Novelis Reports First Quarter of Fiscal 2020 Results

Strong operational performance in favorable market conditions deliver exceptional results

ATLANTA, Aug. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

(PRNewsfoto/Novelis Inc.)

First Quarter Fiscal Year 2020 Highlights

  • Net income attributable to common shareholder of $127 million; excluding special items, net income of $145 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $372 million
  • Net sales of $2.9 billion
  • Shipments of 830 kilotonnes

Novelis Inc., the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, today reported net income attributable to its common shareholder of $127 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, compared to $137 million in the prior year period. Excluding tax-effected special items, such as $33 million in favorable metal price lag in the prior year, the company reported net income of $145 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to $115 million in the prior year period. This 26 percent increase is primarily due to higher Adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 11 percent over the prior year period to $372 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, primarily driven by higher total shipments as well as favorable price and product mix, partially offset by less favorable recycling benefits due to lower aluminum prices. Adjusted EBITDA per ton reached $448 in the quarter, as compared to $419 in the prior year period.

Net sales decreased six percent over the prior year period to $2.9 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, driven by lower average aluminum prices and local market premiums, partially offset by higher total shipments and more favorable product price and mix. Shipments of flat rolled products increased four percent over the prior year to 830 kilotonnes.

"Novelis' continued success is based on its ability to deliver high-quality products to customers and its focus on optimizing manufacturing operations," said Steve Fisher, President and CEO, Novelis Inc. "With a strong balance sheet and commitment to sustainable innovation, we are well positioned to make strategic investments in capacity as well as R&D to meet growing demand for lightweight aluminum solutions."

The company reported negative $94 million of free cash flow for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, including a three-fold increase in capital expenditures year-over-year to $162 million mainly to support strategic capacity expansion projects underway in the US, China and Brazil. Free cash flow before capital expenditures improved 36 percent over the prior year period to $68 million, driven primarily by higher Adjusted EBITDA and favorable working capital from lower aluminum prices and inventory levels.

(in $ millions, non-GAAP measures)

Three Months Ended June 30,


2019



2018


Free cash flow

(94)



(4)


Capital expenditures

162



54


Free cash flow before capital expenditures

68



50


"Our strategic capital projects to increase rolling, recycling and finishing capacity continue to progress on time and on budget," said Devinder Ahuja, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Novelis Inc. "Our focus on continuous operational improvement to fully leverage our existing capacity will allow us to continue to deliver strong results in favorable market conditions."

As of June 30, 2019, the company reported a strong total liquidity position of $1.7 billion and a net leverage ratio of 2.5x.

Aleris Acquisition
On July 26, 2018, Novelis announced it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Aleris Corporation. The acquisition continues to progress and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2019, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2020 Earnings Conference Call
Novelis will discuss its first quarter of fiscal year 2020 results via a live webcast and conference call for investors at 8:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. To view slides and listen only, visit the web at https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1w8nrkn5uwjtq&eom. To join by telephone, dial toll-free in North America at 800 582 4086, India toll-free at 1800 266 2125 or the international toll line at +1 212 231 2911. Presentation materials and access information may also be found at novelis.com/investors.

About Novelis
Novelis Inc. is driven by its purpose to shape a sustainable world together.  As a global leader in innovative products and services and the world's largest recycler of aluminum, we partner with customers in the automotive, beverage can and specialties industries to deliver solutions that maximize the benefits of lightweight aluminum throughout North America, Europe, Asia and South America. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, operates 23 facilities in nine countries, has approximately 11,000 employees and recorded $12.3 billion in revenue for its 2019 fiscal year. Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, an industry leader in aluminum and copper, and the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai, India. For more information, visit novelis.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release and the presentation slides for the earnings call contain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC rules. We believe these measures are helpful to investors in measuring our financial performance and liquidity and comparing our performance to our peers. However, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. To the extent we discuss any non-GAAP financial measures on the earnings call, a reconciliation of each measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure will be available in the presentation slides filed as Exhibit 99.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K furnished to the SEC concurrently with the issuance of this press release. In addition, the Form 8-K includes a more detailed description of each of these non-GAAP financial measures, together with a discussion of the usefulness and purpose of such measures.

Attached to this news release are tables showing the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Liquidity, Net Income excluding Special Items, and Segment Information.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this news release which describe Novelis' intentions, expectations, beliefs or predictions may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by, or including the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," or similar expressions. Examples of forward looking statements in this news release are statements about our expectation that we will be able to make strategic investments in capacity and R&D. Novelis cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty and Novelis' actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. We do not intend, and we disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ from the results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, among other things: changes in the prices and availability of aluminum (or premiums associated with such prices) or other materials and raw materials we use; the capacity and effectiveness of our hedging activities; relationships with, and financial and operating conditions of, our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders; fluctuations in the supply of, and prices for, energy in the areas in which we maintain production facilities; our ability to access financing including in connection with potential acquisitions and investments; risks relating to, and our ability to consummate, pending and future acquisitions, investments or divestitures, including the proposed acquisition of Aleris Corporation; changes in the relative values of various currencies and the effectiveness of our currency hedging activities; factors affecting our operations, such as litigation, environmental remediation and clean-up costs, breakdown of equipment and other events; economic, regulatory and political factors within the countries in which we operate or sell our products, including changes in duties or tariffs; competition from other aluminum rolled products producers as well as from substitute materials such as steel, glass, plastic and composite materials; changes in general economic conditions including deterioration in the global economy; changes in government regulations, particularly those affecting taxes, derivative instruments, environmental, health or safety compliance; changes in interest rates that have the effect of increasing the amounts we pay under our credit facilities and other financing agreements; and our ability to generate cash. The above list of factors is not exhaustive. Other important risk factors are included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019.

 

 

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

(in millions)



Three Months Ended June 30,


2019


2018

Net sales

$

2,925



$

3,097


Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

2,414



2,591


Selling, general and administrative expenses

127



117


Depreciation and amortization

88



86


Interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs

65



66


Research and development expenses

19



15


Restructuring and impairment, net

1



1


Other (income) expenses, net

4



29


Business acquisition and other integration related costs

17



2



$

2,735



$

2,907


Income before income taxes

190



190


Income tax provision

63



53


Net income

$

127



$

137


Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest




Net income attributable to our common shareholder

$

127



$

137


 

 

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

(in millions, except number of shares)



June 30,
 2019


March 31,
 2019

ASSETS




Current assets




Cash and cash equivalents

$

859



$

950


Accounts receivable, net




— third parties (net of uncollectible accounts of $7 as of June 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019)

1,485



1,417


— related parties

172



164


Inventories

1,499



1,460


Prepaid expenses and other current assets

128



121


Fair value of derivative instruments

94



70


Assets held for sale

5



3


Total current assets

$

4,242



$

4,185


Property, plant and equipment, net

3,423



3,385


Goodwill

607



607


Intangible assets, net

340



351


Investment in and advances to non–consolidated affiliates

796



792


Deferred income tax assets

137



142


Other long–term assets — third parties

197



101


Total assets

$

9,742



$

9,563


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY




Current liabilities




Current portion of long–term debt

$

19



$

19


Short–term borrowings

53



39


Accounts payable




— third parties

1,972



1,986


— related parties

192



175


Fair value of derivative instruments

76



87


Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

537



616


Total current liabilities

$

2,849



$

2,922


Long–term debt, net of current portion

4,327



4,328


Deferred income tax liabilities

254



223


Accrued postretirement benefits

852



844


Other long–term liabilities

242



180


Total liabilities

$

8,524



$

8,497


Commitments and contingencies




Shareholder's equity




Common stock, no par value; unlimited number of shares authorized;
1,000 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019




Additional paid–in capital

1,404



1,404


Retained earnings

330



203


Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(483)



(506)


Total equity of our common shareholder

$

1,251



$

1,101


Noncontrolling interest

(33)



(35)


Total equity

$

1,218



$

1,066


Total liabilities and equity

$

9,742



$

9,563


 

 

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(in millions)



Three Months Ended June 30,


2019


2018

OPERATING ACTIVITIES




Net income

$

127



$

137


Adjustments to determine net cash provided by operating activities:




Depreciation and amortization

88



86


(Gain) loss on unrealized derivatives and other realized derivatives in investing activities, net

(14)



24


(Gain) loss on sale of assets

(1)



3


Deferred income taxes, net

28



(14)


Amortization of debt issuance costs and carrying value adjustments

5



5


Changes in operating assets and liabilities:




Accounts receivable

(81)



(201)


Inventories

(36)



(205)


Accounts payable

43



283


Other current assets

(5)



(29)


Other current liabilities

(80)



(58)


Other noncurrent assets

3




Other noncurrent liabilities

(20)



17


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$

57



$

48


INVESTING ACTIVITIES




Capital expenditures

(162)



(54)


Proceeds from sales of assets, third party, net of transaction fees and hedging

2




Proceeds from investment in and advances to non-consolidated affiliates, net

6



6


Proceeds (outflows) from the settlement of derivative instruments, net

1



(7)


Other

4



3


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

$

(149)



$

(52)


FINANCING ACTIVITIES




Principal payments of long-term and short-term borrowings

(6)



(34)


Revolving credit facilities and other, net

12



(9)


Debt issuance costs

(1)




Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

$

5



$

(43)


Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(87)



(47)


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

(3)



(19)


Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning of period

960



932


Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — end of period

$

870



$

866


 

 

Reconciliation of Net income attributable to our common shareholder to Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited)


The following table reconciles Net income attributable to our common shareholder to Adjusted EBITDA, a
non-GAAP financial measure, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.


(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30,


2019


2018

Net income attributable to our common shareholder

$

127



$

137


Noncontrolling interests




Income tax provision

63



53


Interest, net

62



63


Depreciation and amortization

88



86


EBITDA

$

340



$

339






Unrealized (gains) losses on change in fair value of derivative instruments, net

(6)



4


Realized (gains) losses on derivative instruments not included in segment income

2




Adjustment to reconcile proportional consolidation

15



16


(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets

(1)



3


Restructuring and impairment, net

1



1


Metal price lag

2



(33)


Business acquisition and other integration related costs (A)

17



2


Other, net

2



2


Adjusted EBITDA

$

372



$

334


 _________________________

(A) 

Management reclassified $2 million from "Selling, general and administrative expenses" to "Business acquisition and other integration related costs" for the three months ended June 30, 2018 to remove the impact of business acquisition and other integration related costs from Adjusted EBITDA.  This reclassification had no impact on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, condensed consolidated balance sheets or condensed consolidated statements of cash flow during the respective period.

 

 

Free Cash Flow (unaudited)


The following table shows "Free cash flow" for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.


 (in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30,


2019


2018

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$

57



$

48


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

(149)



(52)


Less: Proceeds from sales of assets and business, net of transaction fees, cash
income taxes and hedging

(2)




Free cash flow

$

(94)



$

(4)


 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Total Liquidity (unaudited)


The following table reconciles the ending balances of cash and cash equivalents to total liquidity as of
June 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019.


(in millions)

June 30, 2019


March 31, 2019

Cash and cash equivalents

$

859



$

950


Availability under committed credit facilities

870



897


Total liquidity

$

1,729



$

1,847


 

 

Reconciliation of Net income attributable to our common shareholder to Net income attributable to
our common shareholder, excluding special items (unaudited)


The following table presents Net income attributable to our common shareholder excluding special items. 
We adjust for items which may recur in varying magnitude which affect the comparability of the operational
results of our underlying business. 


(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30,


2019


2018

Net income attributable to our common shareholder

$

127



$

137


Special Items:




Business acquisition and other integration related costs

17



2


Metal price lag

2



(33)


Restructuring and impairment, net

1



1


Tax effect on special items

(2)



8


Net income attributable to our common shareholder, excluding special items

$

145



$

115


 

 

Segment Information (unaudited)


The following table shows selected segment financial information (in millions, except shipments which are in kilotonnes).


Selected Operating Results 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations

and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA


$

170



$

53



$

53



$

96



$



$

372















Shipments (in kt)













Rolled products - third party


289



223



183



135





830


Rolled products - intersegment




11



1



4



(16)




Total rolled products


289



234



184



139



(16)



830



























Selected Operating Results 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations
and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA


$

119



$

63



$

55



$

97



$



$

334















Shipments (in kt)













Rolled products - third party


274



228



173



122





797


Rolled products - intersegment




4



2



4



(10)




Total rolled products


274



232



175



126



(10)



797


 

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SOURCE Novelis Inc.