Novelis Reports Fiscal 2018 Third Quarter Results

Financial strength, strategic investments in automotive capabilities to grow its leadership position

ATLANTA, Feb. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

 (PRNewsfoto/Novelis Inc.)

Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2018 Highlights

  • Net income attributable to common shareholder of $121 million; excluding special items, net income increased 106% YoY
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 20% YoY to record $305 million
  • Net Sales increased 33% YoY to $3.1 billion
  • Shipments of 796 kilotonnes increased 6% YoY; automotive shipments increased 12%
  • Leveraging strength of balance sheet to make key strategic investments in automotive aluminum

Novelis Inc., the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, today reported net income attributable to its common shareholder of $121 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, compared to $63 million in the prior year period. Excluding tax-affected special items in both years, the company reported net income of $138 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018, more than double the $67 million reported in the third quarter of fiscal 2017.

The increase in net income, excluding special items, is mainly due to a 20 percent increase in Adjusted EBITDA over the prior year to a record $305 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018.  This increase reflects higher shipments and the company's strategy to deliver a more favorable product mix with higher automotive shipments and increased operational efficiencies. Adjusted EBITDA reached $383 per ton in the quarter.

Net sales increased 33 percent over the prior year to $3.1 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2018, driven by higher average aluminum prices, higher total shipments, and a favorable impact from the strategic portfolio shift to higher conversion premium products. Shipments of flat rolled products increased six percent to 796 kilotonnes. Automotive sheet shipments increased 12 percent year-over-year, as production has continued to successfully ramp to meet strong customer demand.

"Aluminum is increasingly the material of choice for our customers.  Following another quarter of record-setting financial results, we are making strategic investments to grow with our customers and advance the continued penetration of aluminum sheet in the broad automotive market of competing materials," said Steve Fisher, President and CEO of Novelis. "These investments, coupled with the most advanced manufacturing processes and largest footprint in the industry, solidify our global leadership position and strengthen our diverse portfolio of lightweight, high-strength aluminum solutions."

The company recently announced plans to expand its production footprint in the US with an approximately $300 million investment in automotive finishing capacity in Guthrie, Kentucky. Novelis also has agreed to acquire operating facilities and manufacturing assets for €200 million at its Sierre, Switzerland, plant that have historically been leased.

The company reported free cash flow of $79 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2018, including $54 million of capital expenditures. Year-to-date free cash flow has improved $74 million over the prior year, primarily a result of higher Adjusted EBITDA, lower cash interest payments due to refinancing savings and lower metal price lag, partially offset by higher taxes and working capital requirements due to rising aluminum prices.

"Record Adjusted EBITDA for the second consecutive quarter has put us on track to achieve record free cash flow this fiscal year, and is providing the financial flexibility to reduce net debt and seek strategic investments, particularly in the growing automotive segment," said Devinder Ahuja, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Novelis.

As of December 31, 2017, the company reported a strong liquidity position of $1,724 million.

U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
During the third quarter of fiscal 2018, the company recorded a net $18 million non-cash income tax benefit for the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities in accordance with the recently enacted US tax reform.  The tax benefit attributable to the common shareholder is $34 million, as $16 million of tax expense is attributable to non-controlling interest related to Logan Aluminum as reflected in the net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in our financial statements.  Other provisions of the Act are not expected to have a material impact on fiscal year 2018.

Full Year Fiscal 2018 Guidance
The company expects to be on the upper end of its previously guided fiscal 2018 Adjusted EBITDA range of $1,150-$1,200 million. Fiscal 2018 free cash flow is expected to be on the lower end of its previously guided range of $400-450 million, driven by the impact of higher aluminum prices. The recently announced automotive investments in the US and Switzerland will not impact fiscal 2018 free cash flow.

Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2018 Earnings Conference Call
Novelis will discuss its third quarter of fiscal year 2018 results via a live webcast and conference call for investors at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, February 1, 2018. To view slides and listen only, visit the web at  https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1ltp4eeb1fnqp&eom. To join by telephone, dial toll-free in North America at 800 928 9281, India toll-free at 18002660843 or the international toll line at +1 212 231 2920. Presentation materials and access information may also be found at novelis.com/investors.

About Novelis
Novelis Inc. is the global leader in aluminum rolled products and the world's largest recycler of aluminum. The company operates in 10 countries, has approximately 11,000 employees and reported $10 billion in revenue for its 2017 fiscal year. Novelis supplies premium aluminum sheet and foil products to transportation, packaging, construction, industrial and consumer electronics markets throughout North America, Europe, Asia and South America. Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, an industry leader in aluminum and copper, and metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai, India. For more information, visit novelis.com and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/NovelisInc and Twitter at twitter.com/Novelis.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press 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, Reconciliation to Liquidity, Reconciliation to 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 the company's ability to achieve record free cash flow for fiscal 2018. 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 for future capital requirements; 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, labor relations and negotiations, breakdown of equipment and other events; the impact of restructuring efforts in the future; 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, particularly sectors in which our customers operate; cyclical demand and pricing within the principal markets for our products as well as seasonality in certain of our customers' industries; 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; the effect of taxes and changes in tax rates; and our ability to generate cash. The above list of factors is not exhaustive. Other important risk factors included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 are specifically incorporated by reference into this news release.

 

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

(in millions)






Three Months Ended

December 31, 2017


Nine Months Ended

December 31,


2017


2016


2017


2016

Net sales

$

3,085



$

2,313



$

8,548



$

6,970


Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

2,646



1,924



7,268



5,834


Selling, general and administrative expenses

128



103



358



303


Depreciation and amortization

86



88



267



267


Interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs

64



67



192



231


Loss on extinguishment of debt







112


Research and development expenses

17



14



48



41


Gain on assets held for sale







(2)


(Gain) loss on sale of a business, net





(318)



27


Restructuring and impairment, net

25



1



33



4


Equity in net loss of non-consolidated affiliates



8



1



8


Other (income) expense, net

(6)



(3)



7



36



2,960



2,202



7,856



6,861


Income before income taxes

125



111



692



109


Income tax provision

20



47



179



110


Net income (loss)

105



64



513



(1)


Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(16)



1



(16)



1


Net income (loss) attributable to our common shareholder

$

121



$

63



$

529



$

(2)


 

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

(in millions, except number of shares)






December 31,
2017


March 31,
 2017

ASSETS




Current assets




Cash and cash equivalents

$

757



$

594


Accounts receivable, net




— third parties (net of uncollectible accounts of $6 as of December 31, 2017 and March

31, 2017)

1,331



1,067


— related parties

253



60


Inventories

1,572



1,333


Prepaid expenses and other current assets

120



137


Fair value of derivative instruments

115



113


Assets held for sale

3



3


Total current assets

4,151



3,307


Property, plant and equipment, net

3,073



3,357


Goodwill

607



607


Intangible assets, net

420



457


Investment in and advances to non–consolidated affiliates

831



451


Deferred income tax assets

90



86


Other long–term assets




— third parties

93



94


— related parties

10



15


Total assets

$

9,275



$

8,374


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)




Current liabilities




Current portion of long–term debt

$

136



$

121


Short–term borrowings

116



294


Accounts payable




— third parties

1,909



1,722


— related parties

206



51


Fair value of derivative instruments

192



151


Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

607



580


Total current liabilities

3,166



2,919


Long–term debt, net of current portion

4,352



4,437


Deferred income tax liabilities

137



98


Accrued postretirement benefits

813



799


Other long–term liabilities

241



198


Total liabilities

8,709



8,451


Commitments and contingencies




Shareholder's equity (deficit)




Common stock, no par value; unlimited number of shares authorized;
1,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017




Additional paid–in capital

1,404



1,404


Accumulated deficit

(389)



(918)


Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(415)



(545)


Total equity (deficit) of our common shareholder

600



(59)


Noncontrolling interests

(34)



(18)


Total equity (deficit)

566



(77)


Total liabilities and equity (deficit)

$

9,275



$

8,374


 

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(in millions)




Nine Months Ended

December 31,


2017


2016

OPERATING ACTIVITIES




Net income (loss)

$

513



$

(1)


Adjustments to determine net cash provided by operating activities:




Depreciation and amortization

267



267


Loss (gain) on unrealized derivatives and other realized derivatives in investing activities, net

4



(23)


Gain on assets held for sale



(2)


(Gain) loss on sale of business

(318)



27


Loss on sale of assets

4



4


Impairment charges

15




Loss on extinguishment of debt



112


Deferred income taxes

41



15


Amortization of fair value adjustments, net



7


Equity in net loss of non-consolidated affiliates

1



8


Loss on foreign exchange remeasurement of debt

3




Amortization of debt issuance costs and carrying value adjustments

15



10


Other, net

(1)



1


Changes in assets and liabilities including assets and liabilities held for sale (net of

effects from divestitures):




Accounts receivable

(403)



(108)


Inventories

(175)



(200)


Accounts payable

221



59


Other current assets

24



(3)


Other current liabilities

12



(55)


Other noncurrent assets

(4)



(17)


Other noncurrent liabilities

18



50


Net cash provided by operating activities

237



151


INVESTING ACTIVITIES




Capital expenditures

(136)



(138)


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

1



2


Proceeds (outflows) from the sale of a business

314



(2)


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

9



12


(Outflows) proceeds from the settlement of derivative instruments, net

(18)



7


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

170



(122)


FINANCING ACTIVITIES




Proceeds from issuance of long-term and short-term borrowings



2,770


Principal payments of long-term and short-term borrowings

(138)



(2,676)


Revolving credit facilities and other, net

(140)



(20)


Debt issuance costs

(5)



(139)


Net cash used in financing activities

(283)



(65)


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

124



(36)


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

39



(15)


Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of period

594



556


Cash and cash equivalents — end of period

$

757



$

505


 

Reconciliation of Net income (loss) attributable to our common shareholder to Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited)
The following table reconciles Net income (loss) attributable to our common shareholder to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(in millions)

Three Months Ended

December 31, 2017


Nine Months Ended

December 31,


2017


2016


2017


2016

Net income (loss) attributable to our common shareholder

$

121



$

63



$

529



$

(2)


Noncontrolling interests

(16)



1



(16)



1


Income tax provision

20



47



179



110


Interest, net

62



65



186



224


Depreciation and amortization

86



88



267



267


EBITDA

273



264



1,145



600










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

(15)



(21)



(13)



(18)


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

income

1



(1)





(2)


Adjustment to reconcile proportional consolidation

17



4



33



20


Losses (gains) on sale of fixed assets

2



(2)



4



4


Gain on assets held for sale







(2)


Loss on extinguishment of debt







112


Restructuring and impairment, net

25



1



33



4


(Gain) loss on sale of a business, net





(318)



27


Metal price lag (A)

(1)



4



5



32


Other, net

3



6



7



17


Adjusted EBITDA

$

305



$

255



$

896



$

794


(A)       Effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, management removed the impact of metal price lag from Adjusted EBITDA in order to enhance the visibility of the underlying operating performance of the company. The impact of metal price lag is now reported as a separate line item in this reconciliation. This change does not impact our condensed consolidated financial statements. Adjusted EBITDA for the prior period presented has been updated to reflect this change.

Free Cash Flow (unaudited)
The following table shows "Free cash flow" for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 (in millions)

Nine Months Ended December 31,


2017


2016

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

237



$

151


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

170



(122)


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

hedging

(304)




Free cash flow (A)

$

103



$

29


(A)       Effective in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, management clarified the definition of "Free cash flow" (a non-GAAP measure) to reduce "Proceeds on the sale of assets, net of transaction fees and hedging" by cash income taxes to further enable users of the financial statements to understand cash generated internally by the company. This change does not impact the condensed consolidated financial statements or significantly impact prior periods.

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 December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017.

(in millions)

December 31,

2017


March 31,

2017

Cash and cash equivalents

$

757



$

594


Availability under committed credit facilities

967



701


Total liquidity

$

1,724



$

1,295


 

Reconciliation of Net income (loss) 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

December 31,


Nine Months Ended

December 31,


2017


2016


2017


2016

Net income (loss) attributable to our common shareholder

$

121



$

63



$

529



$

(2)


Special Items:








Gain on assets held for sale







(2)


(Gain) loss on sale of a business





(318)



27


Loss on extinguishment of debt







112


Metal price lag

(1)



4



5



32


Restructuring and impairment, net

25



1



33



4


Tax effect on special items

(7)



(1)



70



(10)


Net income attributable to our common shareholder, excluding special
items

$

138



$

67



$

319



$

161


 

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 December 31, 2017


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA (A)


$

111



$

50



$

43



$

107



$

(6)



$

305















Shipments













Rolled products - third party


268



217



173



138





796


Rolled products - intersegment


1



5



4



8



(18)




Total rolled products


269



222



177



146



(18)



796


 

Selected Operating Results Three

Months Ended December 31, 2016


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA (A)


$

90



$

44



$

40



$

81



$



$

255















Shipments













Rolled products - third party


247



222



161



120





750


Rolled products - intersegment




4



1



5



(10)




Total rolled products


247



226



162



125



(10)



750


 

Selected Operating Results Nine

Months Ended December 31, 2017


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA (A)


$

351



$

158



$

124



$

269



$

(6)



$

896















Shipments













Rolled products - third party


809



682



527



365





2,383


Rolled products - intersegment


7



12



10



22



(51)




Total rolled products


816



694



537



387



(51)



2,383


 

Selected Operating Results Nine

Months Ended December 31, 2016


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA (A)


$

276



$

150



$

132



$

236



$



$

794















Shipments













Rolled products - third party


740



695



512



331





2,278


Rolled products - intersegment


1



13



4



18



(36)




Total rolled products


741



708



516



349



(36)



2,278


(A)       Effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, management removed the impact of metal price lag from Adjusted EBITDA.  Adjusted EBITDA for prior periods presented has been updated to reflect this change.

 

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SOURCE Novelis Inc.