Century Reports First Quarter 2015 Financial Results
CHICAGO, IL -- (Marketwired) -- 04/30/15 -- Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX) reported net income of $73.8 million ($0.76 per common share) for the first quarter of 2015. Results include $6.5 million ($0.07 per common share) for an unrealized gain on fair value of contingent consideration related to the acquisition of the remaining 50.3% interest of Mt. Holly and were negatively impacted by $1.6 million ($0.02 per common share) for signing bonuses related to a new labor agreement in Iceland and $1.0 million ($0.01 per common share) related to the separation of a former senior executive.
Sales for the first quarter of 2015 were $587.9 million compared with $420.8 million for the first quarter of 2014. Shipments of primary aluminum for the first quarter of 2015 were 245,258 tonnes compared with 206,785 tonnes shipped in the first quarter of 2014.
For the first quarter of 2014, Century reported a net loss of $20.1 million ($0.23 per common share). Cost of sales for the quarter included a benefit of $5.5 million related to deferred power contract liability amortization. Results were negatively impacted by a $3.1 million charge for increased legal reserves.
Net cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2015 was $116.3 million as compared to a net use of cash of $10.7 million in the first quarter of 2014. During the first quarter of 2015, Century increased its share repurchase program authorization to $130 million and acquired 1.2 million shares of common stock for a total cost of $19.4 million.
"Our markets continue to be buffeted by several volatile forces," commented Michael Bless, President and CEO. "From a global macro perspective, a strong dollar pressures commodities and is especially punitive on U.S. producers. Specific to our sector, the trend in fundamentals remains generally positive. U.S. demand is strong and we see signs of growth, albeit from a low base, in Europe. In addition, supply outside of China remains well under control; there is a dearth of new projects and of any significant potential restarts. The wild card continues to be China. We are closely monitoring an improving smelting cost base, weakening domestic demand and a recent small relaxation in the export tariff regime. While the latter is on its face troubling, we do not see tangible harm unless further actions would be taken. We will continue to run the company on a reasonably cautious basis in light of fast changing market conditions."
Bless continued, "We are pleased with the company's performance during the quarter. Safety results were generally good. Management at Hawesville have done a very good job returning the plant to stability after the power modulations we endured last year. Operating metrics were favorable across the plants, and cash flow was strong. We reached a five year labor agreement with our unions at Grundartangi. Market power prices in the U.S. Midwest and Southeast remain attractive. In South Carolina, we have made progress toward structuring a post-2015 power contract that will support the operations of this excellent plant. Significant issues remain to be solved, but we are cautiously optimistic that a solution should be achievable."
"During the next several months we will cross milestones in several critical areas," concluded Bless. "We will reach, one way or another, the conclusion of the post-2015 power discussions in South Carolina. The same comment applies with regard to a power contract to enable the restart of Ravenswood; we should soon be in a position to finalize an acceptable structure or regrettably to conclude that such an outcome is not feasible. We remain steadfast in our determination to reopen this plant. We also hope to find a rational solution to the labor situation at Hawesville."
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.
Certified Advisors for the First North market of the OMX Nordic Exchange Iceland hf. for Global Depositary Receipts in Iceland:
Atli B. Gudmundsson, Senior Manager -- Corporate Finance, Landsbankinn hf.
Steingrimur Helgason, Director -- Corporate Finance, Landsbankinn hf.
Cautionary Statement
This press release contains "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); our assessment of power pricing and our ability to successfully obtain and/or implement long-term competitive power arrangements for our operations and projects, including at Mt. Holly and Ravenswood; negotiations with labor unions and our ability to successfully reach an agreement with the labor union representing our Hawesville employees; our plans and expectations with respect to restarting operations at our Ravenswood smelter; the future financial and operating performance of the Company, its subsidiaries and its projects; future earnings, operating results and liquidity; future inventory, production, sales, cash costs and capital expenditures; our business objectives, strategies and initiatives, the growth of our business (including with respect to production and production capacity); and our competitive position and prospects.
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, the reader is 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
March 31,
2015 2014
--------- ---------
NET SALES:
Related parties $ 575,729 $ 285,583
Third-party customers 12,182 135,264
--------- ---------
Total net sales 587,911 420,847
Cost of goods sold 493,816 422,605
--------- ---------
Gross profit (loss) 94,095 (1,758)
Other operating expense - net 2,079 2,414
Selling, general and administrative expenses 11,971 10,062
--------- ---------
Operating income (loss) 80,045 (14,234)
Interest expense (5,551) (5,477)
Interest income 142 140
Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts 353 (879)
Unrealized gain on fair value of contingent
consideration 6,527 --
Other income (expense) - net 1,054 (253)
--------- ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in
earnings (losses) of joint ventures 82,570 (20,703)
Income tax benefit (expense) (9,301) 1,094
--------- ---------
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (losses) of
joint ventures 73,269 (19,609)
Equity in earnings (losses) of joint ventures 510 (495)
--------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ 73,779 $ (20,104)
========= =========
Net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders $ 67,813 $ (20,104)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic and Diluted $ 0.76 $ (0.23)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic 88,814 88,717
Diluted 89,369 88,717
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
March 31, December 31,
2015 2014
------------- -------------
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 226,431 $ 163,242
Restricted cash 21,813 801
Accounts receivable -- net 3,464 76,165
Due from affiliates 85,062 31,503
Inventories 297,814 283,480
Prepaid and other current assets 23,809 29,768
Deferred taxes 14,281 14,281
------------- -------------
Total current assets 672,674 599,240
Property, plant and equipment -- net 1,285,845 1,291,218
Other assets 124,529 123,577
------------- -------------
TOTAL $ 2,083,048 $ 2,014,035
============= =============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable, trade $ 140,093 $ 151,443
Due to affiliates 50,033 22,261
Accrued and other current liabilities 107,374 104,646
Accrued employee benefits costs 10,058 10,159
Industrial revenue bonds 7,815 7,815
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 315,373 296,324
------------- -------------
Senior notes payable 246,983 246,888
Accrued pension benefits costs -- less current
portion 57,722 59,906
Accrued postretirement benefits costs -- less
current portion 153,586 152,894
Other liabilities 47,990 53,272
Deferred taxes 122,447 113,604
------------- -------------
Total noncurrent liabilities 628,728 626,564
------------- -------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Series A Preferred stock (one cent par value,
5,000,000 shares authorized; 160,000 issued
and 78,061 outstanding at March 31, 2015;
160,000 issued and 78,141 outstanding at
December 31, 2014) 1 1
Common stock (one cent par value, 195,000,000
shares authorized; 93,869,878 issued and
87,883,357 outstanding at March 31, 2015;
93,851,103 issued and 89,064,582 outstanding
at December 31, 2014) 939 939
Additional paid-in capital 2,510,665 2,510,261
Treasury stock, at cost (76,385) (49,924)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (117,604) (117,682)
Accumulated deficit (1,178,669) (1,252,448)
------------- -------------
Total shareholders' equity 1,138,947 1,091,147
------------- -------------
TOTAL $ 2,083,048 $ 2,014,035
============= =============
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
2015 2014
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) $ 73,779 $ (20,104)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Unrealized gain on fair value of contingent
consideration (6,527) --
Unrealized gain on E.ON contingent obligation (353) (353)
Accrued and other plant curtailment costs -- net 1,077 1,092
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment -- (1,107)
Depreciation 18,131 17,768
Sebree power contract amortization -- (5,534)
Debt discount amortization 95 88
Pension and other postretirement benefits (984) 2,613
Deferred income taxes 8,851 512
Stock-based compensation 405 198
Equity in (earnings) losses of joint ventures, net
of dividends (510) 495
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable -- net 72,702 10,566
Due from affiliates (53,559) (12,545)
Inventories (14,335) (11,377)
Prepaid and other current assets 5,960 (2,958)
Accounts payable, trade (18,508) (3,825)
Due to affiliates 27,773 20,798
Accrued and other current liabilities 2,874 (6,620)
Other -- net (604) (448)
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 116,267 (10,741)
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (10,960) (9,700)
Nordural expansion -- Helguvik (73) (93)
Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements (1,594) (5,724)
Restricted and other cash deposits (21,012) 665
--------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities (33,639) (14,852)
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities 455 18,870
Repayments under revolving credit facilities (455) (24,870)
Repurchase of common stock (19,439) --
Issuance of common stock -- 3
--------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (19,439) (5,997)
--------- ---------
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 63,189 (31,590)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 163,242 84,088
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 226,431 $ 52,498
========= =========
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
(Unaudited)
SHIPMENTS - PRIMARY ALUMINUM
Direct (1) Toll
------------------------------------------ --------------------
United States Iceland Iceland
--------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Tonnes Sales $ (000) Tonnes Sales $ (000) Tonnes Sales $ (000)
------- ------------- ------ ------------- ------ -------------
2015
------------
1st Quarter 169,306 $ 421,141 45,967 $ 112,662 29,985 $ 46,617
2014
------------
1st Quarter 136,532 $ 296,889 36,764 $ 74,370 33,489 $ 47,185
(1) Excludes scrap aluminum sales.
Contacts Kenny Barkley (media) 270-577-2070 Peter Trpkovski (investors) 312-696-3112
Source: Century Aluminum Company