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8-K - CENTURY ALUMINUM COform8k-20110215.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
Century Reports 2010 Earnings
 
MONTEREY, CA. February 15, 2011 -- Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ:  CENX) reported net income of $65.3 million ($0.65 per basic and $0.64 per diluted common share) for the fourth quarter of 2010.  Financial results were negatively impacted by a mark-to-market loss on forward contracts of $5.7 million primarily related to LME price protection options and by a contractual termination pension benefit charge of $4.6 million due to the continued curtailment of the Ravenswood facility.  Changes to the Century of West Virginia retiree medical benefits program increased current quarter results by $56.7 million with an associated discrete tax benefit of $2.0 million.  Cost of sales for the quarter includes a $15.9 million net after-tax charge for the portion of power costs at Hawesville payable by the previous power supplier per the terms of the power agreements.
 
For the fourth quarter of 2009, Century reported a net loss of $24.4 million ($0.28 per basic and diluted common share).  Financial results were negatively impacted by net after-tax expense of $11.5 million related to the purchase of downside aluminum price protection for a portion of Century’s U.S. production through 2010, and a net after-tax charge of $5.3 million for losses on early extinguishment and modification of debt.   Financial results were positively impacted by a $6.6 million benefit related to discrete income tax adjustments.  Cost of sales for the fourth quarter of 2009 included a $17.2 million net after-tax charge for the portion of power costs at Hawesville payable by the previous power supplier per the terms of the power agreements.
 
For 2010, the company reported net income of $60.0 million ($0.59 per basic and diluted common share).  These results were negatively impacted by a mark-to-market loss on forward contracts of $10.5 million primarily related to LME price protection options and by a contractual termination pension benefit charge of $4.6 million due to the continued curtailment of the Ravenswood facility. Changes to the Century of West Virginia retiree medical benefits program increased results by $56.7 million with an associated discrete tax benefit of $2.0 million.  Tax benefits related to the release of tax reserves no longer required positively impacted results by $2.1 million for the year. Cost of sales for the year includes a $63.2 million net after-tax charge for the portion of power costs at Hawesville payable by the previous power supplier per the terms of the power agreements.
 
For 2009, the company reported a net loss of $206.0 million ($2.73 per basic and diluted common share).  These results were negatively impacted by several items, including:  a net after-tax charge of $41.7 million for costs associated with production curtailments at U.S. smelters; a $73.2 million net after-tax impairment charge associated with the divestiture of our alumina and bauxite  investments; a net after- tax charge of $11.0 million related to the purchase of downside aluminum price protection for a portion of our U.S. production through 2010; and a net after-tax charge of $4.7 million for losses on early extinguishment and modification of debt.  2009 results were positively impacted by a net after-tax benefit of $57.8 million, primarily from realized and unrealized gains related to the termination of the existing power contract and its replacement with a new power contract at Hawesville and a $14.3 million benefit related to discrete income tax adjustments.  Net after-tax inventory lower of cost or market adjustments of $33.6 million favorably impacted the yearly results.  Cost of sales for 2009 included a $31.6 million net after-tax charge for the portion of power costs at Hawesville payable by the previous power supplier per the terms of the power agreements.
 
Sales for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $316.9 million compared with $256.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2009. Shipments of primary aluminum for the 2010 fourth quarter were 148,923 tonnes, compared with 147,700 tonnes shipped in the year-ago quarter. Sales for 2010 were $1,169 million compared with $899 million for 2009, and total 2010 primary aluminum shipments of 585,395 tonnes compared with 605,126 tonnes shipped in 2009.
 
"Global economic growth has improved over the last several quarters, with business increasing across most end-markets," commented Logan W. Kruger, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "In China, consumer activity and industrial production have reaccelerated since last spring despite a variety of government actions to control inflationary pressures.  Other developing regions also remain buoyant, although inflation is a developing trend in these regions as well.  On the other hand, certain large markets, such as construction, remain historically weak in the U.S. and Europe.  Aluminum inventories continue to be high, a situation that may be exacerbated by new and restarted capacity expected to come on-line over the next several months.  In summary, we believe the risks of the current market environment are reasonably balanced; it is in this context that we are managing the company."
 
"We are pleased with Century's progress during the closing months of 2010 and the beginning of 2011," continued Mr. Kruger.  "At Hawesville, we have concluded a new five-year labor agreement and are ahead of plans to restart the potline that was curtailed during the financial crisis.  We are continuing to advance the complex process required for a potential restart of the Ravenswood smelter.  We have built strong liquidity and reduced structural costs as well as long-term obligations.  These accomplishments should help to protect the company during periods of volatility that inevitably occur in commodities markets and provide the underpinnings to grow the company in a deliberate manner.  Toward this end, we are working on high-return, low-risk growth programs at Grundartangi and Hawesville and we continue to make progress toward what we cautiously expect will be a restart of major construction activity at Helguvik this year."
 
Century Aluminum Company owns primary aluminum capacity in the United States and Iceland. Century's corporate offices are located in Monterey, California.
 
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Century Aluminum’s quarterly conference call is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Eastern time today. To listen to the conference call and to view related presentation materials, go to www.centuryaluminum.com and click on the conference call link on the homepage.
 
Contacts:
 Mike Dildine (media)    831-642-9364
 Shelly Lair (investors)    831-642-9357
 
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, NBI hf.
Steingrimur Helgason, Director -- Corporate Finance, NBI hf.

 
 
 

 
Cautionary Statement
This press release and comments made by Century management on the quarterly conference call contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are statements about future, not past, events and involve certain important risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements.  Such risks and uncertainties may include, without limitation, declines in aluminum prices or increases in our operating costs; increasing inflation or other worsening of global financial and economic conditions; increases in global aluminum inventories and the addition of new or restarted global aluminum production capacity; additional delays in the completion of our Helguvik, Iceland smelter; our ability to successfully progress the potential restart of our Ravenswood smelter and implement growth programs at Grundartangi and Hawesville; and our ability to successfully implement measures to protect Century during economic down cycles. More information about these risks, uncertainties and assumptions can be found in the risk factors and forward-looking statements cautionary language contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of future events or circumstances.

 
 
 

 

Century Aluminum Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

   
Three months ended
December 31,
   
Year ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
NET SALES
                       
Third-party customers
  $ 205,547     $ 187,906     $ 755,863     $ 668,344  
Related parties
    111,304       68,908       413,408       230,909  
      316,851       256,814       1,169,271       899,253  
                                 
COST OF GOODS SOLD
    275,716       242,539       1,056,875       964,918  
                                 
GROSS PROFIT (LOSS)
    41,135       14,275       112,396       (65,665 )
                                 
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME) – NET
    (49,591 )     6,013       (37,386 )     (16,088 )
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
    11,101       15,093       46,802       47,879  
                                 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    79,625       (6,831 )     102,980       (97,456 )
                                 
INTEREST EXPENSE – THIRD PARTY – NET
    (6,171 )     (6,305 )     (25,010 )     (29,093 )
INTEREST INCOME – RELATED PARTY
    115       141       448       572  
NET LOSS ON FORWARD CONTRACTS
    (5,681 )     (11,631 )     (10,495 )     (19,415 )
OTHER EXPENSE - NET
    (598 )     (4,852 )     (377 )     (4,751 )
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS (LOSSES) OF JOINT VENTURES
    67,290       (29,478 )     67,546       (150,143 )
                                 
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT
    (2,803 )     4,257       (11,133 )     12,357  
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN EARNINGS (LOSSES) OF JOINT VENTURES
    64,487       (25,221 )     56,413       (137,786 )
                                 
EQUITY IN EARNINGS (LOSSES) OF JOINT VENTURES
    793       867       3,558       (68,196 )
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 65,280     $ (24,354 )   $ 59,971     $ (205,982 )
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS) ALLOCATED TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
  $ 59,939     $ (24,354 )   $ 55,046     $ (205,982 )
                                 
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
                               
Basic
  $ 0.65     $ (0.28 )   $ 0.59     $ (2.73 )
Diluted
  $ 0.64     $ (0.28 )   $ 0.59     $ (2.73 )
                                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
                               
Basic
    92,742       88,160       92,676       75,343  
Diluted
    93,414       88,160       93,302       75,343  

 
 

 

Century Aluminum Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
December 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
ASSETS
           
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 304,296     $ 198,234  
Restricted cash
    3,673       8,879  
Accounts receivable - net
    43,903       37,706  
Due from affiliates
    51,006       19,255  
Inventories
    155,908       131,473  
Prepaid and other current assets
    18,292       93,921  
Total current assets
    577,078       489,468  
Property, plant and equipment – net
    1,256,970       1,298,288  
Due from affiliates – less current portion
    6,054       5,859  
Other assets
    82,954       68,135  
Total
  $ 1,923,056     $ 1,861,750  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable, trade
  $ 88,004     $ 77,301  
Due to affiliates
    45,381       32,708  
Accrued and other current liabilities
    41,495       38,598  
Accrued employee benefits costs – current portion
    26,682       12,997  
Convertible senior notes
    45,483       43,239  
Industrial revenue bonds
    7,815       7,815  
Total current liabilities
    254,860       212,658  
                 
Senior notes payable
    248,530       247,624  
Accrued pension benefits costs – less current portion
    37,795       43,281  
Accrued postretirement benefits costs – less current portion
    103,744       177,231  
Other liabilities
    37,612       31,604  
Deferred taxes
    85,999       81,622  
Total noncurrent liabilities
    513,680       581,362  
                 
Shareholders’ Equity:
               
Series A Preferred stock (one cent par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 82,515 and 83,452 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively)
    1       1  
Common stock (one cent par value, 195,000,000 shares authorized; 92,771,864 and 92,530,068 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively)
    928       925  
Additional paid-in capital
    2,503,907       2,501,389  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (49,976 )     (74,270 )
Accumulated deficit
    (1,300,344 )     (1,360,315 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    1,154,516       1,067,730  
Total
  $ 1,923,056     $ 1,861,750  


 
 

 

Century Aluminum Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
Year ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 59,971     $ (205,982 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Unrealized net loss on forward contracts
    10,030       11,956  
Unrealized gain on contractual receivable
    -       (81,557 )
Realized benefit of contractual receivable
    55,703       26,025  
Write-off of intangible asset
    -       23,759  
Accrued and other plant curtailment costs – net
    (56,010 )     9,940  
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment
    (426 )     (47,152 )
Depreciation and amortization
    63,550       72,624  
Debt discount amortization
    3,150       7,022  
Deferred income taxes
    15,552       44,952  
Pension and other postretirement benefits
    14,578       12,952  
Stock-based compensation
    1,905       3,338  
Non-cash loss on early extinguishment and modification of debt
    -       2,325  
Non-cash loss from disposition of equity investments
    -       73,234  
Non-cash contingent obligation
    13,091       -  
Undistributed earnings of joint ventures
    (3,558 )     (5,038 )
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable – net
    (6,197 )     23,154  
Sale of short-term trading securities
    -       13,686  
Due from affiliates
    (38,191 )     21,625  
Inventories
    (24,009 )     35,766  
Prepaid and other current assets
    13,412       44,847  
Accounts payable, trade
    11,674       (17,596 )
Due to affiliates
    12,685       (11,961 )
Accrued and other current liabilities
    (1,758 )     (15,448 )
Other – net
    (13,642 )     (3,072 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    131,510       39,399  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (12,241 )     (16,935 )
Nordural expansion
    (19,227 )     (21,981 )
Investments in and advances to joint ventures
    (32 )     (1,044 )
Payment received on advances from joint ventures
    -       1,761  
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    823       -  
Restricted and other cash deposits
    5,206       (8,014 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (25,471 )     (46,213 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Repayment under revolving credit facility
    -       (25,000 )
Financing fees
    -       (2,429 )
Issuance of common stock – net
    23       103,077  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    23       75,648  
                 
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    106,062       68,834  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
    198,234       129,400  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR
  $ 304,296     $ 198,234  


 
 

 

Century Aluminum Company
Selected Operating Data
 (Unaudited)

SHIPMENTS – PRIMARY ALUMINUM

   
Direct (1)
   
Toll
 
   
Metric Tons
   
(000)
Pounds
   
$/Pound
   
Metric Tons
   
(000)
Pounds
   
(000)
Revenue
 
2010
                                   
4th Quarter
    83,073       183,145     $ 1.10       65,850       145,172     $ 114,513  
3rd Quarter
    81,693       180,102       0.99       65,523       144,454       100,231  
2nd Quarter
    76,521       168,700       1.04       68,058       150,043       112,523  
1st Quarter
    76,653       168,990       1.04       68,024       149,968       109,659  
Total
    317,940       700,937     $ 1.04       267,455       589,637     $ 436,926  
                                                 
2009
                                               
4th Quarter
    78,095       172,168     $ 0.92       69,605       153,450     $ 98,331  
3rd Quarter
    77,023       169,807       0.82       69,222       152,609       88,780  
2nd Quarter
    76,817       169,353       0.69       68,876       151,846       72,136  
1st Quarter
    97,392       214,712       0.72       68,096       150,126       71,048  
Total
    329,327       726,040     $ 0.78       275,799       608,031     $ 330,295  
                                                 
(1) Does not include Toll shipments from Nordural Grundartangi