Eastman Announces Third-Quarter 2011 Financial Results

Eastman Announces Third-Quarter 2011 Financial Results

Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) today announced earnings from continuing operations of $1.16 per diluted share for third quarter 2011 versus $1.11 per diluted share for third quarter 2010. Excluding $7 million of restructuring charges primarily for severance associated with the acquisition and integration of Sterling Chemicals, Inc., earnings from continuing operations were $1.19 per diluted share in third quarter 2011. For reconciliation to reported company and segment earnings, see Tables 3 and 4 in the accompanying third-quarter 2011 financial tables.

“Third-quarter 2011 operating earnings reflect solid performance across the company,” said Jim Rogers, Chairman and CEO. “Going forward, the strength of our core businesses and balance sheet gives us confidence our earnings will remain resilient despite the economic uncertainty.”

(In millions, except per share amounts)		3Q2011			3Q2010
Sales revenue		$	1,812		$	1,507
Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations		$	1.16		$	1.11
Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations excluding restructuring charges*		$	1.19		$	1.11
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	212		$	316
*For reconciliation to reported company and segment earnings, see Tables 3 and 4 in the accompanying third-quarter 2011 financial tables.

Sales revenue for third quarter 2011 was $1.8 billion, a 20 percent increase compared with third quarter 2010 primarily due to higher selling prices.

Operating earnings excluding restructuring charges in third quarter 2011 were $263 million compared with operating earnings of $266 million in third quarter 2010. Operating earnings in third quarter 2011 included $11 million of costs from an unplanned outage of an olefin cracking unit in Longview, Texas, and $8 million from an acetyl technology license. Operating earnings in third quarter 2010 included $22 million from the partial settlement of an insurance claim related to a power outage at the Longview, Texas, manufacturing facility. In third quarter 2011 compared with third quarter 2010, higher selling prices more than offset higher raw material and energy costs.

Segment Results 3Q 2011 versus 3Q 2010

Coatings, Adhesives, Specialty Polymers and Inks – Sales revenue increased by 14 percent primarily due to higher selling prices which were in response to higher raw material and energy costs. Operating earnings in third quarter 2011 were $82 million compared with operating earnings of $89 million in third quarter 2010. Third-quarter 2011 operating earnings included $3 million of costs from the unplanned outage of an olefin cracking unit, while third-quarter 2010 operating earnings included $9 million from the partial settlement of an insurance claim. Third-quarter 2011 operating earnings were positively impacted by higher selling prices, which more than offset higher raw material and energy costs.

Fibers – Sales revenue increased by 11 percent due to a favorable shift in product mix and higher selling prices. The favorable shift in product mix was mainly due to higher acetate tow sales volume resulting from increased utilization of the acetate tow manufacturing facility in Korea. The higher selling prices were in response to higher raw material and energy costs, particularly for wood pulp. Operating earnings in third quarter 2011 increased to $92 million compared with $89 million in third quarter 2010 due to higher acetate tow sales volume in Asia Pacific and higher selling prices, mostly offset by higher raw material and energy costs.

Performance Chemicals and Intermediates – Sales revenue increased by 39 percent due to higher selling prices and a favorable shift in product mix. The higher selling prices were in response to higher raw material and energy costs. The favorable shift in product mix was due to increased sales revenue from plasticizer product lines, $8 million from an acetyl technology license, and $15 million of sales revenue from the recently acquired Sterling Chemicals business. Operating earnings in third quarter 2011 increased to $78 million excluding restructuring charges compared to $74 million in third quarter 2010. Third-quarter 2011 operating earnings included $8 million of costs from the unplanned outage of an olefin cracking unit and $8 million from an acetyl technology license. Operating earnings in third quarter 2010 included $12 million from the partial settlement of an insurance claim. In third quarter 2011 compared with third quarter 2010, operating earnings were positively impacted by higher selling prices and the favorable shift in product mix more than offsetting higher raw material and energy costs.

Specialty Plastics – Sales revenue increased by 4 percent as higher selling prices were partially offset by lower sales volume. The higher selling prices were in response to higher raw material and energy costs, particularly for paraxylene. The lower sales volume was attributed to weakened demand for copolyester product lines, particularly in packaging, consumer durable goods and LCD end markets, customer inventory destocking, and some customer shift to other plastic materials that do not use paraxylene as a raw material. Operating earnings were $29 million in both third quarter 2011 and third quarter 2010 as higher selling prices were offset by higher raw material and energy costs and lower sales volume.

Cash Flow

Eastman generated $212 million in cash from operating activities during third quarter 2011 driven by strong net earnings. Inventories increased during the quarter primarily due to preparation for planned manufacturing maintenance in the fourth quarter. Third-quarter 2011 cash flows included $28 million of a total anticipated $110 million tax payment for the gain on the sale of the PET business completed in first quarter 2011. During third quarter 2011, share repurchases totaled $115 million.

Outlook

Commenting on the outlook for fourth quarter and full year 2011, Rogers said: "For the remainder of the year, we expect sales volume to decline due to normal seasonality and customer inventory destocking. We also expect continued volatility in raw material and energy costs. As a result, we expect fourth-quarter 2011 earnings per share to be higher than fourth quarter 2010 and for full-year 2011 earnings per share to be approximately $4.62, excluding asset impairments and restructuring charges and gains."

Eastman will host a conference call with industry analysts on October 28 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the live webcast of the conference call and view the accompanying slides, go to www.investors.eastman.com, Events & Presentations. To listen via telephone, the dial-in number is 913-312-0845, passcode number 7815514. A web replay, a replay in downloadable MP3 format, and the accompanying slides will be available at www.investors.eastman.com, Events & Presentations. A telephone replay will be available continuously from 11:00 a.m. EDT, October 28, to 11:00 a.m. EDT, November 7, at (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820, passcode 7815514.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements concerning current expectations for economic conditions, sales volume, raw material and energy costs, and earnings for fourth quarter and full year 2011. Such expectations are based upon certain preliminary information, internal estimates, and management assumptions, expectations, and plans, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties inherent in projecting future conditions, events, and results. Actual results could differ materially from expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements if one or more of the underlying assumptions or expectations prove to be inaccurate or are unrealized. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such expectations are and will be detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-Q filed for second quarter 2011 available, and the Form 10-Q to be filed for third quarter 2011 and to be available, on the Eastman web site at www.eastman.com in the Investors, SEC information section.

Eastman’s chemicals, fibers and plastics are used as key ingredients in products that people use every day. Approximately 10,000 Eastman employees around the world blend technical expertise and innovation to deliver practical solutions. The company is committed to finding sustainable business opportunities within the diverse markets it serves. A global company headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., USA, Eastman had 2010 sales of $6 billion. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Table of Contents
Item								Page
TABLE 1				Statements of Earnings				1
TABLE 2A				Segment Sales Information				2
TABLE 2B				Sales Revenue Change				2
TABLE 2C				Sales by Region				3
TABLE 2D				Sales Revenue Change by Region				3
TABLE 3				Operating Earnings and Asset Impairments and Restructuring Charges (Gains), Net, by Segment; Segment Operating Earnings Reconciliations				4
TABLE 4				Operating Earnings, Earnings, and Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations Reconciliation				5
TABLE 5				Statements of Cash Flows				6
TABLE 5A				Total Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Time Deposits				6
TABLE 5B				Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities Reconciliation and Free Cash Flow				7
TABLE 6				Selected Balance Sheet Items				7

The Company completed the sale of the polyethylene terephthalate ("PET") business, related assets at the Columbia, South Carolina, site, and technology of its Performance Polymers segment on January 31, 2011. The PET business, assets, and technology sold were substantially all of the Performance Polymers segment. Performance Polymers segment operating results are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented and are therefore not included in results from continuing operations under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

In third quarter 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend. Stockholders of record as of September 15, 2011 were issued one additional share of common stock on October 3, 2011 for each share held. Treasury shares were treated as shares outstanding in the stock split. All shares and per share amounts have been adjusted for all periods presented for the stock split.

TABLE 1 – STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
			Third Quarter										First Nine Months
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited)			2011					2010					2011					2010
Sales			$	1,812				$	1,507				$	5,455				$	4,379
Cost of sales				1,392					1,085					4,139					3,256
Gross profit				420					422					1,316					1,123
Selling, general and administrative expenses				116					114					350					311
Research and development expenses				41					42					116					108
Asset impairments and restructuring charges (gains), net				7					--					(8	)				3
Operating earnings				256					266					858					701
Net interest expense				20					25					57					75
Other charges (income), net				(2	)				(3	)				(14	)				11
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes				238					244					815					615
Provision for income taxes from continuing operations				73					82					258					207
Earnings from continuing operations			$	165				$	162				$	557				$	408
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax				--					8					8					11
Gain from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax				--					--					31					--
Net earnings			$	165				$	170				$	596				$	419
Basic earnings per share
Earnings from continuing operations			$	1.19				$	1.13				$	3.96				$	2.83
Earnings from discontinued operations				--					0.06					0.28					0.08
Basic earnings per share			$	1.19				$	1.19				$	4.24				$	2.91
Diluted earnings per share
Earnings from continuing operations			$	1.16				$	1.11				$	3.86				$	2.77
Earnings from discontinued operations				--					0.05					0.27					0.08
Diluted earnings per share			$	1.16				$	1.16				$	4.13				$	2.85
Shares (in millions) outstanding at end of period				137.6					144.3					137.6					144.3
Shares (in millions) used for earnings per share calculation
Basic				139.1					143.8					140.6					144.3
Diluted				142.4					146.6					144.1					147.2

TABLE 2A – SEGMENT SALES INFORMATION
							Third Quarter										First Nine Months
(Dollars in millions, unaudited)							2011					2010					2011					2010
Sales by Segment
Coatings, Adhesives, Specialty Polymers, and Inks							$	461				$	406				$	1,419				$	1,195
Fibers								334					301					955					842
Performance Chemicals and Intermediates								740					534					2,163					1,557
Specialty Plastics								277					266					918					785
Total Eastman Chemical Company							$	1,812				$	1,507				$	5,455				$	4,379
TABLE 2B – SALES REVENUE CHANGE
			Third Quarter 2011 Compared to Third Quarter 2010
(Unaudited)							Change in Sales Revenue Due To
			Revenue % Change				Volume Effect					Price Effect					Product Mix Effect					Exchange Rate Effect
Coatings, Adhesives, Specialty Polymers, and Inks			14	%				1	%				13	%				(1	)%				1	%
Fibers			11	%				--	%				5	%				6	%				--	%
Performance Chemicals and Intermediates			39	%				4	%				25	%				9	%				1	%
Specialty Plastics			4	%				(12	)%				16	%				(1	)%				1	%
Total Eastman Chemical Company			20	%				--	%				16	%				4	%				--	%
			First Nine Months 2011 Compared to First Nine Months 2010
(Unaudited)							Change in Sales Revenue Due To
			Revenue % Change				Volume Effect					Price Effect					Product Mix Effect					Exchange Rate Effect
Coatings, Adhesives, Specialty Polymers, and Inks			19	%				6	%				13	%				(1	)%				1	%
Fibers			13	%				3	%				4	%				6	%				--	%
Performance Chemicals and Intermediates			39	%				14	%				21	%				4	%				--	%
Specialty Plastics			17	%				--	%				16	%				1	%				--	%
Total Eastman Chemical Company			25	%				7	%				15	%				2	%				1	%
TABLE 2C – SALES BY REGION
							Third Quarter										First Nine Months
(Dollars in millions, unaudited)							2011					2010					2011					2010
Sales by Region
United States and Canada							$	978				$	771				$	2,900				$	2,253
Asia Pacific								433					369					1,264					1,058
Europe, Middle East, and Africa								323					291					1,048					851
Latin America								78					76					243					217
Total Eastman Chemical Company							$	1,812				$	1,507				$	5,455				$	4,379
TABLE 2D – SALES REVENUE CHANGE BY REGION
			Third Quarter 2011 Compared to Third Quarter 2010
							Change in Sales Revenue Due To
(Unaudited)			Change				Volume Effect					Price Effect					Product Mix Effect					Exchange Rate Effect
United States and Canada			27	%				1	%				21	%				5	%				--	%
Asia Pacific			17	%				--	%				11	%				5	%				1	%
Europe, Middle East, and Africa			11	%				(2	)%				11	%				(1	)%				3	%
Latin America			4	%				(13	)%				9	%				8	%				--	%
Total Eastman Chemical Company			20	%				--	%				16	%				4	%				--	%
			First Nine Months 2011 Compared to First Nine Months 2010
							Change in Sales Revenue Due To
(Unaudited)			Change				Volume Effect					Price Effect					Product Mix Effect					Exchange Rate Effect
United States and Canada			29	%				9	%				17	%				3	%				--	%
Asia Pacific			19	%				4	%				11	%				4	%				--	%
Europe, Middle East, and Africa			23	%				8	%				13	%				1	%				1	%
Latin America			12	%				(2	)%				13	%				1	%				--	%
Total Eastman Chemical Company			25	%				7	%				15	%				2	%				1	%

TABLE 3 - OPERATING EARNINGS AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES (GAINS), NET, BY SEGMENT; SEGMENT OPERATING EARNINGS RECONCILIATIONS
			Third Quarter										First Nine Months
(Dollars in millions, unaudited)			2011					2010					2011					2010
Operating Earnings by Segment and Item
Coatings, Adhesives, Specialty Polymers, and Inks
Operating earnings			$	82				$	89				$	279				$	246
Fibers
Operating earnings				92					89					266					248
Performance Chemicals and Intermediates
Operating earnings				71					74					247					177
Asset impairments and restructuring charges, net (1)(2)				7					--					7					3
Operating earnings excluding item				78					74					254					180
Specialty Plastics
Operating earnings				29					29					96					69
Total Operating Earnings by Segment and Item
Total operating earnings				274					281					888					740
Total asset impairments and restructuring charges, net				7					--					7					3
Total operating earnings excluding item				281					281					895					743
Other (3)
Operating loss				(18	)				(15	)				(30	)				(39	)
Asset impairments and restructuring charges (gains), net (4)				--					--					(15	)				--
Operating loss excluding item				(18	)				(15	)				(45	)				(39	)
Total Eastman Chemical Company
Total operating earnings			$	256				$	266				$	858				$	701
Total asset impairments and restructuring charges (gains), net				7					--					(8	)				3
Total operating earnings excluding item			$	263				$	266				$	850				$	704

(1)		Third quarter and first nine months 2011 include $7 million in restructuring charges primarily for severance associated with the acquisition and integration of Sterling Chemicals, Inc.
(2)		First nine months 2010 includes restructuring charges of $3 million, primarily for severance associated with the acquisition and integration of Genovique Specialties Corporation.
(3)		Research and development and other expenses and asset impairments and restructuring charges (gains), net, not identifiable to an operating segment are not included in segment operating results for either of the periods presented and are shown as "other" operating loss.
(4)		First nine months 2011 includes $15 million gain from the sale of the previously impaired methanol and ammonia assets related to the terminated Beaumont, Texas industrial gasification project.

TABLE 4 – OPERATING EARNINGS, EARNINGS, AND EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS RECONCILIATION
EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS EXCLUDING CERTAIN ITEM
			Third Quarter 2011
								Earnings from Continuing Operations
(Dollars in millions, unaudited)			Operating Earnings					Before Tax					After Tax					Per Diluted Share
As reported			$	256				$	238				$	165				$	1.16
Certain Item:
Asset impairments and restructuring charges, net				7					7					5					0.03
Excluding item			$	263				$	245				$	170				$	1.19
			Third Quarter 2010
								Earnings from Continuing Operations
(Dollars in millions, unaudited)			Operating Earnings					Before Tax					After Tax					Per Diluted Share
As reported			$	266				$	244				$	162				$	1.11
			First Nine Months 2011
								Earnings from Continuing Operations
(Dollars in millions, unaudited)			Operating Earnings					Before Tax					After Tax					Per Diluted Share
As reported			$	858				$	815				$	557				$	3.86
Certain Item:
Asset impairments and restructuring charges (gains), net				(8	)				(8	)				(5	)				(0.03	)
Excluding item			$	850				$	807				$	552				$	3.83
			First Nine Months 2010
								Earnings from Continuing Operations
(Dollars in millions, unaudited)			Operating Earnings					Before Tax					After Tax					Per Diluted Share
As reported			$	701				$	615				$	408				$	2.77
Certain Item:
Asset impairments and restructuring charges, net				3					3					2					0.02
Excluding item			$	704				$	618				$	410				$	2.79

TABLE 5 – STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
			Third Quarter										First Nine Months
(Dollars in millions, unaudited)			2011					2010					2011					2010
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings			$	165				$	170				$	596				$	419
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization				69					73					204					212
Gain on sale of assets				--					--					(70	)				--
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes				14					40					(18	)				52
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and divestitures:
(Increase) decrease in trade receivables				65					36					(147	)				(397	)
(Increase) decrease in inventories				(104	)				(10	)				(225	)				(100	)
Increase (decrease) in trade payables				(36	)				(34	)				34					56
Increase (decrease) in liabilities for employee benefits and incentive pay				31					19					(108	)				9
Other items, net				8					22					7					46
Net cash provided by operating activities				212					316					273					297
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to properties and equipment				(127	)				(57	)				(333	)				(133	)
Proceeds from sale of assets and investments				7					--					651					11
Acquisitions and investments in joint ventures				(154	)				--					(154	)				(189	)
Additions to short-term time deposits				--					--					(200	)				--
Additions to capitalized software				(2	)				(2	)				(7	)				(5	)
Other items, net				33					(7	)				27					(7	)
Net cash used in investing activities				(243	)				(66	)				(16	)				(323	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net increase in commercial paper, credit facility and other borrowings				--					--					1					1
Repayment of borrowings				--					(4	)				(2	)				(4	)
Dividends paid to stockholders				(33	)				(32	)				(100	)				(96	)
Treasury stock purchases				(115	)				(15	)				(292	)				(68	)
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other items, net				(8	)				8					67					41
Net cash used in financing activities				(156	)				(43	)				(326	)				(126	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents				1					--					1					1
Net change in cash and cash equivalents				(186	)				207					(68	)				(151	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				634					435					516					793
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			$	448				$	642				$	448				$	642
TABLE 5A – TOTAL CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM TIME DEPOSITS
													First Nine Months
(Dollars in millions, unaudited)													2011					2010
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period													$	448				$	642
Short-term time deposits														201					--
Total cash and cash equivalents and short-term time deposits													$	649				$	642
TABLE 5B – NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES RECONCILIATION AND FREE CASH FLOW
			Third Quarter										First Nine Months
(Dollars in millions, unaudited)			2011					2010					2011					2010
Net cash provided by operating activities			$	212				$	316				$	273				$	297
Impact of adoption of amended accounting guidance (1)				--					--					--					200
Impact of tax payment on the sale of the PET business (2)				28					--					83					--
Net cash provided by operating activities excluding items				240					316					356					497
Additions to properties and equipment				(127	)				(57	)				(333	)				(133	)
Dividends paid to stockholders				(33	)				(32	)				(100	)				(96	)
Free Cash Flow			$	80				$	227				$	(77	)			$	268

(1)		First nine months 2010 cash from operating activities reflected the adoption of amended accounting guidance for transfers of financial assets which resulted in $200 million of receivables, which were previously accounted for as sold and removed from the balance sheet when transferred under the accounts receivable securitization program, being included on the first quarter balance sheet as trade receivables, net. This increase in receivables reduced cash from operations by $200 million in first quarter 2010.
(2)		First nine months 2011 cash flows included $83 million of a total anticipated $110 million tax payment for the tax gain on the sale of the PET business completed in first quarter 2011.

TABLE 6 – SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
			September 30,				December 31,
(Dollars in millions)			2011				2010
			(unaudited)
Current Assets			$	2,354			$	2,047
Net Properties and Equipment				3,058				3,219
Other Assets				771				720
Total Assets			$	6,183			$	5,986
Payables and Other Current Liabilities			$	1,047			$	1,064
Short-term Borrowings				154				6
Long-term Borrowings				1,445				1,598
Other Liabilities				1,628				1,691
Stockholders’ Equity				1,909				1,627
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity			$	6,183			$	5,986

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Eastman Chemical Company
Media:
Tracy Broadwater, 423-224-0498
tkbroadwater@eastman.com
or
Investors:
Greg Riddle, 212-835-1620
griddle@eastman.com