UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  November 1, 2006

CABOT CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

DELAWARE

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

(617) 345-0100

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

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

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

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

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

Item 2.02  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On November 1, 2006, Cabot Corporation issued a press release announcing its operating results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2006.  A copy of the press release, together with fourth quarter and full fiscal year supplemental business information, are furnished herewith as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2.

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)          Exhibits.

99.1                                                   Press release issued by Cabot Corporation on November 1, 2006

99.2                                                   Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2006 Supplemental Business Information

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SIGNATURES

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

	CABOT CORPORATION
	By:	/s/ James P. Kelly
	Name: James P. Kelly
	Title: Controller
Date:  November 1, 2006

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number		Title
99.1		Press release issued by Cabot Corporation on November 1, 2006
99.2		Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2006 Supplemental Business Information

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

CABOT ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR OPERATING RESULTS

BOSTON, MA (November 1, 2006) — Cabot Corporation (NYSE:CBT) today announced net income of $27 million ($0.39 per diluted common share) for the fourth quarter of 2006 and net income of $88 million ($1.28 per diluted common share) for the full fiscal year 2006.  This is compared to a net loss of $59 million (a loss of $1.02 per common share) for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 and a net loss of $48 million (a loss of $0.84 per common share) for the full fiscal year 2005.  These results are discussed in further detail below.

In commenting on the results, Kennett F. Burnes, Cabot’s Chairman and CEO, said, “On the whole, we are pleased with our fourth quarter financial results and we were able to manage the significant challenges we faced during the year, specifically the volatility in feedstock and energy prices.  Demand for products in all of our businesses remained strong during the quarter and we continued the trend of improving cash generation.  During the quarter we also faced the difficult task of reducing costs by eliminating jobs within the Company.  These actions are never easy and not something we take lightly, but we felt it was a necessary step in reducing the overall costs in the Company, particularly in the carbon black product lines.”

During the fourth quarter, rubber blacks and performance products returned to more normal levels of operations and profitability. Volume growth in rubber blacks remained strong with continued growth in our developing regions and a less than typical seasonal slowdown.  Unit margins in performance products continued to improve due to price increases throughout the year and both rubber blacks and performance products benefited from lower feedstock prices, which positively impacted the business, principally in North America. Additionally, over the course of the past 12 to 18 months rubber blacks and performance products operated with significantly

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fewer days of inventory.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 these efforts, along with other inventory charges, resulted in a $16 million unfavorable impact on profitability.  As the inventory reduction was essentially completed by the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, there was not a similar expense during the quarter. Cabot Japan had a positive impact on the Company’s operating profits during both the fourth quarter and full fiscal year.

Once complete, cost reduction actions taken during the fourth quarter of 2006 are anticipated to yield savings of approximately $20 million annually.  These efforts include a formal staffing reduction initiative, savings from open positions that will not be refilled, and savings achieved through other cost elimination activities.  These initiatives resulted in a pre-tax charge of $10 million during the fourth quarter.

The inkjet colorants product line had somewhat weaker profitability during the fourth quarter but a solid full fiscal year 2006.  During the fourth quarter, volumes increased 21% compared to the same period in 2005 driven primarily by growth in the OEM market segment. For the full year, volumes increased 36% with growth in both the OEM and aftermarket segments.  An OEM inventory drawdown in the fourth quarter, along with softening demand in the aftermarket segment, unfavorably impacted the product line’s results in the quarter. We were successful during the quarter at qualifying our new manufacturing line for the high-speed inkjet market in anticipation of commercial product launches in the spring of 2007.  However, unfavorable price mix and costs related to this new production capacity, which is not yet being fully commercially utilized, impacted the profitability of the product line during the quarter.

Fumed silica volumes grew by 20% in the fourth quarter when compared to the same period in fiscal 2005 driven by the niche and electronics segments. For the full fiscal year, volume growth of 9% and high plant utilization more than offset higher hydrogen and natural gas costs and startup costs associated with our new fumed silica plant in China, which is operating at nearly 90% of its designed capacity.

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As anticipated, for the full fiscal year, the ongoing transition from fixed price, fixed volume contracts to market based arrangements unfavorably impacted the profitability of the Supermetals Business compared to fiscal year 2005.  We were successful during the year in replacing our lost contracted volumes with open market volumes, albeit at significantly lower prices.  The Business experienced significant benefits from its previous cost reduction efforts leading to lower costs of nearly $40 million during 2006.  Additionally, we made significant progress toward reducing inventory levels, which decreased by $55 million during the fiscal year against our multi-year target of $100 million.

The reduction in profitability in the Specialty Fluids Business during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2006 was driven by reduced activity in the North Sea, specifically one larger than average job in 2005 that was not replicated during 2006.  We were encouraged, however, that our first well in Argentina was successfully completed during the quarter.

Detailed Financial Information

For the fourth quarter and full fiscal year the Company reported segment income as follows (amounts shown are in millions of dollars):

		Fourth quarter 2006			Fourth quarter 2005			Fiscal year 2006			Fiscal year 2005
Carbon Black		$	35		$	(4	)	$	105		$	94
Metal Oxides		5			1			18			16
Supermetals		9			7			41			52
Specialty Fluids		3			7			16			17

 

In addition to the items listed below, other unallocated items are fully described in the “Summary Results by Segment” table of the press release.

Net income included the following (amounts shown are pre-tax except per share amounts, which are after-tax):

Fourth quarter fiscal 2006		$, millions			per diluted  common share
(Charges) / Income
Restructuring activities related to staffing reductions		$	(10	)	$	(0.10	)
Charges related to closing carbon black facility in Australia		(7		)	(0.11		)
Recognition of asset retirement obligations (FIN 47)		(6		)	(0.07		)
Tax benefit related to settlement of various tax audits		14			0.21
Tax settlement from discontinued liquified natural gas business		2			0.03

 

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Fourth quarter fiscal 2005		$, millions			per common share
(Charges) / Income
Writeoff of long-lived assets in the Supermetals Business		$	(121	)	$	(1.12	)
Supermetals cost reduction initiatives		(15		)	(0.19		)
Charges related to closing carbon black facility in Australia		(3		)	(0.05		)

 

Full fiscal year 2006		$, millions			per diluted  common share
(Charges) / Income
Restructuring activities related to staffing reductions		$	(10	)	$	(0.10	)
Charges related to closing carbon black facility in Australia		(11		)	(0.15		)
Supermetals cost reduction initiatives		(3		)	(0.04		)
Lump sum payment related to termination of supply agreement		(27		)	(0.25		)
Recognition of asset retirement obligations (FIN 47)		(6		)	(0.07		)
Tax benefit related to settlement of various tax audits		22			0.32
Tax settlement from discontinued liquified natural gas business		2			0.03
Impact of stock-based compensation (FAS 123R)		4			0.04

 

Full fiscal year 2005		$, millions			per common share
(Charges) / Income
Writeoff of assets, including goodwill, in Supermetals Business		$	(211	)	$	(2.44	)
Supermetals cost reduction initiatives		(15		)	(0.19		)
Charges related to closing carbon black facility in Australia		(16		)	(0.19		)

 

Outlook

With respect to the future, Burnes said, “While we continue to remain concerned about the volatility of energy prices because of the impact that they inevitably have on our business, we are confident that we have positioned the Company well to withstand these types of disruptions on a long-term basis. We remain cautious given our current understanding of North American carbon black demand and announced plant closures in the tire industry, and we will continue to follow demand in this important region closely.  We face another step down in profitability in the Supermetals Business in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 as the last of our significant long-term supply contracts expires in December 2006. We are confident this business will remain profitable and we must continue to work hard to improve its performance going forward.”

Burnes continued, “We anticipate continued healthy growth in demand overall and remain pleased with our strong position in emerging markets which are proving to be our most

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profitable regions. If market conditions remain stable and energy prices remain at their current levels, we are optimistic that we will see continued benefits in the carbon black product lines. We are pleased with the strong demand we are seeing in the fumed silica product line and anticipate that the high utilization of our plants will continue through at least the first half of fiscal 2007. We are excited about the prospects for our inkjet colorants product line, particularly as high speed inkjet printing is commercialized.  With the success of the well in Argentina, we are also increasingly optimistic that we will see significant business for our cesium formate drilling fluids outside of the North Sea in the relatively near future. We remain as convinced as ever that our strategy of optimizing our core businesses and nurturing new business opportunities with patience and persistence is the best way to increase shareholder value.”

For those interested in more detailed information regarding Cabot’s fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2006 results, please see the Supplemental Business Information available on the Company’s website in the Investor Relations section: http://investor.cabot-corp.com.  Further details concerning certain items, cumulative effects of accounting changes and discontinued operations are included in Exhibit I of the press release.

Included above are forward-looking statements relating to management’s expectations regarding demand for our products;  the savings we expect to achieve from cost reduction initiatives;  our overall business performance and prospects; our ability to replace lost contract volumes with open market volumes in the Supermetals Business and maintain that Business’s profitability; utilization of new capacity for fumed metal oxides and inkjet colorants; carbon black feedstock and natural gas prices; and acceptance of our cesium formate drilling fluids outside of the North Sea.  The following are some of the factors that could cause Cabot’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements:  a continuing rise in feedstock costs and a higher than expected increase in natural gas prices; lower than expected demand for our products; our inability to maintain cost savings from restructuring activities; our inability to maintain and grow our position in the small office, home office printing market and to participate in the growth in emerging inkjet applications; unexpected delays in drilling operations at wells recently awarded to the Specialty Fluids Business and the success of this Business in gaining wider acceptance by the energy industry of cesium formate as a drilling fluid and to penetrate new

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markets (including development of the required logistics to reach remote markets); and the timely customer acceptance of products from recent capacity expansion projects.  Other factors and risks are discussed in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Cabot Corporation is a global specialty chemicals and materials company headquartered in Boston, MA. Cabot’s major products are carbon black, fumed silica, inkjet colorants, capacitor materials, and cesium formate drilling fluids.

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Fourth Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2006

CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Periods ended September 30		Three Months						Twelve Months
Dollars in millions, except per share amounts (unaudited)		2006			2005			2006			2005
Net sales and other operating revenues		$	663		$	558		$	2,543		$	2,125
Cost of sales		550			490			2,124			1,692
Gross profit		$	113		$	68		$	419		$	433
Selling and administrative expenses		59			67			235			240
Research and technical expenses		17			16			58			59
Goodwill asset impairment		—			—			—			90
Long-lived asset impairment		—			121			—			121
Income (loss) from operations		$	37		$	(136	)	$	126		$	(77	)
Other income and expense
Interest and dividend income		2			1			5			6
Interest expense		(8		)	(5		)	(27		)	(29		)
Other income		(7		)	1			(7		)	7
Total other income and expense		(13		)	(3		)	(29		)	(16		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		24			(139		)	97			(93		)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		4			76			(9		)	45
Equity in net income of affiliated companies, net of tax		4			6			12			12
Minority interest in net income, net of tax		(3		)	(2		)	(12		)	(12		)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations		29			(59		)	88			(48		)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax		(4		)	—			(2		)	—
Discontinued Operations, net of tax		2			—			2			—
Net income (loss)		27			(59		)	88			(48		)
Dividends on preferred stock, net of tax benefit		—			(1		)	(2		)	(3		)
Net income (loss) available to common shares		$	27		$	(60	)	$	86		$	(51	)
Diluted earnings per share of common stock
Net income (loss) from continuing operations		$	0.43		$	(1.02	)	$	1.28		$	(0.84	)
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax		(0.07		)	—			(0.03		)	$	—
Discontinued Operations		0.03			—			0.03			—
Net income (loss)		$	0.39		$	(1.02	)	$	1.28		$	(0.84	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, in millions
Diluted (A)		68			59			68			60

(A)         The weighted average common shares outstanding for the quarter and year ending September 30, 2005 excludes approximately 9 million and 8 million shares, respectively, as those shares would be antidilutive due to the Company’s net loss position.

Fourth Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2006

CABOT CORPORATION SUMMARY RESULTS BY SEGMENTS

Periods ended September 30		Three Months						Twelve Months
Dollars in millions, except per share amounts (unaudited)		2006			2005			2006			2005
SALES
Carbon Black Business		$	508		$	389		$	1,917		$	1,490
Rubber blacks		367			264			1,378			976
Performance products		128			113			488			469
Inkjet colorants		12			11			47			39
Superior MicroPowders		1			1			4			6
Metal Oxides Business		69			56			254			231
Fumed metal oxides		69			56			253			231
Aerogel		—			—			1			—
Supermetals Business		66			90			292			346
Specialty Fluids Business		11			14			44			40
Segment sales (A)		654			549			2,507			2,107
Unallocated and other (B)		9			9			36			18
Net sales and other operating revenues		$	663		$	558		$	2,543		$	2,125
SEGMENT PROFIT (LOSS)
Carbon Black Business		$	35		$	(4	)	$	105		$	94
Metal Oxides Business		5			1			18			16
Supermetals Business		9			7			41			52
Specialty Fluids Business		3			7			16			17
Total Segment Profit (C)		52			11			180			179
Interest expense		(8		)	(5		)	(27		)	(29		)
General unallocated expense (D)		(16		)	(139		)	(44		)	(231		)
Less: Equity in net income of affiliated companies, net of tax		(4		)	(6		)	(12		)	(12		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		24			(139		)	97			(93		)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		4			76			(9		)	45
Equity in net income of affiliated companies, net of tax		4			6			12			12
Minority interest in net income, net of tax		(3		)	(2		)	(12		)	(12		)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations		29			(59		)	88			(48		)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of taxes (E)		(4		)	—			(2		)	—
Discontinued Operations (F)		2			—			2			—
Net income (loss)		27			(59		)	88			(48		)
Dividends on preferred stock, net of tax benefit		—			(1		)	(2		)	(3		)
Net income (loss) available to common shares		$	27		$	(60	)	$	86		$	(51	)
Diluted earnings per share of common stock
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	0.43		$	(1.02	)	$	1.28		$	(0.84	)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax (E)		$	(0.07	)	$	—		$	(0.03	)	$	—
Discontinued Operations (F)		$	0.03		$	—		$	0.03		$	—
Net income (loss)		$	0.39		$	(1.02	)	$	1.28		$	(0.84	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, in millions
Diluted (G)		68			59			68			60

(A)         Segment sales for certain operating segments within the Carbon Black Business include 100% of sales of one equity affiliate at market-based prices.

(B)           Unallocated and other reflects an elimination of sales for one equity affiliate offset by royalties paid by equity affiliates and external shipping and handling fees.

(C)           Segment profit is a measure used by Cabot’s operating decision-makers to measure consolidated operating results and assess segment performance.  Segment profit includes equity in net income of affilated 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 Exhibit I, including charges in the Supermetals Business of $90 million of goodwill impairment in the second quarter of 2005, $121 million of long-lived asset impairment charges recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005 and the $27 million Gwalia settlement payment in the second quarter of 2006.

(E)            Amounts related to the cumulative benefit resulting from the adoption of FAS 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006, net of tax are $0.04 and amounts related to the cumulative expense resulting from the adoption of FIN 47 in the fourth quarter of 2006, net of tax are $(0.07).

(F)            Amount relates to a favorable tax settlement recognized during the period related to our discontinued liquified natural gas business.

(G)           The weighted average common shares outstanding for the quarter and year ending September 30, 2005 excludes approximately 9 million and 8 million shares, respectively, as those shares would be antidilutive due to the Company’s net loss position.

 

Fourth Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2006

CABOT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION

		September 30,			September 30,
Dollars in millions, except share and per share amounts (unaudited)		2006			2005
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	189		$	181
Short-term marketable securities investments		1			30
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $6 and $4		533			430
Inventories:
Raw materials		131			169
Work in Process		109			134
Finished goods		139			151
Other		41			39
Total inventories		420			493
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		75			66
Assets held for sale		—			5
Deferred income taxes		36			41
Total current assets		1,254			1,246
Investments:
Equity affiliates		59			63
Long-term marketable securities and cost investments		3			6
Total investments		62			69
Property, plant and equipment		2,531			2,264
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(1,567		)	(1,430		)
Net property, plant and equipment		964			834
Other assets:
Goodwill		31			25
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $10 and $9		5			6
Assets held for rent		40			37
Deferred income taxes		99			108
Other assets		77			49
Total other assets		252			225
Total assets		$	2,532		$	2,374

 

 

Fourth Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2006

CABOT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION

		September 30,			September 30,
Dollars in millions, except share and per share amounts (unaudited)		2006			2005
Current liabilities:
Notes payable to banks		$	58		$	34
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		384			321
Income taxes payable		23			30
Deferred income taxes		2			1
Current portion of long-term debt		34			47
Total current liabilities		501			433
Long-term debt		459			463
Deferred income taxes		20			15
Other liabilities		288			307
Minority interest		68			57
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock:
Authorized: 2,000,000 shares of $1 par value
Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock 7.75% Cumulative issued:
75,336 shares; outstanding: 55,895 and 61,068 shares (aggregate
Redemption value of $39 and $44)		56			61
Less cost of shares of preferred treasury stock		(38		)	(38		)
Common stock:
Authorized: 200,000,000 shares of $1 par value
Issued and outstanding: 63,579,040 and 62,971,872		64			63
Less cost of shares of common treasury stock		(5		)	(5		)
Additional paid-in capital		7			32
Retained earnings		1,160			1,127
Unearned compensation		—			(41		)
Deferred employee benefits		(38		)	(42		)
Notes receivable for restricted stock		(20		)	(19		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		10			(39		)
Total stockholders’ equity		1,196			1,099
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	2,532		$	2,374

 

 

CABOT CORPORATION

In millions,		Fiscal 2005															Fiscal 2006
except per share amounts (unaudited)		Dec. Q.			Mar. Q.			June Q.			Sept. Q.			FY			Dec. Q.			Mar. Q.			June Q.			Sept. Q.			FY
Sales
Carbon Black Business		$	345		$	369		$	387		$	389		$	1,490		$	419		$	476		$	514		$	508		$	1,917
Rubber blacks		225			235			252			264			976			298			346			367			$	367		1,378
Performance products		110			123			123			113			469			109			117			134			$	128		488
Inkjet colorants		9			9			10			11			39			11			12			12			$	12		47
Superior MicroPowders		1			2			2			1			6			1			1			1			$	1		4
Metal Oxides Business		60			58			57			56			231			57			62			66			$	69		254
Fumed metal oxides		60			58			57			56			231			57			62			65			$	69		253
Aerogel		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			1			$	—		1
Supermetals Business		77			86			93			90			346			93			67			66			$	66		292
Specialty Fluids Business		7			8			11			14			40			10			11			12			$	11		44
Segment Sales (A)		489			521			548			549			2,107			579			616			658			654			2,507
Unallocated and other (B)		6			6			(3		)	9			18			8			11			8			9			36
Net sales and other operating revenues		$	495		$	527		$	545		$	558		$	2,125		$	587		$	627		$	666		$	663		$	2,543
Segment Profit (Loss)
Carbon Black Business		$	30		$	41		$	26		$	(4	)	$	94		$	21		$	26		$	23		$	35		$	105
Metal Oxides Business		6			5			4			1			16			2			5			6			5			18
Supermetals Business		16			16			13			7			52			11			12			9			9			41
Specialty Fluids Business		2			4			5			7			17			4			4			5			3			16
Total segment profit (C)		54			66			48			11			179			38			47			43			52			180
Income (Loss) from operations
Interest expense		(8		)	(8		)	(8		)	(5		)	(29		)	(6		)	(7		)	(6		)	(8		)	(27		)
General unallocated income (expense) (D)		1			(91		)	(2		)	(139		)	(231		)	(2		)	(24		)	(2		)	(16		)	(44		)
Less: Equity in net income of affiliated companies, net of tax		(2		)	(2		)	(2		)	(6		)	(12		)	(3		)	(4		)	(1		)	(4		)	(12		)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before income taxes		45			(35		)	36			(139		)	(93		)	27			12			34			24			97
(Provision) benefit for income taxes		(9		)	(13		)	(9		)	76			45			(4		)	(1		)	(8		)	4			(9		)
Equity in net income of affiliated companies, net of tax		2			2			2			6			12			3			4			1			4			12
Minority interest in net income, net of tax		(3		)	(4		)	(3		)	(2		)	(12		)	(4		)	(3		)	(2		)	(3		)	(12		)
Net income (loss) from Continuing Operations		35			(50		)	26			(59		)	(48		)	22			12			25			29			88
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of taxes (E)		—			—			—			—			—			2			—			—			(4		)	(2		)
Discontinued Operations (F)		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			2			2
Net income (loss)		35			(50		)	26			(59		)	(48		)	24			12			25			27			88
Dividends on preferred stock, net of tax benefit		(1		)	—			(1		)	(1		)	(3		)	(1		)	—			(1		)	—			(2		)
Net income (loss) available to common shares		$	34		$	(50	)	$	25		$	(60	)	$	(51	)	$	23		$	12		$	24		$	27		$	86
Net income (loss) per common share
Net income (loss) from Continuing Operations		$	0.51		$	(0.84	)	$	0.39		$	(1.02	)	$	(0.84	)	$	0.31		$	0.17		$	0.37		$	0.43		$	1.28
Cumulative Effects of Accounting Changes, net of tax (E)		—			—			—			—			—			0.04			—			—			(0.07		)	(0.03		)
Discontinued Operations (F)		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			0.03			0.03
Net income (loss)		$	0.51		$	(0.84	)	$	0.39		$	(1.02	)	$	(0.84	)	$	0.35		$	0.17		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	1.28
Weighted average common shares outstanding, in millions
Diluted (G)		69			60			69			59			60			68			69			69			68			68

(A)           Segment sales for certain operating segments within the Carbon Black Business include 100% of sales of one equity affiliate at market-based prices.

(B)            Unallocated and other reflects an elimination for sales for one equity affiliate offset by royalties paid by equity affiliates, external shipping and handling fees.

(C)            Segment profit is a measure used by Cabot’s operating decision-makers to measure consolidated operating results and assess segment performance. Segment profit includes equity in net income of affiliated companies and excludes royalties paid by equity affiliates, minority interest and allocated corporate costs.

(D)           General unallocated income (expense) includes foreign currency transaction gains (losses), interest income, dividend income and certain items listed in Exhibit I. These amounts also include the following charges in the Supermetals Business: $90 million of goodwill impairment charges recorded in the second quarter of 2005, $121 million of long-lived asset impairment charges recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 and the $27 million settlement payment in the second quarter of 2006.

(E)            Amounts relate to the cumulative benefit resulting from the adoption of FAS 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006, net of tax of $0.04 and amounts related to the cumulative expense resulting from the adoption of FIN 47 in the fourth quarter of 2006, net of tax of ($0.07).

(F)             Amount relates to a favorable tax settlement recognized during the period related from our liquified natural gas discontinued business.

(G)            The weighted average common shares outstanding for the quarter and year ending September 30, 2005 excludes approximately 9 million and 8 million shares, respectively, as those shares would  be antidilutive due to the Company’s net loss position.