Alcoa (NYSE: AA) reported Q2 EPS of ($0.02), $0.43 better than the analyst estimate of ($0.45). Revenue for the quarter came in at $2.15 billion versus the consensus estimate of $2.11 billion.

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.

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