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8-K - 8-K - CENTURY ALUMINUM COa20141231q4earningsrelease.htm


Exhibit 99.1
Century Reports Fourth Quarter 2014 Financial Results
CHICAGO, IL -- 02/24/15 -- Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX) reported net income of $61.8 million ($0.64 per common share) for the fourth quarter of 2014. Results were positively impacted by $6.9 million ($0.07 per common share) for purchase accounting related to the acquisition of the remaining 50.3% interest of Mt. Holly and negatively impacted by $5.0 million ($0.05 per common share) in non-cash, non-recurring pension charges and by $2.6 million ($0.03 per common share) related to the separation of former senior executives.
Sales for the fourth quarter of 2014 were $551.2 million compared with $401.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. Shipments of primary aluminum for the fourth quarter of 2014 were 226,082 tonnes compared with 216,755 tonnes shipped in the fourth quarter of 2013.
For the fourth quarter of 2013, Century reported a net loss of $9.7 million ($0.11 per common share). Cost of sales for the fourth quarter of 2013 included a benefit of $16.6 million related to deferred power contract liability amortization and $9.0 million for lower inventory costs. Results also included an $8.4 million charge related to the separation of our former chief executive officer. 
For full year 2014, the company reported net income of $112.5 million ($1.16 per common share). Results were positively impacted by a benefit of $5.5 million related to power contract amortization, an unrealized gain of $1.4 million, primarily related to an LME-based contingent obligation and by $6.9 million for purchase accounting related to the acquisition of the remaining 50.3% interest of Mt. Holly. Results were negatively impacted by $5.0 million in non-cash, non-recurring pension charges, $3.6 million for litigation related items and by $2.6 million related to the separation of former senior executives.
Sales for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $1,931.0 million compared with $1,454.3 million for 2013. Shipments of primary aluminum for 2014 were 867,125 tonnes compared with 764,598 tonnes for 2013 period.
For 2013, Century reported a net loss of $40.3 million ($0.45 per common share). Results were positively impacted by a $31.0 million benefit for deferred power contract liability amortization, $2.2 million in litigation items and an unrealized gain of $16.8 million, primarily related to an LME-based contingent obligation. In addition, the company recorded a gain on bargain purchase of $5.3 million related to the Sebree acquisition. Results for 2013 were negatively impacted by relocation costs of $5.8 million, a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $3.3 million and an $8.4 million charge related to the separation of our former chief executive officer.
"The global macro environment continues to be buffeted by volatile and unpredictable forces," commented Michael Bless, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Myriad geopolitical developments continue to weigh on the price of risk assets, including base metals.  In addition, the rapid decline in the value of crude and other major fossil fuels, while producing a meaningful reduction in the price of electric power, has further weighed on sentiment toward industrial commodities.  Lastly, the uncertain pace of near-term economic activity in China continues to provide an overhang.  All this said, trading conditions in our markets remain reasonably attractive.  The fundamentals that should drive market conditions over the long-term, most specifically an attractive demand growth profile, remain firmly in place.  It is thus incumbent on us to continue to manage our business on a balanced basis through the present uncertainties."
"We've had a productive last few months at Century," continued Mr. Bless.  "In early December we completed the acquisition of the remaining interest in the Mt. Holly smelter.  Having now had a closer look, we have confirmed our long-held opinion of the high quality of the management team and employees, and the production and management processes they employ.  We are now focused on the significant transition activities, largely in the area of ERP and other systems, which must be completed during the balance of this year.  In addition, our recently started value-added product lines at Sebree and Grundartangi are now producing at full capacity."
Mr. Bless concluded, "We have a lot on our plates over the next few months.  We are redoubling our efforts on our key safety initiatives; safety performance, while adequate, has been far from the continuous improvement we demand.  At Mt. Holly, we are very focused on achieving a post-2015 power arrangement that will support the operation of and investment in this plant over the long term.  We will be conducting in-depth negotiations over labor contracts at both Hawesville and Grundartangi.  Last, we hope to be nearing a solution for a power contract that will enable us to restart the Ravenswood smelter."





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); 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; our ability to access existing or future financing arrangements; our ability to successfully manage transmission issues and market power price risk and to control or reduce power costs; 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; our ability to successfully produce value-added products at our smelters; future construction investment and development, including at the Helguvik Project, the restart of the second baking furnace at Vlissingen and our expansion project at Grundartangi, including our discussions regarding securing sufficient amounts of power, future capital expenditures, the costs of completion or cancellation, timing, production capacity and sources of funding; our ability to derive benefit from acquisitions, including the acquisitions of our Mt. Holly and Sebree smelters, and to successfully integrate these operations with the rest of our business; and tour plans with respect to restarting operations at our Ravenswood smelter.
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.

Contacts
Kenny Barkley (media)

 
270-577-2070

Shelly Harrison (investors)    
 
312-696-3140









CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
NET SALES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third-party customers
$
188,069

 
$
262,782

 
$
668,941

 
$
943,262

Related parties
363,170

 
138,392

 
1,262,101

 
511,051

 
551,239

 
401,174

 
1,931,042

 
1,454,313

Cost of goods sold
461,243

 
385,889

 
1,728,586

 
1,414,790

Gross profit
89,996

 
15,285

 
202,456

 
39,523

Other operating expense – net
6,776

 
2,314

 
12,481

 
8,602

Selling, general and administrative expenses
16,369

 
21,602

 
49,195

 
67,477

Operating income (loss)
66,851

 
(8,631
)
 
140,780

 
(36,556
)
Interest expense
(5,474
)
 
(5,386
)
 
(22,015
)
 
(23,091
)
Interest income
104

 
271

 
301

 
728

Net gain on forward and derivative contracts
353

 
447

 
179

 
16,598

Gain on bargain purchase

 

 

 
5,253

Gain on fair value of contingent consideration
7,943

 

 
7,943

 

Gain on remeasurement of equity investment
1,318

 

 
1,318

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

 

 
(3,272
)
Other income – net
1,414

 
1,497

 
991

 
496

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint ventures
72,509

 
(11,802
)
 
129,497

 
(39,844
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
(11,304
)
 
1,583

 
(18,308
)
 
(3,131
)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of joint ventures
61,205

 
(10,219
)
 
111,189

 
(42,975
)
Equity in earnings of joint ventures
644

 
544

 
1,305

 
2,662

Net income (loss)
$
61,849

 
$
(9,675
)
 
$
112,494

 
$
(40,313
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders
$
56,824

 
$
(9,675
)
 
$
103,283

 
$
(40,313
)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.64

 
$
(0.11
)
 
$
1.16

 
$
(0.45
)
Diluted
0.63

 
(0.11
)
 
1.15

 
(0.45
)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
88,959

 
88,684

 
88,823

 
88,612

Diluted
89,595

 
88,684

 
89,428

 
88,612







CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
163,242

 
$
84,088

Restricted cash
801

 
1,697

Accounts receivable — net
76,165

 
56,184

Due from affiliates
31,503

 
43,587

Inventories
283,480

 
239,615

Prepaid and other current assets
29,768

 
32,276

Deferred taxes
14,281

 
13,614

Total current assets
599,240

 
471,061

Property, plant and equipment — net
1,291,218

 
1,247,661

Other assets
123,577

 
91,474

TOTAL
$
2,014,035

 
$
1,810,196

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
Accounts payable, trade
$
151,443

 
$
108,490

Due to affiliates
22,261

 
53,582

Accrued and other current liabilities
104,646

 
69,466

Accrued employee benefits costs
10,159

 
8,410

Industrial revenue bonds
7,815

 
7,815

Total current liabilities
296,324

 
247,763

Senior notes payable
246,888

 
246,528

Accrued pension benefits costs — less current portion
59,906

 
39,848

Accrued postretirement benefits costs — less current portion
152,894

 
129,284

Other liabilities
53,272

 
37,743

Deferred taxes
113,604

 
106,218

Total noncurrent liabilities
626,564

 
559,621

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
 
 
 
Series A Preferred stock (one cent par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 160,000 issued and 78,141 outstanding at December 31, 2014; 160,000 issued and 79,620 outstanding at December 31, 2013)
1

 
1

Common stock (one cent par value, 195,000,000 shares authorized; 93,851,103 issued and 89,064,582 outstanding at December 31, 2014; 93,496,798 issued and 88,710,277 outstanding at December 31, 2013)
939

 
935

Additional paid-in capital
2,510,261

 
2,508,574

Treasury stock, at cost
(49,924
)
 
(49,924
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(117,682
)
 
(91,832
)
Accumulated deficit
(1,252,448
)
 
(1,364,942
)
Total shareholders’ equity
1,091,147

 
1,002,812

TOTAL
$
2,014,035

 
$
1,810,196






CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
112,494

 
$
(40,313
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Unrealized net gain on forward contracts

 
(1,170
)
Gain on bargain purchase

 
(5,253
)
Gain on fair value of contingent consideration
(7,943
)
 

Gain on remeasurement of equity investment
(1,318
)
 

Unrealized gain on E.ON contingent obligation
(1,412
)
 
(16,781
)
Accrued and other plant curtailment costs — net
4,350

 
4,452

Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment
(1,247
)
 
1,247

Depreciation
70,731

 
66,570

Sebree power contract amortization
(5,534
)
 
(31,031
)
Debt discount amortization
361

 
672

Pension and other postretirement benefits
6,939

 
1,740

Deferred income taxes
2,633

 
(1,493
)
Stock-based compensation
1,334

 
1,078

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 
3,272

Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net of dividends
425

 
871

Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable — net
(19,981
)
 
(6,001
)
Due from affiliates
12,084

 
(5,717
)
Inventories
(16,513
)
 
(21,740
)
Prepaid and other current assets
3,392

 
5,318

Accounts payable, trade
11,797

 
25,224

Due to affiliates
3,058

 
13,845

Accrued and other current liabilities
18,071

 
5,834

Other — net
2,690

 
19,094

Net cash provided by operating activities
196,411

 
19,718

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(41,559
)
 
(46,533
)
Nordural expansion — Helguvik
(337
)
 
(3,331
)
Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements
(13,230
)
 
(18,213
)
Purchase of Sebree smelter
(1,042
)
 
(48,058
)
Investments in and advances to joint ventures

 
(125
)
Purchase of remaining interest in Mt. Holly smelter
(53,831
)
 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
46

 
525

Restricted and other cash deposits
896

 
(1,439
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(109,057
)
 
(117,174
)





CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Repayment of debt
(2,603
)
 
(249,604
)
Proceeds from issuance of debt

 
246,330

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities
92,423

 
22,725

Repayments under revolving credit facilities
(98,423
)
 
(16,725
)
Debt issuance costs

 
(3,994
)
Debt retirement costs

 
(1,208
)
Issuance of common stock
403

 
44

Net cash used in financing activities
(8,200
)
 
(2,432
)
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
79,154

 
(99,888
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
84,088

 
183,976

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
163,242

 
$
84,088








CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
(Unaudited)

 
SHIPMENTS - PRIMARY ALUMINUM
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct (1)
 
Toll
 
United States
 
Iceland
 
Iceland
 
Tonnes
 
Revenue $ (000)
 
Tonnes
 
Revenue $ (000)
 
Tonnes
 
Revenue $ (000)
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4th Quarter
147,291

 
$
377,606

 
43,364

 
$
102,912

 
35,427

 
$
60,001

3rd Quarter
143,338

 
353,246

 
38,056

 
85,117

 
36,820

 
60,032

2nd Quarter
143,439

 
325,650

 
39,593

 
82,328

 
33,012

 
48,441

1st Quarter
136,532

 
296,889

 
36,764

 
74,370

 
33,489

 
47,185

Total
570,600

 
$
1,353,391

 
157,777

 
$
344,727

 
138,748

 
$
215,659

2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4th Quarter
142,411

 
$
296,747

 
3,403

 
$
7,136

 
70,941

 
$
97,291

3rd Quarter
138,916

 
295,969

 
1,204

 
2,578

 
72,677

 
101,381

2nd Quarter
104,008

 
225,638

 
2,276

 
5,010

 
69,986

 
101,290

1st Quarter
87,642

 
203,727

 
5,830

 
13,573

 
65,304

 
103,973

Total
472,977

 
$
1,022,081

 
12,713

 
$
28,297

 
278,908

 
$
403,935

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Excludes scrap aluminum sales.