July 12, 2010 Alcoa Reports Second Quarter 2010 Results
Highlights:
. Income from continuing operations of $137 million or $0.13 per share; net income of $136 million or $0.13 per share.
. Revenue of $5.2 billion, a six percent increase from the first quarter of 2010, primarily driven by higher volume.
. EBITDA of $724 million -- EBITDA Margin of 14.0 percent highest since third quarter 2008.
. Free cash flow in the second quarter totaled $87 million.
. Cash on hand of $1.34 billion.
. Global aluminum consumption forecast raised from 10 to 12 percent on improved end-market demand.


NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE: AA) today announced second quarter 2010 income from continuing operations of $137 million or $0.13 per share compared with a first quarter 2010 loss from continuing operations of $194 million, or a loss of $0.19 per share. First quarter 2010 results included restructuring and special charges of $295 million, or $0.29 per share. The second quarter of 2009 showed a loss from continuing operations of $312 million, or $0.32 per share including restructuring charges.

Earnings for the second quarter improved $331 million sequentially as stronger volumes, productivity improvements, favorable currency and lower energy costs more than offset slightly lower average realized metal prices which declined $22 a metric ton, to an average of $2,309 a ton in the quarter.

The second quarter 2010 results reflect the impact of restructuring including job reductions and special items such as costs associated with the recently completed United Steelworkers contract negotiations, offset by non-cash, mark-to-market benefits on derivatives in several power contracts as well as a net discrete tax benefit. Taken together these items had a net unfavorable impact of $2 million in the quarter. First quarter 2010 results included restructuring and special charges of $295 million or $0.29 per share.

Revenues for the quarter were $5.2 billion, a six percent increase from the first quarter of 2010 driven by a four percent increase in aluminum shipments and a one percent increase in third-party prices for alumina, partially offset by a one percent decrease in realized prices for aluminum. In many markets we saw strong revenue growth from the previous quarter with packaging (+17%), commercial transportation (+10%), building and construction (+9%), distribution (+5%), industrial gas turbines (+5%) and aerospace (+5%) realizing gains. Revenues increased 22 percent from $4.2 billion in the second quarter of 2009.

“We improved profits and revenues and maintained our solid cash position,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa Chairman and CEO. “The top and bottom line growth was driven by higher volumes from stronger end markets and continued gains from our productivity programs. Based on this improved end-market demand, we are raising our projection for aluminum consumption from 10 percent to 12 percent this year.

“Prospects for Alcoa and aluminum continue to be excellent,” Kleinfeld said. “Aluminum is traditionally a backbone of growing economies and is penetrating new applications every day. Alcoa has enviable positions in bauxite, alumina and aluminum and our investments will move us further down the cost curve. Meanwhile, our mid- and downstream businesses continue to improve margins.”

Alcoa continued to produce strong results in its cash sustainability program. After the first six months of 2010, the Company is tracking toward its expanded goals for 2010, including: $1.4 billion of the targeted $2.5 billion in procurement savings; $311 million of the targeted $500 million in annual overhead reduction savings; days of working capital at 42, a six-day improvement from the same period last year; and $514 million toward the targeted $1.25 billion in capital spending. The capital spending includes the Company’s investment in the Ma’aden/Alcoa joint venture in Saudi Arabia, which will create the world’s lowest-cost aluminum complex, including a mine, refinery, smelter and rolling mill.

Cash sustainability efforts helped improve the cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales by 90 basis points to 81.2 percent from 82.1 percent in the first quarter of 2010. EBITDA for the second quarter 2010 was $724 million. The Company’s second quarter 2010 EBITDA margin of 14.0 percent was the highest since third quarter 2008.

Net income for the second quarter 2010 was $136 million or $0.13 per share compared with a net loss of $201 million, or a loss of $0.20 per share in the first quarter of 2010, which includes the previously mentioned restructuring and special items. The second quarter of 2009 showed a net loss of $454 million, or $0.47 per share, including restructuring charges.

Free cash flow in the second quarter of 2010 totaled $87 million. In the quarter, the Company ended several accounts receivable sales programs, which resulted in an unfavorable working capital impact of approximately $260 million and held free cash flow back from even stronger performance.

Debt-to-capital at the end of the second quarter 2010 stands at 38.4 percent, 130 basis points lower than the second quarter of 2009. Overall debt decreased $465 million from the second quarter of 2009. Cash on hand at the end of the second quarter of 2010 was $1.34 billion.

Revenues for the first half of 2010 were $10.1 billion, and results from continuing operations showed a loss of $57 million, or $0.06 per share. The first half of 2010 showed a net loss of $65 million, or $0.06 per share.

Segment Results

Alumina

After-tax operating income (ATOI) in the second quarter was $94 million, an increase of $22 million compared with first quarter ATOI of $72 million. Higher production and a one percent increase in realized price, along with favorable currency and productivity benefits, were partially offset by commissioning issues at the Sao Luis refinery. Alumina production in the second quarter increased 24 thousand metric tons (kmt) to 3,890 kmt as increases across our global system more than offset declines at Sao Luis.

Primary Metals

ATOI in the second quarter was $109 million, a decrease of $14 million from the first quarter. Lower LME prices and higher LME-linked costs, primarily energy, were partially offset by favorable currency, non-LME-linked energy benefits and continued productivity gains. Litigation related to a power contract at the Rockdale smelter and the associated legal costs negatively impacted results by $10 million. Also in the quarter, the Fusina smelter was fully curtailed and the Aviles smelter was forced to halt operations due to flooding. Primary metal production for the quarter increased 4 kmt to 893 kmt and buy/resell activity totaled 68 kmt.

Flat-Rolled Products

ATOI in the second quarter was $71 million, a sequential increase of $41 million. Higher volumes in Russia, China and North America, and continued productivity gains were partially offset by lower prices. In the quarter, the Russia operations benefited from improving market conditions and a lower cost structure to generate positive ATOI.

Engineered Products and Solutions

ATOI in the second quarter was $107 million, up 32 percent while sales rose four percent. Higher volumes in the aerospace, building & construction and commercial vehicle markets along with strong productivity gains.

Alcoa will hold its quarterly conference call at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on July 12, 2010 to present the quarter's results. The meeting will be webcast via alcoa.com. Call information and related details are available at www.alcoa.com under "Invest.”

Free Cash Flow Quarter ended
June 30, 2010
Cash provided from operations $ 300
Capital expenditures (213 )
Free cash flow $ 87
Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure is meaningful to investors because management reviews cash flows generated from operations after taking into consideration capital expenditures due to the fact that these expenditures are considered necessary to maintain and expand Alcoa’s asset base and are expected to generate future cash flows from operations. It is important to note that Free Cash Flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since other non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt service requirements, are not deducted from the measure.