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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended
March 31,
2025
or
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from
to
Commission file number
1-5667
Cabot Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
04-2271897
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Two Seaport Lane
,
Suite 1400
Boston
,
Massachusetts
02210-2019
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (
617
)
345-0100
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
Title of each class
Trading symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1 par value per share
CBT
The
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
☒
No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes
☒
No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
☐
No
☒
The Company h
ad
53,723,082
shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, outstanding as of May 1, 2025.
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes
and equity in earnings of affiliated companies
151
142
295
236
(Provision) benefit for income taxes
(
49
)
(
47
)
(
90
)
(
81
)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax
3
2
4
3
Net income (loss)
105
97
209
158
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net
of tax
11
13
22
24
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation
$
94
$
84
$
187
$
134
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic
54.0
55.4
54.2
55.3
Diluted
54.4
55.8
54.7
55.8
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic
$
1.71
$
1.50
$
3.40
$
2.39
Diluted
$
1.69
$
1.49
$
3.36
$
2.37
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3
CABOT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF C
OMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
UNAUDITED
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Net income (loss)
$
105
$
97
$
209
$
158
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
34
(
15
)
(
70
)
47
Derivatives: net investment hedges
(Gains) losses reclassified to interest expense, net of tax
(
1
)
(
1
)
(
2
)
(
2
)
(Gains) losses excluded from effectiveness testing and amortized to interest expense, net of tax
—
1
1
1
Pension and other post-retirement benefit liability adjustments, net of tax
—
(
1
)
—
(
1
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (provision) benefit of $
3
, $
11
, $(
1
), $
12
33
(
16
)
(
71
)
45
Comprehensive income (loss)
138
81
138
203
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net
of tax
11
13
22
24
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to
noncontrolling interests, net of tax
3
(
4
)
(
4
)
—
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
14
9
18
24
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation
$
124
$
72
$
120
$
179
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
CABOT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED B
ALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
UNAUDITED
March 31, 2025
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
213
$
223
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful
accounts of $
5
and $
5
739
733
Inventories:
Raw materials
147
150
Finished goods
333
333
Other
61
69
Total inventories
541
552
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
110
97
Total current assets
1,603
1,605
Property, plant and equipment
4,155
4,082
Accumulated depreciation
(
2,552
)
(
2,548
)
Net property, plant and equipment
1,603
1,534
Goodwill
128
133
Equity affiliates
14
23
Intangible assets, net
55
53
Deferred income taxes
204
216
Other assets
177
172
Total assets
$
3,784
$
3,736
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5
CABOT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
UNAUDITED
March 31, 2025
September 30, 2024
(In millions, except share
and per share amounts)
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings
$
190
$
45
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
577
676
Income taxes payable
42
43
Current portion of long-term debt
9
8
Total current liabilities
818
772
Long-term debt
1,090
1,087
Deferred income taxes
39
42
Other liabilities
247
245
Contingencies
(Note F)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock:
Authorized:
2,000,000
shares of $
1
par value, Issued and Outstanding:
None
and
none
—
—
Common stock:
Authorized:
200,000,000
shares of $
1
par value, Issued:
53,832,031
and
54,430,316
shares, Outstanding:
53,700,563
and
54,297,251
shares
54
54
Less cost of
131,468
and
133,065
shares of common treasury stock
(
3
)
(
3
)
Additional paid-in capital
—
—
Retained earnings
1,803
1,734
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(
427
)
(
360
)
Total Cabot Corporation stockholders' equity
1,427
1,425
Noncontrolling interests
163
165
Total stockholders' equity
1,590
1,590
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
3,784
$
3,736
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
6
CABOT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEM
ENTS OF CASH FLOWS
UNAUDITED
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
(In millions)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)
$
209
$
158
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
75
78
Deferred tax provision (benefit)
8
9
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies
(
4
)
(
3
)
Share-based compensation
14
13
Other non-cash (income) expense
7
52
Cash dividends received from equity affiliates
12
1
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable
(
30
)
(
43
)
Inventories
(
8
)
38
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(
17
)
(
11
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(
76
)
(
20
)
Income taxes payable
—
(
6
)
Other liabilities
7
15
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
197
281
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(
149
)
(
97
)
Cash paid for asset acquisition
(
27
)
—
Other
2
2
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(
174
)
(
95
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance (repayments) of commercial paper, net
145
(
85
)
Proceeds from long-term debt
6
—
Repayments of long-term debt
(
4
)
(
9
)
Purchases of common stock
(
89
)
(
57
)
Proceeds from sales of common stock
2
13
Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
(
20
)
(
12
)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders
(
47
)
(
45
)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(
7
)
(
195
)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash
(
26
)
(
23
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(
10
)
(
32
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
223
238
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
213
$
206
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
7
CABOT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATE
D STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
UNAUDITED
(In millions, except shares in thousands and per share amounts)
Common Stock, Net of Treasury Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Retained
Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Total Cabot Corporation Stockholders’
Noncontrolling
Total Stockholders’
Shares
Cost
Capital
Earnings
Income (Loss)
Equity
Interests
Equity
Balance at September 30, 2024
54,297
$
51
$
—
$
1,734
$
(
360
)
$
1,425
$
165
$
1,590
Net income (loss)
93
93
11
104
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
(
97
)
(
97
)
(
7
)
(
104
)
Cash dividends paid:
Common stock, $
0.43
per share
(
24
)
(
24
)
(
24
)
Cash dividends declared to noncontrolling interests
—
(
20
)
(
20
)
Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans
308
—
2
2
2
Share-based compensation
8
8
8
Purchase and retirement of common stock
(
390
)
—
(
10
)
(
31
)
(
41
)
(
41
)
Balance at December 31, 2024
54,215
$
51
$
—
$
1,772
$
(
457
)
$
1,366
$
149
$
1,515
Net income (loss)
94
94
11
105
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
30
30
3
33
Cash dividends paid:
Common stock, $
0.43
per share
(
23
)
(
23
)
(
23
)
Cash dividends declared to noncontrolling interests
—
—
Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans
16
—
—
—
—
Share-based compensation
6
6
6
Purchase and retirement of common stock
(
530
)
—
(
6
)
(
40
)
(
46
)
(
46
)
Balance at March 31, 2025
53,701
$
51
$
—
$
1,803
$
(
427
)
$
1,427
$
163
$
1,590
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
8
CABOT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
UNAUDITED
(In millions, except shares in thousands and per share amounts)
Common Stock, Net of Treasury Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Retained
Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Total Cabot Corporation Stockholders’
Noncontrolling
Total Stockholders’
Shares
Cost
Capital
Earnings
Income (Loss)
Equity
Interests
Equity
Balance at September 30, 2023
55,244
$
52
$
—
$
1,574
$
(
362
)
$
1,264
$
143
$
1,407
Net income (loss)
50
50
11
61
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
57
57
4
61
Cash dividends paid:
Common stock, $
0.40
per share
(
22
)
(
22
)
(
22
)
Cash dividends declared to noncontrolling interests
—
(
12
)
(
12
)
Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans
441
—
7
7
7
Share-based compensation
6
6
6
Purchase and retirement of common stock
(
260
)
—
(
13
)
(
20
)
(
33
)
(
33
)
Balance at December 31, 2023
55,425
$
52
$
—
$
1,582
$
(
305
)
$
1,329
$
146
$
1,475
Net income (loss)
84
84
13
97
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
(
12
)
(
12
)
(
4
)
(
16
)
Cash dividends paid:
Common stock, $
0.40
per share
(
23
)
(
23
)
(
23
)
Cash dividends declared to noncontrolling interests
—
(
15
)
(
15
)
Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans
122
—
6
6
6
Share-based compensation
7
7
7
Purchase and retirement of common stock
(
289
)
—
(
13
)
(
11
)
(
24
)
(
24
)
Balance at March 31, 2024
55,258
$
52
$
—
$
1,632
$
(
317
)
$
1,367
$
140
$
1,507
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
9
CABOT CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2025
UNAUDITED
A. Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Cabot Corporation (“Cabot” or the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned and controlled U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries. Additionally, Cabot considers consolidation of entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all disclosures required by Form 10-K. Additional information may be obtained by referring to Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 (the “2024 10-K”).
The financial information submitted herewith is unaudited and reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to provide a fair statement of the results for the interim periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. All such adjustments are of a normal rec
urring nature. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year.
B. Significant Accounting Policies
Full detail on the Company’s significant accounting policies may be obtained by referring to Note A in the 2024 10-K.
Argentinian Government Actions
The Company’s wholly-owned Argentinian subsidiary operates in a highly inflationary economy and, as a result, the functional currency of the subsidiary is Cabot’s reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2025 the Company recorded foreign exchange losses of less than $
1
million and $
2
million, respectively, related to the revaluation of non-functional currency denominated monetary asset and liability balances. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded foreign exchange losses of less than $
1
million and $
40
million, respectively, related to the revaluation of non-functional currency denominated monetary asset and liability balances. Of the $
40
million of foreign exchange losses in the six months ended March 31, 2024, $
33
million related to a single devaluation action in December 2023 by the Argentine government. The Company invests cash in money market funds and recorded investment income of $
1
million for both the three and six months ended March 31, 2025 and $
4
million and $
16
million, respectively, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024. The foreign exchange losses and investment gains are recorded in Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company purchased $
30
million in BOPREAL bonds (standing for “Bond for the Reconstruction of a Free Argentina” in Spanish), which are U.S. dollar-denominated securities issued by the Central Bank of Argentina, as part of an Argentine government program to settle foreign payables for importers with debts for goods with customs registration and/or services, incurred on or prior to December 12, 2023. The Company subsequently sold the bonds for $
22
million and utilized the proceeds to partially repay its foreign payables in Argentina. The purchase and proceeds of BOPREAL bonds are included in the Changes in Prepaid expenses and other assets in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The $
8
million investment loss is included in Other non-cash (income) expense in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and in Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In accordance with Argentine government regulations, the Company purchased an additional $
8
million of U.S. dollars in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 at a foreign exchange loss of $
2
million and utilized the funds to complete the settlement of outstanding foreign payables incurred on or prior to December 12, 2023. Payables incurred after December 12, 2023 are not subject to payment through the BOPREAL bond program and the Company has settled these payables through regular operations. As such, there has been no BOPREAL bond activity in fiscal 2025.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2024, the FASB issued a new standard, Expense Disaggregation Disclosures. The new guidance requires quantitative and qualitative disclosure of certain cost and expense categories in the notes to the financial statements for interim and annual reporting periods. The new standard is effective for the Company's fiscal years and interim periods beginning October 1, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the timing of adoption and evaluating the impact of the potential adoption of this standard on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
10
In December 2023, the FASB issued a new standard, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The new guidance requires additional disclosures primarily related to the income tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The new standard is effective for the Company’s fiscal years and interim periods beginning October 1, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In
November 2023, the FASB issued a new standard, Improvement to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The new guidance requires enhanced disclosure of significant reportable segment expenses. The new standard is effective for the Company’s current fiscal year which began October 1, 2024, and for interim periods beginning October 1, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
C. Acquisitions
In
October 2024, the Company completed the purchase of certain assets and licensed related technology, which the Company expects to use to manufacture certain products for its Battery Materials product line. The Company paid $
27
million, which was allocated to the identifiable assets on a relative fair value basis, with $
19
million allocated to property, plant and equipment and $
8
million to intangible assets.
D. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each reportable segment and the changes in those balances during the six months ended March 31, 2025 are as follows:
Reinforcement
Materials
Performance
Chemicals
Total
(In millions)
Balance at September 30, 2024
$
48
$
85
$
133
Foreign currency impact
(
2
)
(
3
)
(
5
)
Balance at March 31, 2025
$
46
$
82
$
128
The following table provides information regarding the Company’s intangible assets:
March 31, 2025
September 30, 2024
Gross
Carrying
Value
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Intangible
Assets
Gross
Carrying
Value
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Intangible
Assets
(In millions)
Intangible assets with finite lives
Developed technologies
(1)
$
40
$
(
13
)
$
27
$
34
$
(
12
)
$
22
Trademarks
2
(
1
)
$
1
2
(
1
)
1
Customer relationships
58
(
31
)
$
27
60
(
30
)
30
Total intangible assets
$
100
$
(
45
)
$
55
$
96
$
(
43
)
$
53
(1)
Included within Developed technologies as of March 31, 2025 is
$
8
million of intangible assets acquired during the first quarter of fiscal 2025 as discussed in Note C above.
Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range betwee
n
ten
and
twenty-five years
, with a weighted average amortization period of approximately
sixteen
years
. Amortiza
tion expense was
$
2
million
for both the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
Amortization expense was $
3
million for both the six months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
Amortization expense is included in Cost of sales, Selling and administrative expenses and Research and technical expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Total amortization expense is estimated to be approximately
$
6
million each year for the next five fiscal years.
11
E. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”)
Comprehensive income combines net income (loss) and other comprehensive income items, which are reported as components of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Changes in each component of AOCI, net of tax, were as follows:
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
Pension and Other
Post-retirement
Benefit Liability
Adjustments
Total
(In millions)
Balance at September 30, 2024, attributable to Cabot Corporation
$
(
342
)
$
(
18
)
$
(
360
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
(
104
)
—
(
104
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
—
—
—
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to
noncontrolling interests
(
7
)
—
(
7
)
Balance at December 31, 2024, attributable to Cabot Corporation
$
(
439
)
$
(
18
)
$
(
457
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
34
1
35
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(
1
)
(
1
)
(
2
)
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to
noncontrolling interests
3
—
3
Balance at March 31, 2025, attributable to Cabot Corporation
$
(
409
)
$
(
18
)
$
(
427
)
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
Pension and Other
Post-retirement
Benefit Liability
Adjustments
Total
(In millions)
Balance at September 30, 2023, attributable to Cabot Corporation
$
(
353
)
$
(
9
)
$
(
362
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
62
—
62
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(
1
)
—
(
1
)
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to
noncontrolling interests
4
—
4
Balance at December 31, 2023, attributable to Cabot Corporation
$
(
296
)
$
(
9
)
$
(
305
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
(
15
)
—
(
15
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
—
(
1
)
(
1
)
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to
noncontrolling interests
(
4
)
—
(
4
)
Balance at March 31, 2024, attributable to Cabot Corporation
$
(
307
)
$
(
10
)
$
(
317
)
The amounts reclassified out of AOCI and into the Consolidated Statements of Operations in each of the three and six months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:
Affected Line Item in the Consolidated
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
Statements of Operations
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Derivatives: net investment hedges
(Gains) losses reclassified to interest
expense
Interest expense
$
(
2
)
$
(
2
)
$
(
3
)
$
(
3
)
(Gains) losses excluded from effectiveness testing and amortized to interest expense
Interest expense
—
1
1
1
Pension and other postretirement
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service cost (credit)
Other income (expense)
(
1
)
(
1
)
(
1
)
(
1
)
Total before tax
$
(
3
)
$
(
2
)
$
(
3
)
$
(
3
)
12
F. Contingencies
Respirator Liabilities
Cabot has exposure in connection with a safety respiratory products business that a subsidiary acquired from American Optical Corporation (“AO”) in an April 1990 asset purchase transaction. The subsidiary manufactured respirators under the AO brand and disposed of that business in July 1995. In connection with its acquisition of the business, the subsidiary agreed, in certain circumstances, to assume a portion of AO’s liabilities, including costs of legal fees together with amounts paid in settlements and judgments, allocable to AO respiratory products used prior to the 1990 purchase by the Cabot subsidiary. In exchange for the subsidiary’s assumption of certain of AO’s respirator liabilities, AO agreed to provide to the subsidiary the benefits of: (i) AO’s insurance coverage for the period prior to the 1990 acquisition and (ii) a former owner’s indemnity of AO holding it harmless from any liability allocable to AO respiratory products used prior to May 1982. As more fully described in the 2024 10-K, the respirator liabilities generally involve claims for personal injury, including asbestosis, silicosis and coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, allegedly resulting from the use of respirators that are alleged to have been negligently designed and/or labeled. At no time did this respiratory product line represent a significant portion of the respirator market. In addition to Cabot’s subsidiary, other parties are responsible for significant portions of the costs of these respirator liabilities (as defined in the 2024 10-K, the “Payor Group”).
Cabot has a reserve to cover its expected share of liabilities for pending and future respirator liability claims, which is included in Other liabilities and Accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company expects these liabilities to be incurred over a number of years.
The reserve balance was
$
34
million and $
35
million at March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024, respectively.
The Company’s current estimate of the cost of its share of pending and future respirator liability claims is based on facts and circumstances existing at this time, including the number and nature of the remaining claims. Developments that could affect the Company’s estimate include, but are not limited to, (i) significant changes in the number of future claims, (ii) changes in the rate of dismissals without payment of pending claims, (iii) significant changes in the average cost of resolving claims, including potential settlements of groups of claims, (iv) significant changes in the legal costs of defending these claims, (v) changes in the nature of claims received or changes in our assessment of the viability of these claims, (vi) trial and appellate outcomes, (vii) changes in the law and procedure applicable to these claims, (viii) the financial viability of the parties that contribute to the payment of respirator claims, (ix) exhaustion or changes in the recoverability of the insurance coverage maintained by certain members of the Payor Group, or a change in the availability of the indemnity provided by a former owner of AO, (x) changes in the allocation of costs among the various parties paying legal and settlement costs, and (xi) a determination that the assumptions that were used to estimate Cabot’s share of liability are no longer reasonable. The Company cannot determine the impact of these potential developments on its current estimate of its share of liability for existing and future claims. Because reserves are limited to amounts that are probable and estimable as of a relevant measurement date, and there is inherent difficulty in projecting the impact of potential developments on Cabot’s share of liability for these existing and future claims, it is reasonably possible that the liabilities for existing and future claims could change in the near term and that change could be material.
Other Matters
The Company has various other lawsuits, claims and contingent liabilities arising in the ordinary course of its business and with respect to its divested businesses. The Company does not believe that any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial position; however, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Cabot could incur judgments, enter into settlements or revise its expectations regarding the outcome of certain matters, and such developments could have a material impact on its results of operations in the period in which the amounts are accrued or its cash flows in the period in which the amounts are paid.
G. Income Tax
Effective Tax Rate
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(Dollars in millions)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes
$
(
49
)
$
(
47
)
$
(
90
)
$
(
81
)
Effective tax rate
32
%
33
%
30
%
34
%
For the three and six months ended March 31, 2025, the provision for income taxes included a net discrete tax expense of $
7
million and $
9
million, respectively. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2024, the provision for income taxes included a net discrete tax expense of $
8
million and $
15
million, respectively.
Income tax in Interim Periods
13
The Company records its tax provision or benefit on an interim basis using an estimated annual effective tax rate. This rate is applied to the current period ordinary income or loss to determine the income tax provision or benefit allocated to the interim period. The income tax effects of unusual or infrequent items are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate and are recognized in the impacted interim period. Losses from jurisdictions for which no benefit can be recognized are excluded from the overall computations of the estimated annual effective tax rate and a separate estimated annual effective tax rate is computed and applied to ordinary income or loss in the loss jurisdiction.
Valuation allowances are provided against the future tax benefits that arise from the deferred tax assets in jurisdictions for which the Company expects that no benefit can be recognized. The estimated annual effective tax rate may be significantly impacted by non-deductible expenses and the Company’s projected earnings mix by tax jurisdiction. Adjustments to the estimated annual effective income tax rate are recognized in the period when such estimates are revised.
Uncertainties
Cabot and certain subsidiaries are under audit in a number of jurisdictions. In addition, certain statutes of limitations are scheduled to expire in the near future. It is reasonably possible that a change in the unrecognized tax benefits may also occur within the next twelve months related to the settlement of one or more of these audits or the lapse of applicable statutes of limitations. However, an estimated range of the impact on the unrecognized tax benefits cannot be quantified at this time.
Cabot files U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. The
2021
through 2023 tax years generally remain subject to examination by the IRS and various tax years from
2021
through 2023 remain subject to examination by the respective state tax authorities. In foreign jurisdictions, various tax years from
2006
through 2024 remain subject to examination by their respective tax authorities.
During the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2025, Cabot released uncertain tax positions of
nil
and $
2
million, respectively, due to the expiration of statutes of limitations in various jurisdictions. During the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2024, Cabot released uncertain tax positions of
nil
and $
1
million, respectively, due to the expiration of statutes of limitations in various jurisdictions.
14
H. Earnings Per Share
The following tables summarize the components of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) computations:
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Basic EPS:
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot
Corporation
$
94
$
84
$
187
$
134
Less: Dividends and dividend equivalents
to participating securities
1
—
1
—
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to
participating securities
(1)
1
1
2
2
Earnings (loss) allocated to common
stockholders (numerator)
$
92
$
83
$
184
$
132
Weighted average common shares and
participating securities outstanding
54.8
56.2
55.0
56.2
Less: Participating securities
(1)
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.9
Adjusted weighted average common
shares (denominator)
54.0
55.4
54.2
55.3
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic:
$
1.71
$
1.50
$
3.40
$
2.39
Diluted EPS:
Earnings (loss) allocated to common
stockholders
$
92
$
83
$
184
$
132
Plus: Earnings allocated to
participating securities
2
1
3
2
Less: Adjusted earnings allocated to
participating securities
(2)
2
1
3
2
Earnings (loss) allocated to common
stockholders (numerator)
$
92
$
83
$
184
$
132
Adjusted weighted average common
shares outstanding
54.0
55.4
54.2
55.3
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common shares issuable
(3)
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.5
Adjusted weighted average common
shares (denominator)
54.4
55.8
54.7
55.8
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted:
$
1.69
$
1.49
$
3.36
$
2.37
(1)
Participating securities consist of shares underlying unvested time-based restricted stock units (the "TSUs"), earned and unvested performance-based restricted stock units (the "PSUs", and referred to in this note collectively with the TSUs as the "RSUs"), stock units accounted for under the Supplemental 401(k) Plan portion of the Company’s Deferred Compensation and Supplemental Retirement Plan, and stock units and phantom stock units accounted for under the Company’s Non-Employee Directors’ Deferral Plan. The holders of RSUs are entitled to receive dividend equivalents, payable in cash, to the extent dividends are paid on the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and equal in value to the dividends that would have been paid in respect of the Common Stock underlying the RSU. The accounts of holders of stock units and phantom stock units are credited with dividend equivalents, which are payable, in stock or cash, as the case may be, with the distribution of account balances.
15
Undistributed earnings are the earnings which remain after dividends declared during the period are assumed to be distributed to the common and participating stockholders. Undistributed earnings are allocated to common and participating stockholders on the same basis as dividend distributions. The calculation of undistributed earnings is as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Calculation of undistributed earnings (loss):
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation
$
94
$
84
$
187
$
134
Less: Dividends declared on common stock
22
23
46
45
Less: Dividends declared on participating
securities
1
—
1
—
Undistributed earnings (loss)
$
71
$
61
$
140
$
89
Allocation of undistributed earnings (loss):
Undistributed earnings (loss) allocated to
common stockholders
$
70
$
60
$
138
$
87
Undistributed earnings allocated to
participating stockholders
1
1
2
2
Undistributed earnings (loss)
$
71
$
61
$
140
$
89
(2)
Undistributed earnings are adjusted for the assumed distribution of dividends to the dilutive securities, which are described in (3) below, and then reallocated to participating securities.
(3)
Represents incremental shares of common stock from the assumed exercise of stock options issued under Cabot’s equity incentive plans. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2025,
174,689
and
86,010
incremental shares of common stock, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2024,
281,488
and
244,448
incremental shares of common stock, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive.
I. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
The FASB authoritative guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements. The required disclosures focus on the inputs used to measure fair value. The guidance establishes the following hierarchy for categorizing these inputs:
Level 1
—
Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2
—
Significant other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices for similar items in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar items in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable such as interest rate and yield curves, and market-corroborated inputs)
Level 3
—
Significant unobservable inputs
There were
no
transfers of financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value between Level 1 and Level 2 and there were
no
Level 3 investments during the first six months of either fiscal 2025 or 2024.
At March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and short-term borrowings and variable rate debt approximated their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Cash and cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.
At March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024, Cabot had derivatives relating to foreign currency risks, including a net investment hedge and forward foreign currency contracts, carried at fair value. At March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024, the fair value of the net investment hedge was an
asset of $
7
million and $
1
million, respectively, and was included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance sheets. At both March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024, the fair value of the forward currency contracts was a net asset of less than $
1
million and was included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Accounts payable and accrued liabilities on
the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These derivatives are classified as Level 2 instruments within the fair value hierarchy as the fair value determination was based on observable inputs.
At both March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024, the fair value of guaranteed investment contracts included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets was
$
8
million
. Guaranteed investment contracts were classified as Level 2 instruments within the fair value hierarchy as the fair value determination was based on observable inputs.
16
The carrying value and fair value of the long-term fixed rate debt were
$
1.08
billion and $
1.07
billion, res
pectively, as of March 31, 2025, and $
1.08
billion and $
1.08
billion, respectively, as of September 30, 2024. The fair values of Cabot’s fixed rate long-term debt are estimated based on comparable quoted market prices at the respective period ends. The carrying amounts of Cabot’s floating rate long-term debt and finance and operating lease obligations approximate their fair values. All such measurements are based on observable inputs and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The valuation technique used is the discounted cash flow model.
J. Supplier Financing Programs
The Company maintains supply chain finance agreements with third-party financial institutions. These agreements allow the Company’s participating suppliers to sell their receivables to such third-party financial institutions to receive payment earlier than the negotiated commercial terms between the supplier and the Company. Such sales are at the sole discretion of the supplier, and on terms and conditions that are negotiated between the supplier and the respective financial institution. The terms and conditions of the supplier invoice, including payment terms and amounts due, are not impacted by a supplier’s participation in the program. Pursuant to the supply chain finance agreements, the Company has agreed to pay financial institutions on the original due date of the applicable invoice. There are no guarantees associated with these programs. The Company's outstanding payment obligations to financial institutions related to supplier financing programs were $
13
million and $
16
million as of March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024, respectively, and are included within
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
K. Financial Information by Segment
The Company identifies a product line as an operating segment if: i) it engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses; ii) its operating results are regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), who is Cabot’s
President and Chief Executive Officer
, to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance; and iii) it has available discrete financial information. The CODM reviews financial information at the operating segment level to allocate resources and to assess the operating results and financial performance for each operating segment. Operating segments are aggregated into a reportable segment if the operating segments are determined to have similar economic characteristics and if the operating segments are similar in the following areas: i) nature of products and services; ii) nature of production processes; iii) type or class of customer for their products and services; iv) methods used to distribute the products or provide services; and v) if applicable, the nature of the regulatory environment.
The Company has
two
reportable segments: Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals. The Reinforcement Materials segment combines the reinforcing carbons and engineered elastomer composites product lines. The Performance Chemicals segment aggregates the specialty carbons, specialty compounds, fumed metal oxides, battery materials, inkjet colorants and aerogel product lines.
Income (loss) before income taxes (“Segment EBIT”) is presented for each reportable segment in the table below. Segment EBIT excludes Interest expense, General unallocated income (expense), Unallocated corporate costs and Certain items, meaning items management does not consider representative of on-going operating segment results. In addition, Segment EBIT includes Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax, Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, and discounting charges for certain Notes receivable.
17
Financial information by reportable segment is as follows:
Reinforcement
Materials
Performance
Chemicals
Segment
Total
Unallocated
and Other
(1)
Consolidated
Total
(In millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Revenues from external customers
(2)
$
594
$
311
$
905
$
31
$
936
Income (loss) before income taxes
(3)
$
131
$
50
$
181
$
(
30
)
$
151
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Revenues from external customers
(2)
$
676
$
311
$
987
$
32
$
1,019
Income (loss) before income taxes
(3)
$
149
$
31
$
180
$
(
38
)
$
142
Six Months Ended March 31, 2025
Revenues from external customers
(2)
$
1,205
$
622
$
1,827
$
64
$
1,891
Income (loss) before income taxes
(3)
$
261
$
95
$
356
$
(
61
)
$
295
Six Months Ended March 31, 2024
Revenues from external customers
(2)
$
1,317
$
596
$
1,913
$
64
$
1,977
Income (loss) before income taxes
(3)
$
278
$
65
$
343
$
(
107
)
$
236
(1)
Unallocated and Other includes certain items and eliminations necessary to reflect management’s reporting of operating segment results. These items are reflective of the segment reporting presented to the CODM.
(2)
Consolidated Total Revenues from external customers reconciles to Net sales and other operating revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Revenues from external customers that are categorized as Unallocated and Other reflect external shipping and handling fees, the impact of unearned revenue, and discounting charges for certain Notes receivable. Details are provided in the table below:
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Shipping and handling fees
$
29
$
32
$
57
$
62
Other
2
-
7
2
Total
$
31
$
32
$
64
$
64
(3)
Consolidated Total Income (loss) before income taxes reconciles to Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Income (loss) before income taxes that are categorized as Unallocated and Other includes:
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Interest expense
$
(
19
)
$
(
21
)
$
(
37
)
$
(
43
)
Certain items
(a)
Legal and environmental matters and reserves
(
1
)
(
1
)
(
6
)
(
1
)
Global restructuring activities
(
3
)
(
3
)
(
3
)
(
12
)
Argentina controlled currency devaluation and other losses (Note B)
—
(
8
)
—
(
41
)
Other certain items
—
—
(
1
)
—
Total certain items
(
4
)
(
12
)
(
10
)
(
54
)
Unallocated corporate costs
(b)
(
13
)
(
18
)
(
26
)
(
35
)
General unallocated income (expense)
(c)
9
15
16
28
Less: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net
of tax
(d)
3
2
4
3
Total
$
(
30
)
$
(
38
)
$
(
61
)
$
(
107
)
18
(a)
Certain items are items of expense and income that management does not consider representative of the Company’s fundamental on-going segment results and they are, therefore, excluded from Segment EBIT.
(b)
Unallocated corporate costs are costs that are not controlled by the segments and primarily benefit corporate interests.
(c)
General unallocated income (expense) consists of gains (losses) arising from foreign currency transactions, net of other foreign currency risk management activities, Interest and dividend income, the profit or loss related to the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue and unrealized holding gains (losses) for investments. This does not include items of income or expense that are separately treated as Certain items.
(d)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax, is included in Segment EBIT and is removed in Unallocated and other to reconcile to Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in earnings from affiliated companies.
The Company’s segments operate globally. In addition to presenting Revenue from external customers by reportable segment, the following tables further disaggregate Revenues from external customers by geographic region.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Reinforcement
Materials
Performance
Chemicals
Consolidated Total
(In millions)
Americas
$
240
$
95
$
335
Asia Pacific
213
124
337
Europe, Middle East and Africa
141
92
233
Segment revenues from external customers
594
311
905
Unallocated and other
31
Net sales and other operating revenues
$
936
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Reinforcement
Materials
Performance
Chemicals
Consolidated Total
(In millions)
Americas
$
274
$
93
$
367
Asia Pacific
255
120
375
Europe, Middle East and Africa
147
98
245
Segment revenues from external customers
676
311
987
Unallocated and other
32
Net sales and other operating revenues
$
1,019
Six Months Ended March 31, 2025
Reinforcement
Materials
Performance
Chemicals
Consolidated Total
(In millions)
Americas
$
484
$
185
$
669
Asia Pacific
460
268
728
Europe, Middle East and Africa
261
169
430
Segment revenues from external customers
1,205
622
1,827
Unallocated and other
64
Net sales and other operating revenues
$
1,891
19
Six Months Ended March 31, 2024
Reinforcement
Materials
Performance
Chemicals
Consolidated Total
(In millions)
Americas
$
528
$
181
$
709
Asia Pacific
515
240
755
Europe, Middle East and Africa
274
175
449
Segment revenues from external customers
1,317
596
1,913
Unallocated and other
64
Net sales and other operating revenues
$
1,977
20
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to the discussion under the heading “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Note B of our Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Results of Operations
The Company has two reportable segments: Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals. Cabot is also organized for operational purposes into three geographic regions: the Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”); and Asia Pacific. The discussion of our results of operations for the periods presented reflects these structures.
Our analysis of our financial condition and operating results should be read with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
Definition of Terms and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
When discussing our results of operations, we use several terms as described below.
The term “product mix” refers to the mix of types and grades of products sold or the mix of geographic regions where products are sold, and the positive or negative impact this has on the revenue or profitability of the business and/or segment.
Our discussion under the heading “(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes and Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate to Operating Tax Rate” includes a discussion and reconciliation of our “effective tax rate” and our “operating tax rate” for the periods presented, as well as management’s projection of our operating tax rate range for the full fiscal year. Our operating tax rate is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to our effective tax rate, the most comparable GAAP financial measure. The operating tax rate is calculated based upon management's forecast of the annual operating tax rate for the fiscal year applied to adjusted pre-tax earnings. The operating tax rate excludes income tax (expense) benefit on certain items, discrete tax items, and, on a quarterly basis, the timing of losses in certain jurisdictions. The income tax (expense) benefit on certain items is determined using the applicable rates in the taxing jurisdictions in which the certain items occurred and includes both current and deferred income tax (expense) benefit based on the nature of the certain items. Discrete tax items include, but are not limited to, changes in valuation allowance, uncertain tax positions, and other tax items, such as the tax impact of legislative changes and tax accruals on historic earnings due to changes in indefinite reinvestment assertions. Our definition of the operating tax rate may not be comparable to the definition used by other companies. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful supplemental information because it helps our investors compare our tax rate year to year on a consistent basis and to understand what our tax rate on current operations would be without the impact of these items.
Our discussion under the heading “Second Quarter of Fiscal 2025 versus Second Quarter of Fiscal 2024—By Business Segment” includes a discussion of Total segment EBIT, which is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in earnings from affiliated companies less certain items and other unallocated items. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker, who is our President and Chief Executive Officer, uses segment EBIT to evaluate the operating results of each segment and to allocate resources to the segments. We believe Total segment EBIT, which reflects the sum of EBIT from our reportable segments, provides useful supplemental information for our investors as it is an important indicator of our operational strength and performance, allows investors to see our results through the eyes of management, and provides context for our discussion of individual business segment performance. Total segment EBIT should not be considered an alternative for Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies, which is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of Total segment EBIT to Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies is provided under the heading “Second quarter of Fiscal 2025 versus Second quarter of Fiscal 2024—By Business Segment”. Investors should consider the limitations associated with this non-GAAP measure, including the potential lack of comparability of this measure from one company to another.
In calculating Total segment EBIT, we exclude from our Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies (i) items of expense and income that management does not consider representative of our fundamental on-going segment results, which we refer to as “certain items”, and (ii) items that, because they are not controlled by the business segments and primarily benefit corporate objectives, are not allocated to our business segments, such as interest expense and other corporate costs, which include unallocated corporate overhead expenses such as certain corporate salaries and headquarter expenses, plus costs related to special projects and initiatives, which we refer to as “other unallocated items”. Management believes excluding the items identified as certain items facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period by eliminating differences that would not otherwise be apparent on a GAAP basis and also facilitates an evaluation of our operating performance without the impact of these costs or benefits. The items of income and expense that we have excluded from
21
Total segment EBIT, as applicable, but that are included in our GAAP Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies, as applicable, are described below.
•
Argentina controlled currency devaluation loss related to the foreign exchange loss from government-controlled currency devaluations on our net monetary assets denominated in the Argentine peso and investment losses related to the utilization of government bond programs established for the settlement of certain foreign payables.
•
Global restructuring activities, which include costs or benefits associated with cost reduction initiatives or plant closures and are primarily related to (i) employee termination costs, (ii) asset impairment charges associated with restructuring actions, (iii) costs to close facilities, including environmental costs and contract termination penalties, and (iv) gains realized on the sale of land or equipment associated with restructured plants or locations.
•
Legal and environmental matters and reserves, which consist of costs or benefits for matters typically related to former businesses or that are otherwise incurred outside of the ordinary course of business.
•
Acquisition and integration-related charges, which include transaction costs, redundant costs incurred during the period of integration, and costs associated with transitioning certain management and business processes to Cabot’s processes.
•
Asset impairment charges, which primarily include charges associated with an impairment of goodwill, other long-lived assets or assets held for sale.
•
Gains (losses) on sale of a business.
•
Employee benefit plan settlements, which consist of either charges or benefits associated with the termination of a pension plan or the transfer of a pension plan to a multi-employer plan.
Overview
During the second quarter of fiscal 2025, Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies increased as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase was primarily due to lower Argentina controlled currency devaluation and other losses and higher Segment EBIT in Performance Chemicals.
Second quarter of Fiscal 2025 versus Second quarter of Fiscal 2024—Consolidated
Net Sales and Other Operating Revenues and Gross Profit
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Net sales and other operating revenues
$
936
$
1,019
$
1,891
$
1,977
Gross profit
$
241
$
246
$
476
$
464
For the three and six months ended March 31, 2025, Net sales and other operating revenue decreased by $83 million and $86 million, respectively, compared to the same periods of fiscal 2024.
The decrease in Net sales and other operating revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was driven by lower volumes in Reinforcement Materials ($48 million), less favorable pricing and product mix in both Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals ($24 million combined), and the unfavorable impact from foreign currency translations in both Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals ($28 million combined), all of which were partially offset by higher volumes in Performance Chemicals ($16 million). The lower volumes in Reinforcement Materials were primarily due to lower tire demand. The less favorable pricing and product mix in both Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals was driven by lower raw material costs which, in certain instances, are passed through to our customers through formulas and other market-based adjustments. The higher volumes in Performance Chemicals were primarily in our Fumed Metal Oxides product line as volumes related to construction and semiconductor applications reconnected to underlying demand drivers in key end markets.
The decrease in Net sales and other operating revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2025 compared to the first six months of fiscal 2024 was driven by less favorable pricing and product mix in both Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals ($64 million combined), lower volumes in Reinforcement Materials ($44 million), the unfavorable impact from foreign currency translations in both Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals ($27 million combined), partially offset by higher volumes in Performance Chemicals ($50 million). The less favorable pricing and product mix was driven by lower raw material costs which, in certain instances, are passed through to our customers through formulas and other market-based adjustments. The lower volumes in Reinforcement Materials were primarily due to lower tire demand. The higher volumes in Performance Chemicals were across all product lines as volumes have reconnected to underlying demand drivers in key end markets.
For the three and six months ended March 31, 2025, gross profit decreased by $5 million and increased by $12 million, respectively, compared to the same periods of fiscal 2024.
22
The decrease in Gross profit in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was driven primarily by lower volumes in Reinforcement Materials ($20 million) which were partially offset by higher volumes in Performance Chemicals ($9 million) and higher gross profit per ton in Performance Chemicals ($9 million). The lower volumes in Reinforcement Materials were primarily due to lower tire demand. The higher volumes in Performance Chemicals were primarily in our Fumed Metal Oxides product line as volumes related to construction and semiconductor applications reconnected to underlying demand drivers in key end markets. The higher gross profit per ton in our Performance Chemicals segment was primarily from targeted price increases, cost savings and optimization measures across the segment.
The increase in Gross profit in the first six months of fiscal 2025 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily driven by higher volumes in Performance Chemicals ($29 million) which were partially offset by lower volumes in Reinforcement Materials ($18 million). The higher volumes in Performance Chemicals were driven by higher volumes across all product lines as volumes have reconnected to underlying demand drivers in key end markets. The lower volumes in Reinforcement Materials were primarily due to lower tire demand.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Selling and administrative expenses
$
64
$
75
$
130
$
142
Selling and administrative expenses decreased by $11 million and $12 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods of fiscal 2024 primarily from overall cost management efforts and expenses related to our board of directors.
Research and Technical Expenses
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Research and technical expenses
$
15
$
15
$
29
$
30
Research and technical expenses remained flat in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 and decreased by $1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods of fiscal 2024.
Interest and Dividend Income, Interest Expense and Other Income (Expense)
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Interest and dividend income
$
7
$
8
$
13
$
17
Interest expense
$
(19
)
$
(21
)
$
(37
)
$
(43
)
Other income (expense)
$
1
$
(1
)
$
2
$
(30
)
Interest and dividend income decreased by $1 million and $4 million in the three and six months ended March 31, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods of fiscal 2024, primarily due to lower average interest rates, partially offset by higher average cash balances.
Interest expense decreased by $2 million and $6 million in the three and six months ended March 31, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods of fiscal 2024, due to lower average interest rates on short term borrowings.
Other income (expense) increased by $2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to the same period of fiscal 2024, primarily due to lower foreign exchange losses primarily in Argentina. Other income (expense) increased by $32 million for the six months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2024, primarily due to lower foreign exchange losses primarily in Argentina.
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes and Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate to Operating Tax Rate
23
Three Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
(Provision) / Benefit for Income Taxes
Rate
(Provision) / Benefit for Income Taxes
Rate
Dollars in millions
Effective tax rate
$
(49
)
32
%
$
(47
)
33
%
Less: Non-GAAP tax adjustments
(1)
(7
)
(4
)
Operating tax rate
$
(42
)
27
%
$
(43
)
28
%
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
(Provision) / Benefit for Income Taxes
Rate
(Provision) / Benefit for Income Taxes
Rate
Dollars in millions
Effective tax rate
$
(90
)
30
%
$
(81
)
34
%
Less: Non-GAAP tax adjustments
(1)
(6
)
-
Operating tax rate
$
(84
)
28
%
$
(81
)
28
%
(1)
Non-GAAP tax adjustments made to arrive at the operating tax provision include the income tax (expense) benefit on certain items, discrete tax items, and, on a quarterly basis, the timing of losses in certain jurisdictions, as further described above under the heading “Definition of Terms and Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the (Provision) benefit for income taxes was a provision of $49 million compared to a provision of $47 million for the same period in fiscal 2024, with the change primarily due to higher earnings in the current period. Our income taxes are affected by the mix of earnings in the tax jurisdictions in which we operate, and by the presence of valuation allowances in certain tax jurisdictions.
For the six months ended March 31, 2025, the (Provision) benefit for income taxes was a provision of $90 million compared to a $81 million provision for the same period in fiscal 2024, primarily due to higher earnings in the current period.
For fiscal 2025, we expect the Operating tax rate to be in the range of 27% to 29%. We are not providing a forward-looking reconciliation of the operating tax rate range with an effective tax rate range because, without unreasonable effort, we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty the matters we would allocate to “certain items,” including unusual gains and losses, costs associated with future restructurings, acquisition-related expenses and litigation outcomes. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on the effective tax rate in future periods.
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies,
net of tax
$
3
$
2
$
4
$
3
Net income (loss) attributable to
noncontrolling interests, net of tax
$
11
$
13
$
22
$
24
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax, increased by $1 million in each of the three and six months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the same period of fiscal 2024 primarily due to higher profitability of our equity affiliate in Venezuela.
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, decreased by $2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to the same period of fiscal 2024 primarily due to lower earnings of our joint ventures in China and the Czech Republic. Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, decreased by $2 million in the first six months of fiscal 2025 compared to the same period of fiscal 2024 primarily due to lower earnings of our joint venture in the Czech Republic.
24
Net Income Attributable to Cabot Corporation
In the second quarter of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, we reported Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation of $94 million ($1.69 per diluted common share) and $84 million ($1.49 per dilution common share), respectively. The higher Net income in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared with the same period in fiscal 2024 was primarily due to higher Segment EBIT in Performance Chemicals ($19 million) and lower Argentina controlled currency devaluation and other losses ($8 million), partially offset with lower Segment EBIT in Reinforcement Materials ($18 million).
In the first six months of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, we reported Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation of $187 million ($3.36 per diluted common share) and $134 million ($2.37 per dilution common share), respectively. The higher Net income in the first six months of fiscal 2025 compared with the same period in fiscal 2024 was primarily due to lower Argentina controlled currency devaluation and other losses ($41 million) and higher Segment EBIT ($13 million).
Second quarter of Fiscal 2025 versus Second quarter of Fiscal 2024—By Business Segment
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies, Certain items, Other unallocated items and Total segment EBIT for the three and six months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 are included in the following table, and details of each item is set forth in the sections below.
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Income (loss) before income taxes and
equity in earnings of affiliated companies
$
151
$
142
$
295
$
236
Less: Certain items
(4
)
(12
)
(10
)
(54
)
Less: Other unallocated items
(26
)
(26
)
(51
)
(53
)
Total segment EBIT
$
181
$
180
$
356
$
343
Certain Items
Details of the certain items for the three and six months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Legal and environmental matters and reserve
$
(1
)
$
(1
)
$
(6
)
$
(1
)
Global restructuring activities
(3
)
(3
)
(3
)
(12
)
Argentina controlled currency devaluation and other losses (Note B)
—
(8
)
—
(41
)
Other certain items
—
—
(1
)
—
Total certain items
$
(4
)
$
(12
)
$
(10
)
$
(54
)
Other Unallocated Items
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Interest expense
$
(19
)
$
(21
)
$
(37
)
$
(43
)
Unallocated corporate costs
(13
)
(18
)
(26
)
(35
)
General unallocated income (expense)
9
15
16
28
Less: Equity in earnings of affiliated
companies, net of tax
3
2
4
3
Total other unallocated items
$
(26
)
$
(26
)
$
(51
)
$
(53
)
Total other unallocated items remained flat and decreased by $2 million for each of the three and six months ended March 31, 2025, respectively, when compared to the same periods in fiscal 2024.
25
A discussion of items that we refer to as “other unallocated items” can be found under the heading “Definition of Terms and Non-GAAP Financial Measures”. The balances of unallocated corporate costs are primarily comprised of expenditures related to managing a public company that are not allocated to the segments and corporate business development costs related to ongoing corporate projects. The balances of General unallocated income (expense) consist of gains (losses) arising from foreign currency transactions, net of other foreign currency risk management activities, interest and dividend income, the profit or loss related to the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue and unrealized holding gains (losses) for investments. This does not include items of income or expense from the items that are separately treated as Certain items.
Reinforcement Materials
Sales and EBIT for Reinforcement Materials for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Reinforcement Materials Sales
$
594
$
676
$
1,205
$
1,317
Reinforcement Materials EBIT
$
131
$
149
$
261
$
278
Sales in Reinforcement Materials decreased by $82 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to the same period of fiscal 2024 primarily due to lower volumes ($48 million), the less favorable impact of foreign currency translation ($22 million) and less favorable pricing and product mix ($12 million). The lower volumes were primarily due to lower tire demand and contract outcomes in South America. The less favorable pricing and product mix was primarily due to lower raw materials costs that are generally passed through to our customers.
In the first six months of fiscal 2025, sales in Reinforcement Materials decreased by $112 million as compared to the first six months of fiscal 2024 primarily due to lower volumes ($44 million), less favorable pricing and product mix ($39 million) and the less favorable impact from foreign currency translation ($24 million). The lower volumes were primarily due to lower tire demand. The less favorable pricing and product mix was primarily due to lower raw materials costs that are generally passed through to our customers.
EBIT in Reinforcement Materials in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 decreased by $18 million compared to the same period of fiscal 2024. The decrease in EBIT was primarily driven by lower volumes from lower tire demand and contract outcomes in South America ($20 million).
In the first six months of fiscal 2025, EBIT in Reinforcement Materials decreased by $17 million compared to the same period of fiscal 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by lower volumes from lower tire demand ($18 million).
As we look to the third quarter of the fiscal year, we expect the Reinforcement Materials segment EBIT to decline modestly from the second quarter of fiscal 2025 as we anticipate lower volumes in reaction to the uncertain macroeconomic backdrop.
Performance Chemicals
Sales and EBIT for Performance Chemicals for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31
Six Months Ended March 31
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions)
Performance Chemicals Sales
$
311
$
311
$
622
$
596
Performance Chemicals EBIT
$
50
$
31
$
95
$
65
Sales in Performance Chemicals remained flat in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2024 as higher volumes ($16 million) were offset by less favorable pricing and product mix ($12 million) and the unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation ($6 million). The higher volumes were primarily in our Fumed Metal Oxides product line as volumes related to construction and semiconductor applications reconnected to underlying demand drivers. The less favorable pricing and product mix was primarily from lower raw material costs which, in certain instances, are passed through to our customers through formulas and other market-based adjustments.
In the first six months of fiscal 2025, sales in Performance Chemicals increased by $26 million as compared to the first six months of fiscal 2024 primarily due to higher volumes ($50 million), partially offset by less favorable pricing and product mix ($25 million). The higher volumes were primarily due to higher demand in all product lines as volumes have reconnected to underlying demand drivers in key end markets. The less favorable pricing and product mix was primarily due to lower raw material costs which, in certain instances, are passed through to our customers through formulas and other market-based adjustments.
EBIT in Performance Chemicals increased by $19 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2024 primarily due to higher gross profit per ton ($9 million), and higher volumes ($9 million). The higher gross profit per
26
ton was primarily from targeted price increases, cost savings and optimization measures across the segment. The higher volumes were primarily in our Fumed Metal Oxides product line as volumes related to construction and semiconductor applications reconnected to underlying demand drivers.
In the first six months of fiscal 2025, EBIT in Performance Chemicals increased by $30 million as compared to the same period of fiscal 2024. The increase was driven primarily by higher volumes ($29 million). The higher volumes were driven by higher demand in all product lines as volumes have reconnected to underlying demand drivers in key end markets.
As we look to the third quarter of the fiscal year, we expect the Performance Chemicals segment EBIT to be flat sequentially to the second quarter of fiscal 2025 as expected seasonal volume increases are expected to be offset by customer destocking in China.
Tariffs
Given the dynamic nature of the tariff announcements, related delays and ongoing negotiations between countries, we are assessing the potential impact. In most cases, Cabot manufactures products in the countries or regions in which they are sold which reduces our direct exposure to tariffs. There are small amounts of cross-border sales, where we are directly exposed to tariff increases, but we expect in those cases to be able to pass on changes in pricing through contractual formulas and increases in spot pricing that will limit the impact. The varying levels of implemented, proposed and paused tariffs around the world are causing some of our customers to be cautious in the short-term as they reduce inventory levels until the tariff guidelines are clear.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our liquidity position, as measured by cash and cash equivalents plus borrowing availability, decreased by $168 million during the first six months of fiscal 2025, which was largely due to a higher outstanding commercial paper balance at the end of the period. As of March 31, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of $213 million and borrowing availability under our revolving credit agreements of $1.0 billion. We have access to borrowings under the following two credit agreements:
•
$1 billion unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “U.S. Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, which matures in August 2027. The U.S. Credit Agreement supports our issuance of commercial paper, and borrowings under it may be used for working capital, letters of credit and other general corporate purposes.
•
€300 million unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Euro Credit Agreement”, and together with the U.S. Credit Agreement, the “Credit Agreements”), with PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, which matures in August 2027. Borrowings under the Euro Credit Agreement may be used for the repatriation of earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to the United States, the repayment of indebtedness of our foreign subsidiaries owing to us or any of our subsidiaries and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
As of March 31, 2025, we were in compliance with the debt covenants under the Credit Agreements, which, with limited exceptions, require us to comply on a quarterly basis with a leverage test requiring the ratio of consolidated net debt to consolidated EBITDA not to exceed 3.50 to 1.00. Consolidated net debt is defined as consolidated debt offset by the lesser of (i) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and (ii) $150 million.
A significant portion of our business occurs outside the U.S. and our cash generation does not always align geographically with our cash needs. The vast majority of our cash and cash equivalent holdings tend to be held outside the U.S. We generally use a combination of U.S. earnings, repatriation of certain foreign earnings, commercial paper issuances and borrowings under our U.S. Credit Agreement to meet our U.S. cash needs. With the exception of Argentina, which has some currency controls that prevent the distribution of cash, we are generally able to move cash throughout the Company through our cash pooling structures, intercompany accounts and/or distributions, as needed. Although we repatriate certain foreign earnings, cash held by foreign subsidiaries is generally considered permanently reinvested and is used to finance the subsidiaries’ operational activities and future investments. We usually reduce our commercial paper balance and, if applicable, borrowings under our Credit Agreements, at quarter-end using cash derived from customer collections, including the utilization of customer supply chain financing programs, settlement of intercompany balances and short-term intercompany loans. If additional funds are needed in the U.S., we expect to be able to repatriate cash, including cash from China, while paying any withholding or other taxes. Changes in regulations and tax laws in the U.S. or foreign countries could restrict our ability to transfer funds or impose material costs on such transfers.
As of each of March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024, we had $114 million and $113 million, respectively, of borrowings under the Euro Credit Agreement and no outstanding borrowings under the U.S. Credit Agreement at either date. There was $190 million and $45 million of commercial paper outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024, respectively.
27
We anticipate sufficient liquidity from (i) cash on hand; (ii) cash flows from operating activities; and (iii) cash available from the Credit Agreements and our commercial paper program to meet our operational and capital investment needs and financial obligations for both the next twelve months and the foreseeable future. The liquidity we derive from cash flows from operations is, to a large degree, predicated on our ability to collect our receivables in a timely manner, the cost of our raw materials, and our ability to manage inventory levels.
The following discussion of the changes in our cash balance refers to the various sections of our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities, which consists of net income adjusted for the various non-cash items included in income, changes in working capital and changes in certain other balance sheet accounts, totaled $197 million in the first six months of fiscal 2025 compared to $281 million of cash provided by operating activities during the same period of fiscal 2024.
Cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of fiscal 2025 was driven by business earnings excluding the non-cash impacts of depreciation and amortization of $75 million and cash dividends received from one of our equity investments of $12 million, which was offset by an increase in net working capital of $114 million. The increase in net working capital was largely driven by a decrease in Accounts Payable and accrued liabilities, and an increase in Accounts and notes receivable.
Cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of fiscal 2024 was driven by business earnings excluding the non-cash impacts of depreciation and amortization of $78 million and foreign exchange losses of $36 million, primarily related to devaluation of the Argentine peso, which was partially offset by an increase in net working capital of $25 million. The increase in net working capital was largely driven by a decrease in Accounts payable and accrued expenses and an increase in Inventories and Accounts and notes receivable.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Investing activities consumed $174 million of cash in the first six months of fiscal 2025 compared to $95 million of cash consumed in the first six months of fiscal 2024.
In the first six months of fiscal 2025 and 2024, investing activities included $149 million and $97 million, respectively, of capital expenditures for sustaining and compliance capital projects at our operating facilities as well as growth-related capital. In addition, in the first six months of fiscal 2025, investing activities included $27 million for cash paid for the asset acquisition described in Note C of our Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Capital expenditures for fiscal 2025 are expected to be between $250 million and $275 million. Our planned capital spending program for fiscal 2025 is for sustaining, compliance and improvement capital projects at our operating facilities as well as capacity expansion capital expenditures.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Financing activities consumed $7 million of cash in the first six months of fiscal 2025 compared to $195 million of cash consumed during the same period of fiscal 2024.
In the first six months of fiscal 2025, financing activities primarily consisted of share repurchases of $89 million, dividend payments to stockholders of $47 million, and cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interests of $20 million. There were also net proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper of $145 million.
In the first six months of fiscal 2024, financing activities primarily consisted of net repayment of commercial paper of $85 million, share repurchases of $57 million, dividend payments to stockholders of $45 million, cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interests of $12 million, and repayments of long-term debt of $9 million. These payments were partially offset by proceeds from sales of common stock of $13 million from stock option exercises.
28
Forward-Looking Information
This report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” under the Federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements address expectations or projections about the future, including our expectations regarding our future business performance and overall prospects, including for earnings, EBIT and volumes in our Reinforcement Materials segment in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, and for EBIT and volumes in our Performance Chemicals segment in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, and the principal assumptions underlying these expectations, including with respect to the impact from tariffs on demand for our products and our ability to pass on increased costs from tariffs to our customers through pricing; the possible direct and indirect impact of trade tariffs on our operations, and demand for our products, the sufficiency of our cash on hand, cash provided from operations and cash available under our credit and commercial paper facilities to fund our cash requirements in both the next twelve months and the foreseeable future; anticipated capital spending; regulatory developments, including regulatory compliance costs and potential impact on our operations; cash requirements and uses of available cash, including future cash outlays associated with respirator liabilities and the timing of such outlays; amortization expenses; our operating tax rate; and the possible outcome of legal and environmental proceedings. From time to time, we also provide forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public and in oral statements made by authorized officers.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, potentially inaccurate assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control or difficult to predict. If known or unknown risks materialize, our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.
In addition to factors described elsewhere in this report, the following are some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements: industry capacity utilization and competition from other specialty chemical companies; safety, health and environmental requirements and related constraints imposed on our business; regulatory and financial risks related to climate change developments; volatility in the price and availability of energy and raw materials, including with respect to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the U.S.-China trade relationship; a significant adverse change in a customer or joint venture relationship or the failure of a customer or joint venture partner to perform its obligations under agreements with us; failure to achieve growth expectations from new products, applications and technology developments; failure to realize benefits from acquisitions, alliances, or joint ventures or achieve our portfolio management objectives; negative or uncertain worldwide or regional economic conditions and market opportunities, including from trade relations, global health matters or geo-political conflicts; litigation or legal proceedings; interest rates, tax rates, tariffs, currency exchange controls, and fluctuations in foreign currency; our inability to complete capacity expansions or other development projects; and the accuracy of the assumptions we used in establishing reserves for our share of liability for respirator claims. These other factors and risks are discussed more fully in our 2024 10-K and in our subsequent SEC filings.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitati
ve Disclosures About Market Risk
Information about market risks for the period ended March 31, 2025 does not differ materially from that discussed under Item 7A of our 2024 10-K.
Item 4. Controls
and Procedures
As of March 31, 2025, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date.
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
29
Part II. Other
Information
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equi
ty Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The table below sets forth information regarding Cabot’s purchases of its equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2025:
Period
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
(1)(2)
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
(1)
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
(1)
January 1, 2025 - January 31, 2025
—
11,016,471
February 1, 2025 - February 30, 2025
462,379
$
86.51
462,379
10,554,092
March 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025
65,000
$
82.05
65,000
10,489,092
Total
527,379
527,379
(1)
On July 13, 2018, Cabot publicly announced that the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to an additional ten million shares of its common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, increasing the balance of shares then available for repurchase at that time to approximately eleven million shares. More recently, on December 3, 2024, Cabot publicly announced that the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to an additional ten million shares of its common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, increasing the balance of shares available for repurchase as of December 31, 2024 to approximately eleven million shares. Neither of these authorizations has a set expiration date.
(2)
Total number of shares purchased does not include 4,145 shares withheld to pay taxes on the vesting of equity awards made under the Company's equity incentive plans or to pay the exercise price of options exercised during the period.
Item 5. Other In
formation
During our fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended
, entered into,
modified
(as to amount, price or timing of trades) or
terminated
(i) contracts, instructions or written plans for the purchase or sale of our securities that are intended to satisfy the conditions specified in Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act for an affirmative defense against liability for trading in securities on the basis of material nonpublic information or (ii) non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K).
Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
Exhibit 101.SCH*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema With Embedded Linkbase Document.
Exhibit 104*
The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101).
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
31
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CABOT CORPORATION
Date: May 6, 2025
By:
/
s
/
Erica McLaughlin
Erica McLaughlin
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(duly authorized officer)
Date: May 6, 2025
By:
/
s
/
Lisa m. Dumont
Lisa M. Dumont
Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller
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