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Alcoa Corp (AA) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Net Income Growth Amid Revenue Decline

In This Article:

  • Revenue: $3.4 billion, down 3% sequentially.

  • Net Income: $548 million, up from $202 million in the prior quarter.

  • Earnings Per Share (EPS): $2.07, more than doubling from the previous quarter.

  • Adjusted Net Income: $568 million, or $2.15 per share.

  • Adjusted EBITDA: $855 million, an increase of $178 million.

  • Cash Balance: $1.2 billion at the end of the first quarter.

  • Free Cash Flow: Positive, with contributions from net non-controlling interest.

  • Return on Equity: 39.1% year-to-date.

  • Days Working Capital: Increased to 47 days, up 13 days sequentially.

  • Debt Issuance: $1 billion in Australia, with $890 million tendered for 2027 and 2028 notes.

  • Adjusted Net Debt: $2.1 billion at the end of the first quarter.

  • Dividend: $26 million added to stockholder capital returns.

  • US Section 232 Tariffs: Estimated annual cost of $400 million to $425 million, with a net negative impact of approximately $100 million.

Release Date: April 16, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Alcoa Corp (NYSE:AA) reported strong first-quarter financial and production results, with no fatal or serious injuries, highlighting a strong safety culture.

  • The company completed a $1 billion debt offering in Australia, extending maturities at a lower after-tax interest expense.

  • Alcoa Corp (NYSE:AA) formed a joint venture with IGNIS EQT for the San Ciprian operations, resuming production at the smelter.

  • First-quarter net income attributable to Alcoa was $548 million, with earnings per share more than doubling to $2.07.

  • The company ended the first quarter with a cash balance of $1.2 billion, supported by strong EBITDA and positive cash flow from operations.

Negative Points

  • Revenue decreased by 3% sequentially to $3.4 billion, with a notable decline in the aluminum segment due to lower average realized prices and shipments.

  • The US Section 232 tariffs on Canadian aluminum imports increased to 25%, resulting in an estimated annual negative impact of $100 million on Alcoa's business.

  • The Alumina segment's adjusted EBITDA decreased by $52 million due to lower alumina prices and unfavorable currency impacts.

  • The Aluminum segment's adjusted EBITDA decreased by $60 million, impacted by higher alumina costs and increased production, energy, and raw material costs.

  • Working capital increased significantly in the first quarter, driven by higher raw material prices and volumes, leading to elevated inventory levels.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you clarify the impact of tariffs on Alcoa's financials, particularly the $105 million quarterly hit and the $100 million annual impact? A: (Molly Beerman, CFO) The $100 million annual impact is net of the higher Midwest premium and Canadian metal sales into the US, offset by the $400 million cost of the Canadian tariff. The $105 million is a quarterly figure based on an LME of $2,400 and a Midwest premium of $0.39. The Midwest premium has not responded as expected due to negative market sentiment and inventory stockpiling in the US.