The Chemicals Segment’s operating loss in 2023 includes an insurance settlement gain of $2.2 million related to a 2020 business interruption insurance claim.
The Component Products Segment’s net sales were $36.6 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to $41.6 million in the second quarter of 2022 and $77.8 million in the first six months of 2023 compared to $83.7 million in the same period of 2022. The decrease in the Component Products Segment’s sales for both periods is predominantly due to lower security products sales to the government security market and, to a lesser extent, lower marine component sales to the towboat market. Operating income attributable to the Component Products Segment was $4.4 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to $7.7 million in the second quarter of 2022 and $11.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $14.0 million for the same prior year period. The Component Products Segment’s operating income decreased for both comparative periods primarily due to lower sales and gross margin in the second quarter of 2023 for both security products and marine components.
The Real Estate Management and Development Segment had sales of $27.3 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to $27.7 million in the second quarter of 2022. For the first six months of 2023 the Real Estate Management and Development Segment had sales of $52.5 million compared to sales of $51.7 million in the same period of 2022. Land sales revenue is generally recognized over time based on cost inputs, and land sales revenues are dependent on spending for development activities. Land sales revenues are also impacted by the relative timing of when new land parcel sales are closed. Recognition of infrastructure reimbursement of $.8 million ($.4 million, or $.02 per share, net of income taxes and noncontrolling interest) in the second quarter of 2022 is included in the determination of operating income. Due to historically low levels at Lake Mead, Nevada at the end of the second quarter of 2022, our Real Estate Management and Development Segment ceased operations at its water intake facility for the foreseeable future, and as a result our Real Estate Management and Development Segment recognized an impairment of $16.0 million ($8.0 million, or $.28 per share, net of income taxes and noncontrolling interest) of its water delivery system fixed assets which is included in determination of its operating income. Sales comparisons between the first six months of 2023 and 2022 are also affected by Basic Water Company and its subsidiaries which was deconsolidated following the date it voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada on September 10, 2022.
Corporate expenses were 9% lower in the second quarter of 2023 and 7% lower in the first six months of 2023 compared to the same periods of 2022. Corporate expenses decreased in both periods primarily due to lower environmental remediation and related costs in 2023 compared to 2022. Interest income and other increased to $4.7 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2022 and $9.6 million in the first six months of 2023 compared to $2.3 million in the same period of 2022 primarily due to higher average interest rates and increased investment balances.
Our net loss attributable to Valhi stockholders for the second quarter and for the first six months of 2023 includes a non-cash loss of $6.2 million ($3.8 million, or $.13 per share, net of income taxes and noncontrolling interest) related to the termination of our United Kingdom pension plan and a gain of $1.5 million ($1.1 million, or $.04 per share, net of income taxes and noncontrolling interest) on the sale of land not used in our operations.
The statements in this press release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that represent management’s beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurances that these expectations will be correct. Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those predicted. While it is not possible to identify all factors, we continue to face many risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause our actual future results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | Future supply and demand for our products; |
| ● | The extent of the dependence of certain of our businesses on certain market sectors; |
| ● | The cyclicality of certain of our businesses (such as Kronos’ TiO2 operations); |
| ● | Customer and producer inventory levels; |
| ● | Unexpected or earlier-than-expected industry capacity expansion (such as the TiO2 industry); |
| ● | Changes in raw material and other operating costs (such as ore, zinc, brass, aluminum, steel and energy costs); |