Current Report Filing (8-k)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 2, 2016

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


The Netherlands	001-34726	98-0646235
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1221 McKinney St. Suite 300 Houston, Texas USA 77010	4^th Floor, One Vine Street London W1J0AH The United Kingdom	Delftseplein 27E 3013 AA Rotterdam The Netherlands
	(Addresses of principal executive offices)
(713) 309-7200	+44 (0)207 220 2600	+31 (0)10 275 5500
(Registrant’s telephone numbers, including area codes)

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02

Results of Operations and Financial Conditions.

On February 2, 2016, LyondellBasell Industries N.V. announced earnings results for the quarter ended December 31, 2015. A copy of our earnings release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated into this Item 2.02 by reference.

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 furnished herewith, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and will not be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)

Exhibits


99.1		Press Release dated February 2, 2016

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.


	LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.


Date: February 2, 2016	By:	/s/ Jeffrey A. Kaplan
		Jeffrey A. Kaplan
		Executive Vice President

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits


99.1		Press Release dated February 2, 2016

Exhibit 99.1


NEWS RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HOUSTON and LONDON, February 2, 2016

LyondellBasell Reports Record 2015 Earnings

2015 Full Year Highlights

•

Record Earnings

•

Income from continuing operations: $4.5 billion ($4.8 billion excluding LCM¹)

•

Diluted earnings per share: $9.60 per share ($10.35 per share excluding LCM)

•

EBITDA: $7.5 billion ($8.1 billion excluding LCM)

•

Advanced the Growth Program

•

Completed a 250 million pound ethylene expansion at Channelview, Texas, the third in a series of planned expansions targeted to increase our U.S. ethylene capacity by approximately 25%

•

Added over 120 million pounds of polypropylene compounds capacity

•

Strong Cash Flow and Share Repurchases

•

Full year cash generation from operations totaled $5.8 billion

•

Share repurchases and dividends totaled $6.1 billion

•

Repurchased 52 million shares or approximately 11% of the shares outstanding on January 1, 2015

Fourth Quarter 2015 Highlights

•

Income from continuing operations: $797 million ($982 million excluding LCM)

•

Diluted Earnings per share: $1.78 per share ($2.20 per share excluding LCM)

•

EBITDA: $1.4 billion ($1.7 billion excluding LCM)

•

Share repurchases and dividends totaled $1.6 billion; repurchased 12.7 million shares during the fourth quarter or approximately 3% of the shares outstanding on October 1, 2015

Comparisons with the prior quarter, fourth quarter 2014 and full year 2014 are available in the following table:

Table 1 - Earnings Summary


	Three Months Ended						Year Ended
*Millions of U.S. dollars (except share data)*	December 31, 2015		September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Sales and other operating revenues	$	7,071	$	8,334	$	10,290	$	32,735	$	45,608
Net income^(a)		795		1,186		791		4,474		4,168
Income from continuing operations^(b)		797		1,189		796		4,479		4,172
Diluted earnings per share (U.S. dollars):
Net income^(c)		1.78		2.54		1.54		9.59		7.99
Income from continuing operations^(b)		1.78		2.55		1.57		9.60		8.00
Diluted share count (millions)		446		463		499		466		521
EBITDA^(d)		1,394		2,001		1,406		7,533		7,050

*Excluding LCM Impact:*
LCM charges, pre-tax		284		181		715		548		760
Income from continuing operations		982		1,303		1,251		4,830		4,655
Diluted earnings per share (U.S. dollars):
Income from continuing operations		2.20		2.80		2.48		10.35		8.92
EBITDA		1,678		2,182		2,121		8,081		7,810

(a)	Includes net loss attributable to non-controlling interests and income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. See Table 10.

(b)	See Table 11 for charges and benefits to income from continuing operations.

(c)	Includes diluted earnings per share attributable to discontinued operations.

(d)	See the end of this release for an explanation of the Company’s use of EBITDA and Table 8 for reconciliations of EBITDA to net income and income from continuing operations.

¹	LCM stands for “lower of cost or market.” An explanation of LCM and why we have excluded it from our financial information in this press release can be found at the end of this press release under “Information Related to Financial Measures.”


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LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE: LYB) today announced earnings from continuing operations for the fourth quarter 2015 of $797 million, or $1.78 per share. Fourth quarter 2014 EBITDA was $1.4 billion. The quarter included a $284 million non-cash, pre-tax charge for the impact of a lower of cost or market (LCM) inventory adjustment ($185 million after-tax). Excluding the LCM adjustment, earnings from continuing operations during the fourth quarter totaled $982 million, or $2.20 per share and EBITDA was $1.7 billion. Full year 2015 income from continuing operations was $4.5 billion, or $9.60 per share, and EBITDA was $7.5 billion. The full year included a non-cash, pre-tax LCM inventory adjustment of $548 million ($351 million after tax). Excluding the LCM adjustment, earnings from continuing operations for the full year totaled $4.8 billion, or $10.35 per share, and EBITDA was $8.1 billion.

“During 2015, LyondellBasell generated record earnings, advanced our growth program, and continued returning cash to shareholders at an industry-leading rate. Our company posted strong results, with record performance from our Olefins and Polyolefins - Europe, Asia and International, Intermediates and Derivatives, and Technology segments. Despite the challenging oil and gas environment, LyondellBasell’s performance remained focused and steady. We continue to prove that we are capable of delivering strong results under a wide range of market conditions,” said Bob Patel, LyondellBasell chief executive officer.

“During 2015 we continued to implement and expand our strategic programs. We completed a 250 million pound per year ethylene expansion and increased our polypropylene compounds capacity by 120 million pounds. We also advanced additional value-enhancing projects including a propylene oxide and tertiary butyl alcohol facility, an ethylene expansion at our Corpus Christi plant and U.S. polyethylene capacity,” continued Patel.

“Our cash generation continued to be very strong in 2015 and we returned cash to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends totaling approximately $6.1 billion. Since initiating our dividend and share repurchases, we have paid approximately $9.2 billion in dividends and acquired approximately 25% of the then outstanding shares,” Patel said.

OUTLOOK

“We are confident that our industry position and our continued focus on cost and operating discipline will serve us well under a variety of market conditions. While near-term industry performance will partially hinge on the direction of raw material costs and subsequent price responses, our growth positions remain advantaged, product demand continues to be good and our expansions are generating incremental earnings. During 2016 we plan to complete an 800 million pound ethylene expansion project, complete engineering for our one billion pound propylene oxide plant and finalize our polyethylene expansion plans. LyondellBasell will continue to prudently pursue value-creating expansions while maintaining focus on operational performance, earnings growth and shareholder value,” Patel said.


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LYONDELLBASELL BUSINESS RESULTS DISCUSSION BY REPORTING SEGMENT

LyondellBasell manages operations through five operating segments: 1) Olefins and Polyolefins – Americas; 2) Olefins and Polyolefins – Europe, Asia and International (EAI); 3) Intermediates and Derivatives; 4) Refining; and 5) Technology.

Comments and analysis represent underlying business activity and are exclusive of LCM inventory adjustments.

Olefins and Polyolefins - Americas (O&P-Americas) – The primary products of this segment include ethylene and its co-products (propylene, butadiene and benzene), polyethylene, polypropylene and Catalloy process resins.

Table 2 - O&P–Americas Financial Overview


	Three Months Ended						Year Ended
	December 31,		September 30,		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
*Millions of U.S. dollars*	2015		2015		2014		2015		2014
Operating income	$	662	$	740	$	950	$	3,256	$	3,572
EBITDA		775		841		1,040		3,661		3,911
LCM charges, pre-tax		59		79		234		160		279
EBITDA excluding LCM adjustments		834		920		1,274		3,821		4,190

Three months ended December 31, 2015 versus three months ended September 30, 2015 – EBITDA decreased $86 million for the fourth quarter 2015 versus the third quarter 2015, excluding a favorable $20 million quarter to quarter variance as a result of LCM inventory adjustments. Compared to the prior period, underlying olefins results decreased approximately $130 million. This decrease was driven by lower ethylene and coproduct prices. Lower feedstock costs resulted in ethylene margins that were approximately 6 cents per pound lower than the third quarter 2015. Our ethylene plants operated at 95% of capacity. Combined polyolefin results increased by approximately $40 million. Polyethylene volumes remained strong while spreads were relatively unchanged. Polypropylene volumes declined due to operating issues while spreads over monomer improved by approximately 4 cents per pound. Joint venture equity income improved by $3 million.

Three months ended December 31, 2015 versus three months ended December 31, 2014 – EBITDA decreased $440 million versus the fourth quarter 2014, excluding a favorable $175 million quarter to quarter variance as a result of the LCM inventory adjustments. Olefin results accounted for the majority of the decline as quarterly EBITDA decreased approximately $660 million versus the prior year. Ethylene margins declined by approximately 28 cents per pound. Combined polyolefin results increased approximately $210 million versus the prior year period. Polyethylene volume improved by approximately 9 percent and spreads improved by approximately 6 cents per pound. Polypropylene spreads improved by approximately 12 cents per pound. Joint venture equity income improved by $10 million.

Full year ended December 31, 2015 versus full year ended December 31, 2014 – Segment EBITDA decreased $369 million versus 2014, excluding a favorable $119 million year to year variance as a result of the


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LCM inventory adjustments. Olefin results declined by approximately $970 million from the prior year. Ethylene margins declined by approximately 17 cents per pound versus 2014. Lower ethylene sales prices in 2015 were partially offset by lower feedstock costs. Production volume was approximately 14% higher as a result of the 2014 La Porte expansion and the absence of the 2014 La Porte turnaround. Combined polyolefin results increased approximately $570 million versus the prior year. Polyethylene spreads over ethylene improved approximately 5 cents per pound and volume increased approximately 5 percent following the 2014 Matagorda expansion. Polypropylene spreads improved by approximately 8 cents per pound. Equity income improved by $21 million versus the prior year due to stronger volumes and margins at our joint venture in Mexico.

Olefins and Polyolefins - Europe, Asia, International (O&P-EAI) – The primary products of this segment include ethylene and its co-products (propylene and butadiene), polyethylene, polypropylene, global polypropylene compounds, Catalloy process resins and Polybutene-1 resins.

Table 3 - O&P–EAI Financial Overview


	Three Months Ended						Year Ended
	December 31,		September 30,		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
*Millions of U.S. dollars*	2015		2015		2014		2015		2014
Operating income	$	302	$	412	$	246	$	1,309	$	884
EBITDA		427		549		348		1,825		1,366
LCM charges, pre-tax		24		6		44		30		44
EBITDA excluding LCM adjustments		451		555		392		1,855		1,410

Three months ended December 31, 2015 versus three months ended September 30, 2015 – EBITDA decreased $104 million versus the record third quarter 2015, excluding an unfavorable $18 million quarter to quarter variance as a result of LCM inventory adjustments. Olefin results decreased approximately $130 million due to lower margins while ethylene volumes improved by approximately 4 percent. Combined polyolefin results improved by approximately $15 million and largely continued to maintain high spreads. Polypropylene compounds and polybutene-1 results improved by approximately $20 million. Equity income from joint ventures declined by $11 million.

Three months ended December 31, 2015 versus three months ended December 31, 2014 – EBITDA increased by $59 million versus the fourth quarter 2014, excluding a favorable $20 million quarter to quarter variance as a result of LCM inventory adjustments. Olefin results decreased by approximately $120 million primarily as a result of lower margins. Ethylene volume decreased by approximately 8 percent due to the turnaround at our Münchsmünster cracker in 2015. Combined polyolefin results increased approximately $150 million due to improved margins and higher volumes for both polyethylene and polypropylene. Polypropylene compounds and polybutene-1 results improved by approximately $20 million. Equity income from joint ventures increased by $12 million.


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Full year ended December 31, 2015 versus full year ended December 31, 2014 – The segment achieved record EBITDA for the year. EBITDA increased $445 million versus 2014, excluding a favorable $14 million year to year variance as a result of LCM inventory adjustments. 2014 benefited from a $52 million environmental settlement that was recognized in the first quarter of 2014. Underlying olefin results increased approximately $25 million, as average feedstock price declines outweighed lower average product prices. Combined polyolefin results increased approximately $420 million compared to the prior year driven by strong demand leading to 7% higher volume and improving margins. Polypropylene compounds and polybutene-1 were relatively unchanged. Equity income from joint ventures increased by $54 million, driven by strong results from joint ventures in Poland and South Korea.

Intermediates and Derivatives (I&D) – The primary products of this segment include propylene oxide (PO) and its co-products (styrene monomer, tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), isobutylene and tertiary butyl hydroperoxide), and derivatives (propylene glycol, propylene glycol ethers and butanediol); acetyls (including methanol), ethylene oxide and its derivatives, and oxyfuels.

Table 4 - I&D Financial Overview


	Three Months Ended						Year Ended
	December 31,		September 30,		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
*Millions of U.S. dollars*	2015		2015		2014		2015		2014
Operating income	$	145	$	403	$	208	$	1,224	$	1,220
EBITDA		212		460		271		1,475		1,459
LCM charges, pre-tax		74		46		93		181		93
EBITDA excluding LCM adjustments		286		506		364		1,656		1,552

Three months ended December 31, 2015 versus three months ended September 30, 2015 – EBITDA decreased $220 million versus the record third quarter 2015, excluding an unfavorable $28 million quarter to quarter variance as a result of LCM inventory adjustments. Results for PO and PO derivatives decreased approximately $10 million. Intermediate chemicals results decreased by approximately $160 million, primarily due to declines in styrene and methanol margins and decreased acetyl volumes due to our extended La Porte turnaround. Oxyfuels results decreased approximately $60 million with typical seasonal margin declines. Equity income from joint ventures improved by $2 million.

Three months ended December 31, 2015 versus three months ended December 31, 2014 – EBITDA decreased $78 million versus the fourth quarter 2014, excluding a favorable $19 million quarter to quarter variance as a result of LCM inventory adjustments. Results for PO and PO derivatives improved by approximately $35 million. Intermediate chemicals results decreased by approximately $60 million driven by lower acetyls results from lower methanol margins and lower acetyl volumes as a result of our 2015 La Porte turnaround. Oxyfuels decreased approximately $55 million primarily as a result of unseasonably high margins during the fourth quarter of 2014. Equity income from joint ventures increased by $1 million.


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Full year ended December 31, 2015 versus full year ended December 31, 2014 – The segment achieved record EBITDA for 2015. EBITDA increased $104 million versus 2014, excluding an unfavorable $88 million year to year variance as a result of LCM inventory adjustments. PO and PO derivatives results increased approximately $40 million due to slightly higher volumes. Intermediate chemicals results improved by approximately $120 million due to improved styrene margins that were partially offset by lower methanol and vinyl acetate margins. Oxyfuels results declined by approximately $60 million compared to the prior year as strong octane spreads over butane and 15% higher volumes partially offset a decline in gasoline prices. Equity income from joint ventures increased by $7 million.

Refining – The primary products of this segment include gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, and petrochemical raw materials.

Table 5 - Refining Financial Overview


	Three Months Ended								Year Ended
	December 31,			September 30,		December 31,			December 31,		December 31,
*Millions of U.S. dollars*	2015			2015		2014			2015		2014
Operating income (loss)	($	101	)	$	52	($	354	)	$	144	($	106	)
EBITDA		(59	)		93		(311	)		342		65
LCM charges, pre-tax		127			50		344			177		344
EBITDA excluding LCM adjustments		68			143		33			519		409

Three months ended December 31, 2015 versus three months ended September 30, 2015 – EBITDA decreased $75 million versus the third quarter 2014, excluding an unfavorable $77 million quarter to quarter variance as a result of LCM inventory adjustments. The Houston refinery operated at 206,000 barrels per day, down 43,000 barrels per day from the prior quarter due to unplanned repairs on several major units. The Maya 2-1-1 industry benchmark crack spread decreased by $4.22 per barrel, averaging $18.55 per barrel. The cost of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) to meet U.S. renewable fuel standards increased by approximately $10 million versus the third quarter 2015.

Three months ended December 31, 2015 versus three months ended December 31, 2014 – EBITDA increased $35 million versus the fourth quarter 2014, excluding a favorable $217 million quarter to quarter variance as a result of LCM inventory adjustments. Fourth quarter 2015 throughput was down by 60,000 barrels per day from the prior year period. The Maya 2-1-1 industry benchmark crack spread increased by $0.83 per barrel, averaging $18.55 per barrel. Compared to the 2014 period, refinery margins decreased. The cost of RINs was relatively unchanged relative to the fourth quarter 2014.

Full year ended December 31, 2015 versus full year ended December 31, 2014 – EBITDA increased $110 million versus 2014, excluding a favorable $167 million year to year variance as a result of LCM inventory adjustments. Throughput at the Houston Refinery averaged 238,000 barrels per day, down 21,000 barrels per day. The Maya 2-1-1 industry benchmark crack spread decreased by $2.13 per barrel, averaging $22.30 per barrel. The refinery benefited from improved secondary product margins and higher Canadian crude volumes. The cost of RINs was relatively unchanged in 2015 relative to 2014.


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Technology Segment – The principal products of the Technology segment include polyolefin catalysts and production process technology licenses and related services.

Table 6 - Technology Financial Overview


	Three Months Ended						Year Ended
*Millions of U.S. dollars*	December 31, 2015		September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Operating income	$	54	$	34	$	29	$	197	$	171
EBITDA		65		45		44		243		232

Three months ended December 31, 2015 versus three months ended September 30, 2015 – EBITDA increased by $20 million driven by the timing of licensing revenue in the fourth quarter and favorable catalyst volumes.

Three months ended December 31, 2015 versus three months ended December 31, 2014 – EBITDA increased by $21 million due to higher catalyst volumes.

Full year ended December 31, 2015 versus full year ended December 31, 2014 – EBITDA exceeded 2014 by $11 million, improving to a record level.

Capital Spending and Cash Balances

Capital expenditures, including growth projects, maintenance turnarounds, catalyst and information technology-related expenditures, were $483 million during the fourth quarter 2015 and $1.4 billion for the full year 2015. Our cash and liquid investment balance was $2.4 billion at December 31, 2015. We repurchased 12.7 million ordinary shares during the fourth quarter 2015 and 51.8 million shares during 2015. There were 440 million common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015. The company paid dividends of $1.4 billion during 2015.

CONFERENCE CALL

LyondellBasell will host a conference call February 2 at 11 a.m. ET. Participants on the call will include Chief Executive Officer Bob Patel, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Thomas Aebischer, Senior Vice President - Strategic Planning and Transactions Sergey Vasnetsov, and Vice President of Investor Relations Doug Pike.

The toll-free dial-in number in the U.S. is 888-677-1826. A complete listing of toll-free numbers by country is available at www.lyb.com/teleconference for international callers. The pass code for all numbers is 4843334.

The slides and webcast that accompany the call will be available at http://www.lyb.com/earnings.


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A replay of the call will be available from 2 p.m. ET February 2 until March 2 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The replay dial-in numbers are 866-465-1311 (U.S.) and +1 203-369-1427 (international). The pass code for each is 22160.

ABOUT LYONDELLBASELL

LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is one of the world’s largest plastics, chemical and refining companies and a member of the S&P 500. LyondellBasell (www.lyb.com) manufactures products at 56 sites in 19 countries. LyondellBasell products and technologies are used to make items that improve the quality of life for people around the world including packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements in this release and the related teleconference relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially based on factors including, but not limited to, the business cyclicality of the chemical, polymers and refining industries; the availability, cost and price volatility of raw materials and utilities, particularly the cost of oil, natural gas, and associated natural gas liquids; competitive product and pricing pressures; labor conditions; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; operating interruptions (including leaks, explosions, fires, weather-related incidents, mechanical failure, unscheduled downtime, supplier disruptions, labor shortages, strikes, work stoppages or other labor difficulties, transportation interruptions, spills and releases and other environmental risks); the supply/demand balances for our and our joint ventures’ products, and the related effects of industry production capacities and operating rates; our ability to achieve expected cost savings and other synergies; our ability to successfully execute projects and growth strategies; legal and environmental proceedings; tax rulings, consequences or proceedings; technological developments, and our ability to develop new products and process technologies; potential governmental regulatory actions; political unrest and terrorist acts; risks and uncertainties posed by international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; and our ability to comply with debt covenants and service our debt. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which can be found at www.lyb.com on the Investor Relations page and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

INFORMATION RELATED TO FINANCIAL MEASURES

This release makes reference to certain “non-GAAP” financial measures as defined in Regulation G of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The non-GAAP measures we have presented include income from continuing operations excluding LCM, diluted earnings per share excluding LCM, EBITDA and EBITDA excluding LCM. LCM stands for “lower of cost or market,” which is an accounting rule consistent with GAAP related to the valuation of inventory. Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined


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using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) inventory valuation methodology, which means that the most recently incurred costs are charged to cost of sales and inventories are valued at the earliest acquisition costs. Market is determined based on an assessment of the current estimated replacement cost and selling price of the inventory. In periods where the market price of our inventory declines substantially, cost values of inventory may be higher than the market value, which results in us writing down the value of inventory to market value in accordance with the LCM rule, consistent with GAAP. This adjustment is related to our use of LIFO accounting and the recent decline in pricing for many of our raw material and finished goods inventories. We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, but believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as EBITDA and earnings and EBITDA excluding LCM, provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the company’s ongoing operations and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

EBITDA, as presented herein, may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure reported by other companies due to differences in the way the measure is calculated. We calculate EBITDA as income from continuing operations plus interest expense (net), provision for (benefit from) income taxes, and depreciation & amortization. EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to profit or operating profit for any period as an indicator of our performance, or as an alternative to operating cash flows as a measure of our liquidity. We have also presented financial information herein exclusive of adjustments for LCM.

Quantitative reconciliations of EBITDA to net income, the most comparable GAAP measure, are provided in Table 8 at the end of this release.

OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURE PRESENTATION NOTES

This release contains time sensitive information that is accurate only as of the time hereof. Information contained in this release is unaudited and subject to change. LyondellBasell undertakes no obligation to update the information presented herein except to the extent required by law.

###

Source: LyondellBasell Industries


Media Contact:		Michael Waldron +1 713-309-7575
Investor Contact:		Douglas J. Pike +1 713-309-7141


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Table 7 - Reconciliation of Segment Information to Consolidated Financial Information ^(a)


	2014															2015
(Millions of U.S. dollars)	Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4			Total			Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4			YTD
Sales and other operating revenues:
Olefins & Polyolefins - Americas	$	3,357		$	3,462		$	3,750		$	3,379		$	13,948		$	2,551		$	2,679		$	2,516		$	2,218		$	9,964
Olefins & Polyolefins - EAI		3,778			4,069			3,995			3,361			15,203			2,911			3,061			2,932			2,672			11,576
Intermediates & Derivatives		2,429			2,706			2,691			2,304			10,130			1,918			2,159			2,039			1,656			7,772
Refining		2,756			3,250			3,146			2,558			11,710			1,607			2,102			1,693			1,155			6,557
Technology		136			144			107			110			497			136			107			100			122			465
Other/elims		(1,321	)		(1,514	)		(1,623	)		(1,422	)		(5,880	)		(938	)		(963	)		(946	)		(752	)		(3,599	)

Continuing Operations	$	11,135		$	12,117		$	12,066		$	10,290		$	45,608		$	8,185		$	9,145		$	8,334		$	7,071		$	32,735

Operating income (loss):
Olefins & Polyolefins - Americas	$	656		$	898		$	1,068		$	950		$	3,572		$	934		$	920		$	740		$	662		$	3,256
Olefins & Polyolefins - EAI		225			190			223			246			884			236			359			412			302			1,309
Intermediates & Derivatives		316			375			321			208			1,220			271			405			403			145			1,224
Refining		86			95			67			(354	)		(106	)		74			119			52			(101	)		144
Technology		60			56			26			29			171			64			45			34			54			197
Other		(3	)		(1	)		1			(2	)		(5	)		(4	)		(3	)		9			(10	)		(8	)

Continuing Operations	$	1,340		$	1,613		$	1,706		$	1,077		$	5,736		$	1,575		$	1,845		$	1,650		$	1,052		$	6,122

Depreciation and amortization:
Olefins & Polyolefins - Americas	$	73		$	74		$	84		$	85		$	316		$	86		$	85		$	87		$	95		$	353
Olefins & Polyolefins - EAI		70			67			65			46			248			55			54			54			56			219
Intermediates & Derivatives		55			56			55			59			225			60			56			55			62			233
Refining		42			42			42			43			169			74			40			41			41			196
Technology		16			15			16			14			61			12			12			11			11			46

Continuing Operations	$	256		$	254		$	262		$	247		$	1,019		$	287		$	247		$	248		$	265		$	1,047

EBITDA: ^(b)
Olefins & Polyolefins - Americas	$	736		$	978		$	1,157		$	1,040		$	3,911		$	1,031		$	1,014		$	841		$	775		$	3,661
Olefins & Polyolefins - EAI		356			319			343			348			1,366			357			492			549			427			1,825
Intermediates & Derivatives		375			430			383			271			1,459			337			466			460			212			1,475
Refining		129			137			110			(311	)		65			149			159			93			(59	)		342
Technology		76			71			41			44			232			76			57			45			65			243
Other		(4	)		6			1			14			17			2			(2	)		13			(26	)		(13	)

Continuing Operations	$	1,668		$	1,941		$	2,035		$	1,406		$	7,050		$	1,952		$	2,186		$	2,001		$	1,394		$	7,533

Capital, turnarounds and IT deferred spending:
Olefins & Polyolefins - Americas	$	231		$	306		$	208		$	167		$	912		$	149		$	140		$	159		$	220		$	668
Olefins & Polyolefins - EAI		33			27			45			86			191			38			27			49			72			186
Intermediates & Derivatives		45			52			50			94			241			76			76			135			154			441
Refining		32			20			27			44			123			33			28			23			24			108
Technology		2			6			6			11			25			6			3			7			8			24
Other		—			4			2			1			7			4			4			—			5			13

Continuing Operations	$	343		$	415		$	338		$	403		$	1,499		$	306		$	278		$	373		$	483		$	1,440

(a)

EBITDA as presented herein includes the impacts of pre-tax LCM charges of $45 million and $715 million in the third and fourth quarters of 2014, respectively. EBITDA includes pre-tax LCM charges of $92 million, $181 million and $284 million for the first, third and fourth quarters of 2015, respectively. EBITDA for the second quarter of 2015 includes a pre-tax LCM benefit of $9 million for the partial reversal of the first quarter 2015 LCM adjustment.

See Tables 2 through 6 for LCM adjustments recorded for each segment.

(b)	See Table 8 for EBITDA calculation.


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Table 8 - EBITDA Calculation


	2014												2015
(Millions of U.S. dollars)	Q1			Q2			Q3		Q4		Total		Q1		Q2			Q3		Q4		YTD

Net income ^(a)	$	944		$	1,176		$	1,257	$	791	$	4,168	$	1,164	$	1,329		$	1,186	$	795	$	4,474
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(1	)		(3	)		3		5		4		3		(3	)		3		2		5

Income from continuing operations^(a)		943			1,173			1,260		796		4,172		1,167		1,326			1,189		797		4,479
Provision for income taxes		383			425			434		298		1,540		440		541			487		262		1,730
Depreciation and amortization		256			254			262		247		1,019		287		247			248		265		1,047
Interest expense, net		86			89			79		65		319		58		72			77		70		277

EBITDA^(b)	$	1,668		$	1,941		$	2,035	$	1,406	$	7,050	$	1,952	$	2,186		$	2,001	$	1,394	$	7,533

(a)

Amounts presented herein include after-tax LCM charges of $28 million and $455 million in the third and fourth quarters of 2014, respectively. The impacts of after-tax LCM charges were $58 million, $114 million and $185 million in the first, third and fourth quarters of 2015, respectively. The second quarter of 2015 includes an after-tax benefit of $6 million for the partial reversal of the first quarter 2015 LCM adjustment resulting from price recoveries during the period.

(b)

EBITDA as presented herein includes the impacts of pre-tax LCM charges of $45 million and $715 million in the third and fourth quarters of 2014, respectively. EBITDA includes impacts of pre-tax LCM charges of $92 million, $181 million and $284 million in the first, third and fourth quarters of 2015, respectively. The second quarter of 2015 includes a pre-tax LCM benefit of $9 million for the partial reversal of the first quarter 2015 LCM adjustment.


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Table 9 - Selected Segment Operating Information


	2014										2015
	Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4		Total		Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4		YTD
Olefins and Polyolefins - Americas
Volumes (million pounds)
Ethylene produced		1,979		1,721		2,301		2,458		8,459		2,364		2,415		2,514		2,391		9,684
Propylene produced		611		648		559		719		2,537		805		740		697		798		3,040
Polyethylene sold		1,517		1,363		1,603		1,451		5,934		1,473		1,575		1,577		1,578		6,203
Polypropylene sold		627		605		681		592		2,505		627		698		662		606		2,593
Benchmark Market Prices

West Texas Intermediate crude oil (USD per barrel)		98.61		102.99		97.25		73.20		92.91		48.57		57.95		45.36		42.16		48.71
Light Louisiana Sweet (“LLS”) crude oil (USD per barrel)		104.36		105.55		101.03		76.58		96.92		52.84		62.93		50.20		43.53		52.36
Natural gas (USD per million BTUs)		5.01		4.74		4.19		4.09		4.51		2.76		2.76		2.72		2.11		2.57
U.S. weighted average cost of ethylene production (cents/pound)		20.0		17.1		14.5		10.5		15.4		10.2		9.7		9.6		10.9		10.1
U.S. ethylene (cents/pound)		48.3		47.2		51.8		44.8		48.0		34.8		34.2		30.3		27.5		31.7
U.S. polyethylene [high density] (cents/pound)		76.3		77.0		78.0		76.7		77.0		65.7		67.3		64.3		57.0		63.6
U.S. propylene (cents/pound)		73.3		69.7		70.8		69.8		70.9		49.7		41.7		33.2		31.3		39.0
U.S. polypropylene [homopolymer] (cents/pound)		88.3		84.7		86.3		85.8		86.3		67.7		61.7		59.3		62.7		62.8

Olefins and Polyolefins - Europe, Asia, International
Volumes (million pounds)
Ethylene produced		989		1,024		1,039		1,059		4,111		1,007		1,047		944		978		3,976
Propylene produced		582		617		629		618		2,446		600		632		575		575		2,382
Polyethylene sold		1,275		1,363		1,284		1,254		5,176		1,533		1,360		1,304		1,379		5,576
Polypropylene sold		1,509		1,707		1,633		1,561		6,410		1,817		1,529		1,673		1,757		6,776
Benchmark Market Prices (€0.01 per pound)
Western Europe weighted average cost of ethylene production		32.9		34.3		31.5		18.2		29.2		22.9		23.2		14.4		22.5		20.8
Western Europe ethylene		54.7		52.8		54.1		48.7		52.6		39.3		47.1		46.6		41.4		43.6
Western Europe polyethylene [high density]		56.1		54.8		55.4		51.5		54.5		45.2		60.6		61.2		56.9		56.0
Western Europe propylene		51.3		52.2		51.9		46.5		50.5		37.1		44.4		41.7		31.0		38.5
Western Europe polypropylene [homopolymer]		59.9		61.3		61.4		57.0		59.9		49.8		62.5		59.3		47.4		54.7

Intermediates and Derivatives
Volumes (million pounds)
Propylene oxide and derivatives		772		726		768		781		3,047		870		751		697		682		3,000
Ethylene oxide and derivatives		262		319		211		226		1,018		268		312		282		237		1,099
Styrene monomer		683		870		933		870		3,356		903		735		904		889		3,431
Acetyls		683		592		613		619		2,507		547		810		733		623		2,713
TBA Intermediates		416		391		461		384		1,652		433		321		421		371		1,546
Volumes (million gallons)
MTBE/ETBE		188		266		245		216		915		229		299		268		258		1,054
Benchmark Market Margins (cents per gallon)
MTBE - Northwest Europe		63.4		90.7		111.8		109.1		94.0		64.0		106.0		119.0		49.8		85.1

Refining
Volumes (thousands of barrels per day)
Heavy crude oil processing rate		247		257		264		266		259		241		255		249		206		238
Benchmark Market Margins
Light crude oil - 2-1-1		13.18		17.29		14.20		8.50		13.32		15.02		16.42		15.29		9.44		14.04
Light crude oil - Maya differential		15.08		9.72		10.15		9.22		11.11		8.72		7.56		7.48		9.11		8.26

Source: LYB and third party consultants

Note: Benchmark market prices for U.S. and Western Europe polyethylene and polypropylene reflect discounted prices. Volumes presented represent third party sales of selected key products.


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Table 10 - Unaudited Income Statement Information


	2014															2015
(Millions of U.S. dollars)	Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4			Total			Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4			YTD

Sales and other operating revenues	$	11,135		$	12,117		$	12,066		$	10,290		$	45,608		$	8,185		$	9,145		$	8,334		$	7,071		$	32,735
Cost of sales^(a)		9,577			10,255			10,118			8,989			38,939			6,379			7,047			6,465			5,792			25,683
Selling, general and administrative expenses		186			215			211			194			806			205			228			194			201			828
Research and development expenses		32			34			31			30			127			26			25			25			26			102

Operating income^(a)		1,340			1,613			1,706			1,077			5,736			1,575			1,845			1,650			1,052			6,122
Income from equity investments		61			68			64			64			257			69			90			93			87			339
Interest expense, net		(86	)		(89	)		(79	)		(65	)		(319	)		(58	)		(72	)		(77	)		(70	)		(277	)
Other income, net		11			6			3			18			38			21			4			10			(10	)		25

Income from continuing operations before income taxes^(a)		1,326			1,598			1,694			1,094			5,712			1,607			1,867			1,676			1,059			6,209
Provision for income taxes		383			425			434			298			1,540			440			541			487			262			1,730

Income from continuing operations^(b)		943			1,173			1,260			796			4,172			1,167			1,326			1,189			797			4,479
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		1			3			(3	)		(5	)		(4	)		(3	)		3			(3	)		(2	)		(5	)

Net income^(b)		944			1,176			1,257			791			4,168			1,164			1,329			1,186			795			4,474
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests		1			2			1			2			6			2			1			(1	)		—			2

Net income attributable to the Company shareholders^(b)	$	945		$	1,178		$	1,258		$	793		$	4,174		$	1,166		$	1,330		$	1,185		$	795		$	4,476

(a)

Amounts presented herein include pre-tax LCM charges of $45 million and $715 million in the third and fourth quarters of 2014, respectively. The impacts of pre-tax LCM charges were $92 million, $181 million and $284 million in the first, third and fourth quarters of 2015, respectively. The second quarter of 2015 includes a pre-tax benefit of $9 million for the partial reversal of the first quarter 2015 LCM adjustment resulting from price recoveries during the period.

(b)

Amounts presented herein include after tax LCM charges of $28 million and $455 million in the third and fourth quarters of 2014, respectively. The impacts of after tax LCM were $58 million, $114 million and $185 million in the first, third and fourth quarters of 2015, respectively. The second quarter of 2015 includes an after tax benefit of $6 million for the partial reversal of the first quarter 2015 LCM adjustment discussed above.


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Table 11 - Charges (Benefits) Included in Income from Continuing Operations


	2014														2015
Millions of U.S. dollars (except share data)	Q1			Q2		Q3			Q4			Total			Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4			YTD
Pretax charges (benefits):
Settlement of environmental indemnification agreement	$	(52	)	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	(52	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment		—			—		45			715			760			92			(9	)		181			284			548
Emission allowance credits, amortization		—			—		—			—			—			35			—			—			—			35

Total pretax charges (benefits)		(52	)		—		45			715			708			127			(9	)		181			284			583
Provision for (benefit from) income tax related to these items		—			—		(17	)		(260	)		(277	)		(47	)		3			(67	)		(99	)		(210	)

After-tax effect of net charges (benefits)	$	(52	)	$	—	$	28		$	455		$	431		$	80		$	(6	)	$	114		$	185		$	373

Effect on diluted earnings per share	$	0.09		$	—	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.91	)	$	(0.82	)	$	(0.17	)	$	0.02		$	(0.25	)	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.80	)


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Table 12 - Unaudited Cash Flow Information


	2014															2015
(Millions of U.S. dollars)	Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4			Total			Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4			YTD

Net cash provided by operating activities	$	801		$	1,797		$	1,434		$	2,016		$	6,048		$	1,468		$	1,446		$	1,768		$	1,160		$	5,842

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(2,011	)		(246	)		(638	)		(636	)		(3,531	)		(443	)		(727	)		67			52			(1,051	)

Net cash used in financing activities		(550	)		(2,217	)		(1,621	)		(1,519	)		(5,907	)		(401	)		(1,021	)		(1,684	)		(1,744	)		(4,850	)


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Table 13 - Unaudited Balance Sheet Information


(Millions of U.S. dollars)	March 31, 2014		June 30, 2014		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2014		March 31, 2015		June 30, 2015		September 30, 2015		December 31, 2015

Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,702	$	2,030	$	1,185	$	1,031	$	1,616	$	1,325	$	1,474	$	924
Restricted cash		3		2		—		2		2		3		1		7
Short-term investments		1,402		1,299		1,544		1,593		1,478		1,989		1,602		1,064
Accounts receivable, net		4,141		4,264		4,105		3,448		3,089		3,373		2,924		2,517
Inventories		5,589		5,326		5,359		4,517		4,267		4,179		4,138		4,051
Prepaid expenses and other current assets^(a)		1,156		784		739		1,054		1,195		1,121		1,059		1,226

Total current assets		14,993		13,705		12,932		11,645		11,647		11,990		11,198		9,789
Property, plant and equipment, net		8,556		8,740		8,600		8,758		8,430		8,636		8,793		8,991
Investments and long-term receivables:
Investment in PO joint ventures		424		418		397		384		373		357		357		397
Equity investments		1,693		1,702		1,690		1,636		1,581		1,612		1,602		1,608
Other investments and long-term receivables		62		58		54		44		38		126		125		122
Goodwill		605		602		576		566		533		543		543		536
Intangible assets, net		870		838		799		769		695		671		644		640
Other assets ^{(a) (b)}		556		528		520		419		637		600		605		674

Total assets	$	27,759	$	26,591	$	25,568	$	24,221	$	23,934	$	24,535	$	23,867	$	22,757


Current maturities of long-term debt	$	3	$	3	$	2	$	4	$	4	$	3	$	3	$	4
Short-term debt		58		55		56		346		514		582		573		353
Accounts payable		3,642		3,690		3,431		3,064		2,631		2,755		2,450		2,182
Accrued liabilities		1,477		1,310		1,460		1,554		1,482		1,455		1,784		1,810
Deferred income taxes^(a)		540		570		685		469		429		434		383		—

Total current liabilities		5,720		5,628		5,634		5,437		5,060		5,229		5,193		4,349
Long-term debt ^(b)		6,698		6,701		6,690		6,695		7,677		7,658		7,674		7,671
Other liabilities		1,838		1,851		1,795		2,122		2,038		2,063		2,044		2,036
Deferred income taxes^(a)		1,677		1,623		1,574		1,623		1,653		1,635		1,604		2,127
Stockholders’ equity		11,791		10,753		9,843		8,314		7,478		7,927		7,328		6,550
Non-controlling interests		35		35		32		30		28		23		24		24

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	27,759	$	26,591	$	25,568	$	24,221	$	23,934	$	24,535	$	23,867	$	22,757

(a)	Our prospective adoption of ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, in December 2015 resulted in the classification of our deferred taxes as of December 2015 as noncurrent.

(b)

In December 2015, we adopted ASU 2015-03, Interest–Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires the presentation of deferred issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability. In December 2015, we also adopted, ASU 2015-15, Interest–Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements, which allows the classification of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements as an asset to be amortized over the term of the agreement. Accordingly, we have revised our presentation of long term debt for each period presented.