CHICAGO, Oct. 26, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ:CENX) today announced third quarter 2017 results.

Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results

•         Net income of $20.8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share
•         Adjusted net income1 of $14.4 million, or $0.15 per diluted share
•         Adjusted EBITDA1 of $47.9 million, up $13.9 million sequentially on increased volume, favorable sales mix and lower raw material costs
•         Revenue of $400.6 million, a 3% increase over prior quarter
•         Cash position increased to $174.2 million on strong conversion of earnings to cash flow. Revolver availability of $136.6 million, resulting in a total liquidity position of $310.8 million

 $MM (except shipments and per share data) 
  Q2 2017 Q3 2017 
 Shipments (tonnes)182,829  184,974  
 Revenue$388.8  $400.6  
 Net Income7.1  20.8  
 Diluted EPS0.07  0.22  
 Adjusted Net Income10.8  14.4  
 Adjusted EPS10.01  0.15  
 Adjusted EBITDA134.0  47.9  
      
 Notes:    
 1 - Non-GAAP measure; see reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures 

Century Aluminum Company reported net income of $20.8 million for the third quarter of 2017.  Results were favorably impacted by a $5.5 million non-cash gain on the settlement related to retirement benefits for former employees of the Ravenswood facility and a $0.9 million unrealized gain relating to LME forward sales.  This result compares to net income of $7.1 million for the second quarter of 2017, which included a $6.1 million unrealized gain relating to LME forward sales.

Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2017 was $14.4 million compared to adjusted net income of $0.8 million for the second quarter of 2017.

For the third quarter of 2017, Century reported adjusted EBITDA of $47.9 million, up $13.9 million from the second quarter of 2017.  The increase was primarily attributable to increased volume, favorable sales mix and lower raw material costs.

Sales for the third quarter of 2017 were $400.6 million compared with $388.8 million for the second quarter of 2017.  Shipments of primary aluminum for the third quarter of 2017 were 184,974 tonnes compared with 182,829 tonnes shipped in the second quarter of 2017.

Net cash provided by operating activities in the third quarter of 2017 was $47.4 million. Century's cash position at quarter end was $174.2 million and revolver availability was $136.6 million.

“We are pleased with the company’s performance during the last several months,” commented Michael Bless, Century’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  “All operations are stable with production metrics and efficiencies demonstrating consistent improvement.  As in past quarters, operating leverage on revenue growth continues to be favorable; the third quarter increase in sequential adjusted EBITDA exceeded the growth in revenue.  Cash flow was far greater than adjusted net income.”

“Market fundamentals remain favorable, with good demand trends in our key markets in the U.S. and Europe,” continued Bless.  “Commodity prices, including aluminum, alumina, petroleum coke and pitch, took a meaningful leg up beginning in late summer; we will see the impact of each of these prices reflected in our fourth quarter financial results.  The driving force behind these dynamics remains the rapidly changing regulatory environment in China.  We believe the current relationship between the LME price and that of key raw materials is distorted and that this correlation will return to historical norms within the reasonably near term.  Over the mid- and longer-term, the direction of the metal price itself will depend squarely upon whether China is committed to eliminating illegally subsidized overproduction and enforcing the type of long-term discipline it has not to date exhibited.  Until and unless confirmation of such behavior emerges, we continue to believe strong action is required to ensure all market participants are able to compete on a level playing field.”

About Century Aluminum

Century Aluminum Company owns primary aluminum capacity in the United States and Iceland.  Century's corporate offices are located in Chicago, IL. Visit www.centuryaluminum.com for more information.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that management uses to evaluate Century's financial performance.  These non-GAAP financial measures facilitate comparisons of this period’s results with prior periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that management does not believe are indicative of Century’s ongoing operating performance and ability to generate cash.  Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures enhance an overall understanding of Century’s performance and our investors’ ability to review Century’s business from the same perspective as management.  The tables below, under the heading "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures," provide a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.  Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, Century's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, because not all companies use identical calculations, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA included in this press release may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.  Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliations in conjunction with the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Cautionary Statement

This press release and statements made by Century Aluminum Company management on the quarterly conference call contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements are statements about future events and are based on our current expectations.  These forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "believe," "expect," "hope," "target," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "seek," "estimate," "potential," "project," "scheduled," "forecast" or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," "might," or "may."  Our forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect to: future global and local financial and economic conditions; our assessment of the aluminum market and aluminum prices (including premiums); the potential outcome of any trade claims to address excess capacity or unfair trade practices, our assessment of power pricing and our ability to successfully obtain and/or implement long-term competitive power arrangements for our operations and projects; our ability to successfully manage transmission issues and market power price risk and to control or reduce power costs; our ability to procure alumina, carbon products and other raw materials and our assessment of pricing and costs and other terms relating thereto; the future operation of our smelters and our other operations, including future production restarts or curtailments; the future financial and operating performance of Century, its subsidiaries and its projects; future earnings, operating results and liquidity; future inventory, production, sales, cash costs and capital expenditures; future impairment charges or restructuring costs; our assessment of the ultimate outcome of our outstanding litigation; our plans and expectations with respect to the sale or other disposition of our 40% interest in BHH; our ability to access existing or future financing arrangements; future construction, investment and development; and our future business objectives, strategies and initiatives.

Where we express an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis.  However, our forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by those forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results and events to differ from those described in such forward-looking statements can be found in the risk factors and forward-looking statements cautionary language contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Although we have attempted to identify those material factors that could cause actual results or events to differ from those described in such forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause results or events to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.  Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict.  Given these uncertainties, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 Three months ended
 September 30, June 30, September 30,
 2016 2017 2017
NET SALES:     
Related parties$301,111  $296,271  $299,235 
Other customers32,539  92,531  101,410 
Total net sales333,650  388,802  400,645 
Cost of goods sold351,262  366,342  359,243 
Gross (loss)/profit(17,612) 22,460  41,402 
Selling, general and administrative expenses9,733  9,352  13,994 
Ravenswood losses/(gains)26,830  —  (5,500)
Other operating expense - net878  180  437 
Operating (loss)/income(55,053) 12,928  32,471 
Interest expense(5,531) (5,461) (5,542)
Interest income190  283  422 
Net gain/(loss) on forward and derivative contracts1,275  2,957  (3,888)
Other (expense)/income - net(157) (1,876) 427 
(Loss)/Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint ventures(59,276) 8,831  23,890 
Income tax benefit/(expense)848  (1,452) (3,321)
(Loss)/Income before equity in earnings of joint ventures(58,428) 7,379  20,569 
Equity in earnings/(loss) of joint ventures155  (248) 214 
Net (loss)/income$(58,273) $7,131  $20,783 
      
Net (loss)/income allocated to common stockholders$(58,273) $6,563  $19,132 
(LOSS)/INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:     
Basic$(0.67) $0.08  $0.22 
Diluted$(0.67) $0.07  $0.22 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:     
Basic87,076  87,272  87,318 
Diluted87,076  88,057  88,255 
         


CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 Nine months ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2016 2017
NET SALES:   
Related parties$871,771  $876,079 
Other customers107,487  279,154 
Total net sales979,258  1,155,233 
Cost of goods sold995,357  1,074,520 
Gross (loss)/profit(16,099) 80,713 
Selling, general and administrative expenses29,303  34,048 
Ravenswood losses/(gains)26,830  (5,500)
Other operating expense - net2,337  1,590 
Operating (loss)/income(74,569) 50,575 
Interest expense(16,521) (16,574)
Interest income475  935 
Net gain/(loss) on forward and derivative contracts2,998  (17,068)
Other income/(expense) - net(462) (1,065)
(Loss)/income before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint ventures(88,079) 16,803 
Income tax benefit/(expense)3,237  (4,465)
(Loss)/income before equity in earnings of joint ventures(84,842) 12,338 
Equity in earnings of joint ventures891  437 
Net (loss)/income$(83,951) $12,775 
    
Net (loss)/income allocated to common stockholders$(83,951) $11,758 
(LOSS)/EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:   
Basic$(0.96) $0.13 
Diluted$(0.96) $0.13 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:   
Basic87,059  87,282 
Diluted87,059  88,070 


CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2017
ASSETS   
Cash and cash equivalents$132,403  $174,213 
Restricted cash1,050  848 
Accounts receivable - net12,432  40,367 
Due from affiliates16,651  11,849 
Inventories233,563  261,756 
Prepaid and other current assets22,210  21,761 
Assets held for sale22,313  — 
  Total current assets440,622  510,794 
Property, plant and equipment - net1,026,285  984,948 
Other assets73,420  67,721 
  TOTAL$1,540,327  $1,563,463 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
LIABILITIES:   
Accounts payable, trade$94,960  $97,032 
Due to affiliates15,368  23,657 
Accrued and other current liabilities50,100  56,732 
Accrued employee benefits costs10,917  10,444 
Industrial revenue bonds7,815  7,815 
  Total current liabilities179,160  195,680 
Senior notes payable247,699  248,036 
Accrued pension benefits costs - less current  portion49,493  46,835 
Accrued postretirement benefits costs - less current portion126,355  128,092 
Other liabilities72,026  62,094 
Deferred taxes108,939  109,632 
  Total noncurrent liabilities604,512  594,689 
    
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:   
Series A Preferred stock (one cent par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 160,000 issued and 75,625 outstanding at December 31, 2016; 160,000 issued and 75,299 outstanding at September 30, 2017)1  1 
Common stock (one cent par value, 195,000,000 authorized; 94,437,418 issued and 87,250,897 outstanding at December 31, 2016; 94,513,473 issued and 87,326,952 outstanding at September 30, 2017)944  945 
Additional paid-in capital2,515,131  2,516,866 
Treasury stock, at cost(86,276) (86,276)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(113,893) (111,965)
Accumulated deficit(1,559,252) (1,546,477)
  Total shareholders’ equity756,655  773,094 
  TOTAL$1,540,327  $1,563,463 


CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 Nine months ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2016 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:   
Net (loss)/income$(83,951) $12,775 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Unrealized (gain)/loss on forward and derivative contracts(330) 6,918 
Unrealized gain on contingent obligation(1,059) (1,059)
Lower of cost or NRV inventory adjustment1,499  (4,102)
Depreciation and amortization63,306  63,091 
Ravenswood losses/(gains)3,830  (5,500)
Pension and other postretirement benefits1,682  2,292 
Deferred income taxes(8,520) 724 
Stock-based compensation1,134  1,455 
Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net of dividends(891) (359)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable - net(1,712) (27,935)
Due from affiliates3,146  4,802 
Inventories(1,265) (24,091)
Prepaid and other current assets9,016  1,108 
Accounts payable, trade(5,028) 4,571 
Due to affiliates4,628  1,523 
Accrued and other current liabilities4,769  9,252 
Ravenswood retiree medical settlement23,000  (5,000)
Other - net2,073  10,202 
Net cash provided by operating activities15,327  50,667 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:   
Purchase of property, plant and equipment(13,127) (23,590)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant & equipment—  14,452 
Net cash used in investing activities(13,127) (9,138)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:   
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities900  1,022 
Repayments under revolving credit facilities(900) (1,022)
Issuance of common stock—  281 
Net cash provided by financing activities—  281 
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS2,200  41,810 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period115,393  132,403 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$117,593  $174,213 
        


 
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
(Unaudited)
 
SHIPMENTS - PRIMARY ALUMINUM1
  
 United States Iceland
 Tonnes Sales $ (000) Tonnes Sales $ (000)
2017       
3rd Quarter106,192  $235,831  78,782  $161,051 
        
2nd Quarter103,762  $225,552  79,067  $161,456 
        
2016       
3rd Quarter106,890  $201,973  75,539  $130,177 
              
Notes:
 1 - Excludes scrap aluminum sales.

                            


CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
     
  Three months ended Three months ended
  June 30, 2017 September 30, 2017
  $MM EPS $MM EPS
Net income as reported $7.1  $0.07  $20.8  $0.22 
Unrealized gain on forward and derivative contracts (6.1) (0.06) (0.9) (0.01)
Ravenswood gain —  —  (5.5) (0.06)
Lower of cost or NRV inventory adjustment (0.2) —  —  — 
Adjusted net income $0.8  $0.01  $14.4  $0.15 


  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
  June 30, 2017 September 30, 2017
Net income $7.1  $20.8 
  Interest expense  5.5  5.5 
  Interest income (0.3) (0.4)
  Net (gain)/loss on forward and derivative contracts (3.0) 3.9 
  Other expense/(income) - net 1.9  (0.4)
  Income tax expense 1.5  3.3 
  Equity in loss/(earnings) of joint ventures 0.2  (0.2)
Operating income $12.9  $32.5 
  Lower of cost or NRV inventory adjustment (0.2) — 
Ravenswood gain —  (5.5)
  Depreciation and amortization 21.3  20.9 
Adjusted EBITDA $34.0  $47.9 

Contacts
Peter Trpkovski
(Investors and media)
312-696-3112

 

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