Novelis Reports Record Fiscal Year 2011 Results

Company Poised for Rapid Transformational Growth

- Net Income of $116 million

- Record Adjusted EBITDA of $1.1 billion, up 42 percent

- Sales of $10.6 billion, up 22 percent

- Strong Liquidity of $1.1 billion, up 3 percent

- Solid Free Cash Flow of $310 million

- Strong demand supports $400 million expansion of Asian operations

- Aggressive sustainability platform aims to increase recycled content to 80 percent by 2020

ATLANTA, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --




(in $M)              Year-Ended           Quarter-Ended

                     3/31/2011 3/31/2010  3/31/2011 3/31/2010

Net Income (Loss)    $116      $405       $50       ($1)

Adjusted EBITDA      $1,072    $755       $280      $232







Novelis Inc., the world's leading producer of aluminum rolled products, today reported net income attributable to its common shareholder of $116 million and $50 million for the full year and fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year was a record $1,072 million, representing a 42 percent increase from adjusted EBITDA of $755 million posted for the same period a year ago.  This significant increase was driven by higher shipments, price increases, and product portfolio and footprint optimization.  For the fourth quarter, adjusted EBITDA was $280 million, a 21 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year, and a record fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA.  

"Our record fiscal 2011 results reflect a number of ongoing initiatives to strengthen the business and prepare it for transformational growth," said Phil Martens, Novelis President and Chief Executive Officer.  Martens pointed to a number of specific achievements, including:

    --  Global realignment of the organization that has allowed Novelis to move
        toward its "One Novelis" goal of operating as a fully integrated global
        company.
    --  Optimizing the Company's footprint and reducing its cost base by closing
        underperforming and non-core plants and by investing in recycling
        initiatives.
    --  Focusing on premium products, which now comprise over 70 percent of
        Novelis' product portfolio.
    --  Investing in strategic initiatives like the expansion of the Company's
        Pinda mill in Brazil and global debottlenecking projects designed to
        increase capacity.
    --  Refinancing and recapitalizing the business, which positions the Company
        to significantly invest over the next few years to capture strong market
        growth in its key product segments globally.
    --  Operating the Company's assets at or near capacity for the entire year.


"Going forward, we see continued strong demand in the aluminum flat rolled products industry.  As a result of our solid financial position, we are now able to invest strategically to capitalize on this future growth and support our customers' increasing FRP demand," said Phil Martens.  "We intend to use our strong operating cash flow to fund $1.5 billion in capital expenditures over the next three years.  Our previously announced rolling mill expansion in Brazil and our recently announced expansion in Korea as well as our strategic automotive expansion in North America are key focus areas in the near term to capitalize on that future growth and solidify our position as the dominant player in the global FRP industry."

Shipments of aluminum rolled products totaled 2,969 kilotonnes for fiscal 2011, an increase of 10 percent compared to shipments of 2,708 kilotonnes in the previous year.  For the fourth quarter, shipments were 771 kilotonnes, an increase of 8 percent from shipments of 716 kilotonnes in the fourth quarter of the previous year.  This increase in shipments for both the quarter and the year were driven by strong end-market conditions across all product segments globally, particularly can, automotive and electronics.  

Net sales for fiscal 2011 were $10.6 billion, an increase of 22 percent compared to the $8.7 billion reported for fiscal year 2010.  Net sales for this year's fourth quarter were $3.0 billion, an increase of 22 percent compared to the $2.4 billion reported in the same period a year ago, the result of higher shipments, conversion premiums and aluminum prices.  




(in $M)                           Year Ended           Quarter Ended

                                  3/31/2011 3/31/2010  3/31/2011 3/31/2010

Income Before Income Taxes        $243      $727       $42       $24

Significant Items Affecting
Comparisons:

Restructuring Charges, net        34        14         (1)       7

Unrealized (Gains)/Losses on
Derivatives                       64        (578)      27        37

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt    84        -          10        -

(Gain)/Loss on Sale of Assets     (4)       1          7         1

Brazil Tax Litigation             3         (6)        3         -

Adjusted Pre-tax
Income                            $424      $158       $88       $69







Adjusted pre-tax income increased 168 percent and 28 percent for the full year and fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, respectively.  Adjusted pre-tax income excludes restructuring charges, unrealized gains/losses on derivatives, loss on extinguishment of debt, gain/loss on sale of assets, and Brazil tax litigation.




(in $M)                                   Year Ended

                                          3/31/2011 3/31/2010

Cash and cash equivalents                 $311      $437

Overdrafts                                (17)      (14)

Gross availability under the ABL facility 767       603

Total Liquidity                           $1,061    $1,026

Free Cash Flow                            $310      $355







For fiscal 2011, free cash flow was $310 million, compared to $355 million reported in the previous year.  For the fourth quarter, free cash flow was $134 million

"Our liquidity and free cash flow were strong for the quarter and the year," said Steve Fisher, Chief Financial Officer for Novelis.  "This is a significant accomplishment considering we increased our capital expenditures by 132 percent year-over-year and working capital was negatively impacted by higher LME prices.  Our liquidity position remains strong and well above our target of $750 million."  

Fiscal 2012 Business Targets and Outlook

Over the next year, the Company expects continued strong demand in its key product segments.  As a result, capital expenditures for fiscal 2012 are projected to be between $550 to $600 million.  

The majority of this capital is earmarked for strategic investments which include:

    --  Brazilian and Asian rolling mill expansions;
    --  Strategic automotive capacity increase in North America; and
    --  Recycling initiatives across our operating regions.


The Company plans to primarily use its strong operating cash flow to fund these capital expenditures.  

Annual Report on Form 10-K

The results described in this press release have been reported in detail on the Company's Form 10-K on file with the SEC, and investors are directed to that document for a complete explanation of the Company's financial position and results through March 31, 2011.  The Novelis Form 10-K and other SEC filings are available for review on the Company's website at www.novelis.com.

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2011 Earnings Conference Call

Novelis will discuss its fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 results via a live webcast and conference call for investors at 9:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 26, 2011.  Participants may access the webcast at https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1sjzgjhb8c8yn.  To join by telephone, dial toll-free in North America at 800 931 6428, India toll-free at 0008001007108 or the international toll line at +1 212 231 2910.  Access information may also be found in the Investors section of www.novelis.com.

About Novelis

Novelis Inc. is the global leader in aluminum rolled products and aluminum can recycling.  The Company operates in 11 countries, has approximately 10,850 employees and reported revenue of $10.6 billion in fiscal year 2011.  Novelis supplies premium aluminum sheet and foil products to automotive, transportation, packaging, construction, industrial, electronics and printing markets throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and South America.  Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited (BSE: HINDALCO), one of Asia's largest integrated producers of aluminum and a leading copper producer.  Hindalco is a flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai, India.  For more information, please visit www.novelis.com.

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 think that 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 concurrent 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 and Free Cash Flow.

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 such statements in this news release include our plans to increase production capacity, our growth plans, our expectations with respect to the flat rolled products market and our view of our ability to generate free cash flow this fiscal year.  Novelis cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty and that 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 metal hedging activities, including our internal used beverage cans (UBCs) and smelter hedges; 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; changes in the fair value of derivative instruments and our ability to purchase derivative instruments; 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 principal credit agreement and other financing agreements; the effect of taxes and changes in tax rates; the impact of timing differences between the pricing periods for the purchase and sale of aluminum; our ability to increase production capacity and our indebtedness 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, 2011 are specifically incorporated by reference into this news release.


Novelis Inc.



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions)



                                              Quarter Ended    Year Ended

                                              March 31,        March 31,

                                              2011    2010     2011     2010



Net sales                                     $ 2,960 $ 2,420  $ 10,577 $ 8,673

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation
and amortization)                             2,599   2,147    9,227    7,213

Selling, general and administrative expenses  103     94       375      337

Depreciation and amortization                 97      99       404      384

Research and development expenses             13      11       40       38

Interest expense and amortization of debt
issuance costs                                82      44       207      175

Interest income                               (3)     (3)      (13)     (11)

(Gain) loss on change in fair value of
derivative instruments, net                   15      2        (43)     (194)

Loss on extinguishment of debt                10      —      84       —

Restructuring charges, net                    (1)     7        34       14

Equity in net loss of non-consolidated
affiliates                                    1       3        12       15

Other (income) expenses, net                  2       (4)      7        (25)

                                              2,918   2,396    10,334   7,946

Income before income taxes                    42      24       243      727

Income tax provision (benefit)                (21)    15       83       262

Net income                                    63      9        160      465

Net income attributable to noncontrolling
interests                                     13      10       44       60

Net income (loss) attributable to our common
shareholder                                   $ 50    $ (1)    $ 116    $ 405








Novelis Inc.



CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except number of shares)





                                                                March 31,

                                                                2011    2010



ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents                                       $ 311   $ 437

Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $7 and $4 as of March
31, 2011 and 2010, respectively)

— third parties                                               1,480   1,143

— related parties                                             28      24

Inventories, net                                                1,338   1,083

Prepaid expenses and other current assets                       50      39

Fair value of derivative instruments                            165     197

Deferred income tax assets                                      39      12

Total current assets                                            3,411   2,935

Property, plant and equipment, net                              2,543   2,632

Goodwill                                                        611     611

Intangible assets, net                                          707     749

Investment in and advances to non-consolidated affiliates       743     709

Fair value of derivative instruments, net of current portion    17      7

Deferred income tax assets                                      52      5

Other long-term assets

— third parties                                               193     93

— related parties                                             19      21

Total assets                                                    $ 8,296 $ 7,762

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

Current liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt                               $ 21    $ 116

Short-term borrowings                                           17      75

Accounts payable

— third parties                                               1,378   1,076

— related parties                                             50      53

Fair value of derivative instruments                            82      110

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                  568     436

Deferred income tax liabilities                                 43      34

Total current liabilities                                       2,159   1,900

Long-term debt, net of current portion                          4,065   2,480

Deferred income tax liabilities                                 552     497

Accrued postretirement benefits                                 526     499

Other long-term liabilities                                     359     376

                                                                7,661   5,752

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholder's equity

Common stock, no par value; unlimited number of shares
authorized; 1,000 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31,
2011 and 2010, respectively                                     —     —

Additional paid-in capital                                      1,830   3,530

Accumulated deficit                                             (1,442) (1,558)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                   57      (103)

Total equity of our common shareholder                          445     1,869

Noncontrolling interests                                        190     141

Total equity                                                    635     2,010

Total liabilities and equity                                    $ 8,296 $ 7,762








Novelis Inc.



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)





                                                                  Year Ended

                                                                  March 31,

                                                                  2011    2010



OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income                                                        $ 160   $ 465

Adjustments to determine net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities:

Depreciation and amortization                                     404     384

Gain on change in fair value of derivative instruments, net       (43)    (194)

Loss on extinguishment of debt                                    84      —

Non-cash restructuring charges, net                               5       2

Deferred income taxes                                             (45)    229

Write-off and amortization of fair value adjustments, net         4       (134)

Equity in net loss of non-consolidated affiliates                 12      15

Foreign exchange remeasurement on debt                            —     (20)

(Gain) loss on sale of assets                                     (4)     1

Gain on reversal of accrued legal claim                           —     (3)

Other, net                                                        2       10

Changes in assets and liabilities (net of effects from
acquisitions and divestitures):

Accounts receivable                                               (295)   (46)

Inventories                                                       (218)   (264)

Accounts payable                                                  263     311

Other current assets                                              (8)     14

Other current liabilities                                         134     47

Other noncurrent assets                                           (6)     (15)

Other noncurrent liabilities                                      5       42

Net cash provided by operating activities                         454     844

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Capital expenditures                                              (234)   (101)

Proceeds from sales of assets

— third parties                                                 21      5

— related parties                                               10      —

Changes to investment in and advances to non-consolidated
affiliates                                                        —     3

Proceeds from related party loans receivable, net                 (1)     4

Net proceeds from settlement of derivative instruments            91      (395)

Net cash used in investing activities                             (113)   (484)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from issuance of debt

— third parties                                                 3,985   177

— related parties                                               —     4

Principal repayments

— third parties                                                 (2,489) (67)

— related parties                                               —     (95)

Short-term borrowings, net                                        (56)    (193)

Return of capital to our common shareholder                       (1,700) —

Dividends, noncontrolling interest                                (18)    (13)

Debt issuance costs                                               (193)   (1)

Net cash used in financing activities                             (471)   (188)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents              (130)   172

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances held in foreign
currencies                                                        4       17

Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of period                 437     248

Cash and cash equivalents — end of period                       $ 311   $ 437








Reconciliation from Net Income (Loss) Attributable to our Common
Shareholder to Adjusted EBITDA



Novelis is providing disclosure of the reconciliation of reported non-GAAP
financial measures to their comparable financial measures on a GAAP basis.



                                              Quarter Ended  Year Ended

(in millions)                                 March 31,      March 31,

                                              2011  2010     2011    2010

Net income (loss) attributable to our common
shareholder                                   $ 50  $ (1)    $ 116   $ 405

Noncontrolling interests                      (13)  (10)     (44)    (60)

Income tax (provision) benefit                21    (15)     (83)    (262)

Interest, net                                 (79)  (41)     (194)   (164)

Depreciation and amortization                 (97)  (99)     (404)   (384)

EBITDA                                        218   164      841     1,275



Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives         (27)  (37)     (64)    578

Realized gain on derivative instruments not
included in segment income                    1     —      5       —

Loss on early extinguishment of debt          (10)  —      (84)    —

Proportional consolidation                    (14)  (21)     (45)    (52)

Restructuring charges, net                    1     (7)      (34)    (14)

Others costs, net                             (13)  (3)      (9)     8

Adjusted EBITDA                               $ 280 $ 232    $ 1,072 $ 755








The following table shows the free cash flow for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2011 and 2010, and the ending balances of cash and cash equivalents (in
millions).







                                          Year Ended March 31,

                                          2011  2010



Net cash provided by operating activities $ 454 $ 844

Net cash used in investing activities     (113) (484)

Less: Proceeds from sales of assets       (31)  (5)

Free cash flow                            $ 310 $ 355

Ending cash and cash equivalents          $ 311 $ 437





SOURCE Novelis Inc.