Alcoa (AA) Tops Q4 EPS by 8c

Alcoa (NYSE: AA) reported Q4 EPS of $0.33, $0.08 better than the analyst estimate of $0.25. Revenue for the quarter came in at $6.4 billion versus the consensus estimate of $5.99 billion.

“Our strong fourth quarter capped a pivotal year as we significantly accelerated Alcoa’s transformation,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “As we built out our value-add businesses, we gained profitable share across exciting downstream growth markets and captured aerospace and automotive growth in the midstream. On the commodity side, our hard work reshaping the portfolio continues to pay off with improved performance for the 13th quarter in a row. In 2014 we delivered Alcoa’s strongest operating results since 2008; we enter 2015 on solid footing, poised to continue transforming and growing.”

Engineered Products and Solutions reported its 19th consecutive quarter of year-over-year after-tax operating income growth, excluding Firth Rixson. Global Rolled Products continued to benefit from the historic shift to aluminum intensive vehicles, shipping a record volume of automotive sheet. In Global Primary Products, comprising Alumina and Primary Metals, the Alumina segment’s profitability more than doubled year-over-year. Primary Metals adjusted EBITDA per metric ton was the strongest since second quarter 2008, primarily reflecting a lower cost, globally competitive commodity business.

Special items in fourth quarter 2014 included $200 million in restructuring-related costs, approximately 80 percent non-cash, primarily tied to the sales of three European rolling mills (see Value-add Portfolio Transformation below) and an ownership stake in a bauxite mining and alumina refining joint venture in Jamaica.

2015 End Market Projections

Alcoa projects another strong year for global aerospace sales. The Company expects 2015 global aerospace sales to increase 9 to 10 percent over 2014, on continued robust demand for large commercial aircraft, regional jets and jet engines. For automotive, the Company projects steady growth to continue in 2015. Alcoa forecasts global automotive production of 2 to 4 percent driven by replacement demand and low lending rates in North America and both the growth of the middle class and clean air regulations in China.

Alcoa projects stable 2015 global commercial transportation production of negative 1 to positive 3 percent. After a strong 2014, the trucking market in North America is expected to remain positive in 2015 with production growth of 3 to 7 percent on strong orders and freight growth. In the packaging market, Alcoa projects global sales growth of 2 to 3 percent in 2015.

Alcoa expects the building and construction market to continue to improve from 2014 with 2015 global sales growth of 5 to 7 percent. The North American market is expected to sustain its gradual recovery in 2015, while the European market is likely to remain in decline.

In the industrial gas turbine market, the Company projects a 1 to 3 percent growth rate in 2015, rebounding from a decline in 2014. The airfoil market is expected to improve as original equipment manufacturers develop new, advanced turbines and upgrade existing turbines.

Alcoa sees global aluminum demand growth of 7 percent in 2015, following 7 percent growth in 2014.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Alcoa (AA) click here.

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