Cabot Announces Third Quarter Operating Results

July 23, 2008

Reported Earnings Increased More Than 40% Compared To A Year Ago

BOSTON, July 23, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) today announced results for its third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2008.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000323/CABOTLOGO )

Highlights:

-- Significantly improved operating results: higher unit margins and seasonally strong volumes in Rubber Blacks and Performance Products; strong demand in emerging markets offset weaker volumes in the U.S. and Western Europe

-- Continued investments in emerging markets: Performance Segment announces a new masterbatch facility in Dubai and the signing of a joint venture agreement to build a second fumed silica facility in China

-- Achievements in new business development: letter of intent to commercialize Cabot Elastomer Composites (CEC), first shipments of cesium formate to Kazakhstan and new Aerogel shipments in construction sector

-- Active management of new business pipeline: closure of an under-performing project in Superior MicroPowders and reduction in inkjet manufacturing costs



    (In millions, except per share amounts)                Third Quarter
                                                           Ended June 30,
                                                       2008           2007

    Net sales                                          $ 840          $ 649
    Income from operations                                50             33
    Diluted earnings per share                        $ 0.43         $ 0.30
    Less: Certain items per share                      (0.09)         (0.04)
    Less: Discontinued operations per share                -          (0.01)
    Adjusted earnings per share                       $ 0.52         $ 0.35


Cabot Corporation reported third quarter 2008 net income of $27 million ($0.43 per diluted common share). Adjusted EPS was $0.52 per diluted common share, which excludes $6 million ($0.09 per diluted common share) of charges from certain items. This compares to third quarter 2007 net income of $20 million ($0.30 per diluted common share). Adjusted EPS was $0.35 per diluted common share, which excluded $3 million ($0.05 per diluted common share) of charges from certain items and discontinued operations. Details of the Company's financial results and certain items are provided in the accompanying tables.

Commenting on the results, Patrick Prevost, Cabot's President and CEO, stated, "I am pleased with our performance this quarter. Our ability to improve margins and profitability is particularly notable given the volatile feedstock environment. Our geographic breadth and strong positions in emerging markets allowed us to maintain solid volumes despite weakening market conditions in the U.S. and Western Europe. We also made progress in our new business development efforts exemplified by the signing of a letter of intent with Michelin to commercialize our CEC technology, first shipments to Kazakhstan of cesium formate and new revenues for Aerogel. We will have to remain vigilant in light of the continued risks posed by raw material price volatility and a potential economic slowdown in developed economies."

Segment Results

Core Segment

Rubber Blacks profitability increased compared to the third quarter of 2007 on strong unit margins ($15 million contribution) as price increases matched feedstock cost increases for most of the quarter. Volumes were stable (down 1%) with weaker demand in Western Europe and continued softness in North America offset by strong Asia Pacific volumes, particularly in China. Sequentially, profitability improved on strong unit margins ($13 million contribution) and increased overall volumes (up 2%). The time lag of feedstock related pricing adjustments in the Company's rubber blacks supply contracts and the immediate recognition of feedstock costs in North America due to the use of LIFO accounting had an unfavorable impact of $10 million versus $13 million in the third quarter of 2007 and $15 million in the second quarter of 2008.

Supermetals profitability declined compared to the third quarter of 2007 and sequentially, principally from lower volumes ($7 million and $9 million, respectively) due to softness in capacitor demand and a highly competitive market environment. The business continued to focus on cash, generating $18 million during the quarter, including a further reduction of inventory levels. Additionally, the business minimized purchases of raw materials and continued to assess additional fixed cost reductions.

Performance Segment

Profitability was flat compared to the third quarter of 2007 driven principally by an $8 million unfavorable LIFO impact associated with carbon black feedstock costs. Despite increasing feedstock costs, Performance Products increased unit margins both year over year and sequentially. Volumes remained strong, increasing 3% compared to the third quarter of 2007 and 2% sequentially, with strong growth in emerging regions. Fumed metal oxides was unfavorably impacted by increased raw material and energy costs. Overall demand remained solid. Volumes increased 2% compared to the third quarter of 2007 but declined 4% sequentially. Current quarter results were affected by a one time manufacturing disruption.

Specialty Fluids Segment

Performance met expectations during the third quarter. Profitability was down versus 2007 but remained in line with the second quarter's results. Shipments of cesium formate fluid to Kazakhstan commenced during the quarter as the business continues to diversify its geographic presence.

New Business Segment

Sales declined versus the third quarter of 2007 and were flat sequentially. Decreased volumes and an unfavorable product mix in inkjet colorants offset a continued recovery in the inkjet aftermarket sector, increased Aerogel revenues in construction and new business in the Superior MicroPowders security market. During the quarter, steps were taken to actively manage the portfolio of new business opportunities, which will improve performance immediately. These actions included workforce reductions and the elimination of under-performing projects. The associated costs for these actions are included in certain items outlined in the accompanying tables.

Cash Flow

Cabot's operations generated $40 million in cash during the third quarter of 2008, despite a continued increase in working capital from high carbon black feedstock costs. Capital expenditures were $54 million including spending on rubber blacks expansions in China and several energy centers. The Company repurchased 84,000 shares on the open market at a cost of $2.5 million.

Outlook

Commenting on the outlook for the remainder of fiscal 2008 and beyond, Prevost said, "We remain solidly committed to our strategy and long term financial targets. Our Company is well positioned to meet our commitments to improve earnings and create shareholder value. We continue to aggressively manage the impact of increasing feedstock costs through price increases but we will continue to experience negative effects in the fourth fiscal quarter due to substantial hydrocarbon price increases in June and July. We are planning to eliminate most of the time lag in our rubber blacks supply contracts over the coming 18 to 24 months and have implemented monthly pricing adjustments where feasible. Demand remains solid across most of our businesses with our leading positions in emerging markets providing strong support. We are managing our new business efforts with renewed discipline, including taking concrete steps to work more closely with lead users and key partners and terminating under-performing projects where appropriate. Our commitment to high return investments in energy recovery projects and to attractive growth opportunities in emerging regions continues."

Earnings Call

The Company will host a conference call with industry analysts to discuss its performance for the third quarter ended June 30, 2008. The call will be at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on July 24, 2008 and can be accessed through Cabot's investor relations website at http://investor.cabot-corp.com.

Cabot Corporation, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, is a global performance materials company. Cabot's major products are carbon black, fumed silica, inkjet colorants, capacitor materials, and cesium formate drilling fluids. The Company's website is: http://www.cabot-corp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future (including statements about the company's plans to manage the impact of changing raw material costs including plans to eliminate the time lag of feedstock related pricing adjustments in its rubber blacks supply contracts), strategy for growth, market position, and expected financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Cabot, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to changes in raw material costs; costs associated with the research and development of new products, including regulatory approval and market acceptance; competitive pressures; successful integration of structural changes, including restructuring plans, and joint ventures; the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions, including inflation, interest and foreign currency exchange rates, of countries in which the company does business; and severe weather events that cause business interruptions, including plant and power outages, or disruptions in supplier or customer operations.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The preceding discussion of our results and the accompanying financial tables report adjusted EPS and also include information on our reportable segment sales and segment (or business) operating profit before taxes ("PBT"). Adjusted EPS and segment PBT are non-GAAP financial measures and are not intended to replace EPS and income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes, equity in net income of affiliated companies and minority interest, respectively, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Both EPS and adjusted EPS are calculated on a diluted share basis. In calculating adjusted EPS and segment PBT, we exclude certain items, meaning items that are significant and unusual or infrequent and not believed to reflect the true underlying business performance, and, therefore, are not allocated to a segment's results or included in adjusted EPS. Further, in calculating segment PBT we include equity in net income of affiliated companies, royalties paid by equity affiliates, minority interest and allocated corporate costs but exclude interest expense, foreign currency translation gains and losses, interest income and dividend income. Our chief operating decision-maker uses adjusted EPS to evaluate the underlying earnings power of the Company. Segment PBT is used to evaluate changes in the operating results of each segment before non-operating factors and before certain items and to allocate resources to the segments. We believe that these non-GAAP measures also assist our investors in evaluating the changes in our results and the Company's performance. A reconciliation of adjusted EPS to EPS is shown in the table titled Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS, and a reconciliation of total segment PBT to income (loss) from operations before taxes, equity in net income of affiliated companies and minority interest is shown in the table titled Summary Results by Segments. The certain items that are excluded from our calculation of adjusted EPS and segment PBT are detailed in the table titled Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS.



    Third Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2008

    CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

    Periods ended June 30
    Dollars in millions, except per share   Three Months      Nine Months
     amounts (unaudited)                    2008    2007     2008     2007

    Net sales and other operating revenues  $840    $649   $2,337   $1,941
    Cost of sales                            703     543    1,966    1,547
      Gross profit                           137     106      371      394

    Selling and administrative expenses       67      56      190      183
    Research and technical expenses           20      17       55       49
      Income from operations                  50      33      126      162

    Other income and expense
      Interest and dividend income             -       3        3        8
      Interest expense                        (9)     (8)     (28)     (26)
      Other income (expense)                  (2)      3       (5)       4
       Total other income and expense        (11)     (2)     (30)     (14)

    Income from continuing operations
     before income taxes, equity in net
     income of affiliated companies and
     minority interest                        39      31       96      148

    Provision for income taxes                (8)     (9)     (13)     (40)
    Equity in net income of affiliated
     companies, net of tax                     2       3        6        9
    Minority interest in net income, net
     of tax                                   (6)     (4)     (15)     (11)
    Income from continuing operations         27      21       74      106
    Discontinued operations, net of tax (A)    -      (1)       -       (1)
    Net income                                27      20       74      105
    Dividends on preferred stock, net of
     tax benefit                               -       -        -       (1)
    Net income available to common shares    $27     $20      $74     $104

    Diluted earnings per share of common
     stock
      Income from continuing operations    $0.43   $0.31    $1.16     1.55
      Discontinued operations, net of
       tax (A)                                 -   (0.01)       -    (0.01)
           Net income                      $0.43   $0.30    $1.16    $1.54
    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding
      Diluted                                 63      68       63       68

(A) Amount relates to legal settlements in connection with our discontinued operations, net of tax.



    Third Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2008

    CABOT CORPORATION SUMMARY RESULTS BY SEGMENTS

    Periods ended June 30
    Dollars in millions, except per share   Three Months         Nine Months
     amounts (unaudited)                     2008   2007         2008    2007

    SALES

    Core Segment                             $537   $399       $1,511  $1,226
      Rubber blacks (A)                       499    351        1,364   1,048
      Supermetals                              38     48          147     178
    Performance Segment                       247    208          695     598
      Performance products (A)                175    142          481     399
      Fumed metal oxides                       72     66          214     199
    New Business Segment                       13     14           34      38
      Inkjet colorants                         11     13           30      36
      Aerogel                                   1      1            2       1
      Superior MicroPowders                     1      -            2       1
    Specialty Fluids Segment                   17     16           49      42
      Segment sales                           814    637        2,289   1,904
    Unallocated and other (B)                  26     12           48      37
      Net sales and other operating
       revenues                              $840   $649       $2,337  $1,941
    SEGMENT PROFIT
    Core Segment                              $33    $11          $70    $101
      Rubber blacks                            37     11           75      86
      Supermetals                              (4)     -           (5)     15
    Performance Segment                        31     31           87     101
    New Business Segment                       (9)    (8)         (30)    (24)
    Specialty Fluids Segment                    5      7           18      18
      Total Segment Profit ( C )               60     41          145     196

    Interest expense                           (9)    (8)         (28)    (26)
    General unallocated expense (D)           (10)     1          (15)    (13)
    Less: Equity in net income of
     affiliated companies, net of tax          (2)    (3)          (6)     (9)
    Income from continuing operations
     before income taxes, equity in net
     income of affiliated companies and
     minority interest                         39     31           96     148
    Provision for income taxes                 (8)    (9)         (13)    (40)
    Equity in net income of affiliated
     companies, net of tax                      2      3            6       9
    Minority interest in net income, net
     of tax                                    (6)    (4)         (15)    (11)
    Income from continuing operations          27     21           74     106
    Discontinued operations, net of tax (E)     -     (1)           -      (1)
    Net Income                                 27     20           74     105
    Dividends on preferred stock, net of
     tax benefit                                -      -            -      (1)
    Net income available to common shares     $27    $20          $74    $104

    Diluted earnings per share of common
     stock
      Income from continuing operations     $0.43  $0.31        $1.16   $1.55
      Discontinued operations, net of
       tax (E)                                  -  (0.01)           -   (0.01)
          Net Income                        $0.43  $0.30        $1.16   $1.54
    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding
      Diluted                                  63     68           63      68

Note: During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, Management changed the way it manages the Company's businesses. Accordingly, the segment results for all periods presented has been revised to reflect these changes. The segment results represents the Company's current best estimate of these values, however, because the calculations are being refined, the values reported in the Company's future SEC filings may vary materially from those presented in this table.

(A) During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company purchased additional shares of one of its equity affiliates which resulted in the consolidation of its operating results in the Company's consolidated financial statements beginning April 1, 2008. Prior to the consolidation, segment sales for certain operating segments within the rubber blacks and performance products product lines included 100% of the sales of this equity affiliate at market-based prices, therefore there is no impact to the reported segment sales for the rubber blacks and performance products product lines.

(B) Unallocated and other reflects an elimination for sales of one equity affiliate, prior to the consolidation of its results beginning April 1, 2008, offset by royalties paid by equity affiliates and other operating revenues and external shipping and handling fees.

( C ) Segment profit is a measure used by Cabot's Chief Operating Decision-Maker to measure consolidated operating results, assess segment performance and allocate resources. Segment profit includes equity in net income of affiliated companies, royalties paid by equity affiliates, minority interest and allocated corporate costs.

(D) General unallocated expense includes foreign currency transaction gains (losses), interest income, dividend income, and the certain items listed in the Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS table.

(E) Amount relates to legal settlements in connection with our discontinued operations, net of tax.



    Third Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2008

    CABOT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION

                                                  June 30,       September 30,
    Dollars in millions, except share and           2008              2007
    per share amounts                           (unaudited)        (audited)

    Current assets:

      Cash and cash equivalents                      $107              $154
      Short-term marketable securities                  1                 2
      Accounts and notes receivable, net
       of reserve for doubtful accounts
       of $5 and $6                                   677               563
      Inventories:
        Raw materials                                 204               154
        Work in process                                59                77
        Finished goods                                261               184
        Other                                          34                27
          Total inventories                           558               442
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets        92                72
      Deferred income taxes                            38                35
      Assets held for sale                              7                 7
          Total current assets                      1,480             1,275

    Investments:
      Equity affiliates                                52                65
      Long-term marketable securities
       and cost investments                             1                 3
          Total investments                            53                68

    Property, plant and equipment                   3,084             2,823
    Accumulated depreciation and amortization      (1,985)           (1,807)
      Net property, plant and equipment             1,099             1,016

    Other assets:
      Goodwill                                         37                34
      Intangible assets, net of accumulated
       amortization of $11 and $10                      3                 4
      Assets held for rent                             44                42
      Deferred income taxes                           134               120
      Other assets                                     91                77
          Total other assets                          309               277

    Total assets                                   $2,941            $2,636



    Third Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2008

    CABOT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION

                                                    June 30,     September 30,
    Dollars in millions, except share and             2008              2007
     per share amounts                            (unaudited)        (audited)

    Current liabilities:
      Notes payable to banks                           $171               $67
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities          450               427
      Income taxes payable                               37                36
      Deferred income taxes                               2                 2
      Current portion of long-term debt                  39                15
          Total current liabilities                     699               547

    Long-term debt                                      483               503
    Deferred income taxes                                19                16
    Other liabilities                                   345               300

    Minority interest                                   110                76

    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred stock:
        Authorized:  2,000,000 shares of $1 par value     -                 -
            Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred
             Stock 7.75% Cumulative
              Authorized: 200,000 shares
              Issued: None
              Outstanding: None
      Common stock:
        Authorized: 200,000,000 shares of $1 par value   64                65
        Issued: 64,348,116 and 65,424,674 shares
        Outstanding: 64,221,766 and 65,279,803 shares
        Less cost of 126,349 and 144,871
         shares of common treasury stock                 (4)               (5)
    Additional paid-in capital                            -                 -
    Retained earnings                                 1,146             1,119
    Deferred employee benefits                          (31)              (34)
    Notes receivable for restricted stock               (16)              (19)
    Accumulated other comprehensive income              126                68
          Total stockholders' equity                  1,285             1,194

    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity       $2,941            $2,636



    CABOT CORPORATION
                                                  Fiscal    2007
    In millions, except per share
     amounts (unaudited)           Dec. Q.  Mar. Q.  June Q.  Sept. Q.   FY

    Sales
    Core Segment                     $428     $399     $399    $423    $1,649
      Rubber blacks (A)               351      346      351     368     1,416
      Supermetals                      77       53       48      55       233
    Performance Segment               188      202      208     213       811
      Performance products (A)        123      134      142     142       541
      Fumed metal oxides               65       68       66      71       270
    New Business Segment               11       13       14      11        49
      Inkjet colorants                 10       13       13      10        46
      Aerogel                           -        -        1       -         1
      Superior MicroPowders             1        -        -       1         2
    Specialty Fluids Segment           16       10       16      16        58
      Segment Sales                   643      624      637     663     2,567
    Unallocated and other (B)          12       13       12      12        49
    Net sales and other
     operating revenues              $655     $637     $649    $675    $2,616

    Segment Profit
    Core Segment                      $56      $33      $11      $9      $109
      Rubber blacks                    40       34       11       8        93
      Supermetals                      16       (1)       -       1        16
    Performance Segment                34       36       31      30       131
    New Business Segment              (11)      (4)      (8)    (10)      (33)
    Specialty Fluids Segment            8        3        7       7        25
      Total Segment Profit ( C )       87       68       41      36       232


    Interest expense                   (9)      (9)      (8)     (8)      (34)
    General unallocated income
     (expense) (D)                      -      (15)       1      (5)      (18)
    Less: Equity in net income of
     affiliated companies, net of tax  (3)      (3)      (3)     (3)      (12)

    Income from continuing operations
     before income taxes, equity in net
     income of affiliated companies
     and minority interest             75       41       31      20       168
    Benefit (provision) for
     income taxes                     (19)     (11)      (9)      2       (38)
    Equity in net income of affiliated
     companies, net of tax              3        3        3       3        12
    Minority interest in net income,
     net of tax                        (5)      (2)      (4)     (4)      (15)

    Income from continuing operations  54       31       21      21       127
    Discontinued operations, net
     of tax (E)                         -        -       (1)      3         2

    Net income                         54       31       20      24       129
    Dividends on preferred stock, net
     of tax benefit                     -       (1)       -       -        (1)

      Net income available to
       common shares                  $54      $30      $20     $24      $128

    Diluted earnings per share of
     common stock
    Income from continuing
     operations                     $0.79    $0.45    $0.31   $0.32     $1.87
    Discontinued operations, net
     of tax (E)                         -        -    (0.01)   0.04      0.03
    Net income                      $0.79    $0.45    $0.30   $0.36     $1.90
    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding
    Diluted                            69       69       68      66        68




                                                      Fiscal  2008
    In millions, except per share
     amounts (unaudited)           Dec. Q.  Mar. Q.  June Q.  Sept. Q.   FY

    Sales
    Core Segment                     $463     $511     $537      $-    $1,511
      Rubber blacks (A)               410      454      499             1,364
      Supermetals                      53       57       38               147
    Performance Segment               211      236      247               695
      Performance products (A)        141      164      175               481
      Fumed metal oxides               70       72       72               214
    New Business Segment                9       13       13                34
      Inkjet colorants                  8       11       11                30
      Aerogel                           -        1        1                 2
      Superior MicroPowders             1        1        1                 2
    Specialty Fluids Segment           16       16       17                49
      Segment Sales                   699      776      814             2,289
    Unallocated and other (B)          12       10       26                48
    Net sales and other operating
     revenues                        $711     $786     $840      $-    $2,337

    Segment Profit
    Core Segment                      $15      $23      $33      $-       $70
      Rubber blacks                    14       24       37                75
      Supermetals                       1       (1)      (4)               (5)
    Performance Segment                27       28       31                87
    New Business Segment              (12)      (9)      (9)              (30)
    Specialty Fluids Segment            7        5        5                18
      Total Segment Profit ( C )       37       47       60       -       145

    Interest expense                   (9)      (9)      (9)              (28)
    General unallocated income
     (expense) (D)                      8      (13)     (10)              (15)
    Less: Equity in net income of
     affiliated companies, net of tax  (2)      (2)      (2)               (6)
    Income from continuing operations
     before income taxes, equity in net
     income of affiliated companies
     and minority interest             34       23       39                96
    Benefit (provision) for
     income taxes                       6      (11)      (8)              (13)
    Equity in net income of affiliated
     companies, net of tax              2        2        2                 6
    Minority interest in net income,
     net of tax                        (6)      (3)      (6)              (15)
    Income from continuing operations  36       11       27                74
    Discontinued operations,
     net of tax (E)                     -        -        -                 -
    Net income                         36       11       27                74
    Dividends on preferred stock,
     net of tax benefit                 -        -        -                 -
      Net income available to
       common shares                  $36      $11      $27               $74
    Diluted earnings per share of
     common stock
    Income from continuing
     operations                     $0.56    $0.17    $0.43             $1.16
    Discontinued operations,
     net of tax (E)                     -        -        -                 -
    Net income                      $0.56    $0.17    $0.43             $1.16
    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding
    Diluted                            64       64       63                63

Note: During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, Management changed the way it manages the Company's businesses. Accordingly, the segment results for all periods presented has been revised to reflect these changes. The segment results represents the Company's current best estimate of these values, however, because the calculations are being refined, the values reported in the Company's future SEC filings may vary materially from those presented in this table.

(A) During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company purchased additional shares of one of its equity affiliates which resulted in the consolidation of its operating results in the Company's consolidated financial statements beginning April 1, 2008. Prior to the consolidation, segment sales for certain operating segments within the rubber blacks and performance products product lines included 100% of the sales of this equity affiliate at market-based prices, therefore there is no impact to the reported segment sales for the rubber blacks and performance products product lines.

(B) Unallocated and other reflects an elimination for sales of one equity affiliate, prior to the consolidation of its results beginning April 1, 2008, offset by royalties paid by equity affiliates and other operating revenues and external shipping and handling fees.

( C ) Segment profit is a measure used by Cabot's Chief Operating Decision-Maker to measure consolidated operating results, assess segment performance and allocate resources. Segment profit includes equity in net income of affiliated companies, royalties paid by equity affiliates, minority interest and allocated corporate costs.

(D) General unallocated expense includes foreign currency transaction gains (losses), interest income, dividend income and certain items listed in the Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS table.

(E) Amounts relate to legal and tax settlements in connection with our discontinued operations.



    Third Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2008

    CABOT CORPORATION  CERTAIN ITEMS AND RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EPS

    CERTAIN ITEMS:
    Periods ended June 30                           Three Months
    Dollars in millions, except per   2008      2008       2007      2007
     share amounts (unaudited)          $    per share(A)    $    per share(A)

    Certain items before income taxes
    Environmental reserves and legal
     settlements                       $(2)    $(0.03)     $(1)     $(0.01)
    Carbon Black federal antitrust
     litigation                          -          -        -           -
    CEO transition costs                 -          -        -           -
    Restructuring initiatives:
      - Global                          (5)     (0.05)       -           -
      - Altona, Australia                -          -        -           -
      - North America                   (1)     (0.01)      (3)      (0.03)
      - Europe (B)                       -          -        -           -
      Total certain items               (8)     (0.09)      (4)      (0.04)
    Discontinued operations ( C )        -          -       (1)      (0.01)
      Total certain items and
       discontinued operations          (8)     (0.09)      (5)      (0.05)
      Tax impact of certain items and
       discontinued operations           2          -        2           -
    Total certain items and discontinued
     operations, after tax             $(6)    $(0.09)     $(3)     $(0.05)



    CERTAIN ITEMS:
    Periods ended June 30
    Dollars in millions, except per                   Nine Months
     share amounts (unaudited)        2008      2008       2007      2007
                                        $    per share(A)    $    per share(A)

    Certain items before income taxes

    Environmental reserves and legal
     settlements                       $(3)    $(0.04)     $(6)     $(0.07)
    Carbon Black federal antitrust
     litigation                          -          -      (10)      (0.09)
    CEO transition costs                (4)     (0.04)       -           -
    Restructuring initiatives:
      - Global                          (5)     (0.05)      (4)      (0.04)
      - Altona, Australia               18       0.20       (1)      (0.01)
      - North America                  (14)     (0.16)      (3)      (0.03)
      - Europe (B)                      (2)     (0.02)       -           -
      Total certain items              (10)     (0.11)     (24)      (0.24)
    Discontinued operations(C)           -          -       (1)      (0.01)
      Total certain items and
       discontinued operations         (10)     (0.11)     (25)      (0.25)
      Tax impact of certain items and
       discontinued operations           3          -        8           -
    Total certain items and discontinued
     operations, after tax              (7)    $(0.11)    $(17)     $(0.25)



    Periods ended June 30                    Three Months       Nine Months
    Dollars in millions (unaudited)          2008     2007     2008     2007

    Statement of Operations Line Item
    Cost of sales                            $(4)     $(3)      $(1)    $(11)
    Selling and administrative expenses       (4)      (1)       (9)     (13)
      Total certain items                    $(8)     $(4)     $(10)    $(24)



    NON-GAAP MEASURE:
    Periods ended June 30                 Three Months      Nine Months
    Dollars in millions, except per      2008     2007     2008     2007
     share amounts (unaudited)            per      per      per      per
                                        share(A) share(A) share(A) share(A)
    Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to
     GAAP EPS
    Diluted EPS                          $0.43    $0.30     $1.16    $1.54
    Total certain items                  (0.09)   (0.04)    (0.11)   (0.24)
    Discontinued operations                  -    (0.01)        -    (0.01)
    Adjusted EPS                         $0.52    $0.35     $1.27    $1.79

    (A) Per share amounts are calculated after tax.
    (B) Charges relate to former carbon black facilities.

( C ) Amounts relate to legal settlements in connection with our discontinued operations.

SOURCE Cabot Corporation

http://www.cabot-corp.com