Alcoa Reports 1Q 2010 Results

April 12, 2010

  • Loss from continuing operations of $194 million, or $0.19 per share,
    including restructuring and special charges.
  • Restructuring and special charges total $295 million, or $0.29 per
    share.
  • Strong EBITDA performance of $596 million, highest since 3rd
    quarter 2008.
  • Realized aluminum and alumina prices increase 8 and 13 percent,
    respectively, from 4th quarter 2009.
  • Revenues of $4.9 billion; higher realized prices offset by normalized
    buy/re-sell activity, lower shipments, and actions to improve
    long-term profitability in rigid packaging.
  • Cash Sustainability Program drove $86 million in productivity.
  • Debt-to-capital ratio improved to 38.1 percent, 60-basis-points better
    sequentially.
  • Cash on hand of $1.3 billion at end of 1st quarter.
  • Net loss for 1st quarter 2010 of $201 million, or $0.20 per
    share.

NEW YORK–Alcoa (NYSE: AA) today announced a first quarter 2010 loss from
continuing operations of $194 million, or $0.19 per share, which
includes restructuring and special charges of $295 million, or $0.29 per
share. The results compare to a fourth quarter 2009 loss from continuing
operations of $266 million, or $0.27 per share, and a first quarter 2009
loss from continuing operations of $480 million, or $0.59 per share.

The $295 million in first-quarter charges, which are primarily non-cash,
relate to:

  • Restructuring and environmental costs, primarily from the decision to
    permanently close two smelters in Badin, North Carolina, and
    Frederick, Maryland, which were curtailed in August 2002 and December
    2005, respectively, totaling $135 million, or $0.13 per share;
  • Discrete tax impacts totaling $112 million, or $0.11 per share,
    primarily as a result of changes in federal health care laws; and
  • Special items totaling $48 million, or $0.05 per share, for
    mark-to-market changes in derivatives and the impact of power outages.

Results from continuing operations in the first quarter 2010 improved
$72 million over the fourth quarter 2009, driven by higher realized
prices for alumina and aluminum (+13 percent and +8 percent,
respectively) and productivity gains, which were partially offset by the
impact of LIFO, lower volumes and higher energy costs.

Alcoa continued to produce strong results in cash sustainability
initiatives in the areas of overhead, procurement, working capital and
capital expenditures. In the first quarter the Company generated $86
million in productivity through the program sequentially, helping to
produce strong quarterly EBITDA of $596 million. Cash sustainability
efforts helped improve the cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales
by 8.2 points from the fourth quarter 2009 to 82.1 percent. The Company
is on track to deliver its new increased 2010 annual cash sustainability
goals.

“Our performance continued to improve in the first quarter thanks to
higher realized prices and strong operational results,” said Klaus
Kleinfeld, Alcoa President and Chief Executive Officer. “Most of the
special items we reported are non-cash and include proactive decisions
to structurally improve the company’s profit potential.

“Our markets are gradually improving and both policy trends and consumer
sentiment bode well for aluminum demand. Just a few days ago, the U.S.
finalized new rules that require increased fuel efficiency and for the
first time set greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light
trucks. In addition, a growing number of customers are requesting
sustainable products. Factors like these play to aluminum’s superior
advantages as a light, strong, versatile and infinitely recyclable
material.”

Revenues for the first quarter 2010 were $4.9 billion, a 10 percent
decrease from the fourth quarter of 2009. Higher realized prices were
offset by more normalized buy/re-sell activity compared to the fourth
quarter; lower shipments in alumina and primary metals; and the impact
of the Company’s strategy to improve long-term profitability in the
rigid packaging business. Revenues in the first quarter 2009 were $4.1
billion.

Net loss for the first quarter 2010 was $201 million, or $0.20 per
share, which includes the unfavorable impact of $295 million, or $0.29
per share, for restructuring and special charges. Net loss for the
fourth quarter 2009 was $277 million, or $0.28 per share, and net loss
for the first quarter 2009 was $497 million, or $0.61 per share.

Cash from operations in the quarter was $199 million and the Company
finished the first quarter 2010 with $1.3 billion of cash on hand. The
Company’s debt-to-capital ratio stood at 38.1 percent at the end of the
quarter, an improvement of 60-basis-points from fourth quarter 2009 and
a 250-basis-point improvement from first quarter 2009. Capital
expenditures in the quarter were $221 million, with approximately 60
percent related to growth projects.

Segment Results

Alumina

After-tax operating income (ATOI) in the first quarter was $72 million,
an increase of $53 million compared with $19 million in the fourth
quarter 2009. The prior period included a tax settlement related to an
equity investment in Brazil. A 13 percent increase in pricing and lower
costs driven by productivity, were partially offset by a power outage at
the Sao Luis refinery and higher Juruti start-up costs. Alumina
production in the first quarter declined 31 thousand metric tons (kmt)
to 3,866 kmt as the disruption at Sao Luis and maintenance outages in
Australia more than offset increases at Point Comfort. Also, third-party
shipments declined as more alumina was used to meet internal demand.

Primary Metals

ATOI in the first quarter was $123 million, an increase of $337 million
from the fourth quarter of 2009, which included $250 million in charges
related to the European Commission’s decision on electricity tariffs
affecting the Company’s Italian smelters. Higher LME prices and regional
premiums, combined with favorable currency movements and lower costs
driven by productivity drove the sequential improvement. Third-party
realized metal prices increased eight percent over the previous quarter.
Primary metal production for the quarter declined 8 kmt to 889 kmt.

Flat-Rolled Products

ATOI in the first quarter was $30 million, a sequential decrease of $7
million. Lower volumes related to Alcoa’s decision to curtail sales to a
North American can sheet customer negatively impacted the segment by $22
million. Improved pricing across many markets, including can sheet, and
capacity rationalization to bring costs in line with volumes more than
offset the impact of lower can sheet shipments.

Engineered Products and Solutions

ATOI in the first quarter was $81 million, up 42 percent sequentially
despite lower sales. Strong productivity gains and a modest improvement
in end-market conditions more than offset continued weakness in the
building and construction and industrial gas turbines markets.

Alcoa will hold its quarterly conference call at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on
April 12, 2010 to present the quarter’s results. The meeting will be
webcast via alcoa.com. Call information and related details are
available at www.alcoa.com
under “Invest.”

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated
aluminum and alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum
industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the
aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the
past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled
products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa® wheels,
fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building
systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as
titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral
part of Alcoa’s operating practices and the product design and
engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index for eight consecutive years and approximately
75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in
active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31
countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release relate to future events and
expectations and, as such, constitute forward-looking statements
involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause
actual results, performance or achievements of Alcoa to be different
from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Alcoa
disclaims any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking
statements, whether in response to new information, future events or
otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements include: (a) material adverse changes in
economic or aluminum industry conditions generally, including global
supply and demand conditions and fluctuations in London Metal
Exchange-based prices for primary aluminum, alumina and other products;
(b) material adverse changes in the markets served by Alcoa, including
automotive and commercial transportation, aerospace, building and
construction, distribution, packaging, industrial gas turbine and other
markets; (c) Alcoa’s inability to achieve the level of cash generation,
cost savings, improvement in profitability and margins, or strengthening
of operations anticipated by management from its cash sustainability,
productivity improvement and other initiatives; (d) Alcoa’s inability to
realize expected benefits from newly constructed, expanded or acquired
facilities or from international joint ventures as planned and by
targeted completion dates, including the new joint venture in Saudi
Arabia; (e) significant increases in power or energy costs or the
unavailability or interruption of energy supplies for Alcoa’s
operations; (f) political, economic and regulatory risks in the
countries in which Alcoa operates or sells products, including
unfavorable changes in laws and governmental policies and fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates; (g) outcomes of
significant legal proceedings or investigations adverse to Alcoa; and
(h) the other risk factors summarized in Alcoa’s Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2009 and other reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

 

Alcoa and subsidiaries

Statement of Consolidated Operations (unaudited)

(in millions, except per-share, share, and metric ton amounts)

 
  Quarter ended
March 31,   December 31,   March 31,
2009 2009 2010
Sales $ 4,147 $ 5,433 $ 4,887
 
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of expenses below) 4,143 4,905 4,013
Selling, general administrative, and other expenses 244 291 239
Research and development expenses 41 51 39
Provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization 283 369 358
Restructuring and other charges 69 69 187
Interest expense 114 121 118
Other expenses, net   30     21     21  
Total costs and expenses 4,924 5,827 4,975
 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (777 ) (394 ) (88 )
(Benefit) provision for income taxes   (307 )   (137 )   84  
 
Loss from continuing operations (470 ) (257 ) (172 )
Loss from discontinued operations   (17 )   (11 )   (7 )
 
Net loss (487 ) (268 ) (179 )
 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   10     9     22  
 
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ALCOA $ (497 ) $ (277 ) $ (201 )
 

AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ALCOA COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:

Loss from continuing operations $ (480 ) $ (266 ) $ (194 )
Loss from discontinued operations   (17 )   (11 )   (7 )
Net loss $ (497 ) $ (277 ) $ (201 )
 

EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ALCOA COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:

Basic:
Loss from continuing operations $ (0.59 ) $ (0.27 ) $ (0.19 )
Loss from discontinued operations   (0.02 )   (0.01 )   (0.01 )
Net loss $ (0.61 ) $ (0.28 ) $ (0.20 )
 
Diluted:
Loss from continuing operations $ (0.59 ) $ (0.27 ) $ (0.19 )
Loss from discontinued operations   (0.02 )   (0.01 )   (0.01 )
Net loss $ (0.61 ) $ (0.28 ) $ (0.20 )
 
Average number of shares used to compute:
Basic earnings per common share 816,743,426 974,377,851 1,007,221,162
Diluted earnings per common share 816,743,426 974,377,851 1,007,221,162
 
Common stock outstanding at the end of the period 974,275,393 974,378,820 1,020,819,182
 
Shipments of aluminum products (metric tons) 1,175,000 1,404,000 1,134,000
 

Alcoa and subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)

(in millions)

 

 

December 31,
2009

 

March 31,
2010

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,481 $ 1,292

Receivables from customers, less allowances of $70 in 2009 and $61
in 2010

1,529 1,647
Other receivables 653 308
Inventories 2,328 2,394
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,031     978  
Total current assets   7,022     6,619  
 
Properties, plants, and equipment 35,525 35,757
Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization   15,697     16,090  
Properties, plants, and equipment, net   19,828     19,667  
Goodwill 5,051 5,065
Investments 1,061 1,058
Deferred income taxes 2,958 2,918
Other noncurrent assets 2,419 2,388
Assets held for sale   133     120  
Total assets $ 38,472   $ 37,835  
 
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings $ 176 $ 166
Accounts payable, trade 1,954 1,868
Accrued compensation and retirement costs 925 799
Taxes, including income taxes 345 371
Other current liabilities 1,345 1,274
Long-term debt due within one year   669     666  
Total current liabilities   5,414     5,144  
Long-term debt, less amount due within one year 8,974 8,925
Accrued pension benefits 3,163 2,547
Accrued postretirement benefits 2,696 2,689
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits 2,605 2,631
Liabilities of operations held for sale   60     49  
Total liabilities   22,912     21,985  
 
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY 40
 
EQUITY
Alcoa shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock 55 55
Common stock 1,097 1,141
Additional capital 6,608 7,100
Retained earnings 11,020 10,787
Treasury stock, at cost (4,268 ) (4,191 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (2,092 )   (2,223 )
Total Alcoa shareholders’ equity   12,420     12,669  
Noncontrolling interests   3,100     3,181  
Total equity   15,520     15,850  
Total liabilities and equity $ 38,472   $ 37,835  
 

Alcoa and subsidiaries

Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows (unaudited)

(in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

2009   2010
CASH FROM OPERATIONS
Net loss $ (487 ) $ (179 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash from operations:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 283 358
Deferred income taxes (24 ) 68
Equity loss (income), net of dividends 27 (15 )
Restructuring and other charges 69 187
Net gain from investing activities – asset sales (27 ) (2 )
Loss from discontinued operations 17 7
Stock-based compensation 26 25
Other 37 65
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of
acquisitions, divestitures, and foreign currency translation
adjustments:
Decrease (increase) in receivables 302 (176 )
Decrease (increase) in inventories 523 (105 )
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets 11 14
(Decrease) in accounts payable, trade (474 ) (55 )
(Decrease) in accrued expenses (303 ) (326 )
(Decrease) increase in taxes, including income taxes (339 ) 321
Pension contributions (34 ) (22 )
Decrease (increase) in noncurrent assets 30 (9 )
Increase in noncurrent liabilities 98 53
Decrease (increase) in net assets held for sale   1     (17 )
CASH (USED FOR) PROVIDED FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (264 ) 192
CASH (USED FOR) PROVIDED FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS   (7 )   7  
CASH (USED FOR) PROVIDED FROM OPERATIONS   (271 )   199  
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net change in short-term borrowings 209 (9 )
Net change in commercial paper (1,202 )
Additions to long-term debt 689 53
Debt issuance costs (13 )
Payments on long-term debt (1 ) (86 )
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options 5
Issuance of common stock 876
Dividends paid to shareholders (137 ) (32 )
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests (77 ) (72 )
Contributions from noncontrolling interests 159 27
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests       (66 )
CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES   503     (180 )
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures (468 ) (221 )
Capital expenditures of discontinued operations (3 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (a) 18 5
Proceeds from the sale of assets and businesses 116
Additions to investments (29 ) (129 )
Sales of investments 506 137
Other   (4 )    
CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES   136     (208 )
 

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

1

   

 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 369 (189 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   762     1,481  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 1,131   $ 1,292  
(a)   Acquisitions, net of cash acquired for the three months ended March
31, 2010 was a cash inflow as this line item includes cash received
as a result of post-closing adjustments related to the acquisition
of a BHP Billiton subsidiary that holds interests in four bauxite
mines and one refining facility in the Republic of Suriname, which
was completed on July 31, 2009. Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was a cash inflow as this
line item includes cash acquired in the exchange of Alcoa’s 45.45%
stake in the Sapa AB joint venture for Orkla ASA’s 50% stake in the
Elkem Aluminium ANS joint venture, which was completed on March 31,
2009.
 

Alcoa and subsidiaries

Segment Information (unaudited)

(dollars in millions, except realized prices; production and
shipments in thousands of metric tons [kmt])

           
1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 2009 1Q10
Alumina:
Alumina production (kmt) 3,445 3,309 3,614 3,897 14,265 3,866
Third-party alumina shipments (kmt) 1,737 2,011 2,191 2,716 8,655 2,126
Third-party sales $ 430 $ 441 $ 530 $ 760 $ 2,161 $ 638
Intersegment sales $ 384 $ 306 $ 432 $ 412 $ 1,534 $ 591
Equity income $ 2 $ 1 $ 2 $ 3 $ 8 $ 2
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization $ 55 $ 67 $ 81 $ 89 $ 292 $ 92
Income taxes $ (1 ) $ (21 ) $ 13 $ (13 ) $ (22 ) $ 27
After-tax operating income (ATOI)   $ 35     $ (7 )   $ 65     $ 19     $ 112     $ 72  
 
Primary Metals:
Aluminum production (kmt) 880 906 881 897 3,564 889
Third-party aluminum shipments (kmt) 683 779 698 878 3,038 695
Alcoa’s average realized price per metric ton of aluminum

$

1,567

$

1,667

$

1,972

$

2,155

$

1,856

$

2,331

Third-party sales $ 844 $ 1,146 $ 1,362 $ 1,900 $ 5,252 $ 1,702
Intersegment sales $ 393 $ 349 $ 537 $ 557 $ 1,836 $ 623
Equity (loss) income $ (30 ) $ 4 $ $ $ (26 ) $
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization $ 122 $ 139 $ 143 $ 156 $ 560 $ 147
Income taxes $ (147 ) $ (119 ) $ (52 ) $ (47 ) $ (365 ) $ 18
ATOI   $ (212 )   $ (178 )   $ (8 )   $ (214 )   $ (612 )   $ 123  
 
Flat-Rolled Products:
Third-party aluminum shipments (kmt) 442 448 476 465 1,831 379
Third-party sales $ 1,510 $ 1,427 $ 1,529 $ 1,603 $ 6,069 $ 1,435
Intersegment sales $ 26 $ 23 $ 34 $ 30 $ 113 $ 46
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization $ 52 $ 55 $ 60 $ 60 $ 227 $ 59
Income taxes $ $ (1 ) $ 17 $ 32 $ 48 $ 18
ATOI   $ (61 )   $ (35 )   $ 10     $ 37     $ (49 )   $ 30  
 
Engineered Products and Solutions:
Third-party aluminum shipments (kmt) 41 50 43 46 180 46
Third-party sales $ 1,270 $ 1,194 $ 1,128 $ 1,097 $ 4,689 $ 1,074
Equity income $ $ $ 1 $ 1 $ 2 $ 1
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization $ 40 $ 46 $ 41 $ 50 $ 177 $ 41
Income taxes $ 46 $ 40 $ 33 $ 20 $ 139 $ 31
ATOI   $ 95     $ 88     $ 75     $ 57     $ 315     $ 81  
 
Reconciliation of ATOI to consolidated net (loss) income
attributable to Alcoa:
Total segment ATOI $ (143 ) $ (132 ) $ 142 $ (101 ) $ (234 ) $ 306
Unallocated amounts (net of tax):
Impact of LIFO 29 39 80 87 235 (14 )
Interest income 1 8 (1 ) 4 12

3

Interest expense (74 ) (75 ) (78 ) (79 ) (306 ) (77 )
Noncontrolling interests (10 ) 5 (47 ) (9 ) (61 ) (22 )
Corporate expense (71 ) (70 ) (71 ) (92 ) (304 ) (67 )
Restructuring and other charges (46 ) (56 ) (3 ) (50 ) (155 ) (122 )
Discontinued operations (17 ) (142 ) 4 (11 ) (166 ) (7 )
Other     (166 )     (31 )     51       (26 )     (172 )     (201 )

Consolidated net (loss) income attributable to Alcoa

 

$

(497

)

 

$

(454

)

 

$

77

   

$

(277

)

 

$

(1,151

)

 

$

(201

)

The difference between certain segment totals and consolidated amounts
is in Corporate.

 

Alcoa and subsidiaries

Calculation of Financial Measures (unaudited)

(in millions)

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,
and
amortization (EBITDA)

     

Quarter ended
March 31,
2010

 
Net loss attributable to Alcoa $ (201 )
 
Add:
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

22

Loss from discontinued operations 7
Provision for income taxes 84
Other expenses, net 21
Interest expense 118
Restructuring and other charges 187
Provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization  

358

 
 
EBITDA $ 596  

Alcoa’s definition of EBITDA is net margin plus an add-back for
depreciation, depletion, and amortization. Net margin is equivalent to
Sales minus the following items: Cost of goods sold; Selling, general
administrative, and other expenses; Research and development expenses;
and Provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization. EBITDA is a
non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure is
meaningful to investors because EBITDA provides additional information
with respect to Alcoa’s operating performance and the Company’s ability
to meet its financial obligations. The EBITDA presented may not be
comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.