Alcoa Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA) today reported third quarter 2023 results that include increased third-party shipments in the Company’s two segments and a sequential improvement in cash generated from operations despite lower sequential average realized prices for alumina and aluminum.

Financial Results and Highlights

• Increased third-party shipments of alumina by 11 percent and aluminum by 1 percent sequentially
• Generated $69 million in cash from operations, a sequential improvement of $82 million
• Finished the third quarter with a cash balance of $926 million
• Paid quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock, totaling $18 million
• Progressed process for Western Australia mine plan approvals
• Achieved multiple production records across the Canadian smelting system
• Initiated cost reduction program at the Kwinana refinery in Australia
• Gained greater market penetration for Alcoa’s Sustana™ line of low-carbon products

“It is a true honor to take the helm at Alcoa as we further position the Company for long-term success," said Alcoa President and CEO William F. Oplinger, who was appointed to the role last month. “In the third quarter, we saw positive improvements in raw material and production costs, but lower average realized pricing for alumina and aluminum had the biggest impact on our results,” he said. “Moving forward, we are laser-focused on improvement, and we’re working across our global system to increase margins through operational productivity,” Oplinger said.

“We are already beginning to see progress with better, year-on-year safety results, as well as production records from our smelters in Quebec,” Oplinger said. “And we will build on that momentum across our business as we progress, to remain well positioned to deliver today and in the future.”

Third Quarter 2023 Results

• Revenue: The Company’s total third-party revenue of $2.60 billion decreased from $2.68 billion in the prior quarter with lower average realized third-party prices for alumina and aluminum. Alumina decreased 2 percent and aluminum fell 9 percent, although those lower prices were partially offset by higher shipments in both the Alumina and Aluminum segments.

• Shipments: In the Alumina segment, third-party shipments of alumina increased 11 percent sequentially, primarily due to increased trading and shipments across the worldwide refining system. In Aluminum, total shipments increased 1 percent sequentially.

• Production: Alumina production increased 10 percent sequentially to 2.8 million metric tons primarily due to higher production at the Alumar refinery in Brazil after the conclusion of elevated maintenance and higher output from Australian refineries that are adapting to lower grade bauxite.
  
  
  
  In Aluminum, Alcoa produced 532,000 metric tons, a sequential increase of 2 percent from the second quarter’s strong output, including multiple quarterly and year-to-date production records across the Canadian smelters.

• Net loss attributable to Alcoa Corporation was $168 million, or $0.94 per share. Sequentially, the results reflect lower alumina and aluminum prices and unfavorable currency impacts of $83 million, which were not offset by the benefits of lower raw material and production costs in both the Alumina and Aluminum segments. Additionally, the third quarter results include the benefit of a $58 million valuation allowance reversal on the deferred tax assets of the Company’s subsidiaries in Iceland.

• Adjusted net loss was $202 million, or $1.14 per share, excluding the impact from special items of $34 million of income. Notable special items include $58 million in a net benefit for discrete tax items primarily related to the reversal of the tax valuation allowance described above, partially offset by a mark-to-market loss of $21 million related to energy contracts.

• Adjusted EBITDA excluding special items was $70 million, a $67 million sequential decrease primarily due to lower prices for aluminum and alumina, partially offset by lower raw material and production costs.

• Cash: Alcoa ended the quarter with a cash balance of $926 million. Cash provided from operations was $69 million. Cash provided from financing activities was $35 million, primarily related to $40 million of net contributions from noncontrolling interest and $32 million of net short-term borrowings, partially offset by $18 million of cash dividends on common stock. Cash used for investing activities was $166 million, primarily related to capital expenditures of $145 million. Free cash flow was negative $76 million.

• Working capital: For the third quarter, Receivables from customers of $0.7 billion, Inventories of $2.2 billion and Accounts payable, trade of $1.5 billion comprised DWC working capital. The Company reported 50 days working capital, a sequential improvement of five days. Inventory days improved by four days primarily due to lower raw material costs.

Key Strategic Actions:

• Western Australia Mine Plan Approvals: During the third quarter of 2023, the Company continued to make progress with relevant state government agencies in support of the annual mine approvals process for bauxite mining at the Huntly and Willowdale mines. The Company submitted a revised Mine Management Program (MMP) for the period 2023-2027 with enhancements meant to address stakeholder needs and expectations.
  
  
  
  The submission to regulators includes additional controls for the protection of drinking water, including distances from reservoirs, and biodiversity that includes a plan to accelerate rehabilitation. The Company is working toward an MMP approval during the fourth quarter of 2023.
  
  
  
  Separately, following a public comment period that concluded in August, the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (WA EPA) continues to consider a third-party request on whether to formally assess all or part of the current and next MMPs and, if so, at what level. The WA EPA has indicated it expects to make a decision before the end of the year.
  
  
  
  The Company supports moving toward a modernized approvals framework for new major mine regions. In June 2020, Alcoa proactively requested an assessment by the WA EPA on two new mine regions (Myara North and Holyoake) for the Huntly mine.
  
  
  
  The Company expects the bauxite quality at Myara North and Holyoake to be more consistent with the historic higher quality at the existing Myara Central. Alcoa continues to work to secure approvals for these new regions, and anticipates mining in the new regions no earlier than 2027. Until then, the Company expects bauxite quality similar to recent grades.
  
  
  
  During the third quarter, the Company continued to pursue cost reduction measures and initiated productivity programs across its operations in Australia to mitigate the financial impacts of lower bauxite grade and to optimize current operating levels. As a first action under these programs, Alcoa initiated a restructuring program at the Kwinana refinery and incurred a $6 million charge in the third quarter of 2023 for employee severance costs to be paid through the first quarter of 2024. The Company anticipates approximately $10 million in annual savings from this action.

• Energy Contract: In August 2023, Alcoa announced a new power agreement with AGL Energy Limited (AGL) to support future operations at Portland Aluminium Smelter in the State of Victoria in Australia. The nine-year agreement for 300 megawatts of power supply is effective July 1, 2026, when current contracts with AGL end. This volume represents approximately 50 percent of the energy required to meet the facility’s total capacity of 358,000 mtpy.

• Commercial: The Company sold its first non-metallurgical variety of EcoSource™ low-carbon alumina, which is now marketed in both non-metallurgical and smelter grades. Also, Alcoa has grown sales of EcoLum™ low-carbon aluminum, which has realized more than a 60 percent increase in year-over-year sales, including new purchases in North America. Both EcoSource and EcoLum are part of Alcoa’s Sustana™ family of products.

• Sustainability: As a member of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), Alcoa is committed to the Global International Standard for Tailings Management (GISTM). Alcoa disclosed before an August 2023 deadline its progress for applicable facilities, in accordance with the ICMM Conformance Protocol.

2023 Outlook

The following outlook does not include reconciliations of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income, including transformation, intersegment eliminations and other corporate Adjusted EBITDA; operational tax expense; and other expense; each excluding special items, to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures because it is impractical to forecast certain special items, such as restructuring charges and mark-to-market contracts without unreasonable efforts due to the variability and complexity associated with predicting the occurrence and financial impact of such special items. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results.

The Company expects the outlook for 2023 total alumina and aluminum shipments to remain unchanged between 12.7 and 12.9 million metric tons, and between 2.5 and 2.6 million metric tons, respectively.

Within fourth quarter 2023 Alumina Segment Adjusted EBITDA, the Company expects a $50 million benefit from lower raw material prices, lower production costs and higher volumes, partially offset by $10 million in higher energy costs. Additionally, the Company expects impacts related to lower bauxite grade in Australia to be consistent with the third quarter of 2023.

Within fourth quarter 2023 Aluminum Segment Adjusted EBITDA, the Company expects $35 million in lower raw material prices to be fully offset by unfavorable value add aluminum products sales and higher production costs. Alumina costs in the Aluminum segment are expected to be favorable by $5 million sequentially.

Additionally, the Company expects unfavorable energy impacts of approximately $30 million mainly due to the carbon dioxide compensation changes in Norway. The Norwegian government recently proposed a budget that sets a floor for the carbon dioxide compensation scheme to be paid in 2024 based on 2023 power purchased. Upon approval, the Company expects to record an adjustment of approximately $20 million in the fourth quarter to reverse amounts accrued in cost of goods sold for 2023 credits earned through September 30, 2023. The total impact of this budget proposal on the Company’s full year results would be approximately $25 million.

Other expense for the third quarter 2023 included negative impacts of $35 million, primarily related to foreign currency losses that may not recur.

Based on current alumina and aluminum market conditions, Alcoa expects fourth quarter operational tax expense to approximate $10 million to $20 million, which may vary with market conditions and jurisdictional profitability.

Conference Call

Alcoa will hold its quarterly conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, to present third quarter 2023 financial results and discuss the business, developments, and market conditions.

The call will be webcast via the Company’s homepage on www.alcoa.com. Presentation materials for the call will be available for viewing on the same website at approximately 4:15 p.m. EDT on October 18, 2023. Call information and related details are available under the “Investors” section of www.alcoa.com.

Dissemination of Company Information

Alcoa intends to make future announcements regarding company developments and financial performance through its website, www.alcoa.com, as well as through press releases, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, conference calls and webcasts. The Company does not incorporate the information contained on, or accessible through, its corporate website or such other websites or platforms referenced herein into this press release.

About Alcoa Corporation

Alcoa (NYSE: AA) is a global industry leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum products with a vision to reinvent the aluminum industry for a sustainable future. Our purpose is to turn raw potential into real progress, underpinned by Alcoa Values that encompass integrity, operating excellence, care for people and courageous leadership. Since developing the process that made aluminum an affordable and vital part of modern life, our talented Alcoans have developed breakthrough innovations and best practices that have led to improved safety, sustainability, efficiency, and stronger communities wherever we operate.

Discover more by visiting www.alcoa.com. Follow us on our social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as “aims,” “ambition,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “develop,” “endeavors,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “outlook,” “potential,” “plans,” “projects,” “reach,” “seeks,” “sees,” “should,” “strive,” “targets,” “will,” “working,” “would,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements by Alcoa that reflect expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, forecasts concerning global demand growth for bauxite, alumina, and aluminum, and supply/demand balances; statements, projections or forecasts of future or targeted financial results, or operating performance (including our ability to execute on strategies related to environmental, social and governance matters); statements about strategies, outlook, and business and financial prospects; and statements about capital allocation and return of capital. These statements reflect beliefs and assumptions that are based on Alcoa’s perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as other factors that management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Although Alcoa believes that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that these expectations will be attained and it is possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (a) cyclicality of the aluminum industry and aluminum end use markets, including due to the influence of global economic conditions, and unfavorable changes in the markets served by Alcoa; (b) the effects of non-market forces, such as government policies and political instability, on global aluminum supply and demand; (c) volatility and declines in the aluminum industry, including global supply and demand conditions and fluctuations in London Metal Exchange-based prices and premiums, as applicable, for primary aluminum and other commodities, and fluctuations in indexed-based and spot prices for alumina; (d) legal, regulatory, economic, political, trade, public health and safety, and reputational risks and conditions, including changes in conditions beyond our control as a result of our participation in increasingly competitive and complex global markets; (e) our ability to obtain, maintain, or renew permits or approvals necessary for our mining operations; (f) unfavorable changes in cost, quality, or availability of key inputs, including energy and raw materials, or uncertainty of or disruption to the supply chain including logistics; (g) our ability to realize expected benefits or achieve intended results, including as planned and by targeted completion dates, from announced strategies, plans, programs, or initiatives relating to our portfolio, profitability, capital investments, and developing technologies, and from joint ventures or other strategic alliances or business transactions; (h) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and tax rates on costs and results; (i) changes in tax laws or exposure to additional tax liabilities; (j) changes in global economic and financial market conditions generally, such as inflation, recessionary conditions, and interest rate increases, which may also affect Alcoa’s ability to obtain credit or financing upon acceptable terms or at all; (k) current and potential future impacts to the global economy and our industry, business and financial condition caused by various worldwide or macroeconomic events, such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine; (l) global competition within and beyond the aluminum industry; (m) our ability to obtain or maintain adequate insurance coverage; (n) the outcomes of contingencies, including legal and tax proceedings, government or regulatory investigations, and environmental remediation, or changes in foreign and/or U.S. federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or policies; (o) the impacts of climate change, related legislation or regulations, and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our ability to achieve strategies and expectations related to climate change and other environmental matters; (p) claims, costs and liabilities resulting from the impact of our operations, including impoundments, or from health, safety, and environmental laws, regulations, and requirements, in the areas where we operate; (q) the impact of cyberattacks and potential information technology or data security breaches, including disruptions to our operations, liability, and reputational harm; (r) our ability to fund capital expenditures; (s) risks associated with long-term debt obligations including restrictions on our current and future operations as a result of our indebtedness; (t) our ability to continue to return capital to stockholders through cash dividends and/or share repurchases; (u) the impact of labor disputes, work stoppages and strikes, or other employee relations issues, as well as labor market conditions; (v) declines in the discount rates used to measure pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities or lower-than-expected investment returns on pension assets, or unfavorable changes in laws or regulations that govern pension plan funding; and (w) the other risk factors discussed in Alcoa’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and other reports filed by Alcoa with the SEC. 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. Market projections are subject to the risks described above and other risks in the market.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release contains reference to certain financial measures that are not calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). Alcoa Corporation believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors because such measures provide both additional information about the operating performance of Alcoa Corporation and insight on the ability of Alcoa Corporation to meet its financial obligations by adjusting the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for the impact of, among others, “special items” as defined by the Company, non-cash items in nature, and/or nonoperating expense or income items. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be a substitute for, and should not be considered in isolation from, the financial measures reported in accordance with GAAP. Certain definitions, reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and additional details regarding management’s rationale for the use of the non-GAAP financial measures can be found in the schedules to this release.