Profit rise for Afton in 4Q 2017

Sales for Afton Chemical, the petroleum additives segment of NewMarket Corporation, for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $556.9 million, up 11.4% versus the same period last year. Petroleum additives operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $77.9 million, 3.0% higher than fourth quarter operating profit last year of $75.6 million. The increase was mainly due to increased shipments, changes in selling prices and product mix, partially offset by higher raw material and conversion costs.

Shipments were up 8.0% from the same period last year with increases in both lubricant additives and fuel additives shipments. All regions contributed to the increase in lubricant additives shipments, and Europe was the primary driver of the increase in fuel additives shipments.

For the year, petroleum additives sales were $2.2 billion compared to sales in 2016 of $2.0 billion, or an increase of 7.5%. Petroleum additives operating profit for 2017 was $359.8 million, 6.5% lower than last year’s $384.9 million. The decrease was due mainly to higher raw material and conversion costs, and changes in selling prices and product mix, partially offset by increased shipments.

Shipments increased 8.2% versus 2016 with increases in both lubricant additives and fuel additives shipments. Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America were the regions contributing to the increase in lubricant additives shipments, and Europe was the primary driver of the increase in fuel additives shipments.

Profit before income taxes for parent company NewMarket for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $64.9 million compared to $64.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $4.1 million compared to net income of $45.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. Profit before income taxes for 2017 was $315.4 million compared to $343.2 million for 2016. Net income for 2017 was $190.5 million compared to net income of $243.4 million for 2016. Net income for both 2017 periods included the estimated impact of the tax reform act enacted on December 22, 2017, commonly known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the “Tax Reform Act”).