MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC
10-Q, 2000-11-13
PLASTIC MATERIALS, SYNTH RESINS & NONVULCAN ELASTOMERS
Previous: MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC, 4, 2000-11-13
Next: MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC, 10-Q, EX-11, 2000-11-13



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                         -------------------------------

                                    FORM 10-Q

                         -------------------------------


           [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2000

                                       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 1-12091

                            MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                     Delaware                         22-3436215
          (State or other jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer
          incorporation or organization)          Identification No.)

                               230 Half Mile Road
                           Red Bank, New Jersey 07701
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                  732-933-5000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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 _X_ No __

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest  practicable  date:  64,178,252  shares of Common
Stock,  par value $.01 per share, as of October 25, 2000,  excluding  13,221,923
shares held by the  registrant,  its  subsidiaries  and certain  Company trusts,
which are not entitled to vote.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                            MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.

                                Table of Contents

Part 1

  Item 1  Financial Statements..........................................       3

  Item 2  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
            and Results of Operations...................................      16

  Item 3  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk....      22


Part II

  Item 6  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..............................      23


  Signature  ...........................................................      24

  Exhibit Index.........................................................      25

Disclosure Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

All  statements,  other than  statements  of historical  fact,  included in this
Quarterly Report are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking  statements within
the meaning of Section 21E of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934.  Important
factors  that  could  cause  actual  results  to differ  materially  from  those
discussed in such forward-looking  statements ("Cautionary Statements") include:
the balance between industry production capacity and operating rates, on the one
hand, and demand for the products of Millennium  Chemicals Inc. (the  "Company")
and Equistar Chemicals,  LP ("Equistar"),  including titanium dioxide,  ethylene
and  polyethylene,  on the other hand; the economic  trends in the United States
and other  countries  that serve as the Company's and  Equistar's  marketplaces;
customer  inventory  levels;   competitive  pricing  pressures;   the  cost  and
availability of the Company's and Equistar's feedstocks and other raw materials,
including natural gas and ethylene;  operating  interruptions  (including leaks,
explosions,  fires,  mechanical failures,  unscheduled downtime,  transportation
interruptions,  spills,  releases and other  environmental  risks);  competitive
technology   positions;   failure  to  achieve  the   Company's  or   Equistar's
productivity  improvement and cost reduction targets or to complete construction
projects on schedule; and, other unforseen circumstances. All subsequent written
and oral  forward-looking  statements  attributable  to the  Company  or persons
acting on behalf of the Company are  expressly  qualified  in their  entirety by
such Cautionary Statements. The information provided in this Quarterly Report is
intended to be accurate as of the date hereof;  forward-looking  information  is
intended  to reflect  opinion  as of such date;  and,  such  information  is not
necessarily updated.


<PAGE>



ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars In Millions, Except Share Data)


                                                  September 30,     December 31,
                                                      2000             1999
                                                  -------------    -------------
                                                   (Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
     Cash and cash equivalents                    $          97    $         110
     Trade receivables, net                                 310              268
     Inventories                                            341              361
     Other current assets                                    96              118
                                                  -------------    -------------
            Total current assets                            844              857
Property, plant and equipment, net                          943              995
Investment in Equistar                                      795              800
Other assets                                                199              194
Goodwill                                                    394              404
                                                  -------------    -------------
            Total assets                          $       3,175    $       3,250
                                                  =============    =============

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
     Notes payable                                $          44    $          56
     Current maturities of long-term debt                   381               23
     Trade accounts payable                                 122              153
     Income taxes payable                                     -               97
     Accrued expenses and other liabilities                 171              166
                                                  -------------    -------------
            Total current liabilities                       718              495
Long-term debt                                              762            1,023
Deferred income taxes                                        35                -
Other liabilities                                           659              701
                                                  -------------    -------------
            Total liabilities                             2,174            2,219
                                                  -------------    -------------

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)

Minority interest                                            21               16
Shareholders' equity
     Preferred stock (par value $0.01 per
       share, authorized 25,000,000 shares;
       none issued and outstanding)                           -                -
     Common stock (par value $0.01 per share,
       authorized 225,000,000 shares; issued
       77,896,586 shares in 2000 and 77,891,586
       in 1999)                                               1                1
     Paid in capital                                      1,318            1,335
     Retained earnings (deficit)                             49             (32)
     Unearned restricted shares                            (15)             (28)
     Cumulative other comprehensive                       (106)             (61)
     Treasury stock (at cost, 13,687,692 and
       9,567,263 shares in 2000 and 1999,
       respectively)                                      (281)            (210)
     Deferred compensation                                   14               10
                                                  -------------    -------------
            Total shareholders' equity                      980            1,015
                                                  -------------    -------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity        $       3,175    $       3,250
                                                  =============    =============



See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>



MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars In Millions, Except Share Data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 Three Months Ended                  Nine Months Ended
                                                    September 30,                      September 30,
                                                2000             1999              2000             1999
                                            ------------------------------     -------------------------------
                                                     (Unaudited)                        (Unaudited)
<S>                                         <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>

Net sales                                   $        473     $        396      $      1,359      $      1,185
Operating costs and expenses
     Cost of products sold                           335              278               970               833
     Depreciation and amortization                    27               25                83                74
     Selling, development and
       administrative expense                         57               55               153               155
                                            -------------    -------------     -------------     -------------
              Operating income                        54               38               153               123
Interest expense                                    (20)             (18)              (58)              (54)
Interest income                                        1                -                 2                 2
Equity in earnings of Equistar                        16                3                73                 4
Other income, net                                      8               25                13                22
                                            -------------    -------------     -------------     -------------
Income from continuing operations
   before provision for income taxes
   and minority interest                              59               48               183                97
Provision for income taxes                          (23)              (9)              (70)              (31)
                                            -------------    -------------     -------------     -------------
Income from continuing operations
   before minority interest                           36               39               113                66
Minority interest                                    (1)              (1)               (5)               (2)
                                            -------------    -------------     -------------     -------------
Income from continuing operations                     35               38               108                64
Income from discontinued operations
   (net of income taxes of $7 and $(9))                -                7                 -                38
                                            -------------    -------------     -------------     -------------
Net income                                  $         35     $         45      $        108      $        102
                                            =============    =============     =============     =============

Income per share from continuing
   operations                               $       0.56     $       0.57      $       1.68      $       0.91
Income per share from discontinued
   operations                                          -             0.11                 -              0.55
                                            -------------    -------------     -------------     -------------
Net income per share - basic                $       0.56     $       0.68      $       1.68      $       1.46
                                            -------------    -------------     -------------     -------------
Net income per share - diluted              $       0.55     $       0.67      $       1.66      $       1.44
                                            -------------    -------------     -------------     -------------
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>



MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars In Millions)


                                                         Nine Months Ended
                                                           September 30,
                                                       2000             1999
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                            (Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities
     Income from continuing operations             $       108      $        64
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
        cash provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                       83               74
        Deferred income tax provision                       37                1
        Restricted stock amortization                      (4)                5
        Equity in earnings of Equistar                    (73)              (4)
        Minority interest                                    5                2
        Changes in assets and liabilities
           Increase in trade receivables                  (57)             (28)
           Increase in inventories                         (1)             (22)
           Decrease in other current assets                 18                1
           Increase in investments and other
              assets                                       (8)             (23)
           (Decrease) increase in trade accounts
              payable                                     (22)                7
           Increase (decrease) in accrued expense
              and other liabilities and income
              taxes payable                               (99)             (16)
           Decrease in other liabilities                  (24)             (42)
                                                   ------------     ------------
        Cash (used in) provided by operating
           activities                                     (37)               19
Cash flows from investing activities
     Capital expenditures                                 (72)             (79)
     Distributions from Equistar                            83               51
     Proceeds from syngas transaction                        -              123
     Proceeds from sale of Suburban Propane                  -               75
     Proceeds from sale of fixed assets                      2               14
                                                   ------------     ------------
        Cash provided by investing activities               13              184
Cash flows from financing activities
     Dividends to shareholders                            (27)             (29)
     Repurchase of common stock                           (69)            (200)
     Proceeds from long-term debt                          255               54
     Repayment of long-term debt                         (137)             (63)
     (Increase) decrease in notes payable                 (11)               13
                                                   ------------     ------------
        Cash provided by (used in) financing
           activities                                       11            (225)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                      -              (3)
                                                   ------------     ------------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents                     (13)             (25)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year             110              103
                                                   ------------     ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period         $        97      $        78
                                                   ============     ============



See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>



MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
(In Millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                    Cumulative
                                                                       Unearned       Other
                                  Common Stock    Paid In   Retained  Restricted  Comprehensive   Treasury     Deferred
                                  Shares  Amount  Capital   Earnings    Shares        Loss          Stock    Compensation    Total
                                 ------- -------  --------  --------  ----------  -------------  ----------  ------------  ---------
<S>                                   <C><C>      <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>

Balance at December 31, 1999          68 $     1  $  1,335  $   (32)  $     (28)  $        (61)  $    (210)  $         10  $   1,015
Comprehensive income
     Net income                                                  108                                                             108
     Other comprehensive income                                                                                                    -
        Currency translation
           adjustment                                                                      (45)                                 (45)
                                 ------- -------  --------  --------  ----------  -------------  ----------  ------------  ---------
Total comprehensive income             -       -         -       108           -           (45)           -             -         63
Amortization and adjustment of
     unearned restricted shares                       (17)                    13                                                 (4)
Shares repurchased                   (3)                                                               (71)             4       (67)
Dividends to shareholders                                       (27)                                                            (27)
                                 ------- -------  --------  --------  ----------  -------------  ----------  ------------  ---------
Balance at September 30, 2000
     (unaudited)                      65 $     1  $  1,318  $     49  $     (15)  $       (106)  $    (281)  $         14  $     980
                                 ======= =======  ========  ========  ==========  =============  ==========  ============  =========

</TABLE>


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>



MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, except share data)


Note 1--Description of Company

Millennium  Chemicals  Inc. (the  "Company") is a major  international  chemical
company,   with  leading  market  positions  in  a  broad  range  of  commodity,
industrial,   performance  and  specialty   chemicals,   operating  through  its
subsidiaries:  Millennium  Inorganic  Chemicals Inc. (and its non-United  States
affiliates),  Millennium  Petrochemicals Inc. and Millennium Specialty Chemicals
Inc.; and through its interest in Equistar Chemicals, LP ("Equistar"), a limited
partnership jointly owned by the Company, Lyondell Chemical Company ("Lyondell")
and Occidental Petroleum Corporation ("Occidental").

The Company and  Occidental  each have a 29.5% interest in Equistar and Lyondell
has a 41% interest.  Equistar owns and operates the  petrochemical,  polymer and
derivative businesses contributed to it by its partners.  Equistar is managed by
a  Partnership  Governance  Committee  consisting  of  representatives  of  each
partner.  Approval  of  Equistar's  strategic  plans and other  major  decisions
require the consent of the representatives of the three partners.  All decisions
of  Equistar's  Governance  Committee  that do not require  unanimity  among the
partners may be made by Lyondell's representatives alone.

The Company accounts for its interest in Equistar using the equity method. Prior
to December 31, 1999, the difference between the carrying value of the Company's
interest and its  underlying  equity in the net assets of Equistar  ("goodwill")
was amortized over 25 years.  In furthering the Company's  business  strategy to
de-emphasize  commodity  chemicals,  the Board of  Directors  of the  Company in
December  1999 approved  actions to advance the Company's  efforts to dispose of
its  Equistar  interest.  As a result of the Board's  adopting  the  strategy to
dispose of the  Equistar  interest in the  short-term,  the Company  reduced the
carrying  amount of its  interest at December  31,  1999  (including  all of the
underlying  goodwill) to an estimated  fair value of $800.  The  estimated  fair
value was determined by evaluating, among other things, the estimated discounted
future cash flows of Equistar,  current market  interest and estimated  disposal
costs, including income taxes.

On  September  14,  2000  the  Company  announced  that it had not  received  an
acceptable  offer for its  investment  in  Equistar  and has  terminated  active
marketing of its stake.

Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation:  The consolidated  financial statements include the
accounts of the Company and its majority-owned  subsidiaries.  Minority interest
represents the minority ownership of Titanio do Brazil S.A.  ("Tibras") at cost.
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The
unaudited  consolidated  financial  statements  have been prepared in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the
opinion  of  management,   the  financial  statements  include  all  adjustments
necessary  for a fair  statement  of the  results of  operations  and  financial
position  for the  periods  presented  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles. Such adjustments are normal recurring items.

Estimates and Assumptions: The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to make
estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of assets and
liabilities  at  the  date  of  the  financial  statements,  the  disclosure  of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial  statements,  and
the  reported  amounts of revenues  and expenses  during the  reporting  period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications: Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform
with the present year presentation.

Revenue  Recognition:  Revenue is  recognized  upon  shipment  of product to the
customer or upon usage of the product by the customer in the case of consignment
inventories.

<PAGE>

MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, except share data)


Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies--Continued

In December 1999, the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  (SEC) released Staff
Accounting   Bulletin  No.101  (SAB  101),   which  provides   guidance  on  the
recognition,  presentation,  and  disclosure of revenue.  In June 2000,  the SEC
released SAB 101B,  which  postponed the effective date of SAB 101 to the fourth
quarter of fiscal years  beginning  after December 15, 1999. The Company will be
required  to be in  conformity  with  the  provisions  of SAB 101 in the  fourth
quarter of 2000. The Company is currently  evaluating the implication of SAB 101
and  feels the  adoption  of SAB 101 will not have a  significant  effect on its
financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.

Inventories:  Inventories  are stated at the lower of cost or market value.  For
certain  United  States  operations  representing  30% and  37% of  consolidated
inventories at September 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999,  respectively,  cost is
determined under the last-in,  first-out (LIFO) method. The first-in,  first-out
(FIFO)  method,  or  methods  which  approximate  FIFO,  are  used by all  other
subsidiaries.

                                         September 30,    December 31,
                                             2000             1999
                                         -------------    -------------
                                          (Unaudited)

       Inventories
       Finished products                 $         168    $         167
       In-process products                          23               29
       Raw materials                               103              116
       Other inventories                            47               49
                                         -------------    -------------
                                         $         341    $         361
                                         =============    =============

Inventories  valued on a LIFO basis were approximately $35 and $31 less than the
amount of such  inventories  valued at current  cost at  September  30, 2000 and
December 31, 1999, respectively.

Property,  Plant and Equipment:  Property,  plant and equipment is stated on the
basis of cost.  Depreciation  is provided by the  straight-line  method over the
estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 20 to 40 years for buildings and
5 to 25 years for  machinery  and  equipment.  Major  repairs  and  improvements
incurred  in  connection  with   substantial   plant  overhauls  or  maintenance
turnarounds are  capitalized  and amortized on a  straight-line  basis until the
next  planned   turnaround   (generally  18  months);   other  less  substantial
maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.

Capitalized  Software  Costs:  The  Company  capitalizes  costs  incurred in the
acquisition and  modification of computer  software used  internally,  including
consulting fees and costs of employees  dedicated solely to a specific  project.
Such costs are  amortized  over periods not exceeding 7 years and are subject to
impairment  evaluation  under  SFAS  121,  "Accounting  for  the  Impairment  of
Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of ".

Goodwill:  Goodwill  represents  the excess of the purchase  price over the fair
value of net assets allocated to acquired companies. Goodwill is being amortized
using the straight-line method over 40 years.  Management periodically evaluates
goodwill for impairment based on the anticipated  future cash flows attributable
to its  operations.  Such expected cash flows,  on an  undiscounted  basis,  are
compared to the carrying  value of the tangible and  intangible  assets,  and if
impairment  is  indicated,  the carrying  value of goodwill is adjusted.  In the
opinion of management, no impairment of goodwill existed at September 30, 2000.


<PAGE>



MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, except share data)


Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies--Continued

Environmental  Liabilities and Expenditures:  Accruals for environmental matters
are recorded in operating expenses when it is probable that a liability has been
incurred and the amount of the liability can be  reasonably  estimated.  Accrued
liabilities are exclusive of claims against third parties,  except where payment
has been  received  or the amount of  liability  or  contribution  by such other
parties, including insurance companies, has been agreed, and are not discounted.
In general,  costs related to environmental  remediation are charged to expense.
Environmental  costs  are  capitalized  if the costs  increase  the value of the
property and/or mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations.

Foreign Currency:  Assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign  subsidiaries
are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates, while
revenue,  expenses and cash flows are  translated at average  exchange rates for
the reporting  period.  Resulting  translation  adjustments  are recorded in the
currency translation account in Shareholders' equity. Gains and losses resulting
from changes in foreign currency on transactions denominated in currencies other
than  the  functional  currency  of  the  respective  subsidiary  are  generally
recognized  in income as they  occur.  Forward  exchange  contracts  are used to
manage  the  exposure  to  foreign  currency  fluctuations  on  certain of these
transactions.  Unrealized  gains  and  losses  related  to these  contracts  are
deferred and reported as part of the underlying  transaction  when settled.  The
cash flows from such  contracts are classified  consistent  with cash flows from
the transactions or events being hedged.

Federal Income Taxes:  Deferred  income taxes result from temporary  differences
between  the  financial  statement  basis and  income  tax  basis of assets  and
liabilities and are computed using enacted  marginal tax rates of the respective
tax jurisdictions. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets
which are not likely to be  realized  in full.  The  Company  and certain of its
subsidiaries have entered into tax-sharing and  indemnification  agreements with
Hanson  PLC  ("Hanson")  or its  subsidiaries  in which the  Company  and/or its
subsidiaries generally agreed to indemnify Hanson or its subsidiaries for income
tax  liabilities  attributable  to periods prior to the Company's  demerger from
Hanson.

Earnings Per Share: The  weighted-average  number of equivalent shares of Common
Stock outstanding used in computing earnings per share is as follows:

                             Three Months Ended            Nine Months Ended
                                September 30,                September 30,
                           2000              1999        2000             1999
                        ---------------------------   --------------------------
                                 (Unaudited)                  (Unaudited)

   Basic                  63,244,539    66,715,598      64,584,509    70,097,482
   Options                         -        52,875               -        48,125
   Restricted shares         619,126       682,180         641,226       679,442
                        ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------
   Diluted                63,863,665    67,450,653      65,225,735    70,825,049
                        ============  ============    ============  ============





<PAGE>



MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, except share data)


Note 3--Income Taxes

During the third  quarter  of 2000 the  Company  made a payment to the  Internal
Revenue  Service in the amount of $151.  The payment  represented  settlement of
taxes and  interest  due for the tax years 1986  through  1988.  The Company had
previously accrued for this settlement.

Note 4--Long-Term Debt and Credit Arrangements

                                                  September 30,    December 31,
                                                       2000            1999
                                                  -------------    -------------
                                                   (Unaudited)

Revolving Credit Agreement bearing interest
   at the bank's prime lending rate, or
   at LIBOR or NIBOR plus .275% at the
   option of the Company, plus a Facility
   Fee of .15% to be paid quarterly                $        378    $        261
7% Senior Notes due 2006                                    500             500
7.625% Senior Debentures due 2026                           249             249
Debt payable through 2007 at interest rates
   ranging from 3% to 9%                                     16              36
Less current maturities of long-term debt                 (381)            (23)
                                                   -------------   -------------
                                                   $        762    $      1,023
                                                   =============   =============

Under the Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  as most recently amended on January 12,
2000,  certain  of the  Company's  subsidiaries  may  borrow up to $500 under an
unsecured  multi-currency  revolving credit facility,  which matures on July 26,
2001 (the "Credit  Agreement").  The Company  guarantees  borrowings  under this
facility.  Borrowings under the Credit Agreement may consist of standby loans or
uncommitted competitive loans offered by syndicated banks through an auction bid
procedure.  Loans may be borrowed in U.S. dollars and/or other  currencies.  The
proceeds  from the  borrowings  may be used to provide  working  capital and for
general corporate purposes.

The Company is  currently  in  discussions  with  representatives  of the Credit
Agreement banks regarding the refinancing of the Credit  Agreement.  The Company
expects the Credit Agreement to be refinanced during the first quarter of 2001.

The Credit  Agreement  contains  covenants and provisions  that restrict,  among
other things,  the ability of the Company and its material  subsidiaries to: (i)
create  liens on any of its  property  or  assets,  or assign  any  rights to or
security  interests  in  future  revenues;  (ii)  engage  in  sale-and-leaseback
transactions;  (iii)  engage  in  mergers,  consolidations  or  sales  of all or
substantially  all of their  assets on a  consolidated  basis;  (iv)  enter into
agreements  restricting  dividends and advances by their subsidiaries;  and, (v)
engage in transactions  with  affiliates  other than those based on arm's-length
negotiations.   The  Credit   Agreement  also  limits  the  ability  of  certain
subsidiaries of the Company to incur  indebtedness or issue preferred  stock. In
addition, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to satisfy certain financial
performance criteria.

The Senior Notes and Senior Debentures were issued by Millennium America Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company,  and are guaranteed by the Company.  The
indenture  under  which the  Senior  Notes and  Senior  Debentures  were  issued
contains certain  covenants that limit,  among other things:  (i) the ability of
Millennium  America Inc. and its Restricted  Subsidiaries  (as defined) to grant
liens or enter into  sale-and-leaseback  transactions;  (ii) the  ability of the
Restricted Subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; and, (iii) the ability
of  Millennium  America Inc. and the Company to merge,  consolidate  or transfer
substantially all of their respective assets.


<PAGE>



MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, except share data)


Note 5 - Financial Instruments

SFAS 137: In June 1999,  the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued SFAS
137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of
the Effective Date of SFAS 133," which defers the effective date of SFAS 133 for
one year. The Company plans to adopt SFAS 133 in the first quarter of 2001. SFAS
133 requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at
their fair value.  Changes in the fair value of  derivatives  are recorded  each
period  in Net  income  or as  Comprehensive  income,  depending  on  whether  a
derivative is designated as part of a hedge  transaction and, if it is, the type
of hedge  transaction.  The Company is currently  evaluating the implications of
this new  pronouncement  but,  due to the  Company's  limited use of  derivative
instruments,  the  adoption of SFAS 133 is not  expected  to have a  significant
effect on the  financial  position,  results of  operations or cash flows of the
Company.

Note 6--Related Party Transactions

One  of  the  Company's   subsidiaries   purchases  ethylene  from  Equistar  at
market-related  prices  pursuant to an  agreement  made in  connection  with the
formation  of  Equistar.  Under the  agreement,  the  subsidiary  is required to
purchase 100% of its ethylene  requirements for its La Porte, Texas, facility up
to a maximum of 330 million  pounds per year.  The initial  term of the contract
expires  December  1,  2000.  Thereafter,   the  contract  automatically  renews
annually. Either party may terminate on one year's notice.

One of the  Company's  subsidiaries  sells  vinyl  acetate  monomer  ("VAM")  to
Equistar at  formula-based  prices  pursuant  to an  agreement  entered  into in
connection  with the formation of Equistar.  Under this  agreement,  Equistar is
required to purchase  100% of its VAM feedstock  requirements  for its La Porte,
Texas,  Clinton and Morris,  Illinois  plants,  estimated to be 48 to 55 million
pounds  per  year,  up to a  maximum  of 60  million  pounds  per year  ("Annual
Maximum")  for the  production  of  ethylene  vinyl  acetate  products  at those
locations.  If Equistar  fails to purchase at least 42 million  pounds of VAM in
any calendar year, the Annual Maximum  quantity may be reduced by as much as the
total purchase  deficiency for one or more successive  years. In order to reduce
the Annual Maximum  quantity,  Equistar must be notified within at least 30 days
prior to  restricting  the VAM  purchases  provided that the notice is not later
than 45 days after the year of the purchase deficiency.  The initial term of the
contract expires  December 31, 2000 and,  thereafter,  renews  annually.  Either
party may terminate on one year's notice.

One of the  Company's  subsidiaries  and  Equistar  have  entered  into  various
manufacturing and service  agreements.  These agreements  provide the subsidiary
with research and development  laboratory  space,  certain utilities and support
services, and provide Equistar with certain utilities and support services.

Note 7--Commitments and Contingencies

The  Company  and  various of its  subsidiaries  are  defendants  in a number of
pending legal  proceedings  incidental to present and former  operations.  These
include several  proceedings  alleging  injurious  exposure of the plaintiffs to
various chemicals and other materials  manufactured by the Company's current and
former  subsidiaries.  Typically,  such proceedings involve large claims made by
many plaintiffs  against many defendants in the chemical  industry.  The Company
does not expect that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in
the  aggregate,  will  have a  material  adverse  effect  upon the  consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

Together with other alleged past manufacturers of lead pigments for use in paint
and lead-based paint, a former  subsidiary of a discontinued  operation has been
named as a  defendant  or third party  defendant  in various  legal  proceedings
alleging that it and other manufacturers are responsible for personal injury and
property damage allegedly associated with the use of lead pigments in paint. The
legal proceedings seek


<PAGE>



MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, except share data)


Note 7--Commitments and Contingencies - Continued

recovery  under a variety of theories,  including  negligence,  failure to warn,
breach of warranty, conspiracy, market share liability, fraud, misrepresentation
and nuisance.  The  plaintiffs in these actions  generally seek to impose on the
defendants  responsibility  for alleged damages and health  concerns  associated
with the use of lead-based paints.  These cases are in various pre-trial stages.
The Company is vigorously  defending all litigation  related to the use of lead.
Although  liability,  if any,  that may  result  is not  reasonably  capable  of
estimation, the Company believes that, based on information currently available,
the  disposition  of such  claims in the  aggregate  should  not have a material
adverse effect on the consolidated financial position,  results of operations or
cash flows of the Company.

Certain  Company  subsidiaries  have  been  named  as  defendants,   potentially
responsible parties ("PRPs"), or both, in a number of environmental  proceedings
associated  with waste  disposal  sites and  facilities  currently or previously
owned,  operated or used by the Company's  subsidiaries  or their  predecessors,
some of  which  disposal  sites  or  facilities  are on the  Superfund  National
Priorities List of the United States Environmental  Protection Agency ("EPA") or
similar state lists. These proceedings seek cleanup costs,  damages for personal
injury or property damage, or both. Certain of these proceedings  involve claims
for substantial  amounts,  individually ranging in estimates from less than $0.3
to $45. One potentially  significant  matter in which a Company  subsidiary is a
PRP concerns alleged PCB  contamination of a section of the Kalamazoo River from
Kalamazoo,    Michigan,    to   Lake    Michigan    for    which   a    remedial
investigation/feasibility study is currently being undertaken.

The Company believes that the range of potential liability for environmental and
other  legal  contingencies,   collectively,  but  which  primarily  relates  to
environmental  remediation  activities and other environmental  proceedings,  is
between  $110  and $125 and has  accrued  $125 as of  September  30,  2000.  The
Company's  ultimate liability in connection with these proceedings may depend on
many factors,  including the volume of material  contributed  to the sites,  the
number of other PRPs and their financial  viability and the remediation  methods
and technologies to be used.

The Company has various  contractual  obligations to purchase raw materials used
in its  production  of  titanium  dioxide  ("TiO2")  and  fragrance  and  flavor
chemicals.  Commitments  to  purchase  ore  used in the  production  of TiO2 are
generally 1- to 3-year contracts with competitive prices generally determined at
a fixed  amount  subject to  escalation  for  inflation.  Total  commitments  to
purchase ore for TiO2 aggregate  approximately  $682 and expire between 2000 and
2002. Commitments to acquire crude sulfate turpentine, used in the production of
fragrance  chemicals,  are  generally  pursuant to 1- to 5-year  contracts  with
prices based on the market price and which expire between 2000 and 2003.

The Company is  organized  under the laws of  Delaware  and is subject to United
States  federal income  taxation of  corporations.  However,  in order to obtain
clearance from the United Kingdom Inland Revenue as to the tax-free treatment of
the  demerger  stock  dividend  for United  Kingdom tax  purposes for Hanson and
Hanson's shareholders, Hanson agreed with the United Kingdom Inland Revenue that
the Company will continue to be centrally  managed and  controlled in the United
Kingdom at least until September 30, 2001. Hanson also agreed that the Company's
Board of Directors will be the only medium through which  strategic  control and
policy-making  powers are exercised,  and that board meetings almost  invariably
will be held in the United  Kingdom  during this period.  The Company has agreed
not to take,  or fail to take,  during such  five-year  period,  any action that
would  result in a breach  of, or  constitute  non-compliance  with,  any of the
representations and undertakings made by Hanson in its agreement with the United
Kingdom  Inland  Revenue  and to  indemnify  Hanson  against any  liability  and
penalties  arising  out of a breach of such  agreement.  The  Company's  By-Laws
provide for similar  constraints.  The  Company  and Hanson  estimate  that such
indemnification  obligation would have amounted to approximately  $421 if it had
arisen  during  the  twelve  months  ended  September  30,  1997,  and that such
obligation  decreases by approximately  $84 on each October 1st prior to October
1, 2001, when it will expire.


<PAGE>



MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, except share data)


Note 7--Commitments and Contingencies - Continued

If the  Company  ceases to be a United  Kingdom tax  resident  at any time,  the
Company  will be deemed  for  purposes  of  United  Kingdom  corporation  tax on
chargeable  gains to have  disposed of all of its assets at such time. In such a
case,  the  Company  would be  liable  for  United  Kingdom  corporation  tax on
charge-able  gains on the amount by which the fair market  value of those assets
at the time of such deemed disposition  exceeds the Company's tax basis in those
assets.  The tax basis of the assets  would be  calculated  in pounds  sterling,
based on the fair market value of the assets (in pounds sterling) at the time of
acquisition of the assets by the Company, adjusted for United Kingdom inflation.
Accordingly, in such circumstances, the Company could incur a tax liability even
though it has not actually sold the assets and even though the underlying  value
of the assets may not actually  have  appreciated  (due to currency  movements).
Since it is  impossible  to predict the future  value of the  Company's  assets,
currency  movements  and  inflation  rates,  it is  impossible  to  predict  the
magnitude of such liability, should it arise.

Note 8--Operations by Business Segment

The Company's  principal  operations are grouped into three  business  segments:
titanium dioxide and related products, acetyls and specialty chemicals.

The following is a summary of the Company's operations by business segment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   Three Months Ended                  Nine Months Ended
                                                      September 30,                      September 30,
                                                 2000              1999              2000             1999
                                             -------------------------------     ------------------------------
                                                       (Unaudited)                        (Unaudited)
<S>                                         <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
Net sales
     Titanium dioxide and related products  $           351   $          307   $         1,027   $          928
     Acetyls                                             95               60               244              162
     Specialty chemicals                                 27               29                88               95
                                             --------------    -------------     -------------    -------------
         Total                              $           473   $          396   $         1,359   $        1,185
                                             ==============    =============     =============    =============

Operating income
     Titanium dioxide and related products  $            35   $           26   $           105   $           85
     Acetyls                                             14                7                30               16
     Specialty chemicals                                  5                5                18               22
                                             --------------    -------------     -------------    -------------
         Total                              $            54   $           38   $           153   $          123
                                             ==============    =============     =============    =============

Depreciation and amortization
     Titanium dioxide and related products  $            20   $           18   $            63   $           54
     Acetyls                                              5                5                14               14
     Specialty chemicals                                  2                2                 6                6
                                             --------------    -------------     -------------    -------------
         Total                              $            27   $           25   $            83   $           74
                                             ==============    =============     =============    =============

Capital expenditures
     Titanium dioxide and related products  $            18   $           18   $            62   $           64
     Acetyls                                              1                3                 4                9
     Specialty chemicals                                  1                2                 6                6
                                             --------------    -------------     -------------    -------------
         Total                              $            20   $           23   $            72   $           79
                                             ==============    =============     =============    =============

</TABLE>



<PAGE>



MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, except share data)


Note 9-Information on Millennium America Inc.

Millennium America Inc., a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of the Company, is a
holding company for all of the Company's  operating  subsidiaries other than its
operations  in the United  Kingdom,  France,  Brazil and  Australia.  Millennium
America  Inc. is the issuer of the 7% Senior Notes due November 15, 2006 and the
7.625% Senior  Debentures  due November 15, 2026 and is the  principal  borrower
under the  Company's  Revolving  Credit  Agreement.  The Senior Notes and Senior
Debentures,  as well as the borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, are
guaranteed  by the Company.  Accordingly,  the  following  summarized  financial
information is provided for Millennium America Inc.

                                                 September 30,     December 31,
                                                     2000              1999
                                                 -------------     -------------
                                                  (Unaudited)

Current assets                                 $          416   $           430
Investment in Equistar                                    795               800
Noncurrent assets                                       1,089             1,122
Receivable from affiliates                                486               519
                                                 -------------     -------------
    Total assets                               $        2,786   $         2,871
                                                 =============     =============

Current liabilities                            $          194   $           325
Non-current liabilities                                 1,744             1,672
Invested capital                                          526               551
Payable to parent and affiliates                          322               323
                                                 -------------     -------------
    Total liabilities and invested capital     $        2,786   $         2,871
                                                 =============     =============


                          Three Months Ended              Nine Months Ended
                             September 30,                  September 30,
                          2000           1999            2000           1999
                      ---------------------------    ---------------------------
                              (Unaudited)                    (Unaudited)

Net sales             $      282      $      237     $      813     $       694
Operating income              20              20             76              68
Net income                    10              31             60              78













<PAGE>



MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, except share data)


Note 10-Information on Equistar

The following is summarized financial information for Equistar:

                                                 September 30,     December 31,
                                                     2000              1999
                                                 -------------     -------------
                                                  (Unaudited)

Current assets                                 $        1,408    $        1,360
Noncurrent assets                                       5,259             5,376
                                                 -------------     -------------
    Total assets                               $        6,667    $        6,736
                                                 =============     =============

Current liabilities                            $          721    $          784
Non-current liabilities                                 2,289             2,290
Partners' capital                                       3,657             3,662
                                                 -------------     -------------
    Total liabilities and partners' capital    $        6,667    $        6,736
                                                 =============     =============

                            Three Months Ended            Nine Months Ended
                              September 30,                 September 30,
                           2000           1999           2000           1999
                       ---------------------------  ----------------------------
                               (Unaudited)                   (Unaudited)

Net sales              $     1,914    $     1,471   $     5,580     $     3,783
Operating income               110             76           407             163
Net income                      63             35           271              83


















<PAGE>



ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

Millennium  Chemicals  Inc.'s (the "Company")  principal  operations are grouped
into three business  segments:  titanium dioxide ("TiO2") and related  products,
acetyls and  specialty  chemicals.  The Company  also holds a 29.5%  interest in
Equistar  Chemicals,  LP  ("Equistar").  The  Company's  interest in Equistar is
accounted for using the equity method. (See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.)  A  discussion  of  Equistar's  financial  results for the relevant
period  is  included  below  since  the  Company's  interest  in  Equistar  is a
significant component of its business.

The  following  information  should be read in  conjunction  with the  Company's
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and Notes thereto.  In connection  with the
forward-looking  statements  that  appear  in  the  following  information,  the
Cautionary  Statements  referred to in  "Disclosure  Concerning  Forward-Looking
Statements" on page 2 of this  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q should be reviewed
carefully.

RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

                                   Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                      September 30,           September 30,
                                    2000        1999         2000        1999
                                 ----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
                                        (In millions, except share data)
                                                   (Unaudited)

Net sales                        $     473    $    396    $   1,359   $   1,185

Operating income                        54          38          153         123

Equity in earnings of Equistar          16           3           73           4

Gain on sale of Suburban Propane
   (net of income tax)                   -           7            -          38

Net income                               35         45          108         102

Basic earnings per share               0.56       0.68         1.68        1.46

Diluted earnings per share             0.55       0.67         1.66        1.44


Three Months Ended  September 30, 2000 Compared to Three Months Ended  September
30, 1999

During the third  quarter of 2000,  market  conditions  improved  for all of the
Company's  businesses  except  specialty  chemicals.  Net sales for the  quarter
increased 19% over the third quarter of 1999 to $473 million.  Operating  income
increased  42% from $38  million in the third  quarter of 1999 to $54 million in
the third quarter of 2000.

The TiO2 segment  accounted for most of the increase in operating  income,  with
higher sales volumes in all regions  except Latin America.  The acetyls  segment
also experienced stronger demand and higher pricing in the vinyl acetate monomer
("VAM") and acetic acid marketplaces. Specialty chemicals profits were flat with
the third quarter of 1999 due mainly to lower selling prices quarter-on-quarter.
Equity earnings from Equistar  improved due to higher ethylene and  polyethylene
prices, contributing $16 million of income to the third quarter of 2000 compared
to $3 million in the third quarter of 1999.  These and other  factors  affecting
these performances are detailed below.

The resulting net income of $35 million or $0.56 per share was lower than 1999's
third quarter net income of $45 million or $0.68 per share.  However,  the third
quarter of 1999 included  favorable legacy insurance and litigation  settlements
and  prior  year tax  adjustments  of $23  million  or $0.35  per  share  and an
adjustment to the after-tax gain on the sale of the Company's remaining interest
in Suburban Propane  Partners of $7 million or $0.10 per share.  Excluding these
items, the third quarter of 1999 net income would have been $15 million or $0.23
per share.

<PAGE>

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30,
1999

The Company had  operating  income of $153  million for the first nine months of
2000, an increase of $30 million (24%) over the  comparable  period of 1999. Net
sales increased 15% over the first nine months of 1999 to $1,359 million.

Market  conditions  have  improved in the TiO2 and acetyls  businesses  over the
prior year. The specialty chemicals business,  however,  has suffered from lower
selling prices due mainly to new industry capacity.

Equity  earnings  from  Equistar  contributed  $73 million of income to the nine
months  of 2000  compared  to $4  million  for the  same  period  last  year due
primarily to higher ethylene and polyethylene prices.

Net income of $108 million or $1.68 per share  compares to $102 million or $1.46
per  share for the  first  nine  months of 1999.  The 1999  period  included  an
after-tax  gain on the sale of the  Company's  remaining  interest  in  Suburban
Propane  Partners  of $38  million  or  $0.55  per  share an  after-tax  gain on
Equistar's sale of its colors and concentrates assets of $5 million or $0.07 per
share  and  prior  year tax  adjustments  of $21  million  or $0.34  per  share.
Excluding  these  items,  net  income  for the 1999  period  would have been $38
million or $0.54 per share.

SEGMENT ANALYSIS

Titanium Dioxide and Related Products




                            Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended
                               September 30,                September 30,
                            2000          1999           2000           1999
                        ------------  ------------   ------------   ------------
                                             (In Millions)
                                              (Unaudited)

Net sales              $        351   $       307    $     1,027    $       928

Operating income                 35            26            105             85


Three Months Ended  September 30, 2000 Compared to Three Months Ended  September
30, 1999

Third quarter 2000  operating  income of $35 million  increased $9 million (35%)
from the third quarter of 1999.  Net sales of $351 million for the third quarter
of 2000 increased $44 million (14%) from the same quarter of 1999.

Overall  sales  volumes for the third quarter of 2000 were up 15% from the third
quarter of 1999 to slightly over 172,000 metric tons. All regions,  except Latin
America,  experienced strong demand, with the Asian and European markets showing
the strongest gains. The Asia/Pacific  marketplace has shown continued  economic
recovery  and growth in new  business  with  volumes  44% higher for the quarter
versus the third quarter of 1999. Recovery in the European markets resulted in a
17% increase in sales volumes  versus the third quarter of 1999.  North American
volumes increased 4%.

Third  quarter 2000 prices in U.S.  dollar  terms were flat with the  comparable
1999 period. Weakened European pricing in U.S. dollar terms is due mainly to the
continued  strength of the dollar and pound  sterling  against  the Euro.  Price
increases  implemented  on July 1, 2000 were  offset by the  negative  impact of
currency translation.

The  overall  plant  operating  rate for the third  quarter of 2000 was 98.1% of
nameplate  capacity  compared  to  92.6% in the  third  quarter  of 1999.  Plant
operating rates are expected to remain high as demand continues.


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30,
1999

The TiO2 and Related  Products  segment  increased  profits by $20 million (24%)
compared to the first nine months of 1999. Net sales of $1,027 million increased
$99 million (11%) over the comparable period last year.

Sales  volumes  continue to improve due to strong  demand in all market  places,
except Latin  America,  with the  strongest  gains in the  Asia/Pacific  region.
Economic  recovery  and new  business  growth in this  region  resulted in sales
volumes 35% over the first half of 1999.  Volumes into the Middle East have more
than  tripled  over last year,  while in North  America  volumes  increased  5%,
consistent within GDP growth.
<PAGE>

Average  selling  prices in U.S.  dollar terms declined 1% compared to the first
nine months of 1999, partially offsetting higher sales volumes. This decline has
occurred despite previously  announced price increases in local currencies,  and
results  primarily from the strength of the U.S.  dollar compared to the Euro as
mentioned above.

The overall plants' operating rate for the first nine months of 2000 was 95%, an
7 percentage point increase over the 1999 period of 88.1%.

Acetyls

                                   Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                      September 30,           September 30,
                                    2000        1999         2000        1999
                                 ----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
                                                 (In Millions)
                                                  (Unaudited)

Net sales                        $      95   $      60    $     244   $     162

Operating income                        14           7           30          16


Three Months Ended  September 30, 2000 Compared to Three Months Ended  September
30, 1999

Operating  income was $14 million for the third  quarter of 2000, an increase of
$7 million  (100%) from the third  quarter of 1999.  Net sales of $95 million in
the third  quarter of 2000 were 58% higher than the third quarter of 1999 due to
higher prices and improved overall market conditions.

VAM prices  increased  34% in the third  quarter of 2000  compared  to the third
quarter  of 1999.  Volumes  were 30%  above  the  third  quarter  of 1999 as the
marketplace  has been strong.  Higher  feedstock costs and continued firm demand
have led to announced  price  increases of $0.03 per pound in the U.S.,  $75 per
metric ton in Asia and 150DM per metric ton in Europe, to take effect October 1,
2000.  Management  expects  these price  increases to be realized if the current
demand continues.

The acetic acid market remains strong.  However,  volumes were down 16% from the
same  quarter of 1999 due  mainly to a major  customer  not  taking its  planned
volumes in July and  September and an outage at the Linde Syngas unit in August.
Selling  prices  have  increased  44%  from the  third  quarter  of 1999.  Price
increases  have been  announced  for  acetic  acid  which are  similar  to those
announced for VAM as discussed above.

An outage at the Linde syngas unit in August kept supplies tight in the methanol
market with prices  rising  during the quarter.  Average  prices were 57% higher
than in the third  quarter of 1999.  High  natural  gas costs  supported  higher
selling prices during the quarter.


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30,
1999

For the first nine months of 2000, the acetyls  business had operating income of
$30 million,  an increase of $14 million (88%) from the same period of 1999. Net
sales were $244  million  compared to $162  million for the first nine months of
1999.

The VAM market  continues  to improve due to tight  supply and  growing  demand.
Volumes  were up 29% over last year and selling  prices  increased  28% from the
first nine months of 1999.

Demand remains good in the acetic acid marketplace.  Despite this,  volumes were
down 5% from last year.  This was due mainly to a major  customer not taking its
planned  volumes in July and September and an outage at the Linde Syngas unit in
August. Selling prices have increased 23% from the same period last year.

Rising natural gas costs, while helping to support higher prices in the methanol
market, negatively impacted acetyls margins.

Specialty Chemicals

                                   Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                      September 30,           September 30,
                                    2000        1999         2000        1999
                                 ----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
                                                  (In Millions)
                                                   (Unaudited)

Net sales                        $      27   $      29    $      88   $      95

Operating income                         5           5           18          22

<PAGE>

Three Months Ended  September 30, 2000 Compared to Three Months Ended  September
30, 1999

Third quarter 2000 operating income of $5 million was equal to the third quarter
of 1999. Net sales were $2 million lower quarter-on-quarter at $27 million.

The  slight  decline in profit was  driven by lower  selling  prices  (15%) as a
result of changes in the competitive  landscape that occurred during 1999. Sales
volumes  were 7% higher  than the third  quarter  of 1999 but 15% lower than the
second quarter of 2000. The vitamin intermediate market remains weak.

Crude  sulfate  turpentine  costs,  the  principal  raw material  for  specialty
chemical products,  remain low at $0.83 per gallon for the third quarter of 2000
compared to $1.10 per gallon for the third quarter of 1999.


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30,
1999

Operating  income for the first nine months of 2000 was $18 million,  a decrease
of $4 million (18%) from the comparable period of 1999. Net sales of $88 million
were $7 million (7%) lower than 1999.  Although  sales  volumes were up 13% over
the first nine months, new industry capacity and competition have caused selling
prices to decline over 18% compared to the same period of 1999.  Demand  remains
good for fragrance and flavor chemicals,  while the vitamin  intermediate market
remains weak.

Crude  sulphate  turpentine  costs were at $0.85 per gallon for the nine  months
ended  September  30,  2000,  $0.55 per gallon  lower than the nine months ended
September 30, 1999.

Equistar

                                   Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                      September 30,           September 30,
                                    2000        1999         2000        1999
                                 ----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
                                                  (In Millions)
                                                   (Unaudited)

Equity earnings                  $      16   $       3    $      73   $       4



Three Months Ended  September 30, 2000 Compared to Three Months Ended  September
30, 1999

The  Company's  29.5%  interest in  Equistar  generated  equity  earnings of $16
million  (after  interest)  for the third quarter of 2000 compared to $3 million
for the third  quarter of 1999.  On an operating  basis,  Equistar's  income (in
total)  increased  $34 million from $76 million in the third  quarter of 1999 to
$110 million in the third quarter of 2000.

Ethylene  prices  were 27% higher  than in the third  quarter of 1999.  However,
softening demand has caused prices to drop during the quarter,  down 3% from the
second quarter of 2000.

Feedstock  costs have  increased 36% from the third quarter of 1999 and 12% from
the second quarter of 2000.

Polymers  prices were up only 1% over the third quarter of 1999 and down 9% from
the second  quarter of 2000.  Volumes were up 8% from the third  quarter of 1999
and up 12% from the second quarter of 2000, due mainly to increased export sales
and the lack of a plant turnaround in the second quarter.

Feedstock costs are expected to rise slightly in the fourth quarter.


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30,
1999

The  Company's  29.5%  interest in  Equistar  generated  equity  earnings of $73
million  (after  interest) from the first nine months of 2000 compared to $4 for
the first nine months of 1999.  On an  operating  basis,  Equistar's  income (in
total) increased $244 million from the first nine months of 1999 to $407 million
for the first nine months of 2000.

As mentioned  before,  the demand for ethylene  remained  strong compared to the
first nine  months of 1999,  providing  support  for price  increases.  However,
ethylene margins were affected by higher feedstock costs, which partially offset
these price increases.  Prices are now decreasing due to softening demand in the
market.
<PAGE>

The polymers segment was negatively  impacted due to the higher feedstock costs,
which increased 27% compared to the first nine months of 1999.  However,  prices
were higher supported by the higher ethylene prices.  Volumes were flat with the
first nine months of 1999 in anticipation of lower prices.


FOREIGN CURRENCY MATTERS

The functional currency of each of the Company's non-United States operations is
the local  currency.  The impact of currency  translation in  consolidating  the
results of operations and the financial  position of such operations is included
as a component of comprehensive income in the consolidated  statement of changes
in  shareholders'  equity.  In addition,  the Company buys  materials  and sells
products in a variety of currencies  in various parts of the world.  Its results
are therefore  impacted by changes in the relative  value of currencies in which
it deals.  The  Company's  primary  market  risk  relates to exposure to foreign
currency  exchange  rate  fluctuations  on  transactions  made by the  Company's
foreign  operations.  The Company  currently uses forward exchange  contracts to
mitigate  the  effect of  short-term  foreign  exchange  rate  movements  on the
Company's operating results.  Future events, which may significantly increase or
decrease  the  risk of  future  movement  in any of the  currencies  in which it
conducts business, cannot be predicted.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash used in operating  activities  in the nine months ended  September 30, 2000
was $11  million  compared  to $19 million  provided  for the nine months  ended
September 30, 1999.  The decrease was due primarily to a tax  settlement of $151
million offset by differences in working capital changes.

Cash provided by investing  activities was $13 million  compared to $184 million
provided  in the first  nine  months  of 1999.  The  first  nine  months of 2000
reflects $83 million of  distributions  from  Equistar  partially  offset by $72
million used for capital expenditures. The 1999 period reflects proceeds of $123
million from the syngas  transaction,  proceeds  from the sale of the  remaining
interest in Suburban Propane of $75 million and  distributions  from Equistar of
$51 million, partially offset by capital expenditures of $79 million.

Cash provided by financing  activities  was $11 million in the first nine months
of 2000  compared  to $225  million in the first nine  months of 1999.  The 2000
period  reflects  $69  million  for the  repurchase  of shares used offset by an
increase in debt of $107 million.  1999 reflects $200 million for the repurchase
of shares.

The  Company  expects to spend  approximately  $100  million in 2000 for capital
expenditures.


<PAGE>



ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The discussion  under the caption  "Foreign  Currency  Matters" in "Management's
Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results of  Operations"  in
Item 2 of this Quarterly Report is incorporated by reference herein.


<PAGE>



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)      Exhibits

                11.1     Statement re: computation of per share earnings
                27.1     Financial Data Schedule

(b)      No  Current  Reports on Form 8-K were filed  during the  quarter  ended
         September 30, 2000 and through the date hereof.


<PAGE>



                                    SIGNATURE

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.

                               MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.



Date: November ___, 2000       [John E. Lushefski]___________________________
                               John E. Lushefski
                               Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                                 (as duly authorized officer and principal
                                  financial officer)



<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

11.1          Statement re: computation of per share earnings
27.1          Financial Data Schedule



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission