Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA) today reported third quarter 2022 financial results that reflect lower sequential average realized prices for alumina and aluminum, coupled with higher costs for energy and key raw materials.

Third Quarter Highlights

• Revenue of $2.85 billion
• Recorded a quarterly net loss of $746 million and loss per share of $4.17, which includes $652 million of restructuring charges related primarily to pension actions
• Completed a $1 billion pension annuity transaction, the fifth such transaction since 2018, for a total transfer of approximately $3.3 billion of prior pension obligations and related assets
• Acted to mitigate the impact of high energy prices in Europe; curtailed one-third of the production capacity at the Lista smelter in Norway and reduced daily production rates at the San Ciprián refinery in Spain to lower natural gas use
• Generated $134 million in cash from operations; repurchased $150 million of common stock and paid fourth consecutive cash dividend of $18 million
• Finished the third quarter with a cash balance of $1.4 billion

“Across Alcoa, we have worked diligently over these past several years to build increased resilience in our business so we can compete through all phases of the commodity cycle, including the one we are experiencing now,” said Alcoa President and CEO Roy Harvey.

“Despite a challenging quarter that saw significantly lower prices, and high costs for energy and raw materials, we maintained a strong balance sheet, including transferring pension obligations and returning cash to our stockholders,” Harvey said. “As we move forward, we are keenly focused on the items within our direct control, including boosting operational stability, advancing our breakthrough technologies and continuing to promote our sustainable product offerings so we can benefit from the positive, long-term fundamentals for the aluminum industry.”

Financial Results

Third Quarter 2022 Results

• Revenue: Total third-party revenue decreased 22 percent sequentially to $2,851 million primarily due to lower alumina and aluminum prices. On a sequential basis, the average realized third-party price of alumina decreased 16 percent and the average realized third-party price of aluminum decreased 17 percent.

• Shipments: In Alumina, third-party shipments decreased 8 percent sequentially primarily due to lower trading volumes and the decision to reduce production rates at the San Ciprián refinery in Spain to mitigate the high costs of natural gas. Also, shipments from the Australian refineries did not improve sequentially as previously expected due to lower bauxite quality and extended maintenance.
  
  
  
  In Aluminum, total shipment volume decreased sequentially 8 percent due to the July curtailment of one of three operating potlines at the Warrick smelter in Indiana, and reduced trading opportunities in Europe given market uncertainty. Most of the volume reduction was commodity grade aluminum; shipments of value add products were flat sequentially.
  
  

• Production: The Company produced 497,000 metric tons of aluminum, which was consistent with the prior quarter’s strong output. Additional volume from the restarts at the Alumar smelter in Brazil and the Portland smelter in Australia offset the lower aluminum production at Warrick from the partial curtailment. Alumina segment production decreased 4 percent to 3.1 million metric tons, primarily due to the lower output at the San Ciprián refinery.

• Net loss attributable to Alcoa Corporation was $746 million, or $4.17 per share, primarily due to the decline in aluminum and alumina prices, higher energy and raw material costs, and restructuring related charges recorded in the third quarter, including $626 million of noncash pension settlement charges. Two European locations that were exposed to spot energy had sequentially higher costs. The Lista smelter in Norway recorded $57 million more in sequential costs for electricity; the San Ciprián refinery in Spain recorded $21 million more in sequential costs for natural gas. Costs for key raw materials, including caustic and carbon materials, sequentially increased $58 million.

• Adjusted net loss was $60 million, or $0.33 per share, excluding the impact from net special items of $686 million. Notable special items include restructuring and other charges of $652 million (primarily $626 million in noncash pension settlement charges and a $29 million charge related to the permanent closure of a long-curtailed magnesium smelter, as described below), a mark-to-market loss of $49 million related to energy contracts and $20 million in costs related to the restart processes at the Alumar smelter in Brazil and the Portland smelter in Australia. The loss was partially offset by tax and noncontrolling interest impacts on above items of $38 million.

• Adjusted EBITDA excluding special items was $210 million, a sequential decrease of 77 percent primarily due to lower aluminum and alumina prices and higher energy and raw material costs.

• Cash: Alcoa ended the quarter with cash on hand of $1.4 billion. Cash provided from operations was $134 million. Cash used for financing activities was $185 million, primarily related to $150 million in share repurchases and $18 million in cash dividends on common stock. Cash used for investing activities was $138 million, which includes $128 million in capital expenditures.

• Working capital: The Company’s working capital balance decreased sequentially by $143 million. On a days working capital basis, 50 days at the end of the third quarter was seven days higher sequentially, due to the decrease in sales revenue from lower pricing for aluminum and alumina. Although inventory days increased by 14 days, the finished goods inventory balance decreased sequentially due to lower pricing, lower amounts on hand due to logistics improvements, and lower metal purchases to serve annual contracts related to the Alumar smelter.

Strategic Actions

• Strengthening the balance sheet: In the third quarter, the Company strengthened the balance sheet through the transfer of approximately $1 billion of pension obligations and assets associated with defined benefit pension plans for certain United States retirees and beneficiaries. Alcoa’s U.S. defined benefit pension plans remain more than fully funded after the transfer with minimal to no expected funding contributions going forward.

• Returns to stockholders: In the third quarter, the Company returned $168 million of capital to stockholders through $18 million in cash dividends and $150 million in share repurchases from a prior authorization. At the end of the third quarter, the Company had $500 million authorized and available for potential share repurchases.

• Alloy development: On September 13, the Company announced new innovations in alloy development and deployment, including the introduction of A210 ExtruStrong™ alloy, a new high-strength, 6000 series alloy that provides improved benefits for extrusion customers. Also, the company announced that its C611 EZCast™ alloy, a high-performance alloy that does not require a dedicated heat treatment, is being used in one-piece megacastings for the automotive industry and won top recognition from the North American Die Casting Association in September.

• San Ciprián alumina refinery: In the quarter, the Company reduced production to 50 percent of the 1.6 million tons of annual capacity in an effort to reduce the refinery’s losses from exorbitant natural gas prices in Spain. The high volatility in European energy markets makes estimates of future results for the facility difficult to predict. As such, the Company is actively reviewing the refinery’s operating levels, commercial options, and other support.

• Lista, Norway: On August 30, the Company announced the curtailment of one third of the production capacity at its Lista smelter in Norway to mitigate high electricity costs for the site. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the energy situation for the smelter is expected to improve with a power agreement in place for the remainder of the year and into 2023.

• Warrick, Indiana: On July 1, the Company announced that one of its three operating potlines at the Warrick smelter in Indiana was curtailed due to operational challenges, which stem from workforce shortages in the region. The financial impact of the curtailment was offset by strong third-party sales of excess electricity from the site’s power plant.

• Addy, Washington: On July 27, the Company made the decision to permanently close a magnesium smelter in the state of Washington that had been fully idle since 2001. Due to significant capital investments required, restarting the facility is not economically viable.

Advancing Sustainably

On September 8, the Company announced it received certification from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) for its Poços de Caldas operations in Brazil. All of the Company’s operating locations in Brazil are now ASI certified.

The Company currently has 17 global sites certified to ASI and has also earned ASI’s Chain of Custody certification, which allows Alcoa to continue marketing globally ASI-certified bauxite, alumina and aluminum.

The ASI certification program is the aluminum industry’s most comprehensive third-party program to validate responsible production practices.

2022 Outlook

The Company expects total Aluminum segment shipments to remain unchanged from the prior projection, ranging between 2.5 and 2.6 million metric tons in 2022.

In Alumina, the Company has decreased its 2022 projection for shipments to range between 13.1 and 13.3 million metric tons, a reduction of 0.5 million metric tons from the prior projection primarily due to the reduced production at the San Ciprián refinery and lower shipments from the Australian refineries.

In Bauxite, the Company has decreased its 2022 projection for annual bauxite shipments to range between 43.0 and 44.0 million dry metric tons, a decrease of 1 million dry metric tons from the prior projection due to lower demand from the Australian refineries.

For the fourth quarter of 2022, Alcoa expects higher sequential profitability in the Bauxite segment with increased third-party shipments.

In Alumina, the Company anticipates lower energy costs for the San Ciprián refinery during the fourth quarter. Additionally, benefits of the San Ciprián curtailment are expected to offset the impact of lower bauxite quality in Australia and higher raw materials costs. In the Aluminum segment, higher raw materials costs, lower Warrick power plant sales, and lower value add product premiums are expected to be offset by lower energy costs at the Lista smelter.

Additionally, the Norwegian government recently issued a budget proposal that sets a floor for the carbon dioxide compensation scheme to be paid in 2023 based on 2022 power purchased. If approved by Parliament, the Company would record an adjustment of approximately $25 million in the fourth quarter to reverse amounts accrued in cost of goods sold for 2022 credits earned through September 30, 2022. The total impact of this budget proposal on the Company’s full year results would be approximately $35 million.

Based on current alumina and aluminum market conditions, the Company expects fourth quarter tax expense to approximate $50 million to $60 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 19, 2022, to present third quarter 2022 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 19, 2022. Call information and related details are available under the “Investors” section of www.alcoa.com.

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. With a values-based approach that encompasses integrity, operating excellence, care for people and courageous leadership, our purpose is to Turn Raw Potential into Real Progress. 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, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

The Company does not incorporate the information contained on, or accessible through, such websites into this press release.

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.

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 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 or sustainability 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 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 to the global economy and our industry, business and financial condition caused by various worldwide or macroeconomic events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and related regulatory developments; (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) changes in global economic and financial market conditions generally, such as inflation and interest rate increases, 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) unfavorable changes in cost, quality, or supply of key inputs, including energy and raw materials, or uncertainty of or disruption to the supply chain including logistics; (g) the inability to execute on strategies related to or achieve improvement in profitability and margins, cost savings, cash generation, revenue growth, fiscal discipline, environmental- and social-related goals and targets (including due to delays in scientific and technological developments), or strengthening of competitiveness and operations anticipated from portfolio actions, operational and productivity improvements, technology advancements, and other initiatives; (h) the inability to realize expected benefits, in each case as planned and by targeted completion dates, from acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring activities, facility closures, curtailments, restarts, expansions, or joint ventures; (i) political, economic, trade, legal, public health and safety, and regulatory risks in the countries in which Alcoa Corporation operates or sells products; (j) labor disputes and/or work stoppages and strikes; (k) the outcome of contingencies, including legal and tax proceedings, government or regulatory investigations, and environmental remediation; (l) the impact of cyberattacks and potential information technology or data security breaches; (m) risks associated with long-term debt obligations; (n) the timing and amount of future cash dividends and share repurchases; (o) 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, (p) the other risk factors discussed in Part I Item 1A of Alcoa Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, and other reports filed by Alcoa Corporation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.