Novelis Reports Record Fiscal 2018 Second Quarter Results

Company performance delivers best-ever quarterly results; raises FY18 guidance

ATLANTA, Nov. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2018 Highlights

  • Net income a record $307 million; excluding special items, net income increased 30% YoY
  • Record Adjusted EBITDA increased 12% YoY from $270 million to $302 million
  • Net Sales increased 18% YoY to $2.8 billion
  • Record shipments of 802 kilotonnes increased 4% YoY; automotive shipments increased 12%
  • Received $314 million in cash proceeds for joint venture transaction at Ulsan Aluminum
  • Raised full fiscal year 2018 Adjusted EBITDA guidance to $1,150-$1,200 million

Novelis, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, today reported net income of $307 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, compared to a net loss of $89 million in the prior year period. Excluding tax-affected special items in both years, the company reported net income of $78 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, up from $60 million reported in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

 (PRNewsfoto/Novelis Inc.)

The increase in net income, excluding special items, is mainly due to a 12 percent increase in Adjusted EBITDA to a record high $302 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2018. The year-over-year improvement in Adjusted EBITDA is primarily a result of higher shipments, favorable metal costs and operational efficiencies, partially offset by lower beverage can pricing. Adjusted EBITDA reached $377 per ton in the quarter.

Net sales increased 18 percent over the prior year to $2.8 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2018, driven by higher average aluminum prices and higher total shipments. Shipments of flat rolled products increased four percent to an all-time quarterly record 802 kilotonnes. All regions reported higher total shipments year-over-year. Automotive sheet shipments increased 12 percent, as production has continued to successfully ramp to meet strong customer demand in this growing market.

"As an industry, we are seeing increasing demand for lightweight, high-strength aluminum from global automotive customers based on aluminum's ability to provide equal or better quality, strength and safety compared to other materials," said Steve Fisher, President and Chief Executive Officer for Novelis. "At Novelis, our strategy to grow alongside our customers who are adopting innovative aluminum solutions to meet their design, performance and sustainability needs has resulted in a strong balance sheet and the ability to raise our full year guidance. With this increased strategic flexibility we are now actively seeking organic investment opportunities to further expand our leadership position in the growing automotive aluminum sector."

The company reported free cash flow of $101 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2018, despite a significant rise in aluminum prices during the quarter.  The $57 million improvement in free cash flow over the prior year is primarily a result of higher Adjusted EBITDA and lower cash interest payments due to refinancing savings and timing. Capital expenditures in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 were $43 million, $3 million less than the prior year.

"Our continued strong financial performance and proceeds from the Ulsan joint venture transaction further improved our net leverage position in the quarter, and we remain on track to generate record free cash flow this fiscal year," said Devinder Ahuja, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Novelis.

As of September 30, 2017, the company reported a very strong liquidity position of $1.6 billion.

Full Year Fiscal 2018 Guidance
With strong first half performance and positive momentum going into the second half of the fiscal year, the company raises its fiscal 2018 Adjusted EBITDA guidance to be between $1,150-$1,200 million for the full year. The guidance for fiscal 2018 free cash flow to be between $400-450 million is unchanged, as the company balances working capital headwinds due to higher average aluminum prices with a stronger Adjusted EBITDA outlook.

(in $ millions)

Revised Guidance


Previous Guidance

Adjusted EBITDA

$1,150-$1,200


$1,100-$1,150

Free Cash Flow

$400-$450


$400-$450

 

Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2018 Earnings Conference Call
Novelis will discuss its second quarter of fiscal year 2018 results via a live webcast and conference call for investors at 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 2, 2017. To view slides and listen only, visit the web at https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1erixr8ypzgbq&eom. To join by telephone, dial toll-free in North America at 800 920 4317, India toll-free at 18002662118 or the international toll line at +1 212 231 2925. 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 Certain 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

September 30,


Six Months Ended

September 30,


2017


2016


2017


2016

Net sales

$

2,794



$

2,361



$

5,463



$

4,657


Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

2,361



1,980



4,622



3,910


Selling, general and administrative expenses

124



108



230



200


Depreciation and amortization

91



90



181



179


Interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs

64



81



128



164


Research and development expenses

16



14



31



27


Gain on assets held for sale



(1)





(2)


(Gain) loss on sale of a business, net

(318)



27



(318)



27


Loss on extinguishment of debt



112





112


Restructuring and impairment, net

7



1



8



3


Equity in net loss of non-consolidated affiliates

1





1




Other expense, net

25



11



13



39



2,371



2,423



4,896



4,659


Income (loss) before income taxes

423



(62)



567



(2)


Income tax provision

116



27



159



63


Net income (loss)

307



(89)



408



(65)


Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests








Net income (loss) attributable to our common shareholder

$

307



$

(89)



$

408



$

(65)


 

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

(in millions, except number of shares)



September 30,
 2017


March 31,
 2017

ASSETS




Current assets




Cash and cash equivalents

$

949



$

594


Accounts receivable, net




— third parties (net of uncollectible accounts of $7 and $6 as of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017)

1,290



1,067


— related parties

180



60


Inventories

1,488



1,333


Prepaid expenses and other current assets

118



137


Fair value of derivative instruments

71



113


Assets held for sale

3



3


Total current assets

4,099



3,307


Property, plant and equipment, net

3,067



3,357


Goodwill

607



607


Intangible assets, net

433



457


Investment in and advances to non–consolidated affiliates

799



451


Deferred income tax assets

80



86


Other long–term assets




— third parties

96



94


— related parties

8



15


Total assets

$

9,189



$

8,374


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)




Current liabilities




Current portion of long–term debt

$

144



$

121


Short–term borrowings

342



294


Accounts payable




— third parties

1,957



1,722


— related parties

57



51


Fair value of derivative instruments

125



151


Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

558



580


Total current liabilities

3,183



2,919


Long–term debt, net of current portion

4,403



4,437


Deferred income tax liabilities

142



98


Accrued postretirement benefits

803



799


Other long–term liabilities

232



198


Total liabilities

8,763



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 September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017




Additional paid–in capital

1,404



1,404


Accumulated deficit

(510)



(918)


Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(450)



(545)


Total equity (deficit) of our common shareholder

444



(59)


Noncontrolling interests

(18)



(18)


Total equity (deficit)

426



(77)


Total liabilities and equity (deficit)

$

9,189



$

8,374


 

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(in millions)



Six Months Ended September 30,


2017


2016

OPERATING ACTIVITIES




Net income (loss)

$

408



$

(65)


Adjustments to determine net cash provided by operating activities:




Depreciation and amortization

181



179


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

12



(1)


Gain on assets held for sale



(2)


(Gain) loss on sale of business

(318)



27


Loss on sale of assets

2



6


Impairment charges

6




Loss on extinguishment of debt



112


Deferred income taxes

47



(4)


Amortization of fair value adjustments, net



6


Equity in net loss of non-consolidated affiliates

1




(Gain) loss on foreign exchange remeasurement of debt

(2)



2


Amortization of debt issuance costs and carrying value adjustments

10



9


Other, net

4




Changes in assets and liabilities including assets and liabilities held for sale (net of effects from divestitures):




Accounts receivable

(310)



(159)


Inventories

(107)



(115)


Accounts payable

163



22


Other current assets

26



6


Other current liabilities

(31)



(90)


Other noncurrent assets

(2)



(9)


Other noncurrent liabilities

4



49


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

94



(27)


INVESTING ACTIVITIES




Capital expenditures

(82)



(90)


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

1



1


Proceeds (outflows) from the sale of a business, net of certain transaction fees

314



(13)


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

8



9


Proceeds from settlement of other undesignated derivative instruments, net

1



6


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

242



(87)


FINANCING ACTIVITIES




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



2,765


Principal payments of long-term and short-term borrowings

(64)



(2,609)


Revolving credit facilities and other, net

88



(3)


Debt issuance costs

(4)



(134)


Net cash provided by financing activities

20



19


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

356



(95)


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

(1)



12


Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of period

594



556


Cash and cash equivalents — end of period

$

949



$

473


 

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 six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.





(in millions)

Three Months Ended

September 30,


Six Months Ended

September 30,


2017


2016


2017


2016

Net income (loss) attributable to our common shareholder

$

307



$

(89)



$

408



$

(65)


Income tax provision

116



27



159



63


Interest, net

62



79



124



159


Depreciation and amortization

91



90



181



179


EBITDA

576



107



872



336










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

18



(4)



2



3


Realized gains on derivative instruments not included in segment income





(1)



(1)


Adjustment to reconcile proportional consolidation

8



8



16



16


Loss on sale of fixed assets

1



2



2



6


Gain on assets held for sale



(1)





(2)


Loss on extinguishment of debt



112





112


Restructuring and impairment, net

7



1



8



3


(Gain) loss on sale of a business, net

(318)



27



(318)



27


Metal price lag (A)

5



14



6



27


Other, net

5



4



4



11


Adjusted EBITDA

$

302



$

270



$

591



$

538


















(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 six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.


 (in millions)

Six Months Ended September 30,


2017


2016

Net cash used in operating activities

$

94



(27)


Net cash used in investing activities

242



(87)


Less: Proceeds from the sale of a business, net of transaction fees, cash income taxes and hedging

(312)



12


Free cash flow (A)

$

24



$

(102)










(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 September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017.


(in millions)

September 30,

2017


March 31,

 2017

Cash and cash equivalents

$

949



$

594


Availability under committed credit facilities

700



701


Total liquidity

$

1,649



$

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

September 30,


Six Months Ended

September 30,


2017


2016


2017


2016

Net income (loss) attributable to our common shareholder

$

307



$

(89)



$

408



$

(65)


Special Items:








Gain on assets held for sale



(1)





(2)


(Gain) loss on sale of a business, net

(318)



27



(318)



27


Loss on extinguishment of debt



112





112


Metal price lag

5



14



6



27


Restructuring and impairment, net

7



1



8



3


Tax effect on special items

77



(4)



77



(9)


Net income attributable to our common shareholder, excluding special items

$

78



$

60



$

181



$

93


 

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 September 30, 2017


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations

and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA (A)


$

124



$

51



$

37



$

90



$



$

302















Shipments













Rolled products - third party


270



234



178



120





802


Rolled products - intersegment


4



3



2



11



(20)




Total rolled products


274



237



180



131



(20)



802





















Selected Operating Results Three Months

Ended September 30, 2016


North

America


Europe


Asia


South

America


Eliminations

and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA (A)


$

93



$

49



$

46



$

82



$



$

270















Shipments













Rolled products - third party


252



232



175



114





773


Rolled products - intersegment




4



1



7



(12)




Total rolled products


252



236



176



121



(12)



773





















Selected Operating Results Six Months

Ended September 30, 2017


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations

and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA (A)


$

240



$

108



$

81



$

162



$



$

591















Shipments













Rolled products - third party


541



465



354



227





1,587


Rolled products - intersegment


6



7



6



14



(33)




Total rolled products


547



472



360



241



(33)



1,587





















Selected Operating Results Six Months

Ended September 30, 2016


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations

 and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA (A)


$

186



$

106



$

92



$

154



$



$

538















Shipments













Rolled products - third party


493



473



351



211





1,528


Rolled products - intersegment


1



9



3



13



(26)




Total rolled products


494



482



354



224



(26)



1,528





















(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.


 

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/novelis-reports-record-fiscal-2018-second-quarter-results-300548399.html

SOURCE Novelis Inc.