Alcoa Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results: Strong, stable operating performance with higher production; cash preservation and productivity help mitigate economic impact of COVID-19

PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA) today reported second quarter 2020 results consistent with the Company’s previously announced preliminary results and reflect improved productivity and continued operational stability during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Second Quarter Highlights

• Managing health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic across global operations; all production sites remain fully operational
• Executed previously announced cost-saving actions with continued progress on working capital and productivity; cash balance grew to $965 million, a sequential increase of $136 million
• Generated $288 million in cash from operations; $211 million free cash flow, the highest since the fourth quarter of 2018
• Set first-half and quarterly production records for Bauxite segment; record quarterly shipments from Juruti (Brazil)
• Achieved a record quarterly production rate (metric tons-per-day) for the Alumina segment
• Continuing to progress on strategic actions, including ongoing review of production portfolio and non-core assets; 2020 programs to improve working capital and productivity; and cash-preservation actions related to COVID-19
• Increased liquidity by completing a $750 million debt issuance on July 13, 2020 at 5.5%, a coupon rate lower than any of the Company’s prior debt issuances

Financial Results

“I am proud of our global team’s resolve in facing challenges created by the pandemic, focusing first on protecting people,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Roy Harvey. “We acted early to implement comprehensive measures to mitigate health risks, and we continue to exercise all precautionary measures to keep people safe and our locations fully operational.

“Despite challenging market conditions, our team has lowered production costs, increased output, maintained stable shipments, and improved our balance sheet. We continued to make progress in executing our strategic actions and 2020 programs, and we finished the quarter with a cash balance of nearly one billion dollars,” Harvey continued.

“Earlier this month, we issued corporate bonds at a favorable rate which provides us with improved flexibility as we continue to navigate through the current economic uncertainties,” Harvey said. “As we move forward and the economy recovers, we will also be well positioned to complete objectives within our capital allocation framework.”

• Shipments: Sequentially, the Company’s overall third-party aluminum shipment volume increased approximately 9 percent, primarily due to the continued progress of the Aluminerie de Bécancour Inc. (ABI) smelter in Quebec, Canada restart. Third-party alumina shipments in the second quarter 2020 increased approximately 2 percent, compared with first quarter 2020 shipment volume.

• Revenue: Alcoa reported second quarter 2020 revenue of $2.1 billion, down 10 percent sequentially, primarily due to lower aluminum and alumina prices.

• Net (loss) income attributable to Alcoa Corporation: In the second quarter of 2020, Alcoa reported net loss of $197 million, or $1.06 per share, compared with net income of $80 million, or $0.43 per share, in the first quarter of 2020. The 2020 second quarter results include the net impact of $193 million of special items, including interim tax impacts, costs associated with the curtailment of the Intalco smelter in the state of Washington and the ongoing restart of the ABI smelter. The ABI restart process is expected to be complete during the third quarter 2020.

• Adjusted net loss: Excluding the impact of special items, the second quarter 2020 adjusted net loss was $4 million, or $0.02 per share, improved from the first quarter 2020 adjusted net loss of $42 million, or $0.23 per share.

• Adjusted EBITDA excluding special items: In the second quarter of 2020, Adjusted EBITDA excluding special items was $185 million, a 42 percent sequential decrease primarily attributed to lower aluminum and alumina prices.

• Cash: Alcoa ended the quarter with cash on hand of $965 million and debt of $1.8 billion, for net debt of $836 million. Cash provided from operations in the second quarter of 2020 was $288 million. Cash used for financing activities was $71 million and cash used in investing activities was $79 million. Free cash flow was $211 million.

• Working capital: The Company reported 24 days working capital, a 7-day improvement both sequentially and year-over-year, primarily due to fewer receivable days sales outstanding, reflecting progress in the Company’s objective to drive year-over-year improvement in working capital.

Strategic Actions and Initiatives

Alcoa is continuing its strategic actions to drive lower costs and sustainable profitability, including the review of its existing production capacities and non-core assets and other cash-preservation programs.

Intalco Works curtailment

On April 22, 2020, Alcoa announced the full curtailment at its Intalco Works smelter in Ferndale, Washington. The curtailment of the site’s remaining 230,000 metric tons is included in the Company’s previously announced review of 1.5 million metric tons of global smelting capacity over a five-year period for potential curtailment, closure, divestiture, or significant improvement. The curtailment is expected to be complete in the third quarter of 2020.

In the second quarter of 2020, the Company recorded restructuring charges of approximately $27 million (pre- and after-tax) associated with the curtailment, including employee severance and costs associated with termination of contracts. The restructuring charges are all cash-based and are expected to be paid primarily in the third quarter of 2020.

Spain Collective Dismissal Process

On June 25, 2020, Alcoa launched a 30-day formal consultation process with the Spanish Works Council representing employees at the San Ciprián aluminum facility in Spain, which has incurred significant and recurring financial losses that are expected to continue. The formal consultation began after the conclusion of an informal process that started on May 28, 2020.

A collective dismissal could potentially affect up to 534 employees at the aluminum plant. The Company envisions a restructuring that retains a portion of the casthouse in operation. No final decisions will be made until the formal consultation process is complete. The San Ciprián site has both an aluminum plant and alumina refinery; the San Ciprián alumina refinery is not affected by this formal consultation process.

2020 Programs

Earlier this year, Alcoa announced 2020 programs to drive leaner working capital and improved productivity. Alcoa intends to improve working capital by $75 to $100 million through reduced inventories and optimized contract terms. Greater productivity and lower costs are expected to result in approximately $100 million of improvements.

COVID-19 Update

As a result of our comprehensive measures to protect employees, contractors and communities from risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, all of our global operations have maintained production without interruption. Globally, approximately 2 percent of the Company’s global workforce, including employees and contractors, has been affected by the virus, but most have recovered and have returned to work. The Company’s segments have not experienced any significant disruption in its supply sources.

In the second quarter, the Company experienced a sequential decline in demand for aluminum value-added products, as customers reduced production levels in response to the economic impacts from the pandemic. As a result, Alcoa’s production volume was shifted to lower-priced, commodity-grade ingot.

The Company continues to manage cash during the economic downcycle caused by the pandemic. Those actions include:

• Utilizing provisions of the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides for both payment deferrals and credits. With these programs, Alcoa expects to defer cash payments for Company pension contributions (approximately $220 million) into 2021 and defer employer payroll taxes (approximately $14 million) into 2021 and 2022.
• Reducing $100 million of non-critical capital expenditures.
• Implementing hiring, travel and other spending restrictions targeted to save or defer approximately $35 million.
• Delaying certain environmental and Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO) spending of $25 million.

Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation continue to support the communities near our operating locations, with special focus on Brazil communities that have been more adversely affected by the pandemic. Alcoa Foundation has pledged more than $1 million to support coronavirus relief efforts in the communities where Alcoa operates through its humanitarian aid program. This is in addition to the almost $3 million the Foundation already committed to grantmaking in communities where we operate, which is being used to provide needed support such as medical supplies, equipment, and food.

Through the combination of the strategic actions, 2020 programs and COVID-19 response actions, Alcoa is on track to save or defer approximately $900 million in cash spend in 2020.

Debt Issuance

On July 8, 2020, Alcoa announced an offering of $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.500% senior notes due in 2027 (the “notes”) by Alcoa Nederland Holding B.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary. The notes increase the Company’s overall liquidity and provide for greater flexibility for the Company to execute on strategic actions. The transaction closed on July 13, 2020.

2020 Outlook

The Company’s 2020 shipment outlook for Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminum remains unchanged from the prior full-year estimates. Total annual bauxite shipments are expected to range between 48.0 and 49.0 million dry metric tons. Total alumina shipments are projected between 13.6 and 13.7 million metric tons. Aluminum shipments are expected to be between 2.9 and 3.0 million metric tons.

In the third quarter of 2020, Alcoa expects slightly lower quarterly results in the Bauxite segment primarily due to lower volume. In the Alumina segment, the Company expects lower quarterly results from higher energy costs in Australia. In the Aluminum segment, the Company expects improved results with lower raw material costs including energy.

Alcoa is lowering its annual outlook for depreciation, depletion and amortization expense to $665 million from $685 million as favorable currency rates resulted in lower expense in the first half of 2020, as well as lower capital spending in the year. The Company is increasing its expected interest expense for full year 2020 to approximately $150 million from a prior range of $125 to $130 million due to the debt issuance.

As Alcoa’s profit before taxes is lower in the current economic environment, the annual operational tax rate can fluctuate significantly. Consequently, the Company is providing an operational tax expense range rather than a rate; third quarter 2020 operational tax expense is expected to approximate $150 million, based on recent pricing.

The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, and its magnitude and duration continue to be unknown. The uncertainty around its future impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows could cause actual results to differ from this outlook.

Conference Call

Alcoa will hold its quarterly conference call at 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, to present second quarter financial results and discuss the business 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 July 15, 2020. 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 into this press release.

About Alcoa Corporation

Alcoa (NYSE: AA) is a global industry leader in bauxite, alumina, and aluminum products, and is built on a foundation of strong values and operating excellence dating back more than 130 years to the world-changing discovery that made aluminum an affordable and vital part of modern life. Since developing the aluminum industry, and throughout our history, our talented Alcoans have followed on with breakthrough innovations and best practices that have led to efficiency, safety, sustainability, and stronger communities wherever we operate.

Forward-Looking Statements

This presentation 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 “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “outlook,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “sees,” “should,” “targets,” “will,” “would,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements by Alcoa Corporation 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; statements about strategies, outlook, and business and financial prospects; and statements about return of capital. These statements reflect beliefs and assumptions that are based on Alcoa Corporation’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 Corporation 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) current and potential future impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the global economy and our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows; (b) material adverse changes in aluminum industry conditions, including global supply and demand conditions and fluctuations in London Metal Exchange-based prices and premiums, as applicable, for primary aluminum and other products, and fluctuations in indexed-based and spot prices for alumina; (c) deterioration in global economic and financial market conditions generally and which may also affect Alcoa Corporation’s ability to obtain credit or financing upon acceptable terms or at all; (d) unfavorable changes in the markets served by Alcoa Corporation; (e) the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange and tax rates on costs and results; (f) increases in energy costs or uncertainty of energy supply; (g) declines in the discount rates used to measure pension liabilities or lower-than-expected investment returns on pension assets, or unfavorable changes in laws or regulations that govern pension plan funding; (h) the inability to achieve improvement in profitability and margins, cost savings, cash generation, revenue growth, fiscal discipline, or strengthening of competitiveness and operations anticipated from portfolio actions, operational and productivity improvements, cash sustainability, technology advancements, and other initiatives; (i) the inability to realize expected benefits, in each case as planned and by targeted completion dates, from acquisitions, divestitures, facility closures, curtailments, restarts, expansions, or joint ventures; (j) political, economic, trade, legal, public health and safety, and regulatory risks in the countries in which Alcoa Corporation operates or sells products; (k) labor disputes and/or and work stoppages; (l) the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings (including the Australian Taxation Office matter), government or regulatory investigations, and environmental remediation; (m) the impact of cyberattacks and potential information technology or data security breaches; and (n) the other risk factors discussed in Item 1A of Alcoa Corporation’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and other reports filed by Alcoa Corporation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Alcoa Corporation 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

Some of the information included in this release is derived from Alcoa Corporation’s consolidated financial information but is not presented in Alcoa Corporation’s financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Certain of these data are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC regulations. Alcoa Corporation believes that the presentation of 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. Reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and management’s rationale for the use of the non-GAAP financial measures can be found in the schedules to this release.

Contacts

Investor Contact:

James Dwyer

+1 412 992 5450

James.Dwyer@alcoa.com

Media Contact:

Jim Beck

+1 412 315 2909

Jim.Beck@alcoa.com

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