Westlake Full-Year Report 2023
- Record Housing and Infrastructure Products (HIP) annual income from operations of $710 million with a 17% income from operations margin and a 23% EBITDA margin
- Generated $2.3 billion of net cash from operating activities and $1.3 billion of free cash flow in 2023
- Performance and Essential Materials (PEM) results impacted by Identified Items totaling $625 million
In the fourth quarter of 2023, Westlake reported net sales of $2.8 billion, a net loss of $497 million, or $3.86 per share, and EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) of ($235) million. Earnings in the fourth quarter were impacted by a non-cash impairment charge of $475 million related to the Company’s base epoxy resin assets in The Netherlands and the goodwill associated with our epoxy business as well as the previously disclosed $150 million ($115 million after-tax) charge related to a final settlement to fully resolve certain liability claims that are currently not being covered by certain of our excess carriers (the “Identified Items”), which are included in the Performance and Essential Materials segment financial results. Excluding the Identified Items, fourth quarter of 2023 net income attributable to Westlake was $93 million and EBITDA was $390 million. Earnings per share excluding the Identified Items were $0.72 compared to $1.79 in the prior-year period, and $2.20 in the prior quarter, reflecting generally lower sales prices, particularly for caustic soda, PVC resin and epoxy resin.
For the full year of 2023, Westlake reported net sales of $12.5 billion, net income of $479 million and EBITDA of $2.0 billion. Excluding the Identified Items, full year 2023 net income was $1.1 billion and EBITDA was $2.6 billion. Compared to the prior-year financial results, the Company’s 2023 results were negatively impacted by lower product pricing and margins, particularly in PEM, and lower sales volume, particularly in HIP.
Performance and Essential Materials fourth quarter average sales price decreased 8% from the third quarter of 2023 while Housing and Infrastructure Products average sales price decreased 1% quarter-over-quarter. Overall sales prices for the Company decreased 6% sequentially from the previous quarter.