Valhi Inc /de/ VHI US Equity☆

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Listed below are certain risk factors associated with us and our businesses. See also certain risk factors discussed in Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.” In addition to the potential effect of these risk factors, any risk factor which could result in reduced earnings or increased operating losses, or reduced liquidity, could in turn adversely affect our ability to service our liabilities or pay dividends on our common stock or adversely affect the quoted market prices for our securities.

Operational Risk Factors

Demand for, and prices of, certain of our Chemicals Segment’s products are influenced by changing market conditions for its products, which may result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

Our Chemicals Segment’s sales and profitability are largely dependent on the TiO2 industry. In 2020, 93% of our Chemicals Segment’s sales were attributable to sales of TiO2. TiO2 is used in many “quality of life” products for which demand historically has been linked to global, regional and local gross domestic product and discretionary spending, which can be negatively impacted by regional and world events or economic conditions. Such events are likely to cause a decrease in demand for our products and, as a result, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Pricing within the global TiO2 industry over the long term is cyclical and changes in economic conditions worldwide can significantly impact our Chemicals Segment’s earnings and operating cash flows. Historically, the markets for many of our Chemicals Segment’s products have experienced alternating periods of increasing and decreasing demand. Relative changes in the selling prices for our Chemicals Segment’s products are one of the main factors that affect the level of our Chemicals Segment’s profitability. In periods of increasing demand, our Chemicals Segment’s selling prices and profit margins generally will tend to increase, while in periods of decreasing demand selling prices and profit margins generally tend to decrease. In addition, pricing may affect customer inventory levels as customers may from time to time accelerate purchases of TiO2 in advance of anticipated price increases or defer purchases of TiO2 in advance of anticipated price decreases. Our Chemicals Segment’s ability to further increase capacity without additional investment in greenfield or brownfield capacity increases may be limited and as a result, our Chemicals Segment’s profitability may become even more dependent upon the selling prices of its products.

The TiO2 industry is concentrated and highly competitive and our Chemical Segment faces price pressures in the markets in which it operates, which may result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

The global market in which our Chemicals Segment operates is concentrated, with the top five TiO2 producers accounting for approximately 52% of the world’s production capacity, and is highly competitive. Competition is based on a number of factors, such as price, product quality and service. Some of our Chemicals Segment’s competitors may be able to drive down prices for its products if their costs are lower than our Chemicals Segment’s costs. In addition, some of our Chemicals Segment’s competitors’ financial, technological and other resources may be greater than its resources and such competitors may be better able to withstand changes in market conditions. Our Chemicals Segment’s competitors may be able to respond more quickly than it can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. Further, consolidation of our Chemicals Segment’s competitors or customers may result in reduced demand for its products or make it more difficult for it to compete with its competitors. The occurrence of any of these events could result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

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Many of the markets in which our Component Products Segment operates are mature and highly competitive resulting in pricing pressure and the need to continuously reduce costs.

Many of the markets our Component Products Segment serves are highly competitive, with a number of competitors offering similar products. Our Component Products Segment focuses its efforts on the middle and high-end segment of the market where it feels that it can compete due to the importance of product design, quality and durability to the customer. However, our Component Products Segment’s ability to effectively compete is impacted by a number of factors. The occurrence of any of these factors could result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

Our development of innovative features for current products is critical to sustaining and growing our Component Product Segment’s sales.

Historically, our Component Products Segment’s ability to provide value-added custom engineered products that address requirements of technology and space utilization has been a key element of its success. Our Component Products Segment spends a significant amount of time and effort to refine, improve and adapt its existing products for new customers and applications. Since expenditures for these types of activities are not considered research and development expense under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), the amount of our Component Products Segment’s research and development expenditures, which is not significant, is not indicative of the overall effort involved in the development of new product features. The introduction of new product features requires the coordination of the design, manufacturing and marketing of the new product features with current and potential customers. The ability to coordinate these activities with current and potential customers may be affected by factors beyond our Component Products Segment’s control. While our Component Products Segment will continue to emphasize the introduction of innovative new product features that target customer-specific opportunities, we do not know if any new product features our Component Products Segment introduces will achieve the same degree of success that it has achieved with its existing products. Introduction of new product features typically requires increases in production volumes on a timely basis while maintaining product quality. Manufacturers often encounter difficulties in increasing production volumes, including delays, quality control problems and shortages of qualified personnel or raw materials. As our Component Products Segment attempts to introduce new product features in the future, we do not know if it will be able to increase production volumes without encountering these or other problems, which might negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations.

Higher costs or limited availability of our raw materials may reduce our earnings and decrease our liquidity. In addition, many of our raw material contracts contain fixed quantities we are required to purchase.

For our Chemicals Segment, the number of sources for and availability of certain raw materials is specific to the particular geographical region in which a facility is located. For example, titanium-containing feedstocks suitable for use in our Chemicals Segment’s TiO2 facilities are available from a limited number of suppliers around the world. Political and economic instability in the countries from which it purchases its raw material supplies could adversely affect their availability. If our Chemicals Segment’s worldwide vendors were unable to meet their contractual obligations and our Chemicals Segment was unable to obtain necessary raw materials, it could incur higher costs for raw materials or may be required to reduce production levels. Our Chemicals Segment experienced increases in feedstock costs in 2019 and during the first half 2020, before they moderated in the second half of 2020. We expect our Chemicals Segment’s feedstock costs in 2021 to remain relatively consistent with average 2020 costs. Our Chemicals Segment may also experience higher operating costs such as energy costs, which could affect its profitability. Our Chemicals Segment may not always be able to increase its selling prices to offset the impact of any higher costs or reduced production levels, which could reduce earnings and decrease liquidity.

Our Chemicals Segment has long-term supply contracts that provide for its TiO2 feedstock requirements that currently expire through 2023. While it believes it will be able to renew these contracts, there can be no assurance our Chemicals Segment will be

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successful in renewing them or in obtaining long-term extensions to them prior to expiration. Our Chemicals Segment’s current agreements (including those entered into through January 2021) require it to purchase certain minimum quantities of feedstock with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $1.2 billion beginning in 2021. In addition, our Chemicals Segment has other long-term supply and service contracts that provide for various raw materials and services. These agreements require it to purchase certain minimum quantities or services with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $86 million at December 31, 2020. Our Chemicals Segment’s commitments under these contracts could adversely affect our financial results if it significantly reduces its production and is unable to modify the contractual commitments.

Certain raw materials used in our Component Products Segment’s products are commodities that are subject to significant fluctuations in price in response to world-wide supply and demand as well as speculative investor activity. Zinc and brass are the principal raw materials used in the manufacture of security products. Stainless steel and aluminum are the major raw materials used in the manufacture of marine components. These raw materials are purchased from several suppliers and are generally readily available from numerous sources. Our Component Products Segment occasionally enters into short-term raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the impact of future increases in commodity-related raw material costs. Materials purchased outside of these arrangements are sometimes subject to unanticipated and sudden price increases.

Certain components used in our Component Products Segment’s products are manufactured by foreign suppliers located in China and elsewhere. Global economic and political conditions, including natural disasters, terrorist acts, global conflict and public health crises such as COVID-19, could prevent our Component Products Segment’s vendors from being able to supply these components. Should our Component Products Segment’s vendors not be able to meet their contractual obligations or should it be otherwise unable to obtain necessary raw materials or components, it may incur higher supply costs or may be required to reduce production levels, either of which may decrease our liquidity or negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations as our Component Products Segment may be unable to offset the higher costs with increases in its selling prices or reductions in other operating costs.

Our Real Estate Management and Development Segment owns a significant amount of real property in Henderson, Nevada. A prolonged downturn in the local real estate market in Nevada could negatively impact our ability to successfully complete the development of such real property.

A substantial portion of the revenues and assets associated with our Real Estate Management and Development Segment relates to certain real estate under development in Henderson, Nevada, including approximately 2,100 acres zoned for residential/planned community purposes and approximately 400 acres zoned for commercial and light industrial use. A prolonged downturn in the local real estate market in Nevada or other events could negatively impact our Real Estate Management and Development Segment’s ability to timely complete the development of such real property, either by requiring us to incur future development costs in excess of our current estimates, or by resulting in selling prices for future land sales lower than what we currently expect. If any of these events were to occur, revenue and profits in our Real Estate Management and Development Segment may be significantly and negatively affected.

COVID-19 has affected our operations and may continue to affect operations during 2021.

Our results of operations during 2020 were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily in the second and third quarters, specifically through reduced demand for many of our products resulting from the rapid contraction of the global economy. The extent of the COVID-19 impact on our future operations will depend on the time period and degree to which the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic persists in the global economy thereby reducing customer demand for certain of our products, including the timing and extent to which their customers’ operations continue to be impacted, their customers’ perception as to when consumer demand for their products will return to pre-pandemic levels and on any future disruptions in their operations or their suppliers’ operations, all of which are difficult to predict.

Our Component Products Segment has 513 employees and operates three facilities, each of which specializes in certain manufacturing processes and is therefore dependent upon the other facilities to some extent to manufacture finished goods. With the onset of COVID-19, within each facility our Component Products Segment enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures, mandated social distancing and implemented other health and safety protocols. Our Component Products Segment is designated an essential business in the states where it operates and is therefore permitted to fully operate during the pandemic, but because the COVID-19 pandemic affected the health and safety of its employees, our Component Products Segment temporarily closed its Illinois facility for one week in the second quarter. It is possible our Component Products Segment may have additional temporary closures at one or more of its facilities for the health and safety of its workforce before the end of the pandemic if conditions warrant.

Our Chemicals Segment has 2,242 employees and operates facilities throughout North America and Europe. With the onset of COVID-19, within each facility our Chemicals Segment enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures, mandated social distancing and implemented other health and safety protocols. Our Chemicals Segment is also designated an essential business in the countries where its operates and is therefore permitted to fully operate during the pandemic. It is possible our Chemicals Segment may have temporary closures at one or more of its facilities for the health and safety of its workforce before the end of the pandemic if conditions warrant.

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Our Real Estate Management and Development Segment has 29 employees and operates exclusively within Henderson, Nevada. With the onset of COVID-19, our Real Estate Management and Development Segment employed remote work strategies, enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures, mandated social distancing and implemented other health and safety protocols. Construction activities were largely exempted from state and local restrictions although enhanced precautions from many permitting and utility agencies introduced additional delays to land development activities. Our water and electric delivery services are considered essential businesses and are therefore permitted to fully operate during the pandemic.

Financial Risk Factors

Our assets consist primarily of investments in our operating subsidiaries, and we are dependent upon distributions from our subsidiaries to service our liabilities.

The majority of our operating cash flows are generated by our operating subsidiaries, and our ability to service liabilities and pay dividends on our common stock depends to a large extent upon the cash dividends or other distributions we receive from our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and they have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay cash dividends or other distributions to us. In addition, the payment of dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries could be subject to restrictions under applicable law, monetary transfer restrictions, currency exchange regulations in jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries operate or any other restrictions imposed by current or future agreements to which our subsidiaries may be a party, including debt instruments. Events beyond our control, including changes in general business and economic conditions, could adversely impact the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. If our subsidiaries were to become unable to make sufficient cash dividends or other distributions to us, our ability to service our liabilities and to pay dividends on our common stock could be adversely affected.

In addition, a significant portion of our assets consist of ownership interests in our subsidiaries. If we were required to liquidate our subsidiaries’ securities in order to generate funds to satisfy our liabilities, we may be required to sell such securities at a time or times for less than what we believe to be the long-term value of such assets.

Our leverage may impair our financial condition or limit our ability to operate our businesses.

We have a significant amount of debt, primarily related to Kronos’ Senior Notes, our loan from Contran Corporation, and the BMI and LandWell bank notes. As of December 31, 2020, our total consolidated debt was approximately $789 million. Our level of debt could have important consequences to our stockholders and creditors, including:

• limiting the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us;

In addition to our indebtedness, we are party to various lease and other agreements (including feedstock ore purchase contracts as previously described) pursuant to which, along with our indebtedness, we are committed to pay approximately $653 million in 2021. Our ability to make payments on and refinance our debt and to fund planned capital expenditures depends on our future ability to generate cash flow. To some extent, this is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. In addition, our ability to borrow funds under certain of our revolving credit facilities in the future will, in some instances, depend in part on these subsidiaries’ ability to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial covenants contained in the applicable credit agreement.

Our businesses may not generate cash flows from operating activities sufficient to enable us to pay our debts when they become due and to fund our other liquidity needs. As a result, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt before maturity. We may not be able to refinance any of our debt in a timely manner on favorable terms, if at all, in the current credit markets. Any inability to generate sufficient cash flows or to refinance our debt on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

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Changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates can adversely affect our net sales, profits and cash flows.

We operate our businesses in several different countries and sell our products worldwide. For example, during 2020, 46% of our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes were sold into European markets. The majority (but not all) of our sales from our Chemicals Segment’s operations outside the United States are denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar, primarily the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar. Therefore, we are exposed to risks related to the need to convert currencies we receive from the sale of our products into the currencies required to pay for certain of our operating costs and expenses and other liabilities (including indebtedness), all of which could result in future losses depending on fluctuations in currency exchange rates and affect the comparability of our results of operations between periods.

Legal, Compliance and Regulatory Risk Factors

We could incur significant costs related to legal and environmental remediation matters.

NL formerly manufactured lead pigments for use in paint. NL and others have been named as defendants in various legal proceedings seeking damages for personal injury, property damage and governmental expenditures allegedly caused by the use of lead-based paints. These lawsuits seek recovery under a variety of theories, including public and private nuisance, negligent product design, negligent failure to warn, strict liability, breach of warranty, conspiracy/concert of action, aiding and abetting, enterprise liability, market share or risk contribution liability, intentional tort, fraud and misrepresentation, violations of state consumer protection statutes, supplier negligence and similar claims. The plaintiffs in these actions generally seek to impose on the defendants responsibility for lead paint abatement and health concerns associated with the use of lead-based paints, including damages for personal injury, contribution and/or indemnification for medical expenses, medical monitoring expenses and costs for educational programs. NL entered into a legal settlement in one public-nuisance lead pigment case and has recognized a material liability related to the settlement. Any additional liability NL might incur in the future for these matters could be material. See also Item 3 - “Legal Proceedings - Lead pigment litigation - NL.”

Certain properties and facilities used in NL’s former operations are the subject of litigation, administrative proceedings or investigations arising under various environmental laws. These proceedings seek cleanup costs, personal injury or property damages and/or damages for injury to natural resources. Some of these proceedings involve claims for substantial amounts. Environmental obligations are difficult to assess and estimate for numerous reasons, and we may incur costs for environmental remediation in the future in excess of amounts currently estimated. Any liability we might incur in the future could be material. See also Item 3 - “Legal Proceedings - Environmental matters and litigation.”

Environmental, health and safety laws and regulations may result in increased regulatory scrutiny which could decrease demand for our products, increase our manufacturing and compliance costs or obligations and result in unanticipated losses which could negatively impact our financial results or limit our ability to operate our Chemicals Segment’s business.

From time to time, new environmental, health and safety regulations are passed or proposed in the countries in which we operate or sell our products, seeking to regulate our operations or to restrict, limit or classify TiO2, or its use (such as the classification of TiO2 powder as a suspected carcinogen in the EU). Increased regulatory scrutiny could affect consumer perception of TiO2 or limit the marketability and demand for TiO2 or products containing TiO2, and increase our manufacturing and regulatory compliance obligations and costs. Increased compliance obligations and costs or restrictions on certain TiO2 applications could negatively impact our future financial results through increased costs of production, or reduced sales which may decrease our liquidity, operating income and results of operations.

If our intellectual property were to be declared invalid, or copied by or become known to competitors, or if our competitors were to develop similar or superior intellectual property or technology, our ability to compete could be adversely impacted.

Protection of our intellectual property rights, including patents, trade secrets, confidential information, trademarks and tradenames, is important to our businesses and our competitive positions. We endeavor to protect our intellectual property rights in key jurisdictions in which our products are produced or used and in jurisdictions into which our products are imported. However, we may be unable to obtain protection for our intellectual property in key jurisdictions. Although we own and have applied for numerous patents and trademarks throughout the world, we may have to rely on judicial enforcement of our patents and other proprietary rights. Our patents and other intellectual property rights may be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, and rendered unenforceable or otherwise compromised. A failure to protect, defend or enforce our intellectual property could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, third parties may assert claims against us and our customers and distributors alleging our products infringe upon third-party intellectual property rights.

Although it is the practice of our Chemicals Segment to enter into confidentiality agreements with its employees and third parties to protect its proprietary expertise and other trade secrets, these agreements may not provide sufficient protection for its trade

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secrets or proprietary know-how, or adequate remedies for breaches of such agreements may not be available in the event of an unauthorized use or disclosure of such trade secrets and know-how. Our Chemicals Segment also may not be able to readily detect breaches of such agreements. The failure of our Chemicals Segment’s patents or confidentiality agreements to protect its proprietary technology, know-how or trade secrets could result in a material loss of its competitive position, which could lead to significantly lower revenues, reduced profit margins or loss of market share.

Our Component Products Segment relies on patent, trademark and trade secret laws in the United States and similar laws in other countries to establish and maintain our intellectual property rights in our technology and designs. Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or misappropriated. Others may independently discover our trade secrets and proprietary information, and in such cases our Component Products Segment could not assert any trade secret rights against such parties. Further, we do not know if any of our Component Products Segment’s pending trademark or patent applications will be approved. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our intellectual property rights. In addition, the laws of certain countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Therefore, in certain jurisdictions, we may be unable to protect our technology and designs adequately against unauthorized third party use, which could adversely affect our competitive position.

Third parties may claim that we or our customers are infringing upon their intellectual property rights. Even if we believe that such claims are without merit, they can be time-consuming and costly to defend and distract our management’s and technical staff’s attention and resources. Claims of intellectual property infringement also might require us to redesign affected technology, enter into costly settlement or license agreements or pay costly damage awards, or face a temporary or permanent injunction prohibiting us from marketing or selling certain of our technology. If we cannot or do not license the infringed technology on reasonable pricing terms or at all, or substitute similar technology from another source, our business could be adversely impacted.

If we must take legal action to protect, defend or enforce our intellectual property rights, any suits or proceedings could result in significant costs and diversion of resources and management’s attention, and we may not prevail in any such suits or proceedings. A failure to protect, defend or enforce our intellectual property rights could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Global climate change legislation could negatively impact our financial results or limit our ability to operate our businesses.

We operate production facilities in several countries. In many of the countries in which we operate, legislation has been passed, or proposed legislation is being considered, to limit greenhouse gases through various means, including emissions permits and/or energy taxes. In several of our production facilities, we consume large amounts of energy, primarily electricity and natural gas. To date, the permit system in effect in the various countries in which we operate has not had a material adverse effect on our financial results. However, if further greenhouse gas legislation were to be enacted in one or more countries, it could negatively impact our future results of operations through increased costs of production, particularly as it relates to our energy requirements or our need to obtain emissions permits. If such increased costs of production were to materialize, we may be unable to pass price increases on to our customers to compensate for increased production costs, which may decrease our liquidity, operating income and results of operations.

General Risk Factors

Operating as a global business presents risks associated with global and regional economic, political and regulatory environments.

We have significant international operations which, along with our customers and suppliers, could be substantially affected by a number of risks arising from operating a multi-national business, including trade barriers, tariffs, exchange controls, global and regional economic downturns, natural disasters, terrorism, health crises (such as the coronavirus) and political conditions. We may encounter difficulties enforcing agreements or other legal rights and our effective tax rate may fluctuate based on the variability of geographic earnings and statutory tax rates, including costs associated with the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings. These risks, individually or in the aggregate, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Technology failures or cyber security breaches could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Our businesses rely on integrated information technology systems to manage, process and analyze data, including to facilitate the manufacture and distribution of products to and from our plants, receive, process and ship orders, manage the billing of and collections from customers and manage payments to vendors. Although we have systems and procedures in place to protect our information technology systems, there can be no assurance that such systems and procedures would be sufficiently effective. Therefore, any of our information technology systems may be susceptible to outages, disruptions or destruction as well as cyber security breaches or attacks, resulting in a disruption of our business operations, injury to people, harm to the environment or our assets, and/or the inability

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to access our information technology systems. If any of these events were to occur, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We along with our subsidiaries, Kronos, CompX and NL lease office space through Contran for our principal executive offices in Dallas, Texas. Our BMI and LandWell subsidiaries’ principal offices are in an owned building in Henderson, Nevada. A list of principal operating facilities for each of our subsidiaries is described in the applicable business sections of Item 1—“Business.” We believe our facilities are generally adequate and suitable for their respective uses.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in various legal proceedings. In addition to information included below, certain information called for by this Item is included in Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Lead Pigment Litigation—NL

NL’s former operations included the manufacture of lead pigments for use in paint and lead-based paint. NL, other former manufacturers of lead pigments for use in paint and lead-based paint (together, the “former pigment manufacturers”), and the Lead Industries Association (LIA), which discontinued business operations in 2002, have been named as defendants in various legal proceedings seeking damages for personal injury, property damage and governmental expenditures allegedly caused by the use of lead-based paints. Certain of these actions have been filed by or on behalf of states, counties, cities or their public housing authorities and school districts, and certain others have been asserted as class actions. These lawsuits seek recovery under a variety of theories, including public and private nuisance, negligent product design, negligent failure to warn, strict liability, breach of warranty, conspiracy/concert of action, aiding and abetting, enterprise liability, market share or risk contribution liability, intentional tort, fraud and misrepresentation, violations of state consumer protection statutes, supplier negligence and similar claims.

The plaintiffs in these actions generally seek to impose on the defendants responsibility for lead paint abatement and health concerns associated with the use of lead-based paints, including damages for personal injury, contribution and/or indemnification for medical expenses, medical monitoring expenses and costs for educational programs. To the extent the plaintiffs seek compensatory or punitive damages in these actions, such damages are generally unspecified. In some cases, the damages are unspecified pursuant to the requirements of applicable state law. A number of cases are inactive or have been dismissed or withdrawn. Most of the remaining cases are in various pre-trial stages. Some are on appeal following dismissal or summary judgment rulings or a trial verdict in favor of either the defendants or the plaintiffs.

NL believes these actions are without merit, and intends to continue to deny all allegations of wrongdoing and liability and to defend against all actions vigorously. Other than with respect to the Santa Clara California public nuisance case discussed below, we do not believe it is probable we have incurred any liability with respect to all of the lead pigment litigation cases to which NL is a party, and with respect to all such lead pigment litigation cases to which NL is a party, other than with respect to the Santa Clara case discussed below, we believe liability to NL that may result, if any, in this regard cannot be reasonably estimated, because:

Accordingly, other than with respect to the Santa Clara case discussed below, we have not accrued any amounts for any of the pending lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation cases filed by or on behalf of states, counties, cities or their public housing authorities and school districts, or those asserted as class actions other than the Santa Clara case noted below. In addition, we have determined that liability to NL which may result, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time because there is no prior history of a loss of this nature on which an estimate could be made and there is no substantive information available upon which an estimate could be based.

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In the matter titled County of Santa Clara v. Atlantic Richfield Company, et al. (Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara, Case No. 1-00-CV-788657) on July 24, 2019, an order approving a global settlement agreement entered into among all of the plaintiffs and the three defendants remaining in the case (the Sherwin Williams Company, ConAgra Grocery Products and NL) was entered by the court and the case was dismissed with prejudice. The global settlement agreement provides that an aggregate $305 million will be paid collectively by the three co-defendants in full satisfaction of all claims resulting in a dismissal of the case with prejudice and the resolution of (i) all pending and future claims by the plaintiffs in the case, and (ii) all potential claims for contribution or indemnity between NL and its co-defendants in respect to the case. In the agreement, NL expressly denies any and all liability and the dismissal of the case with prejudice was entered by the court without a final judgment of liability entered against NL. The settlement agreement fully concludes this matter.

Under the terms of the global settlement agreement, each defendant must pay an aggregate $101.7 million to the plaintiffs as follows: $25.0 million within sixty days of the court’s approval of the settlement and dismissal of the case, and the remaining $76.7 million in six annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the initial payment ($12.0 million for the first five installments and $16.7 million for the sixth installment). NL’s sixth installment will be made with funds already on deposit at the court, which is classified as restricted cash and included in other noncurrent assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, that are committed to the settlement, including all accrued interest at the date of payment, with any remaining balance to be paid by NL (and any amounts on deposit in excess of the final payment would be returned to NL). Pursuant to the settlement agreement, also during the third quarter of 2019 NL placed an additional $9.0 million into an escrow account which is classified as restricted cash and included in other noncurrent assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As previously disclosed during the second quarter of 2018 and based on the terms of a May 2018 settlement agreement between NL and the plaintiffs which had an aggregate cost of $80 million to NL, we determined that the loss to NL could be reasonably estimated and recognized a net $62 million pre-tax charge with respect to this matter ($45 million for the amount to be paid by NL upon approval of the terms of the settlement and $17 million for the net present value of the five payments aggregating $20 million to be paid by NL in installments beginning four years from such approval). The May 2018 settlement was never approved by the court and was superseded in July 2019 by the global settlement agreement discussed above.

At June 30, 2019, based on the terms of the global settlement agreement approved by the court in July 2019 we increased the amount accrued for the litigation settlement and a final immaterial adjustment was made to the litigation settlement accrual in the third quarter of 2019. For financial reporting purposes, using a discount rate of 1.9% per annum, we discounted the aggregate $101.7 million settlement to the estimated net present value of $96.3 million. We recognized litigation settlement expense of $19.3 million ($19.6 million expense in the second quarter of 2019 and $.3 million credit in the third quarter of 2019). NL made the initial $25.0 million payment in September 2019 and the first annual installment payment of $12.0 million in September 2020. We recognized an aggregate of $.6 million in accretion expense in the second half of 2019 and an aggregate of $1.3 million in 2020.

In June 2000, a complaint was filed in Illinois state court, Lewis, et al. v. Lead Industries Association, et al (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division, Case No. 00CH09800.) Plaintiffs seek to represent two classes, one consisting of minors between the ages of six months and six years who resided in housing in Illinois built before 1978, and another consisting of individuals between the ages of six and twenty years who lived in Illinois housing built before 1978 when they were between the ages of six months and six years and who had blood lead levels of 10 micrograms/deciliter or more. The complaint seeks damages jointly and severally from the former pigment manufacturers and the LIA to establish a medical screening fund for the first class to determine blood lead levels, a medical monitoring fund for the second class to detect the onset of latent diseases and a fund for a public education campaign. In April 2008, the trial court judge certified a class of children whose blood lead levels were screened venously between August 1995 and February 2008 and who had incurred expenses associated with such screening. In March 2012, the trial court judge decertified the class. In June 2012, the trial court judge granted plaintiffs the right to appeal his decertification order, and in August 2012 the appellate court granted plaintiffs permission to appeal. In March 2013, the appellate court agreed with the trial court’s rationale regarding legislative requirements to screen children’s blood lead levels and remanded the case for further proceedings in the trial court. In July 2013, plaintiffs moved to vacate the decertification. In October 2013, the judge denied plaintiffs’ motion to vacate the decertification of the class. In March 2014, plaintiffs filed a new class certification motion. In April 2015, a class was certified consisting of parents or legal guardians of children who lived in certain “high risk” areas in Illinois between August 18, 1995 and February 19, 2008, and incurred an expense or liability for having their children’s blood lead levels tested. In May 2020, the Illinois Supreme Court held in NL’s favor a ruling that the parents of children whose lead testing costs were fully paid by Medicaid did not fall within the certified class of persons who had incurred an expense or liability for such testing. In August 2020, NL and other defendants asked the trial court to de-certify the class and enter a final judgement dismissing the case.

In November 2018, NL was served with two complaints filed by county governments in Pennsylvania. Each county alleges that NL and several other defendants created a public nuisance by selling and promoting lead-containing paints and pigments in the counties. The plaintiffs seek abatement and declaratory relief. NL believes these lawsuits are inconsistent with Pennsylvania law and without merit, and NL intends to defend itself vigorously.

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New cases may continue to be filed against NL. We cannot assure you that NL will not incur liability in the future in respect of any of the pending or possible litigation in view of the inherent uncertainties involved in court and jury rulings. In the future, if new information regarding such matters becomes available to us (such as a final, non-appealable adverse verdict against NL or otherwise ultimately being found liable with respect to such matters), at that time we would consider such information in evaluating any remaining cases then-pending against NL as to whether it might then have become probable NL has incurred liability with respect to these matters, and whether such liability, if any, could have become reasonably estimable. The resolution of any of these cases could result in the recognition of a loss contingency accrual that could have a material adverse impact on our net income for the interim or annual period during which such liability is recognized and a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition and liquidity.

Environmental Matters and Litigation

Our operations are governed by various environmental laws and regulations. Certain of our businesses are and have been engaged in the handling, manufacture or use of substances or compounds that may be considered toxic or hazardous within the meaning of applicable environmental laws and regulations. As with other companies engaged in similar businesses, certain of our past and current operations and products have the potential to cause environmental or other damage. Our businesses have implemented and continue to implement various policies and programs in an effort to minimize these risks. Our policy is to maintain compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations at all of our plants and to strive to improve environmental performance. From time to time, our businesses may be subject to environmental regulatory enforcement under U.S. and non-U.S. statutes, the resolution of which typically involves the establishment of compliance programs. It is possible that future developments, such as stricter requirements of environmental laws and enforcement policies, could adversely affect our production, handling, use, storage, transportation, sale or disposal of such substances. We believe all our facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws.

Certain properties and facilities used in NL’s former operations, including divested primary and secondary lead smelters and former mining locations, are the subject of civil litigation, administrative proceedings or investigations arising under federal and state environmental laws and common law. Additionally, in connection with past operating practices, NL is currently involved as a defendant, potentially responsible party (PRP) or both, pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (CERCLA), and similar state laws in various governmental and private actions associated with waste disposal sites, mining locations, and facilities that NL or its predecessors, subsidiaries or their predecessors currently or previously owned, operated or used, certain of which are on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund National Priorities List or similar state lists. These proceedings seek cleanup costs, damages for personal injury or property damage and/or damages for injury to natural resources. Certain of these proceedings involve claims for substantial amounts. Although NL may be jointly and severally liable for these costs, in most cases they are only one of a number of PRPs who may also be jointly and severally liable, and among whom costs may be shared or allocated. In addition, we are occasionally named as a party in a number of personal injury lawsuits filed in various jurisdictions alleging claims related to environmental conditions alleged to have resulted from its operations.

Obligations associated with environmental remediation and related matters are difficult to assess and estimate for numerous reasons including the:

• complexity and differing interpretations of governmental regulations,

• financial capabilities of the PRPs and the allocation of costs among them,

• solvency of other PRPs,

• multiplicity of possible solutions,

• number of years of investigatory, remedial and monitoring activity required,

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In addition, the imposition of more stringent standards or requirements under environmental laws or regulations, new developments or changes regarding site cleanup costs or the allocation of costs among PRPs, solvency of other PRPs, the results of future testing and analysis undertaken with respect to certain sites or a determination that we are potentially responsible for the release of hazardous substances at other sites, could cause our expenditures to exceed our current estimates. We cannot assure you that actual costs will not exceed accrued amounts or the upper end of the range for sites for which estimates have been made, and we cannot assure you that costs will not be incurred for sites where no estimates presently can be made. Further, additional environmental and related matters may arise in the future. If we were to incur any future liability, this could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations and liquidity.

We record liabilities related to environmental remediation and related matters (including costs associated with damages for personal injury or property damage and/or damages for injury to natural resources) when estimated future expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable. We adjust such accruals as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change. Unless the amounts and timing of such estimated future expenditures are fixed and reasonably determinable, we generally do not discount estimated future expenditures to their present value due to the uncertainty of the timing of the payout. We recognize recoveries of costs from other parties, if any, as assets when their receipt is deemed probable. At December 31, 2019 and 2020 we had not recognized any material receivables for recoveries.

We do not know and cannot estimate the exact time frame over which we will make payments for our accrued environmental and related costs. Timing of payments depends upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the timing of the actual remediation process; which in turn depends on factors outside of its control. At each balance sheet date, we estimate the amount of the accrued environmental and related costs we expect to pay within the next twelve months, and we classify this estimate as a current liability. We classify the remaining accrued environmental costs as a noncurrent liability.

On a quarterly basis, we evaluate the potential range of our liability for environmental remediation and related costs at sites where we have been named as a PRP or defendant, including sites for which our wholly-owned environmental management subsidiary, NL Environmental Management Services, Inc., (EMS), has contractually assumed our obligations. At December 31, 2020, NL had accrued approximately $93 million related to approximately 32 sites associated with remediation and related matters that NL believes are at the present time and/or in their current phase reasonably estimable. The upper end of the range of reasonably possible costs to NL for remediation and related matters for which NL believes it is possible to estimate costs is approximately $114 million, including the amount currently accrued.

NL believes that it is not reasonably possible to estimate the range of costs for certain sites. At December 31, 2020, there were approximately five sites for which it is not currently able to reasonably estimate a range of costs. For these sites, generally the investigation is in the early stages, and NL is unable to determine whether or not it actually had any association with the site, the nature of its responsibility, if any, for the contamination at the site and the extent of contamination at and cost to remediate the site. The timing and availability of information on these sites is dependent on events outside of its control, such as when the party alleging liability provides information to NL. At certain of these previously inactive sites, NL has received general and special notices of liability from the EPA and/or state agencies alleging that it, sometimes with other PRPs, are liable for past and future costs of remediating environmental contamination allegedly caused by former operations. These notifications may assert that NL, along with any other alleged PRPs, are liable for past and/or future clean-up costs. As further information becomes available to us for any of these sites, which would allow us to estimate a range of costs, we would at that time adjust our accruals. Any such adjustment could result in the recognition of an accrual that would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations and liquidity.

In June 2008, NL received a Directive and Notice to Insurers from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regarding the Margaret’s Creek site in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey. NJDEP alleged that a waste hauler transported waste from one of its former facilities for disposal at the site in the early 1970s. NJDEP referred the site to the EPA, and in November 2009, the EPA added the site to the National Priorities List under the name “Raritan Bay Slag Site.” In 2012, EPA notified NL of its potential liability at this site. In May 2013, EPA issued its Record of Decision for the site. In June 2013, NL filed a contribution suit under CERCLA and the New Jersey Spill Act titled NL Industries, Inc. v. Old Bridge Township, et al. (United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Civil Action No. 3:13-cv-03493-MAS-TJB) against the current owner, Old Bridge Township, and several federal and state entities NL alleges designed and operated the site and who have significant potential liability as compared to NL which is alleged to have been a potential source of material placed at the site by others. NL’s suit also names certain former NL customers of the former NL facility alleged to be the source of some of the materials. In January 2014, EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) to NL for clean-up of the site based on the EPA’s preferred remedy set forth in the Record of Decision. NL is in discussions with EPA about NL’s performance of a defined amount of the work at the site and is otherwise taking actions necessary to respond to the UAO. If these discussions and actions are unsuccessful, NL will defend vigorously against all claims while continuing to seek contribution from other PRPs. In March 2017, in a parallel lawsuit initiated by NL in state court against the State of New Jersey, which has significant potential liability as compared to NL, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the State of New Jersey had not waived its immunity under the Spill Act for its pre-1977 conduct. In August 2017, NL filed an amended complaint in the state court alleging post-1977 conduct by the State that led to contamination. In September 2017, the State filed its answer and counterclaims. In October 2020, NL and the State voluntarily dismissed the State court lawsuit pursuant to a tolling agreement that allows the lawsuit to potentially be refiled in the future. NL’s federal court lawsuit seeking contribution from other parties remains pending.

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In August 2009, NL was served with a complaint in Raritan Baykeeper, Inc. d/b/a NY/NJ Baykeeper et al. v. NL Industries, Inc. et al. (United States District Court, District of New Jersey, Case No. 3:09-cv-04117). This is a citizen’s suit filed by two local environmental groups pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Clean Water Act against NL, current owners, developers and state and local government entities. The complaint alleges that hazardous substances were and continue to be discharged from its former Sayreville, New Jersey property into the sediments of the adjacent Raritan River. The former Sayreville site is currently being remediated by owner/developer parties under the oversight of the NJDEP. The plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, imposition of civil penalties and an award of costs. NL has denied liability and will defend vigorously against all claims.

In June 2011, NL was served in ASARCO LLC v. NL Industries, Inc., et al. (United States District Court, Western District of Missouri, Case No. 4:11-cv-00138-DGK). The plaintiff brought this CERCLA contribution action against several defendants to recover a portion of the amount it paid in settlement with the U.S. Government during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy in relation to the Tar Creek site, the Cherokee County Superfund Site in southeast Kansas, the Oronogo-Duenweg Lead Mining Belt Superfund Site in Jasper County, Missouri and the Newton County Mine Tailing Site in Newton County, Missouri. NL has denied liability and will defend vigorously against all of the claims. In the second quarter of 2012, NL filed a motion to stay the case. In the first quarter of 2013, NL’s motion was granted and the court entered an indefinite stay. In the first quarter of 2015, Asarco was granted permission to seek an interlocutory appeal of that stay order. In March 2015, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Asarco’s request for an interlocutory appeal of the stay order and the trial court’s indefinite stay remains in place.

In September 2011, NL was served in ASARCO LLC v. NL Industries, Inc., et al. (United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, Case No. 4:11-cv-00864). The plaintiff brought this CERCLA contribution action against several defendants to recover a portion of the amount it paid in settlement with the U.S. Government during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy in relation to the Southeast Missouri Mining District. In May 2015, the trial court on its own motion entered an indefinite stay of the litigation. In June 2015, Asarco filed an appeal of the stay in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. NL has moved to dismiss that appeal as improperly filed. In October 2015, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals granted NL’s motion to dismiss Asarco’s appeal and the trial court’s indefinite stay remains in place.

In July 2012, NL was served in EPEC Polymers, Inc., v. NL Industries, Inc., (United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Case 3:12-cv-03842-PGS-TJB). The plaintiff, a landowner of property located across the Raritan River from NL’s former Sayreville, New Jersey operation, claims that contaminants from NL’s former Sayreville operation came to be located on its land. The complaint seeks compensatory and punitive damages and alleges, among other things, trespass, private nuisance, negligence, strict liability, and claims under CERCLA and the New Jersey Spill Act. In April 2016, the case was stayed and administratively terminated pending court-ordered mediation. In October 2017, the parties informed the court that further mediation would not be fruitful. The case was reopened in December 2017. NL will continue to deny liability and defend vigorously against all of the claims.

In September 2013, EPA issued to NL and 34 other PRPs general notice of potential liability and a demand for payment of past costs and performance of a Remedial Design for the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site in Brooklyn, New York. In March 2014, EPA issued a UAO to NL and approximately 27 other PRPs for performance of the Remedial Design at the site. EPA contends that NL is liable as the alleged successor to the Doehler Die Casting Company, and therefore responsible for any potential contamination at the site resulting from Doehler’s ownership/operation of a warehouse and a die casting plant it owned 90 years ago. In April 2019, EPA issued a second UAO to NL and approximately 27 other PRPs for performance of certain work related to the Remedial Design at the site. NL believes that it has no liability at the site. NL is currently in discussions with EPA regarding a de minimis settlement and is otherwise taking actions necessary to respond to the UAO. If these discussions are unsuccessful, NL will continue to deny liability and will defend vigorously against all of the claims.

In January 2020, NL was sued in Atlantic Richfield, Co. v. NL Industries, Inc., (United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Case 1:20-cv-00234). This is a CERCLA cost recovery action brought by a past owner and operator of certain mining properties located in Rico, Colorado. NL intends to deny liability and will defend vigorously against all claims.

In December 2020, NL and several other defendants were sued in California Department of Toxic Substances v. NL Industries, Inc., (United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case 2:20-cv-11293). This complaint by a California state agency asserts claims under CERCLA, a state environmental statute, and the common law relating to lead contamination allegedly connected to a secondary lead smelter located in Vernon, California. NL intends to deny liability and will defend vigorously against all claims.

In February 2021, NL and several other defendants were sued in 68th Street Site Working Group. v. 7-Eleven Industries, Inc., (United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Case 1:20-cv-03385). This is a CERCLA contribution action brought by a group of potentially responsible parties performing the cleanup of a number of landfills against a large number of defendants. NL intends to deny liability and will defend vigorously against all claims.

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Other Litigation

NL— NL has been named as a defendant in various lawsuits in several jurisdictions, alleging personal injuries as a result of occupational exposure primarily to products manufactured by our former operations containing asbestos, silica and/or mixed dust. In addition, some plaintiffs allege exposure to asbestos from working in various facilities previously owned and/or operated by NL. There are 104 of these types of cases pending, involving a total of approximately 579 plaintiffs. In addition, the claims of approximately 8,715 plaintiffs have been administratively dismissed or placed on the inactive docket in Ohio courts. We do not expect these claims will be re-opened unless the plaintiffs meet the courts’ medical criteria for asbestos-related claims. We have not accrued any amounts for this litigation because of the uncertainty of liability and inability to reasonably estimate the liability, if any. To date, NL has not been adjudicated liable in any of these matters. Based on information available to us, including:

● facts concerning historical operations,

● the rate of new claims,

● the number of claims from which NL has been dismissed, and

● its prior experience in the defense of these matters,

We believe that the range of reasonably possible outcomes of these matters will be consistent with NL’s historical costs (which are not material). Furthermore, we do not expect any reasonably possible outcome would involve amounts material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. NL has sought and will continue to vigorously seek, dismissal and/or a finding of no liability from each claim. In addition, from time to time, NL has received notices regarding asbestos or silica claims purporting to be brought against former subsidiaries, including notices provided to insurers with which it has entered into settlements extinguishing certain insurance policies. These insurers may seek indemnification from NL.

Other—In addition to the matters described above, we and our affiliates are also involved in various other environmental, contractual, product liability, patent (or intellectual property), employment and other claims and disputes incidental to present and former businesses. In certain cases, we have insurance coverage for these items, although we do not expect additional material insurance coverage for environmental claims. We currently believe that the disposition of all of these various other claims and disputes (including asbestos related claims), individually or in the aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity beyond the accruals already provided.

Insurance Coverage Claims—NL

NL is involved in certain legal proceedings with a number of its former insurance carriers regarding the nature and extent of the carriers’ obligations to NL under insurance policies with respect to certain lead pigment and asbestos lawsuits. The issue of whether insurance coverage for defense costs or indemnity or both will be found to exist for NL’s lead pigment and asbestos litigation depends upon a variety of factors and we cannot assure you that such insurance coverage will be available.

NL has agreements with certain of its former insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse it for a portion of its future lead pigment litigation defense costs, and one such carrier reimburses NL for a portion of its future asbestos litigation defense costs. We are not able to determine how much NL will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by NL because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement. While NL continues to seek additional insurance recoveries, we do not know if it will be successful in obtaining reimbursement for either defense costs or indemnity. Accordingly, we recognize insurance recoveries in income only when receipt of the recovery is probable and we are able to reasonably estimate the amount of the recovery.

In January 2014, NL was served with a complaint in Certain Underwriters at Lloyds, London, et al v. NL Industries, Inc. (Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, Index No. 14/650103). The plaintiff, a former insurance carrier of NL, is seeking a declaratory judgment of its obligations to NL under insurance policies issued to NL by the plaintiff with respect to certain lead pigment lawsuits. Other insurers have been added as parties to the case and have also sought a declaratory judgment regarding their obligations under certain insurance policies. NL has filed a counterclaim seeking a declaratory judgment that all of the insurers are obligated to provide NL with certain coverage and seeking damages for breach of contract. The case is now proceeding in the trial court. We believe the insurers’ claims are without merit and NL intends to defend its rights and prosecute its claims in this action vigorously.

NL has settled insurance coverage claims concerning environmental claims with certain of its principal former carriers. We do not expect further material settlements relating to environmental remediation coverage.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

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PART II

Common Stock and Dividends—Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: VHI). As of February 26, 2021, there were approximately 765 holders of record of our common stock.

Performance Graph—Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly change in our cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock against the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index and the S&P 500 Industrial Conglomerates Index for the period from December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2020. The graph shows the value at December 31 of each year assuming an original investment of $100 at December 31, 2015, and assumes the reinvestment of our regular quarterly dividends in shares of our stock.

December 31,

The information contained in the performance graph shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, except to the extent we specifically request that the material be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate this performance graph by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act.

Equity Compensation Plan Information—We have an equity compensation plan, which was approved by our stockholders, pursuant to which an aggregate of 200,000 shares of our common stock can be awarded to members of our board of directors. At December 31, 2020, an aggregate of 24,000 shares were available for future award under this plan. See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Treasury Stock Purchases—In March 2005 and November 2006, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of shares of our common stock in open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately negotiated transactions, which may include

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transactions with our affiliates. As adjusted for the 1-for-12 reverse stock split of our common stock effected in June 2020, the aggregate number of shares authorized for repurchase is 833,333, and we have approximately 334,000 shares available for repurchase at December 31, 2020. We may purchase the stock from time to time as market conditions permit. The stock repurchase program does not include specific price targets or timetables and may be suspended at any time. Depending on market conditions, we could terminate the program prior to completion. We will use our cash on hand to acquire the shares. Repurchased shares will be retired and cancelled or may be added to our treasury stock and used for employee benefit plans, future acquisitions or other corporate purposes. See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes and Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Years ended December 31,

(In millions, except per share data)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:

Net sales:

Operating income:

Amounts attributable to Valhi stockholders:

Income (loss) from discontinued operations(2) (24.0 ) (109.2 ) 34.1 - 4.3

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA:

Net income (loss) attributable to Valhi stockholders:

Income (loss) from discontinued operations(2) (.84 ) (3.83 ) 1.20 - .15

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW DATA:

Cash provided by (used in):

BALANCE SHEET DATA (at year end):

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview

We are primarily a holding company. We operate through our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, including NL Industries, Inc., Kronos Worldwide, Inc., CompX International, Inc., Tremont LLC, Basic Management, Inc. (“BMI”) and the LandWell Company (“LandWell”). Kronos (NYSE: KRO), NL (NYSE: NL) and CompX (NYSE American: CIX) each file periodic reports with the SEC.

On January 26, 2018 we completed the sale of our Waste Management Segment to JFL-WCS Partners, LLC ("JFL Partners"), an entity sponsored by certain investment affiliates of J.F. Lehman & Company, for consideration consisting of the assumption of all of WCS' third-party indebtedness and other liabilities. Accordingly, the results of operations of our Waste Management Segment is reflected as discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2018. We recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $58 million on the transaction in the first quarter of 2018. We recognized an additional pre-tax gain of approximately $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 related to proceeds received from JFL Partners in final settlement of an earn-out provision in the sale agreement. Amounts associated with the sale of our former Waste Management Segment are classified as part of discontinued operations. Our Waste Management Segment, which operated in the low-level radioactive, hazardous, toxic and other waste disposal industry historically struggled to generate sufficient recurring disposal volumes to generate positive operating results or cash flows. The sale enabled us to focus more effort on continuing to develop our remaining segments which we believe have greater opportunity for higher returns. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We have three consolidated reportable operating segments:

Income from Continuing Operations Overview

Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019—

We reported net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders of $50.9 million or $1.79 per diluted share in 2020 compared to $49.2 million or $1.73 per diluted share in 2019.

Our net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders increased from 2019 to 2020 primarily due to the net effects of:

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Our diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2020 includes:

Our diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2019 includes:

• a gain of $.10 per share related to the sale of land in the third quarter; and

Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2018—

We reported net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders of $49.2 million or $1.73 per diluted share in 2019 compared to $228.1 million or $8.00 per diluted share in 2018.

Our net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders decreased from 2018 to 2019 primarily due to the net effects of:

● lower operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2019 compared to 2018;

● insurance recoveries of $7.7 million in 2019 compared to $1.3 million in 2018;

● lower litigation fees and related costs in 2019.

Our net diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2019 includes:

● a gain of $.11 per diluted share related to insurance recoveries;

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Our net diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2018 includes:

We discuss these amounts more fully below.

Current Forecast for 2021—

We currently expect to report higher consolidated operating income for 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to the net effects of:

Our expectations for our future operating results are based upon a number of factors beyond our control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, continued operation of competitors, technological advances, worldwide production capacity and the consequences arising directly or indirectly out of the recent coronavirus outbreak. The extent of the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the severity, duration and spread of the outbreak and its impact on, among other things, overall demand for our products and our customers’ products, supply chains, our operations and the operations of our competitors, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. If actual developments differ from our expectations, our results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

Segment Operating Results—2020 Compared to 2019 and 2019 Compared to 2018

Chemicals—

We consider TiO2 to be a “quality of life” product, with demand affected by gross domestic product, or GDP, and overall economic conditions in our markets located in various regions of the world. Over the long-term, we expect demand for TiO2 will grow by 2% to 3% per year, consistent with our expectations for the long-term growth in GDP. However, even if our Chemicals Segment and its competitors maintain consistent shares of the worldwide market, demand for TiO2 in any interim or annual period may not change in the same proportion as the change in GDP, in part due to relative changes in the TiO2 inventory levels of our Chemicals Segment’s customers. We believe that our Chemicals Segments’ customers’ inventory levels are influenced in part by their expectation for future changes in TiO2 selling prices as well as their expectation for future availability of product. Although certain of our Chemicals Segment’s TiO2 grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of its grades and substantially all of its production are considered commodity pigment products with price and availability being the most significant competitive factors along with product quality and customer and technical support services.

The factors having the most impact on our Chemicals Segment’s reported operating results are:

● TiO2 selling prices,

● Our Chemicals Segment’s TiO2 sales and production volumes,

Our Chemicals Segment’s key performance indicators are its TiO2 average selling prices, its level of TiO2 sales and production volumes and the cost of its third-party feedstock ore. TiO2 selling prices generally follow industry trends and selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures.

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Years ended December 31, % Change

(Dollars in millions)

Percent of net sales:

Operating income 21 % 9 % 8 %

TiO2 operating statistics:

Production rate as percent of capacity 95 % 98 % 92 %

Percent change in TiO2 net sales:

TiO2 product pricing (6) % (2) %

TiO2 sales volumes 15 (6)

TiO2 product mix/other (2) 2

Changes in currency exchange rates (3) 1

Total 4 % (5) %

* Thousands of metric tons

Industry Conditions and 2020 Overview – Our Chemicals Segment started 2020 with average TiO2 selling prices 1% lower than at the beginning of 2019. At the end of 2020, average TiO2 selling prices were comparable to the end of the third quarter of 2020 and 3% lower than at the beginning of the year. Our Chemicals Segment experienced lower sales volumes in all major markets in 2020 as compared to sales volumes in 2019, primarily due to demand contraction related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which mainly impacted the second and third quarters.

The following table shows our Chemicals Segment’s capacity utilization rates during 2019 and 2020. Our Chemicals Segment’s production rates in 2020 were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as it decreased production levels early in the third quarter to correspond with a temporary decline in market demand, then increased production levels later in the third quarter and into the fourth quarter to align with improved demand and market expectations for the near term.

First Quarter 97 % 95 %

Second Quarter 97 % 96 %

Third Quarter 97 % 86 %

Net sales – Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales decreased $92.3 million, or 5%, in 2020 compared to 2019, primarily due to a 6% decrease in sales volumes (which decreased net sales by approximately $104 million) and a 2% decrease in average TiO2 selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $35 million). In addition to the impact of lower sales volumes and lower average selling prices, we estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) increased our Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $9 million, or 1%, as compared to 2019. TiO2 selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes decreased 6% in 2020 as compared to the sales volumes of 2019 due to lower sales volumes in all major markets, with the European and export markets experiencing the most significant reductions. A significant portion of the sales volume decrease occurred in the second and third quarters as a result of the demand contraction related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales increased 4% or $69.2 million in 2019 compared to 2018, primarily due to the net effect of a 6% decrease in average TiO2 selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $100 million), a 15% increase in sales volumes (which increased net sales by approximately $249 million) and changes in currency exchange rates. TiO2 selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs. Our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes increased 15% in 2019 as compared to the sales

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volumes of 2018 primarily due to strength in the European, North American and export markets in 2019 as compared to 2018. In addition to the impact of changes in average TiO2 selling prices and sales volumes, we estimate that changes in currency exchange rates decreased our Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $49 million, or 3%, as compared to 2018.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin— Cost of sales decreased $55.8 million, or 4%, in 2020 compared to 2019 due to the net effect of a 6% decrease in sales volumes, higher raw materials and other production costs of approximately $6 million (including higher cost for third-party feedstock and other raw materials) and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales per metric ton of TiO2 sold in 2020 was higher as compared to 2019 (excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates) primarily due to a moderate rise in the cost of third-party feedstock procured in 2019 and the first half of 2020. Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 79% in 2020 compared to 78% in 2019 primarily due to the unfavorable effects of lower average TiO2 selling prices and higher raw materials and other production costs, as discussed above, partially offset by improved sales and production volumes from our Chemicals Segment’s ilmenite mine operations.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 21% in 2020 compared to 22% in 2019. As discussed and quantified above, our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased primarily due to the net effect of lower sales volumes, lower average TiO2 selling prices, higher raw materials and other production costs and higher sales from our Chemicals Segment’s ilmenite mine operations.

Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales increased $245.2 million or 22% in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily due to the net impact of a 15% increase in sales volumes, higher raw materials and other production costs of approximately $122 million (including higher cost for third-party feedstock, energy and other raw materials) and currency fluctuations (primarily the euro relative to the U.S. dollar). Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 78% in 2019 compared to 66% in 2018 primarily due to the unfavorable effects of lower average selling prices and higher raw materials and other production costs, as discussed above.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 22% in 2019 compared to 34% in 2018. As discussed and quantified above, our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin decreased primarily due to the net effect of lower average selling prices, higher sales volumes and higher raw materials and other production costs.

Operating Income— Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income decreased by $33.6 million, from $160.1 million in 2019 to $126.5 million in 2020. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales was 8% in 2020 compared to 9% in 2019. This decrease was driven by the lower gross margin discussed above for the comparable periods. We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates increased our Chemicals Segment’s income from operations by approximately $6 million in 2020 as compared to 2019 as discussed in the Currency Exchange Rates section below.

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income was also minimally impacted by the effects of Hurricane Laura which temporarily halted production at LPC on August 24, 2020. Although storm damage to core manufacturing facilities was not severe, a variety of factors, including loss of utilities, limited availability of employees to return to work and restrictions on the facility’s access to raw materials, prevented the resumption of operations until September 25, 2020. LPC believes insurance (subject to applicable deductibles) will cover a majority of its losses, including those related to property damage and the disruption of its operations. The Kronos warehouse and slurry facilities located near LPC’s facility were also temporarily closed due to the hurricane, but property damage to these facilities was not significant. Our Chemicals Segment’s 2020 operating income includes immaterial costs related to Hurricane Laura, primarily costs to relocate inventory and modify shipping schedules in order to maintain service levels to customers following the hurricane. We believe insurance (subject to applicable deductibles) will cover a majority of our Chemicals Segment’s losses from the hurricane, including property damage, business interruption losses related to our Chemicals Segment’s share of LPC’s lost production and other costs resulting from the disruption of operations, but no insurance recoveries have yet been recognized as the allowable damage claim amounts are not presently determinable. On October 9, 2020 Hurricane Delta caused an additional temporary halt to production at the LPC facility. Damages resulting from Hurricane Delta were not as severe and production activities were resumed within five days from the time of initial shutdown prior to landfall of the hurricane. Similar to Hurricane Laura, losses determined to be incurred by LPC and us as a result of Hurricane Delta are expected to be recoverable from insurance (subject to applicable deductibles).

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income decreased 53% in 2019 compared to 2018 and operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased to 9% in 2019 from 21% in 2018. This decrease was driven by the decrease in gross margin discussed above for the comparable periods. We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates decreased operating income by approximately $3 million in 2019 as compared to 2018.

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income is net of amortization of purchase accounting adjustments made in conjunction with our acquisitions of interests in NL and Kronos. As a result, we recognize additional depreciation expense above the amounts Kronos reports separately, substantially all of which is included within cost of sales. We recognized additional depreciation expense of $2.3 million in 2018, $2.2 million in 2019 and $3.8 million in 2020, which reduced our reported Chemicals Segment’s operating income as compared to amounts reported by Kronos.

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Currency Exchange Rates—– Our Chemicals Segment has substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada). The majority of our Chemicals Segment’s sales from non-U.S. operations are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar. A portion of our Chemicals Segment’s sales generated from its non-U.S. operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar (and consequently our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations will generally hold U.S. dollars from time to time). Certain raw materials used in all our Chemicals Segment’s production facilities, primarily titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased primarily in U.S. dollars, while labor and other production costs are purchased primarily in local currencies. Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or unfavorably impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results. In addition to the impact of the translation of sales and expenses over time, our non-U.S. operations also generate currency transaction gains and losses which primarily relate to (i) the difference between the currency exchange rates in effect when non-local currency sales or operating costs (primarily U.S. dollar denominated) are initially accrued and when such amounts are settled with the non-local currency and (ii) changes in currency exchange rates during time periods when our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations are holding non-local currency (primarily U.S. dollars).

Overall, we estimate that fluctuations in currency exchange rates had the following effects on our Chemicals Segment’s sales and income from operations for the periods indicated.

Impact of changes in currency exchange rates - 2020 vs. 2019

Translation

gains Total currency

Transaction gains/(losses) recognized impact of impact

(In millions)

Impact on:

Net sales $ - $ - $ - $ 9 $ 9

Operating income 2 (4) (6) 12 6

The $9 million increase in net sales (translation gain) was caused primarily by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as euro-denominated sales were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2020 as compared to 2019. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2020 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $6 million increase in operating income was comprised of the following:

Impact of changes in currency exchange rates - 2019 vs. 2018

Translation

gains/(losses) Total currency

Transaction gains/(losses) recognized impact of impact

(In millions)

Impact on:

Net sales $ - $ - $ - $ (49 ) $ (49 )

The $49 million decrease in net sales (translation loss) was caused primarily by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as our Chemicals Segment’s euro-denominated sales were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2019 as compared to 2018. The

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strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2019 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of our net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $3 million decrease in operating income was comprised of the following:

Outlook— In the second half of 2020 our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes increased from the reduced levels experienced during the first half of the year, primarily during the second quarter. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, including the measures employed to mitigate its spread, continued to impact our Chemicals Segment’s operations through reduced demand for its products and resulted in lower sales and earnings in 2020 than otherwise would have been expected. Our Chemicals Segment’s manufacturing facilities operated at near planned production rates in the first half of 2020, however, early in the third quarter it decreased production levels to align with demand and market expectations for the near term, and late in the third quarter and into the fourth quarter it began increasing production levels as demand improved.

The advance of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global efforts to mitigate its spread have resulted in sharp contractions of vast areas of the global economy and are expected to continue to challenge workers, businesses and governments for the foreseeable future. Government actions in various regions have generally permitted the resumption of commercial activities following various regional shutdowns, but further government action restricting economic activity is possible in an effort to mitigate increases in COVID-19 in certain regions. As a result, we expect U.S. and worldwide gross domestic product to be significantly impacted for an indeterminate period of time. While many of our Chemicals Segment’s products are used by its customers in end-products that thus far have remained in demand across the world economy, we believe overall demand for our Chemicals Segment’s products and its customers’ products will continue to be impacted by reduced economic activity.

Despite negative impacts and continued uncertainty on worldwide gross domestic product from COVID-19, our Chemicals Segment has experienced increasing demand for its products in the second half of 2020 and we expect these demand levels to continue into 2021. As such we expect our 2021 Chemicals Segment’s sales and operating income to be higher than in 2020, principally as a result of higher average TiO2 selling prices and higher sales volumes. We also expect our Chemicals Segment’s production volumes in 2021 to be slightly higher as compared to 2020 production volumes in line with expected increased demand for its products. The full extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our Chemicals Segment’s operations will depend on numerous factors, including customer demand for its products, any future disruption in its operations or its suppliers’ operations and the timing and effectiveness of measures deployed to fight COVID-19, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. Our Chemicals Segment management will continue to monitor current and anticipated near-term customer demand throughout the year and further align its production and inventory levels accordingly.

Our Chemicals Segment experienced increases in its feedstock costs in 2019 and during the first half of 2020 before the costs moderated in the second half of 2020. We expect our Chemicals Segment’s feedstock costs to remain relatively consistent in 2021 as compared to the average 2020 costs. To-date, the availability of raw materials has not been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the beginning of 2020, our Chemicals Segment’s average TiO2 selling prices were 1% lower than at the beginning of 2019 and average TiO2 selling prices decreased 3% during 2020. Due to increasing customer demand experienced in the second half of 2020, we expect prices to rise slightly in 2021.

Our Chemicals Segment’s manufacturing and administrative facilities are generally located in densely populated regions of Europe and North America which have experienced substantial outbreaks of COVID-19 and are in varying stages of outbreak and recovery. Our Chemicals Segment’s management continues to employ a variety of methods to protect the health and well-being of its workforce and its customers, including the implementation of contact tracing, deep cleaning and disinfecting of facilities, work-from-

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home strategies and staggered shift deployment, among other health and safety protocols. To-date, our Chemicals Segment has had limited cases of COVID-19 among its workforce and all of its facilities have remained open and operational.

Component Products—

Our Component Products Segment experienced normal sales volumes and operations during the first quarter of 2020. Beginning in late March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Component Products Segment began receiving requests from certain customers of both Component Products Segment business units to postpone shipments, in some cases because customers’ production facilities were temporarily closed. The second quarter of 2020 sustained the greatest impact from COVID-19 related order cancellations and delays. In the third and fourth quarters, marine components experienced significant recovery in sales while security products sales generally recovered, though not to pre-pandemic levels.

Our Component Products Segment’s product offerings consist of a large number of products that have a wide variation in selling price and manufacturing cost, which results in certain practical limitations on our ability to quantify the impact of changes in individual product sales quantities and selling prices on our net sales, cost of sales and gross margin. In addition, small variations in period-to-period net sales, cost of sales and gross margin can result from changes in the relative mix of our products sold. The key performance indicator for our Component Products Segment is operating income margins.

Years ended December 31, % Change

(Dollars in millions)

Net sales:

Percent of net sales:

Operating income 15 % 14 % 10 %

Net Sales—Our Component Products Segment’s net sales decreased approximately $9.7 million in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to lower security products sales as certain security products market segments were slower to recover from the negative impact of COVID-19, primarily in the second and third quarters, including transportation which had $4.4 million lower sales than the 2019, distribution customers which were $2.5 million lower than 2019, and office furniture which was $1.8 million lower than the same period in 2019. Lower security product sales were slightly offset by higher marine component sales mainly to the towboat market which increased $2.9 million, primarily for wake enhancement systems and surf pipes to an original equipment boat manufacturer, predominantly in the second half of the year. Relative changes in selling prices did not have a material impact on net sales comparisons.

Our Component Products Segment’s net sales increased approximately $6.0 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily due to higher marine component sales to the towboat market. Relative changes in selling prices did not have a material impact on net sales comparisons.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin—Our Component Products Segment’scost of sales decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to the net effects of lower sales for the security products and higher cost for security products inventory produced during the second and third quarters and sold in the last half of the year. Security Products inventory produced during the second and third quarters of 2020 had a higher carrying value compared to prior periods due to higher cost per unit of production as a result of lower production volumes during these quarters of 2020. This negatively impacted our Component Products Segment’s gross margin and operating income margin as this higher cost inventory was sold during the last half of 2020. Additionally, gross margin and operating income margin were unfavorably impacted by medical costs which increased $2.1 million in 2020 compared to 2019.

Our Component Products Segment’scost of sales increased in 2019 compared to 2018 due to the effects of increased sales volumes for both the security products and marine components reporting units and increased labor costs at the security products reporting unit. As a result, gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased over the same period. The decrease in gross margin percentage is the result of the decline in gross margin percentage at the security products reporting unit in 2019 as compared to 2018

Operating Income—Our Component Products Segment operating income decreased in 2020 compared to 2019. Operating margin decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to the factors impacting cost of sales and gross margin above. Operating costs and expenses consists primarily of sales and administrative-related personnel costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses

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directly related to product sales and administrative costs relating to business unit and corporate management activities, as well as gains and losses on disposal of property and equipment. Operating costs and expenses decreased $.3 million in 2020 compared to 2019.

Our Component Products Segment operating income decreased in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily due to the decrease in gross margin. Operating costs and expenses increased $.8 million in 2019 compared to 2018.

General— Our Component Products Segment’s profitability primarily depends on our ability to utilize our production capacity effectively, which is affected by, among other things, the demand for our products and our ability to control our manufacturing costs, primarily comprised of labor costs and materials. The materials used in our Component Products Segment’s products consist of purchased components and raw materials, some of which are subject to fluctuations in the commodity markets such as zinc, brass and stainless steel. Total material costs represented approximately 43% of our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales in 2020, with commodity-related raw materials accounting for approximately 12% of our cost of sales. During 2019 and 2020, markets for the primary commodity-related raw materials used in the manufacture of our locking mechanisms, primarily zinc and brass, remained relatively stable. Over that same period, the market for stainless steel, the primary raw material used for the manufacture of marine exhaust headers and pipes and wake enhancement systems, also remained relatively stable. While we expect the markets for our Component Products Segment’s primary commodity-related raw materials to remain stable during 2021, we recognize that economic conditions could introduce renewed volatility on these and other manufacturing materials.

Our Component Products Segment occasionally enters into short-term commodity-related raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the impact of future increases in commodity related raw material costs. See Item 1 - “Business – Component Products Segment – CompX International, Inc. - Raw Materials.”

Outlook— In the second half of 2020, our Component Products Segment sales began to recover from the historically low levels experienced during the second quarter, with sales steadily improving for the remainder of the year. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our Component Products Segment’s operations and demand for its products particularly in the transportation, office furniture and distribution markets served by the security products reporting unit. In the second half of the year, our Component Products Segment’s manufacturing operations returned to more normal production rates as demand from its customers began to return, although for the security products reporting unit, below pre-pandemic levels. Our Component Products Segment’s global and domestic supply chains remain intact, and it has experienced minimal supply chain disruptions. The markets our Component Products Segment sells to have recovered to varying degrees, and our Component Products Segment continues to work closely with all its customers and monitors their progress as they continue to adjust their operations. Even with the severe downturn during the second quarter, the marine components reporting unit sales outpaced prior year as demand for recreational boats increased as people sought socially distanced, outdoor activities. We expect these trends to continue for at least the first part of 2021.

Considerable effort continues at all of our Component Products Segment locations to manage developing COVID-19 conditions including enhanced health and safety protocols and cleaning and disinfecting efforts. Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have focused our efforts on maintaining efficient operations while closely managing our expenses and capital projects. In this regard, we are constantly evaluating our staffing levels and we believe our current staffing levels are aligned with our Component Products Segment’s sales and production forecasts for the first part of 2021.

The advance of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global efforts to mitigate its spread have resulted in sharp contractions of vast areas of the global economy and are expected to continue to challenge workers, businesses and governments for the foreseeable future. Government actions in various regions have generally permitted the gradual resumption of commercial activities following various regional shutdowns, but further government action restricting economic activity is possible in an effort to mitigate increases in COVID-19 cases in certain regions. The success and timing of these mitigating actions will depend in part on continued deployment of effective tools to fight COVID-19, including availability of testing, effective treatments and vaccine distribution, before economic growth is likely to return to pre-pandemic levels. Even as these measures are implemented and become effective, they will not directly address the business and employment losses already experienced. As a result, we expect U.S. and worldwide gross domestic product to be significantly impacted for an indeterminate period.

Based on current conditions, our Component Products Segment expects to report increased revenue and operating income in 2021 compared to 2020 but we do not expect the security products reporting unit to return to pre-pandemic levels experienced in 2019. As noted above, the security products reporting unit production volumes remain below 2019 levels. As a result, we expect to continue to experience the negative impact of higher fixed costs per unit of production during 2021 which will continue to challenge gross margins in the segment. The severity of the impact of COVID-19 on 2021 will depend on customer demand for our Component Products Segment’s products, including the timing and extent to which its customers’ operations continue to be impacted, on customers’ perception as to when consumer demand for their products will return to pre-pandemic levels and on any future disruptions in our Component Products Segment’s operations or its suppliers’ operations, all of which are difficult to predict. Our Component Products Segment’s operations teams meet frequently to ensure we are taking appropriate actions to maintain a safe working environment for all our employees, minimize operational disruptions, manage inventory levels and improve operating margins. It is possible we may temporarily close one or more of our facilities for the health and safety of our employees before the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

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Real Estate Management and Development—

Years ended December 31,

(In millions)

Net sales:

Water delivery sales 5.6 6.8 7.6

General—Our Real Estate Management and Development Segment consists of BMI and LandWell. BMI provides utility services, among other things, to an industrial park located in Henderson, Nevada, and is responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users through a water distribution system owned by BMI. LandWell is actively engaged in efforts to develop certain real estate in Henderson, Nevada including approximately 2,100 acres zoned for residential/planned community purposes and approximately 400 acres zoned for commercial and light industrial use.

Beginning in December 2013 and through the end of 2020, LandWell has closed or entered into escrow on approximately 1,000 acres of the residential/planned community and approximately 70 acres zoned for commercial and light industrial use. Contracts for land sales are negotiated on an individual basis and sales terms and prices will vary based on such factors as location (including location within a planned community), expected development work, and individual buyer needs. Although land may be under contract, we do not recognize revenue until we have satisfied the criteria for revenue recognition set forth in ASC Topic 606. In some instances, we will receive cash proceeds at the time the contract closes and record deferred revenue for some or all of the cash amount received, with such deferred revenue being recognized in subsequent periods. We expect the development work to continue for 5 to 10 years on the rest of the land held for development, especially the remainder of the residential/planned community.

Net Sales and Operating Income— A substantial portion of the net sales from our Real Estate Management and Development segment in 2020 consisted of revenues from land sales. We recognized $87.0 million in revenues on land sales during 2020 compared to $33.5 million in 2019. As noted above, we generally recognize revenue in our residential/planned community over time using cost based input methods (previously known as percentage completion method) and substantially all of the revenue we recognized in 2019 was under this method of revenue recognition. The contracts on these sales (both within the planned community and otherwise) include approximately 965 acres of the residential planned community and certain other acreage which closed in December 2013 and through the end of 2020. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $57.9 million in 2020 compared to $24.5 million in 2019. During the fourth quarter of 2020, our Real Estate Management and Development Segment closed on a single parcel for proceeds of approximately $55 million. The contract for this parcel contained no post-closing obligations therefore we recognized the full $55 million in revenue in 2020. Excluding the fourth quarter 2020 land sale noted above, land sales revenues declined slightly in 2020 as compared to 2019 primarily due to lower land development spending. As noted above, land sales are generally recognized over time using cost based inputs and in the second quarter of 2020, in an effort to conserve resources in response to the pandemic, we reduced infrastructure development spending to only those expenditures necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations. We returned to more normalized infrastructure development spending late in the year. Operating income in 2020 also includes $19.1 million of income related to the recognition of tax increment reimbursement note receivables compared to $8.8 million of such income in 2019, as discussed in Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We recognized $33.5 million in revenues on land sales during 2019 compared to $32.3 million in 2018. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $24.5 million in 2019 compared to $23.5 million in 2018. Land sales revenues were slightly higher in 2019 as compared to 2018 due to an increase in the amount of acreage sold in 2019 as compared to 2018 and due to higher infrastructure development spending in 2019. Land infrastructure development spending increased in 2019 as we balanced development requirements with home builder outputs during the periods along with developing new phases of our master planned community.

The remainder of net sales and cost of sales related to this segment primarily relates to water delivery fees and expenses. We deliver water to several customers under long-term contracts. Water delivery sales were higher in 2020 due to the timing of water delivery to our largest customer.

Outlook— As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, early in the second quarter of 2020 LandWell began receiving requests from some residential builders to delay or cancel closing on certain parcels in escrow and, as a result, LandWell began delaying or curtailing infrastructure development activities where possible to align with land sales levels and residential builder output. In the second half of

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2020 and particularly towards the end of the year, land sales activities increased, including increases in both the number of acres closed and entered into escrow. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, BMI has continued to provide utility and water delivery services to its customers without interruption. Our Real Estate Management and Development management team remains focused on protecting the health and safety of our employees and contractors including enhanced health and safety protocols.

LandWell is continuing to actively develop and market land it manages, primarily to residential builders, for the residential/planned community in Henderson. If current land sales in escrow close as scheduled, we expect the level of land sales in the near term to continue to be strong; however, we expect land sales revenue in 2021 to be lower than 2020 primarily due to a large amount of revenue in 2020 being related to a single land sale transaction and we would not expect a similar large transaction to occur in 2021. As noted above, we cannot guarantee land held in escrow will close as currently scheduled because builders can generally cancel without financial penalty until shortly before scheduled closing. In addition, several COVID-19 mitigation procedures put into effect by the City of Henderson and utility providers are, in some cases, adding time to the typical permitting and mapping process required to be completed before the necessary approvals can be obtained to close a land sale. In addition, under LandWell’s development agreement with the City of Henderson, the issuance of a specified numbers of housing permits requires LandWell to complete certain large infrastructure projects. We expect LandWell to be required to begin several of these large projects in 2021 and, as a result, we expect land development costs to increase during 2021. Because these costs relate to the entirety of the residential/planned community, these costs are not part of the cost based inputs used to recognize revenue and therefore this spending will not correlate to revenue recognition. This spending is expected to be eligible for tax increment reimbursement. Any delays or curtailments in infrastructure development activities will lower the amount of revenue we recognize on previously closed land sales. In addition, delays or curtailments in infrastructure development activities will also delay LandWell’s ability to submit completed costs to the City of Henderson for approval of additional tax increment reimbursement note receivables.

General Corporate Items, Interest Expense, Provision for Income Taxes (Benefit), Noncontrolling Interest and Related Party Transactions

Securities Earnings— A significant portion of our interest and dividend income in 2018 relates to the distributions we received from The Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC. We recognized dividend income from Amalgamated of $16.9 million in 2018. On August 31, 2018, we sold our interest in Amalgamated for consideration consisting of $12.5 million in cash and the deemed payment in full of our $250 million in loans we owed Snake River Sugar Company. We recognized a $12.5 million securities gain on this transaction. Securities earnings were significantly lower in 2019 and 2020 as compared to 2018 primarily due to the August 2018 sale of our interest in Amalgamated. See Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Insurance Recoveries—NL has agreements with certain insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse NL for a portion of its past lead pigment and asbestos litigation defense costs. Insurance recoveries include amounts NL received from these insurance carriers. NL received insurance recoveries of $5.1 million in 2019 primarily related to a settlement NL reached with one of its insurance carriers in which they agreed to reimburse NL for a portion of NL’s past and future litigation defense costs. In addition, Kronos recognized $2.6 million and $1.5 million of insurance recoveries in 2019 and 2020, respectively, related to a property damage claim.

The agreements with certain of NL’s insurance carriers also include reimbursement for a portion of its future litigation defense costs. We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by NL because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement. Accordingly, these insurance recoveries are recognized when the receipt is probable and the amount is determinable. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gain on Land Sales—In the first quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2019 we sold two parcels and one parcel, respectively, of land not used in our operating activities. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gain on Sale of Business—In the fourth quarter of 2019, NL sold its insurance and risk management business for proceeds of $3.25 million and recognized a pre-tax gain of $3.0 million on the sale.See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Litigation Settlement Expense–We recognized a pre-tax litigation settlement expense of $62.0 million and $19.3 million in the second quarter of 2018 and 2019, respectively, related to NL’s lead pigment litigation in California. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Components of Net Periodic Pension Expense—We recognized other components of net periodic pension expense of $20.1 million in 2020, $16.5 million in 2019 and $14.5 million in 2018. The change in expense is primarily due to pension costs as a result of actuarial amortizations and expected returns on plan assets. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Changes in the Market Value of Valhi Common Stock held by Subsidiaries— Our subsidiaries Kronos and NL hold shares of our common stock. As discussed in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we account for our proportional interest in these shares of our common stock as treasury stock, at Kronos’ and NL’s historical cost basis. The remaining portion of these shares of our

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common stock, which are attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL, are reflected in our consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Any unrealized gains or losses on the shares of our common stock attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL are recognized in the determination of each of Kronos and NL’s respective net income or loss. Under the principles of consolidation we eliminate any gains or losses associated with our common stock to the extent of our proportional ownership interest in each subsidiary. The $1.7 million, $.2 million and $12.2 million loss recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, represents the unrealized loss in respect of these shares during such periods attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL.

Other General Corporate Items— Corporate expenses were 9% lower at $34.3 million in 2020 compared to $37.5 million in 2019 primarily due to lower litigation and related costs partially offset by higher environmental remediation and related costs. Included in corporate expense are:

Corporate expenses were 12% lower at $37.5 million in 2019 compared to $42.4 million in 2018 primarily due to lower litigation and related costs and lower environmental remediation and related costs. Included in corporate expense are:

Overall, we currently expect that our net general corporate expenses in 2021 will be higher than 2020 primarily due to higher expected litigation fees and related costs and higher environmental remediation and related costs.

The level of our litigation and related expenses varies from period to period depending upon, among other things, the number of cases in which we are currently involved, the nature of such cases and the current stage of such cases (e.g. discovery, pre-trial motions, trial or appeal, if applicable). See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. If our current expectations regarding the number of cases in which we expect to be involved during 2021, or the nature of such cases, were to change our corporate expenses could be higher than we currently estimate.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess and estimate, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2021, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase or reduction in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest Expense— Interest expense decreased to $36.2 million in 2020 from $40.8 million in 2019 primarily due to lower 2020 average debt levels and lower average interest rates on variable-rate indebtedness. Interest expense decreased to $40.8 million in 2019 from $55.7 million in 2018 primarily due to the net effects of lower 2019 average debt levels due to the deemed redemption of the Snake River promissory notes in August 2018 and higher average interest rates on variable-rate indebtedness.

We expect interest expense will be lower in 2021 as compared to 2020 due to lower average balances of outstanding borrowings and consistent average rates. See Note 19 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Provision for Income Taxes (Benefit)—We recognized income tax expense of $15.9 million in 2020 compared to income tax expense of $26.5 million in 2019. The decrease is primarily due to the jurisdictional mix of earnings in 2020. We recognized income tax expense of $26.5 million in 2019 compared to an income tax benefit of $30.7 million in 2018. As discussed in Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, the difference is primarily due to the third quarter 2018 recognition of a change in the deferred income tax liability related to our investment in Kronos as a result of the 2017 Tax Act and the effect of lower income from operations in 2019.

Our income tax expense in 2019 includes an income tax benefit of $3.0 million related to the favorable settlement of a prior year tax matter in Germany, with $1.5 million recognized as a current cash tax benefit and $1.5 million recognized as a non-cash deferred income tax benefit related to an increase to our German net operating loss carryforward. In addition, we recognized a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $4.7 million related to the revaluation of our net deferred income tax asset in Germany resulting from a decrease in the German trade tax rate.

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Our income tax benefit in 2018 includes the following:

● a $4.0 million current cash income tax expense related to tax on GILTI.

Our earnings are subject to income tax in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions. Generally, our consolidated effective income tax rate is higher than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily because the income tax rates applicable to the pre-tax earnings (losses) of our non-U.S. operations are generally higher than the income tax rates applicable to our U.S. operations. However, in 2020 our consolidated effective income tax rate is lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% due to the effect of lower earnings and tax benefits associated with losses incurred in certain high tax jurisdictions.

Our consolidated effective income tax rate in 2021 is expected to be higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% because the income tax rates applicable to the earnings (losses) of our non-U.S. operations will be higher than the income tax rates applicable to our U.S. operations due to the expected mix of earnings.

See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our 2020 income tax items, including a tabular reconciliation of our statutory tax expense (benefit) to our actual tax expense (benefit).

Discontinued Operations—On January 26, 2018, we completed the sale of the Waste Management Segment to JFL-WCS Partners, LLC, an entity sponsored by certain investment affiliates of J.F. Lehman & Company, for consideration consisting of the assumption of all of the Waste Management Segment's third-party indebtedness and other liabilities. We recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $58 million on the transaction in the first quarter of 2018. We recognized an additional pre-tax gain of approximately $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 related to proceeds received from JFL Partners to settle an earn-out provision in the sale agreement. Amounts related to our former Waste Management Segment are classified as part of discontinued operations. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) of Subsidiaries—Noncontrolling interest in operations of subsidiaries increased from 2019 to 2020 primarily due to changes in operating income at LandWell and decreased from 2018 to 2019 primarily due to changes in operating income at Kronos.

Related Party Transactions—We are a party to certain transactions with related parties. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Foreign Operations

We have substantial operations located outside the United States, principally our Chemicals Segment’s operations in Europe and Canada. The functional currency of these operations is the local currency. As a result, the reported amount of our assets and liabilities related to these foreign operations will fluctuate based upon changes in currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2020, we had substantial net assets denominated in the euro, Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone.

Critical accounting policies and estimates

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, which requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based on our historical experience, observance of known trends in our Company and industry as a whole and information available from outside sources. Our estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results may differ significantly from those initial estimates.

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We believe the most critical accounting policies and estimates involving significant judgment primarily relate to goodwill, long-lived assets, revenue recognized over time using cost based inputs, defined benefit pension plans, income taxes and litigation and environmental liabilities.

Goodwill—Our net goodwill totaled $379.7 million at December 31, 2020 primarily resulting from our various step acquisitions of Kronos and NL (which occurred before the implementation of the current accounting standards related to noncontrolling interest) and to a lesser extent CompX’s purchase of various businesses. In accordance with the applicable accounting standards for goodwill, we do not amortize goodwill.

We perform a goodwill impairment test annually in the third quarter of each year. Goodwill is also evaluated for impairment at other times whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. An entity may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to complete the two-step quantitative impairment test using a more-likely-than-not criteria. If an entity believes it is more-likely-than-not the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value, including goodwill, the two-step quantitative impairment test can be bypassed. Alternatively, an entity has an unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the two-step quantitative impairment test.

When performing a qualitative assessment considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the qualitative impact of events and circumstances on the fair value of a reporting unit. Events and circumstances considered in our impairment evaluations, such as historical profits and stability of the markets served, are consistent with factors utilized with our internal projections and operating plan. However, future events and circumstances could result in materially different findings which could result in the recognition of a material goodwill impairment.

Evaluations of possible impairment utilizing the two-step quantitative impairment test require us to estimate, among other factors: forecasts of future operating results, revenue growth, operating margin, tax rates, capital expenditures, depreciation, working capital, weighted average cost of capital, long-term growth rates, risk premiums, terminal values, and fair values of our reporting units and assets. The goodwill impairment test is subject to uncertainties arising from such events as changes in competitive conditions, the current general economic environment, material changes in growth rate assumptions that could positively or negatively impact anticipated future operating conditions and cash flows, changes in the discount rate, and the impact of strategic decisions. If any of these factors were to materially change such change may require revaluation of our goodwill. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.

A reporting unit can be a segment or an operating division based on the operations of the segment. For example, our Chemicals Segment produces a globally coordinated homogeneous product whereas our Component Products Segment operates as two distinct reporting units. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its book value, the goodwill is written down to estimated fair value.

For our Chemicals Segment, we use Level 1 inputs of publicly traded market prices to compare the book value to assess impairment. We also consider control premiums when assessing fair value. When we performed our annual goodwill impairment test in the third quarter of 2020 for our Chemicals Segment goodwill we concluded there was no impairment of such goodwill. However, future events and circumstances could change (i.e. a significant decline in quoted market prices) and result in a materially different finding which could result in the recognition of a material impairment with respect to such goodwill.

Substantially all of the goodwill for our Component Products Segment relates to its security products reporting unit. In 2020, we used the qualitative assessment for our annual impairment test and determined it was not necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test, as we concluded it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the security products reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount.

Long-lived assets—The net book value of our property and equipment totaled $590.4 million at December 31, 2020. We assess property and equipment for impairment only when circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. Our determination is based upon, among other things, our estimates of the amount of future net cash flows to be generated by the long-lived asset (Level 3 inputs) and our estimates of the current fair value of the asset. Significant judgment is required in estimating such cash flows. Adverse changes in such estimates of future net cash flows or estimates of fair value could result in an inability to recover the carrying value of the long-lived asset, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge to be recognized in the future. We do not assess our property and equipment for impairment unless certain impairment indicators are present. We did not evaluate any long-lived assets for impairment during 2020 because no such impairment indicators were present.

Revenue recognized over time using cost based inputs (formerly percentage completion revenue recognition)—Certain real estate land sales by our Real Estate Management and Development Segment (generally land sales associated with our residential/planned community) require us to complete property development and improvements after title passes to the buyer and we have received all or a substantial portion of the selling price. Generally, all of the land sales associated with the residential/planned community have been recognized over time using cost based inputs of accounting in accordance with ASC 606. Under such method, revenues and profits are recognized in the same proportion of our progress towards completion of our contractual obligations, with our progress measured by costs incurred as a percentage of total costs estimated to be incurred. Such costs incurred and total estimated costs include amounts specifically identifiable with the parcels sold as well as certain development costs for the entire residential/planned community which

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are allocated to the parcels sold under applicable GAAP. Estimates of total costs expected to be incurred require significant management judgment, and the amount of revenue and profits that have been recognized to date are subject to revisions throughout the development period. The impact on the amount of revenue recognized resulting from any future change in the estimate of total costs estimated to be incurred would be accounted for prospectively in accordance with GAAP.

Defined benefit pension plans—We maintain various defined benefit pension plans in the U.S., Europe and Canada. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We recognized consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense of $26.9 million in 2018, $29.6 million in 2019 and $33.8 million on 2020. The amount of funding requirements for these defined benefit pension plans is generally based upon applicable regulations (such as ERISA in the U.S.) and will generally differ from pension expense for financial reporting purposes. We made contributions to all of our defined benefit pension plans of $19.9 million in 2018, $19.4 million in 2019 and $18.4 million in 2020.

Under defined benefit pension plan accounting, defined benefit pension plan expense, pension assets and accrued pension costs are each recognized based on certain actuarial assumptions. These assumptions are principally the discount rate, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets, the fair value of plan assets and the assumed increase in future compensation levels. We recognize the funded status of our defined benefit pension plans as either an asset (for overfunded plans) or a liability (for underfunded plans) in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The discount rates we use for determining defined benefit pension expense and the related pension obligations are based on current interest rates earned on long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by recognized rating agencies in the applicable country where the defined benefit pension benefits are being paid. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate discount rates and these advisors may in some cases use their own market indices. We adjust these discount rates as of each December 31 valuation date to reflect then-current interest rates on such long-term bonds. We use these discount rates to determine the actuarial present value of the pension obligations as of December 31 of that year. We also use these discount rates to determine the interest component of defined benefit pension expense for the following year.

At December 31, 2020, approximately 70%, 13%, 7% and 6% of the projected benefit obligations related to our plans in Germany, Canada, the U.S. and Norway, respectively. We use several different discount rate assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan obligation and expense. This is because we maintain defined benefit pension plans in several different countries in Europe and North America and the interest rate environment differs from country to country.

We used the following discount rates for our defined benefit pension plans:

Discount rates used for:

Kronos and NL Plans:

The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets represents the estimated average rate of earnings expected to be earned on the funds invested or to be invested in the plans’ assets provided to fund the benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligations. Unlike the discount rate, which is adjusted each year based on changes in current long-term interest rates, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets will not necessarily change based upon the actual short-term performance of the plan assets in any given year. Defined benefit pension expense each year is based upon the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for each plan, the actual fair value of the plan assets as of the beginning of the year and an estimate of the amount of contributions to and distributions from the plan during the year. Differences between the expected return on plan assets for a given year and the actual return are deferred and amortized over future periods based either upon the expected average remaining service life of the active plan participants (for plans for which benefits are still being earned by active employees) or the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants (for plans for which benefits are not still being earned by active employees).

At December 31, 2020, the fair value of plan assets for all defined benefit plans comprised $53.3 million related to U.S. plans and $494.8 million related to non-U.S. plans. Substantially all of plan assets attributable to foreign plans related to plans maintained by Kronos, and approximately 70% and 30% of the plan assets attributable to U.S. plans related to plans maintained by NL and Kronos, respectively. At December 31, 2020, approximately 53%, 21%, 10% and 10% of the plan assets related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S, respectively. We use several different long-term rates of return on plan asset assumptions in determining our

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consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense. This is because the plan assets in different countries are invested in a different mix of investments and the long-term rates of return for different investments differ from country to country.

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions, we consider the long-term asset mix (e.g. equity vs. fixed income) for the assets for each of our plans and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate long-term rates of return. We regularly review our actual asset allocation for each of our U.S. and non-U.S. plans and will periodically rebalance the investments in each plan to more accurately reflect the targeted allocation when considered appropriate.

The assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets used for purposes of determining net period pension cost for 2018, 2019 and 2020 were as follows:

Kronos and NL plans:

Our long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions in 2021 used for purposes of determining our 2021 defined benefit pension plan expense for Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S. are 2.0%, 3.1%, 2.8% and 4.0%, respectively.

We follow ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, in determining the fair value of plan assets within our defined benefit pension plans. While we believe the valuation methods used to determine the fair value of plan assets are appropriate, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

To the extent that a plan’s particular pension benefit formula calculates the pension benefit in whole or in part based upon future compensation levels, the projected benefit obligations and the pension expense will be based in part upon expected increases in future compensation levels. For all of our plans for which the benefit formula is so calculated, we generally base the assumed expected increase in future compensation levels upon average long-term inflation rates for the applicable country.

In addition to the actuarial assumptions discussed above, the amount of recognized defined benefit pension expense and the amount of net pension asset and net pension liability will vary based upon relative changes in currency exchange rates. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of actuarial assumptions used in determining defined benefit pension assets, liabilities and expenses.

Based on the actuarial assumptions described above and our current expectation for what actual average currency exchange rates will be during 2021, we expect our defined benefit pension expense will approximate $32 million in 2021. In comparison, we expect to be required to contribute approximately $18 million to such plans during 2021.

As noted above, defined benefit pension expense and the amounts recognized as accrued pension costs are based upon the actuarial assumptions discussed above. We believe all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate. However, if we had lowered the assumed discount rate by 25 basis points for all plans as of December 31, 2020, our aggregate projected benefit obligations would have increased by approximately $42 million at that date and our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $2 million during 2021. Similarly, if we lowered the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets by 25 basis points for all of our plans, our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $1 million during 2021.

Income taxes— We operate globally through our Chemicals Segment and the calculation of our provision for income taxes and our deferred tax assets and liabilities involves the interpretation and application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our Chemicals Segment’s global operations. Our effective tax rate is highly dependent upon the geographic distribution of our earnings or losses and the effects of tax laws and regulations in each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our consolidated provision for income taxes due to the global nature of our Chemicals Segment’s operations. Our provision for income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect our best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid, including the recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

We recognize deferred taxes for future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities for each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate are netted and presented as either a noncurrent deferred income tax asset or liability, as applicable. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred income tax

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assets to the amount that is believed to be realized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria. While we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance, it is possible that we may change our estimate of the amount of the deferred income tax assets that would more-likely-than-not be realized in the future, resulting in an adjustment to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance that would either increase or decrease, as applicable, reported net income in the period such change in estimate was made.

For example, at December 31, 2020 our Chemicals Segment has substantial net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards in Germany (the equivalent of $531 million for German corporate tax purposes) and in Belgium (the equivalent of $20 million for Belgian corporate tax purposes). At December 31, 2020, we have concluded that no deferred income tax asset valuation allowance is required to be recognized with respect to such carryforwards, principally because (i) such carryforwards have an indefinite carryforward period, (ii) we have utilized a portion of such carryforwards during the most recent three-year period and (iii) we currently expect to utilize the remainder of such carryforwards over the long term. However, prior to the complete utilization of such carryforwards, if we were to generate additional losses in our German or Belgian operations for an extended period of time, or if applicable law were to change such that the carryforward period was no longer indefinite, it is possible that we might conclude the benefit of such carryforwards would no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria, at which point we would be required to recognize a valuation allowance against some or all of the then-remaining tax benefit associated with the carryforwards.

Contingencies—We are involved in numerous legal and environmental actions in part due to NL’s former involvement in the manufacture of lead-based products. We record accruals for these environmental, legal and other contingencies and commitments when such contingencies become probable, and amounts can be reasonably estimated. However, new information may become available to us, or circumstances (such as applicable laws and regulations) may change, thereby resulting in an increase or decrease in the amount we are required to accrue for such matters (and therefore a decrease or increase in our reported net income in the period of such change). At December 31, 2020 we have recorded total accrued environmental liabilities of $98.6 million.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2021, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs (and potential range of our liabilities) as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change which involves our judgment regarding current facts and circumstances for each site and is subject to various assumptions and estimates. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated Cash Flows

Operating Activities—

Trends in cash flows as a result of our operating income (excluding the impact of significant asset dispositions and relative changes in assets and liabilities) are generally similar to trends in our earnings. In addition to the impact of the operating, investing and financing cash flows discussed below, changes in the amount of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash we report from year to year can be impacted by changes in currency exchange rates, since a portion of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash is held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. For example, during 2020, relative changes in currency exchange rates resulted in a $13.8 million increase in the reported amount of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash compared to a $2.3 million decrease in 2019 and a $14.4 million decrease in 2018.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased to $152.2 million in 2020 from $177.2 million in 2019. This $25.0 million decrease in cash provided by operations was primarily due to the net effect of the following items:

Cash flows from operating activities increased to $177.2 million in 2019 from $165.5 million in 2018. This $11.7 million increase in cash provided by operations was primarily due to the net effect of the following items:

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Changes in working capital were affected by accounts receivable and inventory changes, as shown below:

For comparative purposes, we have also provided comparable prior year numbers below.

Kronos:

Days sales outstanding 76 days 71 days 68 days

Days sales in inventory 113 days 83 days 74 days

CompX:

Days sales outstanding 40 days 36 days 33 days

Days sales in inventory 80 days 81 days 75 days

We do not have complete access to the cash flows of our majority-owned subsidiaries, due in part to limitations contained in certain credit agreements of our subsidiaries and because we do not own 100% of these subsidiaries. A detail of our consolidated cash flows from operating activities is presented in the table below. Intercompany dividends have been eliminated.

Years ended December 31,

(In millions)

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Valhi exclusive of subsidiaries 37.4 38.3 57.2

NL exclusive of subsidiaries .3 10.8 7.3

Waste Control Specialists(1) 2.3 - -

(1) Discontinued operations

Investing Activities—

We disclose capital expenditures by our business segments in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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During 2020 we:

● had net proceeds of $.9 million of marketable securities.

During 2019 we:

● had net purchases of $.6 million of marketable securities.

During 2018 we:

Financing Activities –

During 2020:

● we repaid $42.3 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran;

During 2019:

● we repaid a net $1.3 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran;

● we repaid $7.4 million under Tremont’s promissory note payable.

During 2018, we:

● repaid a net $6.3 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran; and

● repaid $3.7 million under Tremont’s promissory note payable.

We paid aggregate cash dividends on our common stock of $27.1 million in each of 2018 and 2019 and $13.6 million in 2020. Distributions to noncontrolling interest in 2018, 2019 and 2020 are primarily comprised of: CompX dividends paid to shareholders other than NL; Kronos dividends paid to shareholders other than us and NL, and BMI and LandWell dividends paid to shareholders other than us.

Outstanding Debt Obligations

At December 31, 2020, our consolidated indebtedness was comprised of:

● $14.2 million on LandWell’s bank loan due April 2036; and

Certain of our credit facilities require the respective borrowers to maintain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of our assets to, another entity, and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions

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