on segment income of $110 million. Volumes declined 4 percent sequentially on seasonality while pricing was consistent with the third quarter. Dividends from the cellulose derivatives ventures were $29 million. Industrial Specialties Industrial Specialties' segment income margin declined 220 basis points to 2.6 percent on segment income of $7 million. Volumes decreased 14 percent sequentially mainly due to normal fourth quarter seasonality in emulsion polymers. Pricing was consistent sequentially as product mix in EVA polymers offset slightly lower pricing in emulsion polymers on lower raw material pricing. Acetyl Intermediates In Acetyl Intermediates, fourth quarter segment income was $137 million. Segment income margin was 16.8 percent, 110 basis points below prior quarter but 670 basis higher than the prior year quarter reflecting productivity actions and increased flexibility in the business to respond to prevailing industry dynamics. Sequentially volumes declined 7 percent and pricing was 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- down 5 percent from prior quarter, primarily driven by fewer industry outages in VAM during the fourth quarter than in prior quarters this year. Cash Flow During the fourth quarter, the company generated operating cash flow of $166 million driven by continued strong earnings. Adjusted free cash flow for the quarter was $29 million. The company deployed $49 million of cash, repurchasing approximately 820 thousand shares in the quarter. $451 million remains under the current share repurchase authorization as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the company's net debt was below $2.0 billion, $114 million lower than prior year end. During the fourth quarter the company de-leveraged and lowered its borrowing cost, redeeming $600 million of 6.625% senior unsecured notes using balance sheet cash plus $378 million in proceeds from a recently completed €300 million 3.250% senior unsecured notes offering. Outlook "Our teams delivered exceptional performance in 2014. We demonstrated increased flexibility in the Acetyl Chain and continued to provide customers with innovative solutions that add value in our Materials business," said Rohr. "We begin 2015 with a strong underlying business that should help us mitigate some of the volatility in the macroeconomic environment. Our focus as a company will be on the things we can control. However, with the level of global uncertainty that exists today, we anticipate adjusted earnings for 2015 will be in the range of $5.00 to $5.50 per share." The company's earnings presentation and prepared remarks related to the fourth quarter results will be posted on its website at www.celanese.com in the investor section after market close on January 22, 2015. Contacts: Investor Relations Media - U.S. Media - Europe Jon Puckett Travis Jacobsen Jens Kurth Phone: +1 972 443 4965 Phone: +1 972 443 3750 Phone: +49(0)69 45009 1574 Jon.Puckett@celanese.com William.Jacobsen@celanese.com J.Kurth@celanese.com Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. With sales almost equally divided between North America, Europe and Asia, the company uses the full breadth of its global chemistry, technology and business expertise to create value for customers and the corporation. Celanese partners with customers to solve their most critical needs while making a positive impact on its communities and the world. Based in Dallas, Texas, Celanese employs approximately 7,500 employees worldwide and had 2014 net sales of $6.8 billion. For more information about Celanese Corporation and its product offerings, visit www.celanese.com or our blog at www.celaneseblog.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain "forward-looking statements," which include information concerning the company's plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs and other information that is not historical information. All forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and beliefs and various assumptions. There can be no assurance that the company will realize these expectations or that these beliefs will prove correct. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: changes in general economic, business, political and regulatory conditions in the countries or regions in which we operate; the length and depth of product and industry business cycles, particularly in the automotive, electrical, textiles, electronics and construction industries; changes in the price and availability of raw materials, particularly changes in the 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- demand for, supply of, and market prices of ethylene, methanol, natural gas, wood pulp and fuel oil and the prices for electricity and other energy sources; the ability to pass increases in raw material prices on to customers or otherwise improve margins through price increases; the ability to maintain plant utilization rates and to implement planned capacity additions and expansions; the ability to reduce or maintain their current levels of production costs and to improve productivity by implementing technological improvements to existing plants; increased price competition and the introduction of competing products by other companies; market acceptance of our technology; the ability to obtain governmental approvals and to construct facilities on terms and schedules acceptable to the company; changes in the degree of intellectual property and other legal protection afforded to our products or technologies, or the theft of such intellectual property; compliance and other costs and potential disruption or interruption of production or operations due to accidents, interruptions in sources of raw materials, cyber security incidents, terrorism or political unrest or other unforeseen events or delays in construction or operation of facilities, including as a result of geopolitical conditions, the occurrence of acts of war or terrorist incidents or as a result of weather or natural disasters; potential liability for remedial actions and increased costs under existing or future environmental regulations, including those relating to climate change; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation, or from changes in the laws, regulations or policies of governments or other governmental activities in the countries in which we operate; changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates; our level of indebtedness, which could diminish our ability to raise additional capital to fund operations or limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or the chemicals industry; and various other factors discussed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. Non-US GAAP Financial Measures Use of Non-US GAAP Financial Information This release uses the following non-US GAAP measures: adjusted EBIT, operating EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted free cash flow and net debt. These measures are not recognized in accordance with US GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to US GAAP measures of performance. The most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with US GAAP in our consolidated financial statements for adjusted EBIT and operating EBITDA is net earnings (loss); for adjusted earnings per share is earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share-diluted; for adjusted free cash flow is cash flow from operations; and for net debt is total debt. Definitions of Non-US GAAP Financial Measures • Adjusted EBIT is defined by the Company as net earnings (loss) less interest income plus loss (earnings) from discontinued operations, interest expense and taxes, and further adjusted for certain items and amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests ("NCI"). Adjusted EBIT by business segment may also be referred to by management as segment income. • Operating EBITDA is defined by the Company as net earnings (loss) less interest income plus loss (earnings) from discontinued operations, interest expense, taxes and depreciation and amortization, and further adjusted for certain items and amounts attributable to NCI. Operating EBITDA is equal to adjusted EBIT plus depreciation and amortization. • Adjusted earnings per share is defined by the Company as earnings (loss) from continuing operations, adjusted for income tax (provision) benefit, certain items, refinancing and related expenses and amounts attributable to NCI, divided by the number of basic common shares, convertible preferred shares and dilutive restricted stock units and stock options calculated using the treasury method. Note: The income tax rate used for adjusted earnings per share approximates the midpoint in a range of forecasted tax rates for the year. This range may include certain partial or full-year forecasted tax opportunities, where applicable, and specifically excludes changes in uncertain tax positions, discrete items and other material items adjusted out of our GAAP earnings for adjusted earnings per share purposes, and changes in management's assessments regarding the ability to realize deferred tax assets. We also reflect the impact of foreign tax credits when utilized for the adjusted earnings per share tax rate. We analyze this rate quarterly and adjust if there is a material change in the range of forecasted tax rates; an updated forecast would not necessarily result in a change to our tax rate used for adjusted earnings per share. The adjusted tax rate is an estimate and may differ from the actual tax rate used for GAAP reporting in any given reporting period. It is not practical to reconcile our prospective adjusted tax rate to the actual GAAP tax rate in any given future period. • Adjusted free cash flow is defined by the Company as cash flow from operations less other productive asset purchases, operating cash flow from discontinued operations and certain cash flow adjustments, including amounts attributable to NCI and capital contributions from outside stockholders of the Company's consolidated ventures. • Net debt is defined by the Company as total debt less cash and cash equivalents, adjusted for amounts attributable to NCI. Reconciliation of Non-US GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliations of the non-US GAAP financial measures used in this press release to the comparable US GAAP financial measure, together with information about the purposes and uses of non-US GAAP financial measures, are included in our Non-US GAAP Financial Measures and Supplemental Information document filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on or about January 22, 2015 and also available on our website at www.celanese.com under Financial Information, Non-GAAP Financial Measures, or at this link: http://investors.celanese.com/interactive/lookandfeel/4103411/Non-GAAP.PDF Results Unaudited The results in this document, together with the adjustments made to present the results on a comparable basis, have not been audited and are based on internal financial data furnished to management. Quarterly results should not be taken as an indication of the results of operations to be reported for any subsequent period or for the full fiscal year. Supplemental Information Additional information about our prior period performance is included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our Non-US GAAP Financial Measures and Supplemental Information document. 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated Statements of Operations - Unaudited Three Months Ended December 31, September 30, 2014 2014 December 31, 2013 (In $ millions, except share and per share data) Net sales 1,559 1,769 1,616 Cost of sales (1,165 ) (1,333 ) (1,249 ) Gross profit 394 436 367 Selling, general and administrative expenses (417 ) (118 ) 5 Amortization of intangible assets (4 ) (5 ) (6 ) Research and development expenses (18 ) (22 ) (12 ) Other (charges) gains, net (6 ) 20 (147 ) Foreign exchange gain (loss), net (1 ) 1 (1 ) Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and asset, net (2 ) (2 ) 738 Operating profit (loss) (54 ) 310 944 Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates 53 52 30 Interest expense (27 ) (41 ) (42 ) Refinancing expense (25 ) (4 ) — Interest income (4 ) 3 — Dividend income - cost investments 29 29 24 Other income (expense), net (3 ) (2 ) (1 ) Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax (31 ) 347 955 Income tax (provision) benefit (52 ) (90 ) (299 ) Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (83 ) 257 656 Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations (3 ) (7 ) (3 ) Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations — — — Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations 1 2 1 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations (2 ) (5 ) (2 ) Net earnings (loss) (85 ) 252 654 Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 1 1 — Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation (84 ) 253 654 Amounts attributable to Celanese Corporation Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (82 ) 258 656 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations (2 ) (5 ) (2 ) Net earnings (loss) (84 ) 253 654 Earnings (loss) per common share - basic Continuing operations (0.54 ) 1.67 4.17 Discontinued operations (0.01 ) (0.03 ) (0.01 ) Net earnings (loss) - basic (0.55 ) 1.64 4.16 Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted Continuing operations (0.54 ) 1.66 4.16 Discontinued operations (0.01 ) (0.03 ) (0.01 ) Net earnings (loss) - diluted (0.55 ) 1.63 4.15 Weighted average shares (in millions) Basic 153.4 154.5 157.4 Diluted 153.4 155.2 157.7 8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated Statements of Operations - Unaudited Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 (In $ millions, except share and per share data) Net sales 6,802 6,510 Cost of sales (5,186 ) (5,145 ) Gross profit 1,616 1,365 Selling, general and administrative expenses (758 ) (311 ) Amortization of intangible assets (20 ) (32 ) Research and development expenses (86 ) (85 ) Other (charges) gains, net 15 (158 ) Foreign exchange gain (loss), net (2 ) (6 ) Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and asset, net (7 ) 735 Operating profit (loss) 758 1,508 Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates 246 180 Interest expense (147 ) (172 ) Refinancing expense (29 ) (1 ) Interest income 1 1 Dividend income - cost investments 116 93 Other income (expense), net (4 ) — Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax 941 1,609 Income tax (provision) benefit (314 ) (508 ) Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 627 1,101 Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations (11 ) — Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations — — Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations 4 — Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations (7 ) — Net earnings (loss) 620 1,101 Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 4 — Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation 624 1,101 Amounts attributable to Celanese Corporation Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 631 1,101 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations (7 ) — Net earnings (loss) 624 1,101 Earnings (loss) per common share - basic Continuing operations 4.07 6.93 Discontinued operations (0.04 ) — Net earnings (loss) - basic 4.03 6.93 Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted Continuing operations 4.04 6.91 Discontinued operations (0.04 ) — Net earnings (loss) - diluted 4.00 6.91 Weighted average shares (in millions) Basic 155.0 158.8 Diluted 156.2 159.3 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited As of As of December 31, December 31, 2014 2013 (In $ millions) ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 780 984 Trade receivables - third party and affiliates, net 801 867 Non-trade receivables, net 241 343 Inventories 782 804 Deferred income taxes 29 115 Marketable securities, at fair value 32 41 Other assets 33 28 Total current assets 2,698 3,182 Investments in affiliates 876 841 Property, plant and equipment, net 3,733 3,425 Deferred income taxes 253 289 Other assets 377 341 Goodwill 749 798 Intangible assets, net 132 142 Total assets 8,818 9,018 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current Liabilities Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates 137 177 Trade payables - third party and affiliates 757 799 Other liabilities 432 541 Deferred income taxes 7 10 Income taxes payable 5 18 Total current liabilities 1,338 1,545 Long-term debt 2,608 2,887 Deferred income taxes 141 225 Uncertain tax positions 159 200 Benefit obligations 1,211 1,175 Other liabilities 283 287 Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity Preferred stock — — Common stock — — Treasury stock, at cost (611 ) (361 ) Additional paid-in capital 103 53 Retained earnings 3,491 3,011 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net (165 ) (4 ) Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity 2,818 2,699 Noncontrolling interests 260 — Total equity 3,078 2,699 Total liabilities and equity 8,818 9,018 10 EX-99.2 3 q420148-kex992.htm NON-GAAP MEASURES Q4 2014 8-K EX99.2 [[Image Removed]] Exhibit 99.2 Non-US GAAP Financial Measures and Supplemental Information January 22, 2015 In this document, the terms "Company," "we" and "our" refer to Celanese Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Purpose The purpose of this document is to provide information of interest to investors, analysts and other parties including supplemental financial information and reconciliations and other information concerning our use of non-US GAAP financial measures. This document is updated quarterly. Use of Non-US GAAP Financial Measures From time to time, management may publicly disclose certain numerical "non-GAAP financial measures" in the course of our earnings releases, financial presentations, earnings conference calls, investor and analyst meetings and otherwise. For these purposes, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") defines a "non-GAAP financial measure" as a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that effectively exclude amounts, included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with US GAAP, and vice versa for measures that include amounts, or are subject to adjustments that effectively include amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable US GAAP measure so calculated and presented. For these purposes, "GAAP" refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by management are provided as additional information to investors, analysts and other parties as the Company believes them to be important supplemental measures for assessing our financial and operating results and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed as supplemental to, and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to, net earnings (loss), operating profit (loss), cash flow from operating activities, earnings per share or any other US GAAP financial measure. The method of calculation of the non-GAAP financial measures used herein may be different from other companies' methods for calculating measures with the same or similar titles. Investors, analysts and other parties should understand how another company calculates such non-GAAP financial measures before comparing the other company's non-GAAP financial measures to any of our own. These non-GAAP financial measures may not be indicative of the historical operating results of the Company nor are they intended to be predictive or projections of future results. Pursuant to the requirements of SEC Regulation G, whenever we refer to a non-GAAP financial measure, we will also present on the Investor Relations/Financial Information/Non-GAAP Financial Measures page of our website, www.celanese.com, in this document, in the presentation itself or on a Form 8-K in connection with the presentation, to the extent practicable, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, along with a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure we reference and such comparable GAAP financial measure. This supplemental financial disclosure should be considered within the context of our complete audited financial results for the given period, which are available on the Investor Relations/Financial Information/SEC Filings page of our website, www.celanese.com. This document includes definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures used from time to time by the Company. Specific Measures Used This document provides information about the following non-GAAP measures: adjusted EBIT, operating EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, net debt, adjusted free cash flow and return on capital employed. The most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with US GAAP in our consolidated financial statements for adjusted EBIT and operating EBITDA is net earnings (loss); for adjusted earnings per share is earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share-diluted; for net debt is total debt; and for adjusted free cash flow is cash flow from operations. We do not believe that there is a directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP for return on capital employed. Definitions • Adjusted EBIT is defined by the Company as net earnings (loss) less interest income plus loss (earnings) from discontinued operations, interest expense and taxes, and further adjusted for certain items and amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests ("NCI"). We believe that adjusted EBIT provides transparent and useful information to management, investors, analysts and other parties in evaluating and assessing our core operating results from period-to-period after removing the impact of unusual, non-operational or restructuring-related activities that affect comparability. Our management recognizes that adjusted EBIT has inherent 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] limitations because of the excluded items. Adjusted EBIT is one of the measures management uses for planning and budgeting, monitoring and evaluating financial and operating results and as a performance metric in the Company's incentive compensation plan. We may provide guidance on adjusted EBIT but are unable to reconcile forecasted adjusted EBIT to a US GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort because a forecast of certain items is not practical. Adjusted EBIT by business segment may also be referred to by management as segment income. • Operating EBITDA is defined by the Company as net earnings (loss) less interest income plus loss (earnings) from discontinued operations, interest expense, taxes and depreciation and amortization, and further adjusted for certain items and amounts attributable to NCI. Operating EBITDA is equal to adjusted EBIT plus depreciation and amortization, and has the same uses and limitations as adjusted EBIT described above. • Adjusted earnings per share is defined by the Company as earnings (loss) from continuing operations, adjusted for income tax (provision) benefit, certain items, refinancing and related expenses and amounts attributable to NCI, divided by the number of basic common shares, convertible preferred shares and dilutive restricted stock units and stock options calculated using the treasury method. We believe that adjusted earnings per share provides transparent and useful information to management, investors, analysts and other parties in evaluating and assessing our core operating results from period-to-period after removing the impact of unusual, non-operational or restructuring-related activities that affect comparability. We may provide guidance on adjusted earnings per share but are unable to reconcile forecasted adjusted earnings per share to a GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort because a forecast of certain items is not practical. Note: The income tax rate used for adjusted earnings per share approximates the midpoint in a range of forecasted tax rates for the year. This range may include certain partial or full-year forecasted tax opportunities, where applicable, and specifically excludes changes in uncertain tax positions, discrete items and other material items adjusted out of our GAAP earnings for adjusted earnings per share purposes, and changes in management's assessments regarding the ability to realize deferred tax assets. We also reflect the impact of foreign tax credits when utilized for the adjusted earnings per share tax rate. We analyze this rate quarterly and adjust if there is a material change in the range of forecasted tax rates; an updated forecast would not necessarily result in a change to our tax rate used for adjusted earnings per share. The adjusted tax rate is an estimate and may differ from the actual tax rate used for GAAP reporting in any given reporting period. It is not practical to reconcile our prospective adjusted tax rate to the actual GAAP tax rate in any given future period. • Adjusted free cash flow is defined by the Company as cash flow from operations less other productive asset purchases, operating cash flow from discontinued operations and certain cash flow adjustments, including amounts attributable to NCI and capital contributions from outside stockholders of the Company's consolidated ventures. We believe that adjusted free cash flow provides useful information to management, investors, analysts and other parties in evaluating the Company’s liquidity and credit quality assessment. Although we use adjusted free cash flow as a financial measure to assess the performance of our business, the use of adjusted free cash flow has important limitations, including that adjusted free cash flow does not reflect the cash requirements necessary to service our indebtedness, lease obligations, unconditional purchase obligations or pension and postretirement funding obligations. • Net debt is defined by the Company as total debt less cash and cash equivalents, adjusted for amounts attributable to NCI. We believe that net debt provides useful information to management, investors, analysts and other parties in evaluating changes to the Company's capital structure and credit quality assessment. • Return on capital employed is defined by the Company as adjusted EBIT divided by the sum of property, plant and equipment, net and trade working capital (calculated as trade receivables, net plus inventories less trade payables – third party and affiliates), adjusted for outside stockholders' interest in property, plant and equipment, net related to the Company's consolidated ventures and trade working capital amounts attributable to NCI. Supplemental Information Supplemental Information we believe to be of interest to investors, analysts and other parties includes the following: • For those consolidated ventures in which the Company owns or is exposed to less than 100% of the economics, the outside stockholders' interests are shown as noncontrolling interests. Beginning in 2014, this includes Fairway Methanol LLC for which the Company's ownership percentage is 50%. Amounts referred to as "attributable to Celanese" are net of any applicable noncontrolling interests. • Net sales for each of our business segments and the percentage increase or decrease in net sales attributable to price, volume, currency and other factors for each of our business segments. • Cash dividends received from our equity and cost investments. 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Results Unaudited The results in this document, together with the adjustments made to present the results on a comparable basis, have not been audited and are based on internal financial data furnished to management. Quarterly results should not be taken as an indication of the results of operations to be reported for any subsequent period or for the full fiscal year. Change in accounting policy regarding pension and other postretirement benefits Effective January 1, 2013, we elected to change our policy to immediately recognize actuarial gains and losses and the change in fair value of plan assets for our defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. Financial information for prior periods has been retrospectively adjusted. 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Table 1 Adjusted EBIT and Operating EBITDA - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Unaudited 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 (In $ millions, except ratios) Net earnings (loss) 620 (85 ) 252 258 195 1,101 654 172 133 142 372 427 312 Net (earnings) loss attributable to NCI 4 1 1 1 1 — — — — — — — — (Earnings) loss from discontinued operations 7 2 5 — — — 2 (1 ) — (1 ) 4 (1 ) 49 Interest income (1 ) 4 (3 ) (2 ) — (1 ) — — (1 ) — (2 ) (3 ) (7 ) Interest expense 147 27 41 40 39 172 42 43 44 43 185 221 204 Interest expense attributable to NCI — — — — — — — — — — — — — Refinancing expense 29 25 4 — — 1 — 1 — — 3 3 16 Income tax provision (benefit) 314 52 90 94 78 508 299 57 75 77 (55 ) 41 72 Income tax (provision) benefit attributable to NCI — — — — — — — — — — — — — Certain items attributable to Celanese Corporation(1) 148 256 (35 ) (62 ) (11 ) (725 ) (753 ) 7 13 8 455 405 197 Adjusted EBIT 1,268 282 355 329 302 1,056 244 279 264 269 962 1,093 843 Depreciation and amortization expense(2) 290 72 73 72 73 302 75 76 75 76 300 287 258 Depreciation and amortization expense attributable to NCI — — — — — — — — — — — — — Operating EBITDA 1,558 354 428 401 375 1,358 319 355 339 345 1,262 1,380 1,101 Operating EBITDA / Interest expense 10.6 7.9 6.8 6.2 5.4 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 (In $ millions) Advanced Engineered Materials — — — — — — — — — — — 3 4 Consumer Specialties — — — — — — — — — — 6 8 5 Industrial Specialties 2 — — — 2 3 3 — — — 2 — — Acetyl Intermediates — — — — — — — — — — — — 20 Other Activities(3) — — — — — — — — — — — — — Accelerated depreciation and amortization expense 2 — — — 2 3 3 — — — 8 11 29 Depreciation and amortization expense(2) 290 72 73 72 73 302 75 76 75 76 300 287 258 Depreciation and amortization expense attributable to NCI — — — — — — — — — — — — — Total depreciation and amortization expense attributable to Celanese Corporation 292 72 73 72 75 305 78 76 75 76 308 298 287 ______________________________ (1) See Certain items presentation ( Table 8 ) for details. (2) Excludes accelerated depreciation and amortization expense as detailed in the table above and included in Certain items above. (3) Other Activities includes corporate Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses, the results of captive insurance companies and certain components of net periodic benefit cost (interest cost, expected return on plan assets and net actuarial gains and losses). 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 2 - Segment Data and Reconciliation of Adjusted EBIT and Operating EBITDA - Non-GAAP Measures - Unaudited [[Image Removed]] 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 (In $ millions, except percentages) Operating Profit (Loss) / Operating Margin Attributable to Celanese Corporation(1) Advanced Engineered Materials 221 15.1 % 57 17.2 % 51 13.9 % 56 14.4 % 57 15.3 % 904 66.9 % 781 240.3 % 48 13.9 % 39 11.1 % 36 10.9 % 95 7.5 % 79 6.1 % 182 16.4 % Consumer Specialties 388 33.4 % 104 37.4 % 105 36.1 % 80 27.7 % 99 32.8 % 346 28.5 % 100 33.9 % 85 27.4 % 83 26.4 % 78 26.4 % 251 21.2 % 229 19.7 % 163 14.8 % Industrial Specialties 76 6.2 % 16 6.0 % 16 5.1 % 24 7.2 % 20 6.4 % 64 5.5 % 7 2.6 % 24 8.0 % 18 6.1 % 15 5.2 % 86 7.3 % 102 8.3 % 89 8.6 % Acetyl Intermediates(2) 562 16.1 % 146 17.9 % 175 18.7 % 143 15.9 % 98 11.7 % 153 4.7 % (44 ) (5.3 )% 67 8.4 % 55 6.8 % 75 9.3 % 269 8.3 % 458 12.9 % 237 7.7 % Other Activities(3) (485 ) (376 ) (36 ) (43 ) (30 ) 41 100 (13 ) (26 ) (20 ) (526 ) (466 ) (273 ) Total 762 11.2 % (53 ) (3.4 )% 311 17.6 % 260 14.7 % 244 14.3 % 1,508 23.2 % 944 58.4 % 211 12.9 % 169 10.2 % 184 11.5 % 175 2.7 % 402 5.9 % 398 6.7 % Equity Earnings, Cost-Dividend Income, Other Income (Expense) Attributable to Celanese Corporation Advanced Engineered Materials 161 40 43 45 33 149 33 31 45 40 190 163 143 Consumer Specialties 124 30 29 35 30 95 24 21 24 26 90 80 73 Industrial Specialties — — — — — — — — — — — 2 — Acetyl Intermediates(2) 21 3 2 15 1 5 (4 ) 3 3 3 13 10 9 Other Activities(3) 52 6 5 36 5 24 — 6 10 8 39 31 23 Total 358 79 79 131 69 273 53 61 82 77 332 286 248 Certain Items Attributable to Celanese Corporation(4) Advanced Engineered Materials (53 ) (33 ) (7 ) (7 ) (6 ) (752 ) (758 ) 2 2 2 16 60 (38 ) Consumer Specialties (52 ) (24 ) (18 ) (8 ) (2 ) (5 ) (13 ) 2 2 4 34 23 97 Industrial Specialties (12 ) (9 ) (1 ) (2 ) — 9 6 1 1 1 2 1 (19 ) Acetyl Intermediates (36 ) (12 ) (9 ) (12 ) (3 ) 143 132 2 8 1 5 (3 ) 62 Other Activities(3) 301 334 — (33 ) — (120 ) (120 ) — — — 398 324 95 Total 148 256 (35 ) (62 ) (11 ) (725 ) (753 ) 7 13 8 455 405 197 Adjusted EBIT / Adjusted EBIT Margin(1) Advanced Engineered Materials 329 22.5 % 64 19.3 % 87 23.8 % 94 24.2 % 84 22.5 % 301 22.3 % 56 17.2 % 81 23.4 % 86 24.4 % 78 23.7 % 301 23.9 % 302 23.3 % 287 25.9 % Consumer Specialties 460 39.7 % 110 39.6 % 116 39.9 % 107 37.0 % 127 42.1 % 436 35.9 % 111 37.6 % 108 34.8 % 109 34.7 % 108 36.6 % 375 31.6 % 332 28.6 % 333 30.3 % Industrial Specialties 64 5.2 % 7 2.6 % 15 4.8 % 22 6.6 % 20 6.4 % 73 6.3 % 13 4.8 % 25 8.4 % 19 6.4 % 16 5.6 % 88 7.4 % 105 8.6 % 70 6.8 % Acetyl Intermediates 547 15.7 % 137 16.8 % 168 17.9 % 146 16.2 % 96 11.4 % 301 9.3 % 84 10.1 % 72 9.1 % 66 8.2 % 79 9.8 % 287 8.9 % 465 13.1 % 308 10.0 % Other Activities(3) (132 ) (36 ) (31 ) (40 ) (25 ) (55 ) (20 ) (7 ) (16 ) (12 ) (89 ) (111 ) (155 ) Total 1,268 18.6 % 282 18.1 % 355 20.1 % 329 18.6 % 302 17.7 % 1,056 16.2 % 244 15.1 % 279 17.1 % 264 16.0 % 269 16.8 % 962 15.0 % 1,093 16.2 % 843 14.2 % Depreciation and Amortization Expense Attributable to Celanese Corporation(5) Advanced Engineered Materials 106 26 27 27 26 110 27 27 27 29 113 97 72 Consumer Specialties 43 11 11 10 11 41 11 10 10 10 39 36 37 Industrial Specialties 48 12 12 12 12 49 12 13 12 12 53 45 41 Acetyl Intermediates 81 20 21 19 21 86 21 22 22 21 80 96 97 Other Activities(3) 12 3 2 4 3 16 4 4 4 4 15 13 11 Total 290 72 73 72 73 302 75 76 75 76 300 287 258 Operating EBITDA / Operating EBITDA Margin(1) Advanced Engineered Materials 435 29.8 % 90 27.2 % 114 31.1 % 121 31.1 % 110 29.5 % 411 30.4 % 83 25.5 % 108 31.2 % 113 32.1 % 107 32.5 % 414 32.8 % 399 30.7 % 359 32.4 % Consumer Specialties 503 43.4 % 121 43.5 % 127 43.6 % 117 40.5 % 138 45.7 % 477 39.3 % 122 41.4 % 118 38.1 % 119 37.9 % 118 40.0 % 414 34.9 % 368 31.7 % 370 33.7 % Industrial Specialties 112 9.2 % 19 7.2 % 27 8.6 % 34 10.2 % 32 10.3 % 122 10.6 % 25 9.2 % 38 12.7 % 31 10.5 % 28 9.7 % 141 11.9 % 150 12.3 % 111 10.7 % Acetyl Intermediates 628 18.0 % 157 19.3 % 189 20.2 % 165 18.3 % 117 13.9 % 387 11.9 % 105 12.7 % 94 11.8 % 88 10.9 % 100 12.4 % 367 11.4 % 561 15.8 % 405 13.1 % Other Activities(3) (120 ) (33 ) (29 ) (36 ) (22 ) (39 ) (16 ) (3 ) (12 ) (8 ) (74 ) (98 ) (144 ) Total 1,558 22.9 % 354 22.7 % 428 24.2 % 401 22.7 % 375 22.0 % 1,358 20.9 % 319 19.7 % 355 21.7 % 339 20.5 % 345 21.5 % 1,262 19.7 % 1,380 20.4 % 1,101 18.6 % ___________________________ (1) Defined as Operating profit (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation, Adjusted EBIT and Operating EBITDA, respectively, divided by Net sales attributable to Celanese Corporation. (2) Excludes amounts attributable to NCI as follows: 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 (In $ millions) Operating Profit (Loss) (4 ) (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) — — — — — — — — Equity Earnings, Cost-Dividend Income, Other Income (Expense) — — — — — — — — — — — — — (3) Other Activities includes corporate SG&A expenses, the results of captive insurance companies and certain components of net periodic benefit cost (interest cost, expected return on plan assets and net actuarial gains and losses). (4) See Certain items presentation ( Table 8 ) for details. (5) Excludes accelerated depreciation and amortization expense included in Certain items above. See Table 1 for details. 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Table 3 Adjusted Earnings (Loss) per Share - Reconciliation of a Non-GAAP Measure - Unaudited 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 per share per share per share per share per share per share per share per share per share per share per share per share per share (In $ millions, except per share data) Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Celanese Corporation 631 4.04 (82 ) (0.54 ) 258 1.66 259 1.66 196 1.25 1,101 6.91 656 4.16 171 1.07 133 0.83 141 0.88 376 2.35 426 2.68 361 2.28 Income tax provision (benefit) 314 52 90 94 78 508 299 57 75 77 (55 ) 41 72 Income tax (provision) benefit attributable to NCI — — — — — — — — — — — — — Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax 945 (30 ) 348 353 274 1,609 955 228 208 218 321 467 433 Certain items attributable to Celanese Corporation(1) 148 256 (35 ) (62 ) (11 ) (725 ) (753 ) 7 13 8 455 405 197 Refinancing and related expenses 29 25 4 — — 1 — 1 — — 8 3 16 Adjusted earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax 1,122 251 317 291 263 885 202 236 221 226 784 875 646 Income tax (provision) benefit on adjusted earnings(2) (236 ) (53 ) (67 ) (61 ) (55 ) (168 ) (38 ) (45 ) (42 ) (43 ) (133 ) (158 ) (136 ) Adjusted earnings (loss) from continuing operations(3) 886 5.67 198 1.28 250 1.61 230 1.47 208 1.33 717 4.50 164 1.04 191 1.20 179 1.12 183 1.14 651 4.07 717 4.51 510 3.22 Diluted shares (in millions) (4) Weighted average shares outstanding 155.0 153.4 154.5 155.8 156.5 158.8 157.4 158.5 159.7 159.7 158.4 156.2 154.6 Dilutive stock options 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.8 1.9 1.8 Dilutive restricted stock units 1.0 0.9 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.8 0.4 Assumed conversion of preferred stock — — — — — — — — — — — — 1.6 Total diluted shares 156.2 154.4 155.2 156.1 156.8 159.3 157.7 159.1 160.1 160.2 159.8 158.9 158.4 ______________________________ (1) See Certain items presentation ( Table 8 ) for details. (2) Calculated using adjusted effective tax rates as follows: 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 (In percentages) Adjusted effective tax rate 21 21 21 21 21 19 19 19 19 19 17 18 21 (3) Excludes the immediate recognition of actuarial gains and losses and the impact of actual vs. expected plan asset returns. Actual Plan Asset Returns Expected Plan Asset Returns Q4 '14 & 2014 12.7 % 8.2 % 2013 7.9 % 8.0 % 2012 13.1 % 8.1 % 2011 7.6 % 8.1 % 2010 15.1 % 8.1 % (4) Potentially dilutive shares are included in the adjusted earnings per share calculation when adjusted earnings are positive. 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Table 4 Net Sales by Segment - Unaudited 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 (In $ millions) Advanced Engineered Materials 1,459 331 366 389 373 1,352 325 346 352 329 1,261 1,298 1,109 Consumer Specialties 1,160 278 291 289 302 1,214 295 310 314 295 1,186 1,161 1,098 Industrial Specialties 1,224 265 314 333 312 1,155 273 299 295 288 1,184 1,223 1,036 Acetyl Intermediates 3,493 814 937 901 841 3,241 829 795 809 808 3,231 3,551 3,082 Other Activities(1) — — — — — — — — — — — 1 2 Intersegment elimination(2) (534 ) (129 ) (139 ) (143 ) (123 ) (452 ) (106 ) (114 ) (117 ) (115 ) (444 ) (471 ) (409 ) Net sales 6,802 1,559 1,769 1,769 1,705 6,510 1,616 1,636 1,653 1,605 6,418 6,763 5,918 Acetyl Intermediates Net sales attributable to NCI — — — — — — — — — — — — — Net sales attributable to Celanese Corporation 6,802 1,559 1,769 1,769 1,705 6,510 1,616 1,636 1,653 1,605 6,418 6,763 5,918 ___________________________ (1) Other Activities includes corporate SG&A expenses, the results of captive insurance companies and certain components of net periodic benefit cost (interest cost, expected return on plan assets and net actuarial gains and losses). (2) Includes intersegment sales as follows: 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 (In $ millions) Consumer Specialties (2 ) — (2 ) — — (4 ) — — (1 ) (3 ) (4 ) (3 ) (9 ) Acetyl Intermediates (532 ) (129 ) (137 ) (143 ) (123 ) (448 ) (106 ) (114 ) (116 ) (112 ) (440 ) (468 ) (400 ) Intersegment elimination (534 ) (129 ) (139 ) (143 ) (123 ) (452 ) (106 ) (114 ) (117 ) (115 ) (444 ) (471 ) (409 ) 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Table 4a Factors Affecting Segment Net Sales Sequentially - Unaudited Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials (6 ) (1 ) (2 ) — (9 ) Consumer Specialties (4 ) — (1 ) — (5 ) Industrial Specialties (14 ) — (2 ) — (16 ) Acetyl Intermediates (7 ) (5 ) (1 ) — (13 ) Total Company (8 ) (3 ) (2 ) 1 (12 ) Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials (4 ) (1 ) (1 ) — (6 ) Consumer Specialties 1 — — — 1 Industrial Specialties (5 ) 1 (1 ) — (5 ) Acetyl Intermediates 2 3 (1 ) — 4 Total Company (1 ) 2 (1 ) — — Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 4 — — — 4 Consumer Specialties (3 ) (1 ) — — (4 ) Industrial Specialties 2 4 — — 6 Acetyl Intermediates 1 6 — — 7 Total Company 1 4 — (1 ) 4 Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 12 3 — — 15 Consumer Specialties — 2 — — 2 Industrial Specialties 13 1 — — 14 Acetyl Intermediates (3 ) 5 — — 2 Total Company 3 3 — — 6 Table 4b Factors Affecting Segment Net Sales Year Over Year - Unaudited Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 6 — (4 ) — 2 Consumer Specialties (5 ) (1 ) — — (6 ) Industrial Specialties (6 ) 7 (4 ) — (3 ) Acetyl Intermediates (8 ) 9 (3 ) — (2 ) Total Company (5 ) 5 (3 ) (1 ) (4 ) Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 8 (2 ) — — 6 Consumer Specialties (8 ) 2 — — (6 ) Industrial Specialties (2 ) 7 — — 5 Acetyl Intermediates 1 17 — — 18 Total Company — 10 — (2 ) 8 Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2013 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 10 (1 ) 2 — 11 Consumer Specialties (9 ) 1 — — (8 ) Industrial Specialties 8 3 2 — 13 Acetyl Intermediates (2 ) 12 1 — 11 Total Company 1 6 2 (2 ) 7 Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 14 (2 ) 1 — 13 Consumer Specialties (1 ) 3 — — 2 Industrial Specialties 6 — 2 — 8 Acetyl Intermediates (3 ) 5 2 — 4 Total Company 3 2 1 — 6 8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Table 4a Factors Affecting Segment Net Sales Sequentially - Unaudited Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials (4 ) (3 ) 1 — (6 ) Consumer Specialties (5 ) — — — (5 ) Industrial Specialties (10 ) — 1 — (9 ) Acetyl Intermediates 2 1 1 — 4 Total Company (3 ) — 1 — (2 ) Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2013 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials (2 ) — — — (2 ) Consumer Specialties (1 ) — — — (1 ) Industrial Specialties 3 (3 ) 1 — 1 Acetyl Intermediates (1 ) (1 ) — — (2 ) Total Company — (1 ) — — (1 ) Three Months Ended June 30, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 8 (1 ) — — 7 Consumer Specialties 6 1 — — 7 Industrial Specialties 2 1 — — 3 Acetyl Intermediates — — — — — Total Company 3 — — — 3 Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2012 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 6 3 1 — 10 Consumer Specialties — 5 — — 5 Industrial Specialties 14 — 1 — 15 Acetyl Intermediates 5 (1 ) 1 — 5 Total Company 6 1 1 (1 ) 7 Table 4b Factors Affecting Segment Net Sales Year Over Year - Unaudited Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2012 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 9 (2 ) 2 — 9 Consumer Specialties (1 ) 6 — — 5 Industrial Specialties 8 (2 ) 3 — 9 Acetyl Intermediates 6 (1 ) 2 — 7 Total Company 6 — 2 — 8 Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 6 (1 ) 2 — 7 Consumer Specialties (7 ) 6 — — (1 ) Industrial Specialties 1 (3 ) 3 — 1 Acetyl Intermediates (1 ) — 2 — 1 Total Company — — 2 — 2 Three Months Ended June 30, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2012 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 7 1 1 — 9 Consumer Specialties (10 ) 6 — — (4 ) Industrial Specialties (7 ) (4 ) 1 — (10 ) Acetyl Intermediates 2 (4 ) 1 — (1 ) Total Company (1 ) (1 ) 1 — (1 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials — 4 — — 4 Consumer Specialties 5 7 — — 12 Industrial Specialties (3 ) (4 ) — — (7 ) Acetyl Intermediates (4 ) (1 ) — — (5 ) Total Company (2 ) — — — (2 ) 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Table 4c Factors Affecting Segment Net Sales Year Over Year - Unaudited Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 9 (1 ) — — 8 Consumer Specialties (5 ) 1 — — (4 ) Industrial Specialties 1 5 — — 6 Acetyl Intermediates (3 ) 11 — — 8 Total Company — 6 — (1 ) 5 Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2012 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 5 1 1 — 7 Consumer Specialties (4 ) 6 — — 2 Industrial Specialties (1 ) (3 ) 2 — (2 ) Acetyl Intermediates 1 (2 ) 1 — — Total Company — — 1 — 1 Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials (2 ) 2 (3 ) — (3 ) Consumer Specialties (4 ) 6 — — 2 Industrial Specialties 3 (3 ) (3 ) — (3 ) Acetyl Intermediates — (7 ) (2 ) — (9 ) Total Company — (3 ) (2 ) — (5 ) Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010 Volume Price Currency Other Total (In percentages) Advanced Engineered Materials 2 8 3 4 (1) 17 Consumer Specialties 1 5 — — 6 Industrial Specialties 2 13 3 — 18 Acetyl Intermediates (4 ) 16 3 — 15 Total Company (1 ) 13 3 — 15 ____________________ (1) Includes the effects of the two product lines acquired in May 2010 from DuPont Performance Polymers 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Table 5 Adjusted Free Cash Flow - Reconciliation of a Non-GAAP Measure - Unaudited 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 (In $ millions, except percentages) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 962 166 379 253 164 762 154 232 229 147 722 638 452 Net cash (provided by) used in operating activities attributable to NCI 16 1 2 — 13 — — — — — — — — Adjustments to operating cash for discontinued operations 5 10 (5 ) — — 4 (1 ) — 6 (1 ) (2 ) 9 58 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations attributable to Celanese Corporation 983 177 376 253 177 766 153 232 235 146 720 647 510 Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment (678 ) (214 ) (191 ) (125 ) (148 ) (370 ) (111 ) (110 ) (75 ) (74 ) (361 ) (349 ) (201 ) Capital contributions from Mitsui & Co., Ltd. to Fairway Methanol LLC 264 70 46 39 109 — — — — — — — — Cash flow adjustments(1) (16 ) (4 ) (3 ) (6 ) (3 ) (24 ) (5 ) (5 ) (6 ) (8 ) (20 ) 28 (15 ) Adjusted free cash flow 553 29 228 161 135 372 37 117 154 64 339 326 294 Net sales attributable to Celanese Corporation 6,802 1,559 1,769 1,769 1,705 6,510 1,616 1,636 1,653 1,605 6,418 6,763 5,918 Adjusted free cash flow as % of Net sales 8.1 % 1.9 % 12.9 % 9.1 % 7.9 % 5.7 % 2.3 % 7.2 % 9.3 % 4.0 % 5.3 % 4.8 % 5.0 % ______________________________ (1) Primarily associated with purchases of other productive assets that are classified as 'investing activities' for GAAP purposes. Amounts for 2010-2012 also include Kelsterbach plant relocation related cash expenses. 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Table 6 Cash Dividends Received - Unaudited 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 (In $ millions) Dividends from equity method investments 148 6 29 48 65 141 38 11 45 47 262 205 138 Dividends from cost method investments 116 29 29 29 29 93 24 22 23 24 85 80 73 Total 264 35 58 77 94 234 62 33 68 71 347 285 211 Table 7 Net Debt - Reconciliation of a Non-GAAP Measure - Unaudited 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 (In $ millions, except ratios) Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates 137 137 765 158 157 177 177 224 224 112 168 144 228 Long-term debt 2,608 2,608 2,639 2,880 2,881 2,887 2,887 2,870 2,860 2,959 2,930 2,873 2,990 Total debt 2,745 2,745 3,404 3,038 3,038 3,064 3,064 3,094 3,084 3,071 3,098 3,017 3,218 Total debt attributable to NCI — — — — — — — — — — — — — Cash and cash equivalents 780 780 1,510 1,064 998 984 984 1,100 1,107 978 959 682 740 Cash and cash equivalents attributable to NCI (1 ) (1 ) (3 ) (22 ) (17 ) — — — — — — — — Net debt 1,966 1,966 1,897 1,996 2,057 2,080 2,080 1,994 1,977 2,093 2,139 2,335 2,478 Operating EBITDA 1,558 1,358 1,262 1,380 1,101 Net debt / Operating EBITDA 1.3 1.5 1.7 1.7 2.3 12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Table 8 Certain Items - Unaudited The following Certain items are included in Net earnings (loss) and are adjustments to non-GAAP measures: Income Statement 2014 Q4 '14 Q3 '14 Q2 '14 Q1 '14 2013 Q4 '13 Q3 '13 Q2 '13 Q1 '13 2012 2011 2010 Classification (In $ millions) Employee termination Other charges benefits 7 1 3 1 2 23 20 — 1 2 6 22 32 (gains), net Other charges (gains), net / Cost Plant/office closures 6 — 1 2 3 43 40 1 1 1 21 18 21 of sales / SG&A Business optimization 8 5 3 — — — — — — — 9 8 16 Cost of sales / SG&A Other charges (gains), net / Other income (expense), Asset impairments — — — — — 83 81 2 — — 8 1 74 net (Gain) loss on disposition of business and assets, (Gain) loss on net 3 — — 3 — 2 1 1 — — 1 (1 ) (10 ) disposition, net Other charges (gains), net / Cost Commercial disputes (11 ) 10 (21 ) — — 12 7 — 5 — (2 ) (7 ) 9 of sales / SG&A Other charges (gains), net / Cost Kelsterbach plant of sales / (Gain) relocation (1 ) — — (1 ) — (727 ) (733 ) 2 2 2 21 55 13 loss on disposition Equity in net InfraServ Hoechst (earnings) loss of restructuring (48 ) — — (48 ) — 8 8 — — — (22 ) — — affiliates Other charges Plumbing actions — — — — — — — — — — (5 ) (6 ) (59 ) (gains), net Other charges Insurance recoveries — — — — — — — — — — — — (18 ) (gains), net Write-off of other productive assets 5 — — 5 — — — — — — — (1 ) 18 Cost of sales Acetate production interruption costs — — — — — — — — — — 10 — 9 Cost of sales (Gain) loss on pension plan and medical plan Cost of sales / SG&A changes (155 ) (98 ) (20 ) (21 ) (16 ) (71 ) (71 ) — — — — — — / R&D Actuarial (gain) loss on pension and Cost of sales / SG&A postretirement plans 349 349 — — — (106 ) (106 ) — — — 389 306 84 / R&D Fairway Methanol LLC — — — — — — — — — — — — — Other (15 ) (11 ) (1 ) (3 ) — 8 — 1 4 3 19 10 8 Various Total 148 256 (35 ) (62 ) (11 ) (725 ) (753 ) 7 13 8 455 405 197 Certain items attributable to NCI — — — — — — — — — — — — — Certain items attributable to Celanese Corporation 148 256 (35 ) (62 ) (11 ) (725 ) (753 ) 7 13 8 455 405 197 13 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Table 9 Return on Capital Employed - Presentation of a Non-GAAP Measure - Unaudited 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 (In $ millions, except percentages) Adjusted EBIT(1) 1,268 1,056 962 1,093 843 Property, plant and equipment, net 3,733 3,425 3,350 3,269 3,017 Property, plant and equipment, net related to Fairway Methanol LLC(2) (268 ) (53 ) (6 ) — — Trade receivables, net 801 867 827 871 827 Inventories 782 804 711 712 610 Trade payables - third party and affiliates (757 ) (799 ) (649 ) (673 ) (673 ) Trade working capital 826 872 889 910 764 Trade working capital attributable to NCI — — — — — Capital employed 4,291 4,244 4,233 4,179 3,781 Return on capital employed 29.6 % 24.9 % 22.7 % 26.2 % 22.3 % ______________________________ (1) See consolidated Adjusted EBIT reconciliation ( Table 1 ) for details. (2) Represents 50% of property, plant and equipment, net related to the methanol unit being constructed in Clear Lake, Texas. 14 EX-99.3 4 q420148kex993.htm SLIDES [[Image Removed]] Celanese Q4 2014 Earnings Thursday, January 22, 2015 Conference Call / Webcast Friday, January 23, 2015 10:00 a.m. ET © Celanese Mark Rohr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Chris Jensen, Senior Vice President, Finance Exhibit 99.3 © Celanese Celanese Corporation 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] This presentation may contain "forward-looking statements," which include information concerning the company's plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs and other information that is not historical information. All forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and beliefs and various assumptions. There can be no assurance that the company will realize these expectations or that these beliefs will prove correct. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: changes in general economic, business, political and regulatory conditions in the countries or regions in which we operate; the length and depth of product and industry business cycles, particularly in the automotive, electrical, textiles, electronics and construction industries; changes in the price and availability of raw materials, particularly changes in the demand for, supply of, and market prices of ethylene, methanol, natural gas, wood pulp and fuel oil and the prices for electricity and other energy sources; the ability to pass increases in raw material prices on to customers or otherwise improve margins through price increases; the ability to maintain plant utilization rates and to implement planned capacity additions and expansions; the ability to reduce or maintain their current levels of production costs and to improve productivity by implementing technological improvements to existing plants; increased price competition and the introduction of competing products by other companies; market acceptance of our technology; the ability to obtain governmental approvals and to construct facilities on terms and schedules acceptable to the company; changes in the degree of intellectual property and other legal protection afforded to our products or technologies, or the theft of such intellectual property; compliance and other costs and potential disruption or interruption of production or operations due to accidents, interruptions in sources of raw materials, cyber security incidents, terrorism or political unrest or other unforeseen events or delays in construction or operation of facilities, including as a result of geopolitical conditions, the occurrence of acts of war or terrorist incidents or as a result of weather or natural disasters; potential liability for remedial actions and increased costs under existing or future environmental regulations, including those relating to climate change; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation, or from changes in the laws, regulations or policies of governments or other governmental activities in the countries in which we operate; changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates; our level of indebtedness, which could diminish our ability to raise additional capital to fund operations or limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or the chemicals industry; and various other factors discussed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. Results Unaudited The results in this presentation, together with the adjustments made to present the results on a comparable basis, have not been audited and are based on internal financial data furnished to management. Quarterly results should not be taken as an indication of the results of operations to be reported for any subsequent period or for the full fiscal year. Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Change in Accounting Policy This presentation, and statements made in connection with this presentation, contain references to non-GAAP financial measures. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures used by the company and referenced in this presentation, including definitions and reconciliations with comparable GAAP financial measures, as well as prior period information, please refer to the Non-US GAAP Financial Measures and Supplemental Information document available under Investor Relations/Financial Information/Non-GAAP Financial Measures on our website, www.celanese.com. The website materials also describe a change in accounting policy regarding pension and other postretirement benefits effective January 1, 2013. © Celanese Celanese Corporation Forward-Looking Statements 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Mark Rohr Chairman and Chief Executive Officer © Celanese Celanese Corporation 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Recent Highlights © Celanese Celanese Corporation • Received The American Composites Manufacturers Association's Award for carbon fiber strands used in overhead conductors • Introduced low-friction and low-wear thermoplastics for medical devices that enables the device to operate smoothly • Opened a new sales center in Istanbul, Turkey to support customer growth in Turkey and the greater European region • Announced formation of a Commercial and Technology Center in Mexico • Signed a letter of intent with Setsunan to compound Celanese engineered polymers in Setsunan's Japanese facilities • Increased share repurchase authorization to $500 million; $451 million remaining at December 31, 2014 4 Low-friction and low-wear thermoplastics for medical devices -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Factors Affecting Net Sales Changes Net sales (in millions) Q4 Performance $1,800 $1,200 $600 $0 30% 20% 10% 0% Q4 2013 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 15.1% 20.1% 18.1% $1,616 $1,769 $1,559 Celanese Corporation Q4 2014 Highlights © Celanese Celanese Corporation • Record fourth quarter adjusted EPS and segment income margin driven by increased flexibility and the impact of productivity initiatives in Acetyl Chain** • Deployed $49 million to repurchase ~820 thousand shares *QoQ represents Q4 2014 as compared to Q3 2014; YoY represents Q4 2014 compared to Q4 2013. **Acetyl Chain includes Acetyl Intermediates and Industrial Specialties segments Adjusted EPS Q4 2014 $1.28 Q3 2014 $1.61 Q4 2013 $1.04 Total segment income margin 5 YoY* QoQ* 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% -15% Volume Price Currency Other Total -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] YoY Segment income highlights • Volume increase driven by growth in Europe and Asia • Impacted by timing of turnaround activity • Affiliate earnings increased by $7 million due to fewer turnarounds in fourth quarter 2014 QoQ Segment income highlights • Volume decline reflects typical seasonal trends in North America and Europe across end use markets • Auto penetration consistent with prior quarters at ~2kg per vehicle • Pricing decline due to product and regional mix Net sales (in millions) Advanced Engineered Materials Q4 Performance Factors Affecting Net Sales Changes © Celanese Celanese Corporation $400 $300 $200 $100 $0 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Q4 2013 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 17.2% 23.8% 19.3% $325 $366 $331 Total segment income margin 6 YoY QoQ 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% -15% Volume Price Currency Other Total -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Consumer Specialties Q4 Performance Factors Affecting Net Sales Changes © Celanese Celanese Corporation YoY Segment income highlights • Higher pricing of acetate tow offset by legacy contract in acetate flake • Lower cost driven by productivity initiatives • Lower volume due to high customer tow inventory • Dividends from cellulose derivatives ventures were $5 million higher QoQ Segment income highlights • Volume decline due to seasonality • Pricing consistent with prior quarter Net sales (in millions) Total segment income margin $300 $200 $100 $0 45% 30% 15% 0% Q4 2013 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 37.6% 39.9% 39.6% $295 $291 $278 YoY QoQ 1% 0% -1% -2% -3% -4% -5% -6% -7% Volume Price Currency Other Total 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Industrial Specialties Q4 Performance Factors Affecting Net Sales Changes © Celanese Celanese Corporation QoQ Segment income highlights • Volume decline mainly due to normal fourth quarter seasonality in emulsion polymers • Pricing consistent as product mix in EVA polymers offset slightly lower pricing in emulsion polymers on lower raw material costs Net sales (in millions) Total segment income margin $400 $300 $200 $100 $0 16% 12% 8% 4% 0% Q4 2013 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 4.8% 4.8% 2.6% $273 $314 $265 YoY Segment income highlights • Pricing increase driven primarily by higher raw material costs, mainly VAM, in emulsion polymers • Higher pricing did not completely offset higher raw material costs • Volume decline due to softer demand and focused geographic strategy in EVA polymers YoY QoQ 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% -15% -20% Volume Price Currency Other Total 8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Acetyl Intermediates Q4 Performance Factors Affecting Net Sales Changes © Celanese Celanese Corporation YoY Segment income highlights • VAM pricing increased due to productivity initiatives and unplanned industry outages • Lower volume reflects increased flexibility in our business QoQ Segment income highlights • Volume and pricing decline primarily driven by fewer industry outages in VAM • Lower margin reflects lower volume and pricing Net sales (in millions) Total segment income margin $900 $600 $300 $0 18% 12% 6% 0% Q4 2013 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 10.1% 17.9% 16.8% $829 $937 $814 YoY QoQ 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% -15% -20% Volume Price Currency Other Total 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Fairway: Clear Lake methanol project update, expected start-up October 1, 2015 Status Update • Working to pull project schedule forward • All major equipment set • Civil ~100% complete • Steel ~70% complete • Piping ~25% complete • Electrical & Instrumentation ~30% complete Clear Lake Methanol Unit Progress © Celanese Celanese Corporation 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] 2015 Outlook: Expect adjusted EPS in the range of $5.00 to $5.50 Headwinds Methanol • Impact of ~$0.40 to $0.60 of adjusted EPS • At current methanol and energy costs expect to be at the lower end of the range Other • Sharp decline in global oil pricing • Pressuring global GDP growth • Lower raw material costs • Trade flow changes • Lower global demand for bulk chemicals • Sharp decline in euro: Adjusted EPS impact of ~$0.03-$0.04 per euro cent; Potential to offset a portion with second order effects • Reduced tow purchases in 1H of 2015 due to excess tow inventory held by customers; ~$0.30 adjusted EPS impact in 2015 Offsets • Excess cash deployment ~$0.15 adjusted EPS impact • Pan-European operating structure ~$0.20 of adjusted EPS impact • Productivity initiatives ~$0.15 adjusted EPS impact • Strong growth in Engineered Materials (auto & medical) • Unlock value in Acetyl Chain • Emulsion polymers benefit from declining raw material costs • Improved plant operations © Celanese Celanese Corporation 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Chris Jensen Senior Vice President, Finance © Celanese Celanese Corporation 12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Debt reduction • Expect lower annual interest expense by $30 million. Reduced total debt by $200 million • Issued €300 million senior unsecured notes maturing in 2019 with an interest rate of 3.250% • Proceeds from the Euro 3.250% notes plus cash on hand used to redeem $600 million 6.625% senior unsecured notes Extended maturity • Extended maturity of 96% of term loans and entire revolving credit facility to October 2018; also increased size of the revolving credit facility to $900 million Pension • Incremental contribution of $100 million to US pension plan 2014 De-leveraging 13 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Strong Cash Flow Generation • Record operating cash flow and adjusted free cash flow, primarily driven by strong earnings • Ended the year with ~$800 million of cash • Net capex of $414 million in 2014 Continue to create value through our balance sheet Adjusted Free Cash Flow (in millions) Cash flow from operations Adjusted free cash flow (FCF) Adjusted FCF as % net sales $1,000 $800 $600 $400 $200 $0 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% 2012 2013 2014 $722 $762 $962 $339 $372 $5535.3% 5.7% 8.1% © Celanese Celanese Corporation 14 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Image Removed]] Dividend* Payout and Share Repurchases Dividend Share Repurchases $300 $250 $200 $150 $100 $50 $0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Return of Cash to Shareholders Share Repurchases • Deployed $250 million to repurchase ~4.3 million shares in 2014 • Remaining share repurchase authorization of $451 million • Will continue to repurchase shares opportunistically Dividend • Paid $144 million in dividends in 2014, a 73% increase compared to 2013 • Expect consistent pay out ratio $1.8 billion returned to shareholders since 2007 via dividends and share repurchases © Celanese Celanese Corporation *Based on dividends paid on common stock (in millions) 15 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EX-99.4 5 q420148-kex994.htm PREPARED REMARKS Q4 2014 8-K EX99.4 Exhibit 99.4 [[Image Removed]] Q4 2014 Earnings Prepared Comments Jon Puckett, Celanese Corporation, Vice President, Investor Relations Welcome to the Celanese Corporation fourth quarter 2014 financial results recording. The date of this recording is January 22, 2015. Please note that no portion of this presentation may be rebroadcast or reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Celanese. My name is Jon Puckett, Vice President of Investor Relations at Celanese. Today you will be hearing from Mark Rohr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Chris Jensen, Senior Vice President, Finance. The Celanese Corporation fourth quarter 2014 earnings release was distributed via business wire this afternoon and posted on our website, www.celanese.com, in the Investor Relations section. The slides referenced during this recording are also posted on our website. As a reminder, some of the matters discussed today and included in our presentations may include forward-looking statements concerning, for example, Celanese Corporation's future objectives and results. Please note the cautionary language contained in the posted slides. Also, some of the matters discussed and presented include references to non-GAAP financial measures. Explanations of these measures and reconciliations to the comparable GAAP measures are included on our website in the Investor Relations section under Financial Information. The earnings release, presentation and non-GAAP reconciliations are being furnished to the SEC in a current report on Form 8-K. Mark will review our consolidated fourth quarter results and discuss our outlook for 2015. Chris will then comment on pension accounting, cash flow, balance sheet and tax rate; and now I'd like to turn the call over to Mark. 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark Rohr, Celanese Corporation, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Thanks, Jon, and welcome to everyone listening in today. I'll start with comments on the full year before rolling into the fourth quarter and comments on trends as we begin 2015. I'm pleased to report 2014 earnings of $5.67 per share, reflecting 26 percent growth over the prior year. These record results were driven by changing industry dynamics in the Acetyl Chain, the ability of our Materials business to identify, develop and provide specific materials to our customers and strong manufacturing performance. Sales for the year totaled $6.8 billion up 4.5% year-over-year and operating cash flow totaled $962 million setting a record for the company. Consolidated segment income margins increased 240 basis points to 18.6 percent. Great performance all around. Engineered Materials' 2014 segment income was $329 million, that's a 9 percent improvement over the prior year. Segment income margin improved 20 basis points to 22.5 percent, and our ability to develop customer-centric applications and products supported a 9 percent increase in volumes. We also increased our kilograms per vehicle to record levels in 2014 and had continued success in medical and industrial applications. Pricing was down 1 percent reflecting increased volumes into the Asian markets. We had record annual performance in Consumer Specialties with segment income of $460 million and margin of 39.7 percent, 380 basis points above the prior year. These results reflect our global efforts to drive productivity and optimize our cost base. Our efforts more than offset 5 percent lower volumes in 2014. For the year net pricing was up slightly and dividends from our cellulose derivative ventures totaled $115 million. Industrial Specialties' segment income totaled $64 million while segment income margin came in at 5.2 percent, both lower than the prior year. Pricing increased about 5 percent on improved mix in EVA polymers and efforts to pass through raw material cost inflation. However, our pricing efforts were not sufficient to cover high raw material costs for VAM (Vinyl Acetate Monomer). Volumes increased 1 percent mainly due to continued adoption of VAE (Vinyl Acetate Ethylene) polymers in Europe and Asia. Acetyl Intermediates' segment income margin increased to 15.7 percent, which is 640 basis points higher than the prior year, on segment income of $547 million. Pricing increased 11 percent primarily in VAM, reflecting the impact of our productivity actions as well as a number of unplanned industry outages. Our results also reflect our ability to drive incremental value through our global network and to proactively respond to trade flows and industry trends through daily management of the business. 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014 was a really great year for Celanese and I am thankful to the entire team that helped deliver these outstanding results. Now, let me cover our consolidated fourth quarter results. In the fourth quarter, we generated record adjusted earnings of $1.28 per share. That's a 23 percent growth over the prior year. Segment income margin was 18.1 percent and fourth quarter segment income margin expanded 300 basis points year-over-year. Now for the segments - [Advanced] Engineered Materials' segment income margin was 19.3 percent on segment income of $64 million. Volumes declined 6 percent sequentially reflecting typical seasonal trends in North America and Europe. Auto penetration was consistent with the prior quarter at approximately 2 kg per vehicle. Pricing declined 1 percent due to product and regional mix. Segment income margin in Consumer Specialties was 39.6 percent, consistent with the prior quarter, on segment income of $110 million. Volumes declined 4 percent sequentially on seasonality while pricing was consistent with the third quarter. Dividends from our cellulose derivatives Chinese ventures were $29 million. Industrial Specialties' segment income margin was 2.6 percent on segment income of $7 million. Sequential volumes decreased 14 percent mainly due to normal fourth quarter seasonality in emulsions polymers. Pricing was consistent as product mix in EVA polymers offset slightly lower pricing in emulsions polymers driven by lower raw material costs. Acetyl Intermediates' fourth quarter segment income was $137 million. Segment income margin was 16.8 percent, 110 basis points below prior quarter but 670 basis points higher year-over-year. Sequentially, volumes declined 7 percent and pricing was down 5 percent primarily driven by fewer industry outages in VAM. Our strong finish to the year provided another quarter of solid cash flow. Operating cash flow was $166 million, and included incremental pension contributions of $100 million. We continued to return cash to shareholders in quarter four, deploying $49 million to purchase about 820 thousand shares of stock. For the year, we distributed $144 million in dividends. That's a 73 percent increase from the prior year, and spent $250 million to repurchase 4.3 million shares. Before I make some comments about [our] 2015 outlook, let me remind you that our underlying business is strong and provides us some ability to offset anticipated headwinds. But since we last talked with you, the global macro environment has weakened more than anticipated. Global oil prices have declined about 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50 percent just since our last earnings call resulting in a precipitous decline in global energy and petrochemical derivative pricing creating both opportunities and risk for most businesses as regional competitive dynamics change. Many of our customers and suppliers are taking immediate actions to reduce inventory and purchases where possible while seeking knowledge on where things will settle. Foreign exchange rates have also been unstable most notably evident by the steep decline in the Euro US dollar exchange rate. What this all means isn't yet clear but a few trends are emerging that I'd like to mention. Regarding general commerce we see positive signs in Europe particularly in autos where year over year improvement is expected and in the US where we generally still see favorable economic trends. However, we do expect a slow start to the year for our Asian business. Chinese New Year falls in late Feb and the Chinese economy remains on uncertain footing, which has a ripple effect in Korea and Japan. Our global footprint exposes us to several currencies, but the most significant currency impact for Celanese is the Euro to US dollar exchange rate, primarily in our intermediate chemistry business where we have significant sales of US produced product in Europe. In a more stable currency environment, we estimate that every 1 Euro cent change in the exchange rate results in an earnings impact of about $0.03 to $0.04 per share annually. This would imply that the significant move in the exchange rate that averaged 1.32 in 2014 versus a current rate of 1.15 could impact earnings in the range of $0.60 to $0.70 per share this year. Having said that, with changes of this magnitude, there could be second order effects, including pricing adjustments, that reduce the overall impact. The second area of uncertainty we are monitoring is the rapid decline in global crude pricing. Given the breadth of our product portfolio, and our specific contract structures, we are not normally impacted by fluctuations in oil prices and their petrochemical derivatives. However, the severity of the recent decline in crude oil pricing has had far reaching effects, pressuring global GDP growth as well as the pricing of raw materials like methanol and ethylene. In simple terms, we could see a year over year decrease in raw materials and energy in the range of $100 million, excluding ethylene. But it's hard to quantify the realized impact of dramatically lower raw materials because they may also result in changed trade flows, may translate into lower global demand for bulk chemicals and result in lower margins for some products. We are monitoring the impact of lower crude oil pricing and working hard to drive margin improvement wherever we can, but it will be a few months before we can be more specific about this dynamic and the benefit of lower raw material and energy cost in 2015. In addition to these macro areas, we now have a better sense of how the excess inventory held by acetate tow customers will work through the system in 2015. You may recall, since we closed our acetate tow unit 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- in Spondon. That is was in 2012. Cigarette manufacturers globally have carried higher than historical levels of inventory. In order to return to more normal inventory levels, a number of manufacturers will significantly reduce acetate tow purchases in the first half of 2015. As a result, our volumes and margins will be lower in the first half of the year, before returning to more consistent levels in the second half of the year. I expect Consumer Specialties 2015 EBIT could end the year lower, impacting our earnings by about $0.30 per share versus last year. We don't control the outcomes of these potential headwinds, but we are focused on the things that we can control to help offset some of the volatility we are seeing today and to drive earnings. Let me start with an update on our progress at the Clear Lake methanol unit. As you can see from the photos in the slide presentation, we continue to make good progress on the unit despite a tight market for skilled labor in the Houston area. We are around 60 percent complete with the overall construction and several portions of the unit are moving into their final phase. The next couple of months are critical for us to successfully start up the unit by October 1, but I have a great deal of confidence in the team managing this important [project]. We are hopeful for good weather and continue to expect this project to be up and running on time and near our original cost estimate of $700 million. We have estimated the headwind of moving from purchased to produced methanol would be in the range of $0.40 to $0.60 per share. However, with current methanol and energy cost, we should be at the low end of that range. We previously highlighted three areas of focus to offset methanol headwinds - excess cash deployment, implementing a pan-European operating structure and productivity initiatives. All programs are on schedule and we expect results will offset the methanol headwind for the year. We are also making progress on productivity, specifically energy savings. Working across several manufacturing sites, we have designed and installed innovative energy management systems that provide our operators with key energy efficiency information that allows real-time decisions to drive lower energy costs. This is just one example of hundreds of productivity initiatives we are working across the company that we expect will generate savings of about $0.15 per share in 2015 and beyond. Commercially we expect strong growth in engineered materials this year driven by our ability to align our application and product development pipeline with our customers' needs and growth plans. We anticipate steady growth in the US and European auto market and continued success penetrating the Asian auto market. And in medical, we expect to grow volumes based on the unique attributes we provide to our customers. We also believe we can continue to unlock value in the Acetyl Chain. Our One Celanese approach to this business has enhanced our collaboration across the globe, enabling us to make better 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- customer, operational and financial decisions. We believe our actions will support a rebound in the emulsions business, which faced significant headwinds in 2014 due to higher raw material pricing. We also are continuing to improved plant operations allowing us to run our units longer and at higher rates that will also drive incremental earnings in 2015. While, we may not be able to completely offset currency, the cellulose inventory correction and uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment, we have a solid list of actions that our global teams will be focused on to minimize the impact and set the stage for growth through the year and into 2016. When we net all of these risks and opportunities and look at the range of outcomes, it is hard to give a specific outlook for the full year. However, we do expect first quarter earnings to be consistent year-over-year and our full year to be in the range of $5.00 to $5.50 per share. With that, I'll now turn it over to Chris Jensen. Chris Jensen, Celanese Corporation, Senior Vice President, Finance Thanks, Mark. Let me start with some color on a couple of accounting items that are included in our GAAP reported results but are excluded from our adjusted results. The first is our fourth quarter pension adjustment related to the annual mark-to-market accounting of our benefit obligations. Under this accounting, which we adopted last year, we recognize actuarial gains and losses and changes in the fair value of plan assets in operating results in the fourth of quarter each year. This year the impact was a $349 million net actuarial loss resulting primarily from decreased interest rates and adoption of the most recent industry mortality data. In our GAAP results, you will see this adjustment reflected as follows - $26 million in cost of sales, $318 million in SG&A and $5 million in R&D. In our 2013 GAAP results, we had a net mark-to-market gain of $106 million with $8 million in cost of sales, $96 million in SG&A and $2 million in R&D. The second item is related to the buy out of certain non-retiree, former employees from our US pension plan. Our GAAP results include a $78 million gain from this action. We exclude this gain from our adjusted results. Now let's move to the year-over-year results for the fourth quarter. We generated record adjusted earnings of $1.28 per share, 23 percent growth over the prior year. Segment income margin expanded 300 basis points over the prior year on margin expansion in both the Acetyl Chain and Materials business. Pricing increased 5 percent on a year-over-year basis led by the intermediate chemistry business as we continue to benefit from strategic changes we have made to enhance our flexibility and respond to prevailing industry 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- trends. Year-over-year volumes decreased 5 percent as volume growth in engineered materials was offset by lower volumes in the Acetyl Chain and Consumer Specialties. Our strong finish to the year provided another quarter of solid cash flow with operating cash flow of $166 million. We finished the year with record operating cash flow and adjusted free cash flow of $962 million and $553 million, respectively, and deployed this cash to improve our credit profile and balance sheet. We reduced total debt by more than $200 million which should lower annual interest expense by about $30 million. We also contributed an incremental $100 million to our US pension plan. For the year, we distributed $144 million in dividends and spent $250 million to repurchase 4.3 million shares. At year-end we had $451 million remaining on our share repurchase authorization. We ended the year with just under $800 million of cash after these cash deployment actions. We are well positioned to continue to be productive with our balance sheet in 2015. We continue to expect to de-leverage the balance sheet, be opportunistic with share repurchases and invest in growth opportunities, including M&A. Turning to taxes, the effective US GAAP tax rate for 2014 was 33 percent versus 32 percent in the prior year. The tax rate for adjusted EPS in 2014 was 21 percent compared to 19 percent in 2013 due to earnings growth in higher tax countries. For 2015, we expect our adjusted tax rate will be less than 20 percent. This brings us to the end of our prepared remarks and we look forward to discussing our results with you on our earnings call Friday morning. Thank you. 7