Novelis Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2022 Results

ATLANTA, May 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 

Q4 Fiscal Year 2022 Highlights
  • Net income from continuing operations of $217 million, up 21% YoY; net income from continuing operations excluding special items was $189 million, up 10% YoY
  • Record shipments of 987 kilotonnes, up from 983 kilotonnes prior year
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $431 million, down 15% YoY primarily due to short-term operational cost challenges
Full Fiscal Year 2022 Highlights
  • Record net income from continuing operations of $1.0 billion, up 122% YoY; net income from continuing operations excluding special items was $934 million, up 66% YoY
  • Record shipments of 3,858 kilotonnes, up 7% YoY
  • Record Adjusted EBITDA of $2.0 billion, up 19% YoY; Adjusted EBITDA per ton shipped reached $530, up 12% YoY
  • Net leverage ratio improved to 2.2x, compared to 2.9x as of March 31, 2021
  • Embarking on a transformational organic growth period to further strengthen our industry leading position; Announced today an approximately $2.5 billion greenfield, fully integrated rolling and recycling plant in the U.S. to support strong demand for aluminum beverage packaging and automotive solutions and advance a more circular economy

Novelis Inc., a leading sustainable aluminum solutions provider and the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, today reported results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2022.

For the fourth quarter, net income attributable to its common shareholder increased 22% versus the prior year to $215 million, while net income from continuing operations increased 21% to $217 million. Excluding special items in both years, fourth quarter fiscal year 2022 net income from continuing operations increased 10% versus the prior year to $189 million.

For the full year, fiscal 2022 net income attributable to its common shareholder increased more than four-fold versus the prior year to $954 million, while net income from continuing operations more than doubled to $1.0 billion. Excluding special items in both years, fiscal year 2022 net income from continuing operations increased 66% to $934 million, driven mainly by higher Adjusted EBITDA.

"We achieved record full year results and crossed notable financial milestones for Adjusted EBITDA and net income, reflecting a continued focus on meeting strong customer demand for infinitely recyclable aluminum products while striving to advance our business and industry toward a more circular economy," said Steve Fisher, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novelis, Inc. "Our market-leading position, strong underlying market demand, and history of success adding new capacity position us to embark on our next phase of strategic expansion to support our customers for the long term, and deliver on our purpose of shaping a sustainable world together by reducing carbon emissions across the supply chain."

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2022 Results

Net sales increased 34% to $4.8 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022, compared to $3.6 billion in the prior year period, primarily driven by higher average aluminum prices and local market premiums. Total flat rolled product shipments were a record 987 kilotonnes, a slight increase over prior year shipments of 983 kilotonnes, driven by strong beverage can and aerospace shipments offsetting lower automotive shipments impacted by semiconductor shortages in the automotive industry.

Adjusted EBITDA of $431 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 included approximately $55 million of higher operational costs, primarily in North America, as a result of production and logistics challenges that are not expected to continue in fiscal 2023. The current year quarter also included a $15 million non-recurring regulatory provision. Other higher inflationary cost pressures were largely offset by favorable product pricing.

Full-Year Fiscal 2022 Results

Net sales increased 40% to $17.1 billion in fiscal year 2022, compared to $12.3 billion in fiscal year 2021, primarily driven by higher average aluminum prices and record shipments in every product end market. Total flat rolled product shipments increased 7% over the prior year to 3,858 kilotonnes, driven by strong demand for sustainable, flat rolled aluminum sheet and recovery from COVID-related production shutdowns early in the prior fiscal year.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 19% to a record $2.0 billion in fiscal year 2022, compared to $1.7 billion in fiscal year 2021. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA is primarily due to higher volume, favorable product mix despite constrained automotive shipments impacted by the semiconductor chip shortage this year, and a strong demand environment benefiting pricing, partially offset by high inflation and operational disruptions. Adjusted EBITDA per ton shipped increased to $530 in fiscal year 2022, compared to $474 in fiscal 2021.

Adjusted free cash flow from continuing operations was $649 million in fiscal 2022, after absorbing more than $400 million of increased working capital pressure from rising aluminum prices, net of metal price lag, compared to the prior year free cash flow of $740 million. The company's net leverage ratio (net debt / TTM Adjusted EBITDA) improved to 2.2x at the end of fiscal year 2022, compared to 2.9x at the end of fiscal year 2021.

"Our record operational and financial performance in fiscal 2022 drove a reduction in net leverage to well within our targeted range and provides a solid footing to begin our next wave of transformational investments," said Devinder Ahuja, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Novelis, Inc. "We are well positioned to navigate current inflationary headwinds and global supply chain challenges, while keeping our focus on expanding capacity to support growing long term customer demand across end markets."

We have an attractive opportunity to expand rolling and recycling capacity as a critical partner to customers' growing demand for sustainable aluminum products. We are considering a number of potential capital investment opportunities over the next five years, spanning regions and end markets. This includes our plans, announced in a  separate press release today, to commence construction of an approximately $2.5 billion, fully integrated greenfield rolling mill in Bay Minette, Alabama, U.S., to support strong demand for sustainable, beverage can and automotive aluminum sheet. Other previously announced U.S. projects include Oswego hot mill debottlenecking and the construction of a state-of-the art, automotive recycling center in Guthrie, while in Asia, we are expanding recycling and casting in Ulsan, South Korea, and integrating our automotive business in Asia with the addition of a new cold mill and automotive recycling center in China.

Novelis ended fiscal year 2022 with strong total liquidity of $2.6 billion as of March 31, 2022.

First Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Outlook

Market demand remains broadly favorable and non-recurring items from fourth quarter fiscal year 2022 are behind us. We expect first quarter fiscal year 2023 Adjusted EBITDA per ton to return to levels above $500 per ton, even as we navigate continuing impacts from semi-conductor shortages, customer impacts from COVID lockdowns in China, global supply chain challenges and elevated energy costs.

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2022 Earnings Conference Call

Novelis will discuss its fourth quarter fiscal year 2022 results via a live webcast and conference call for investors at 7:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. To view slides and listen only, visit https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1fxvomin9j01c&eom. To join by telephone, dial toll-free in North America at 800-734-8507, India toll-free at 18002662124 or the international toll line at +1-212-231-2920. Presentation materials and access information can also be found at novelis.com/investors.

About Novelis

Novelis Inc. is driven by its purpose of shaping a sustainable world together. We are a critical partner providing innovative aluminum solutions to customers, and the world's largest roller and recycler of aluminum. Our ambition is to be the leading provider of low-carbon, sustainable aluminum solutions and to achieve a fully circular economy by partnering with our suppliers, as well as our customers in the aerospace, automotive, beverage can and specialties industries throughout North America, Europe, Asia and South America. Novelis had net sales of $17.1 billion in fiscal year 2022. 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. 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, which can be found at novelis.com/investors. 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 of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Free Cash Flow, Total Liquidity, Net Debt, Income from continuing operations 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 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 expectations for first quarter of fiscal year 2023 Adjusted EBITDA per ton to return to levels above $500 per ton and our ability to navigate current inflationary headwinds and global supply chain challenges. 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; inflationary pressures impacting the price of labor, freight, coatings and alloys; 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; continued risks stemming from the  acquisition of Aleris Corporation, including uncertainties inherent in the acquisition method of accounting; disruption to our global aluminum production and supply chain as a result of COVID-19 or geopolitical factors, such as Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine; 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; risks related to cybersecurity and data breaches; our potential inability to protect our intellectual property and the confidentiality of our know-how, trade secrets, technology, and other proprietary information; competition from other aluminum rolled products producers as well as from substitute materials such as steel, glass, plastic and composite materials; downturns in consumer demand for our products or changes in consumer preferences as it relates to our products; the impact of the global semiconductor shortage on automotive production and demand for automotive aluminum sheet; changes in general economic conditions including deterioration in the global economy; the risks of pandemics or other public health emergencies, including the continued spread and impact of, and the governmental and third party response to, the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak; the impact of climate change or the legal, regulatory, or market response to climate change; changes in government regulations, particularly those affecting taxes, derivative instruments, environmental, health or safety compliance; risks that production levels and margins of our recent capital expenditures do not grow in line with our current expectations and that we may not realize returns commensurate with our investments; 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, 2022.

 

 

Novelis Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS



Three Months Ended

March 31,


Fiscal Year Ended

March 31,

(in millions) (Quarterly figures unaudited)

2022


2021


2022


2021

Net sales

$     4,849


$     3,631


$   17,149


$   12,276

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

4,204


2,917


14,354


9,980

Selling, general and administrative expenses

174


151


631


551

Depreciation and amortization

145


147


550


543

Interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs

54


61


227


267

Research and development expenses

24


26


92


83

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net

1


14


64


14

Restructuring and impairment expenses, net


1


1


29

Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates


(2)


(8)


(1)

Business acquisition and other related costs




11

Other expenses (income), net

25


17


(61)


103


$     4,627


$     3,332


$   15,850


$   11,580

Income from continuing operations before income tax provision

222


299


1,299


696

Income tax provision

5


119


281


238

Net income from continuing operations

$       217


$       180


$     1,018


$       458

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

(1)


(4)


(63)


(51)

Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax




(170)

Net loss from discontinued operations

$          (1)


$          (4)


$        (63)


$      (221)

Net income

$       216


$       176


$       955


$       237

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

1



1


1

Net income attributable to our common shareholder

$       215


$       176


$       954


$       236

 

Novelis Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 


(in millions, except number of shares)

March 31,
2022


March 31,
2021

ASSETS




  Current assets:




    Cash and cash equivalents

$            1,070


$               998

    Accounts receivable, net




      — third parties (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $6 and $5 as of March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, respectively)

2,590


1,687

      — related parties

222


166

    Inventories

3,038


1,928

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets

195


198

    Fair value of derivative instruments

377


137

    Assets held for sale

5


5

    Current assets of discontinued operations

6


15

      Total current assets

$            7,503


$            5,134

Property, plant and equipment, net

4,624


4,687

Goodwill

1,081


1,083

Intangible assets, net

623


696

Investment in and advances to non–consolidated affiliates

832


838

Deferred income tax assets

158


130

Other long–term assets




— third parties

274


316

— related parties

1


1

Total assets

$         15,096


$         12,885

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY




Current liabilities:




Current portion of long–term debt

$                 26


$                 71

Short–term borrowings

529


236

Accounts payable




      — third parties

3,869


2,498

      — related parties

320


230

Fair value of derivative instruments

959


280

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

774


670

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

21


16

      Total current liabilities

$            6,498


$            4,001

Long–term debt, net of current portion

4,967


5,653

Deferred income tax liabilities

158


162

Accrued postretirement benefits

669


878

Other long–term liabilities

295


305

      Total liabilities

$         12,587


$         10,999

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, 2022 and March 31, 2021


Additional paid–in capital

1,304


1,404

Retained earnings

1,818


864

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(620)


(366)

      Total equity of our common shareholder

$            2,502


$            1,902

Noncontrolling interest

7


(16)

      Total equity

$            2,509


$            1,886

      Total liabilities and equity

$         15,096


$         12,885

 

Novelis Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



Fiscal Year Ended

March 31,

(in millions)

2022


2021

OPERATING ACTIVITIES




Net income

$               955


$               237

Net loss from discontinued operations

(63)


(221)

Net income from continuing operations

$           1,018


$               458

Adjustments to determine net cash provided by operating activities:




  Depreciation and amortization

550


543

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

79


1

  Gain on sale of business

(15)


  Loss on sale of assets

8


1

  Impairment charges


1

  Loss on extinguishment of debt, net

64


14

  Deferred income taxes, net

27


49

  Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates

(8)


(1)

  Gain on foreign exchange remeasurement of debt

(10)


(3)

  Amortization of debt issuance costs and carrying value adjustments

18


28

  Other, net

4


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




    Accounts receivable

(1,030)


(323)

    Inventories

(1,184)


(94)

    Accounts payable

1,540


569

    Other assets

(6)


91

    Other liabilities

77


(125)

Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations

1,132


1,209

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - discontinued operations

11


(82)

Net cash provided by operating activities

$           1,143


$           1,127

INVESTING ACTIVITIES




Capital expenditures

$             (446)


$             (485)

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired


(2,614)

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

1


4

Proceeds from the sale of a business

9


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


9

Outflows from the settlement of derivative instruments, net

(53)


(5)

Other

16


12

Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations

(473)


(3,079)

Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations


357

Net cash used in investing activities

$             (473)


$          (2,722)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES




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

$           1,985


$           3,042

Principal payments of long-term and short-term borrowings

(2,406)


(2,301)

Revolving credit facilities and other, net

(69)


(506)

Debt issuance costs

(25)


(44)

Contingent consideration paid in acquisition of business


(9)

Return of capital to our common shareholder

(100)


Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities - continuing operations

(615)


182

Net cash used in financing activities - discontinued operations


(2)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

$             (615)


$               180

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

55


(1,415)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

2


40

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning of period

1,027


2,402

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — end of period

$           1,084


$           1,027





Cash and cash equivalents

$           1,070


$               998

Restricted cash (Included in other long-term assets)

14


15

Restricted cash (Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets)


14

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — end of period

$           1,084


$           1,027

 

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


The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to Net income attributable to our common shareholder.



Three Months Ended

March 31,


Fiscal Year Ended

March 31,

(in millions)

2022


2021


2022


2021

Net income attributable to our common shareholder

$       215


$       176


$       954


$       236

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

1



1


1

Income tax provision

5


119


281


238

Interest, net

51


59


218


258

Depreciation and amortization

145


147


550


543

EBITDA

$       417


$       501


$     2,004


$     1,276









Adjustment to reconcile proportional consolidation

$         10


$         14


$         56


$         56

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

34


(3)


28


11

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

(1)


(1)


(2)


1

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net

1


14


64


14

Restructuring and impairment expenses, net


1


1


29

Gain on sale of business



(15)


Loss on sale of fixed assets

3


1


8


1

Purchase price accounting adjustments




29

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

1


4


63


51

Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax




170

Metal price lag

(39)


(26)


(166)


6

Business acquisition and other related costs




11

Other, net

5



4


59

Adjusted EBITDA

$       431


$       505


$     2,045


$     1,714

 

Adjusted Free Cash Flow (unaudited)


The following table reconciles Adjusted free cash flow and Adjusted free cash flow from continuing operations, non-
GAAP financial measures, to Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations.



Fiscal Year Ended

March 31,

 (in millions)

2022


2021

Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations

$        1,132


$        1,209

Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations

(473)


(3,079)

Plus: Cash used in the acquisition of business, net of cash and restricted cash acquired


2,614

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

(10)


(4)

Adjusted free cash flow from continuing operations

649


740

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - discontinued operations

11


(82)

Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations


357

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


(403)

Adjusted free cash flow

$           660


$           612

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Total Liquidity (unaudited)


The following table reconciles Total liquidity to the ending balances of cash and cash equivalents. 


(in millions)

March 31,
2022


March 31,
2021

Cash and cash equivalents

$        1,070


$           998

Availability under committed credit facilities

1,499


1,223

Total liquidity

$        2,569


$        2,221

 

Net debt (unaudited)


The following table reconciles Long-term debt, net of current portion to Net debt.



March 31,


2022


2021

Long–term debt, net of current portion

$        4,967


$        5,653

Current portion of long–term debt

26


71

Short–term borrowings

529


236

Cash and cash equivalents

(1,070)


(998)

Net debt

$        4,452


$        4,962

 

Reconciliation of Net income from continuing operations, excluding special items (unaudited) to Net income from continuing operations


The following table presents Net income from continuing operations 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.



Three Months Ended

March 31,


Fiscal Year Ended

March 31,

(in millions)

2022


2021


2022


2021

Net income from continuing operations

$       217


$       180


$     1,018


$       458

Special Items:








Business acquisition and other related costs




11

Gain on sale of a business



(15)


Loss on extinguishment of debt, net

1


14


64


14

Metal price lag

(39)


(26)


(166)


6

Restructuring and impairment expenses, net


1


1


29

Charitable donation




50

Purchase price accounting adjustment




29

Tax effect on special items

10


3


32


(36)

Net income from continuing operations, excluding special items

$       189


$       172


$       934


$       561

 

Segment Information (unaudited)


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



Selected Operating Results

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations
and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA


$         105


$           73


$           96


$         156


$             1


$         431














Shipments (in kt)













    Rolled products - third party


376


271


184


156



987

    Rolled products - intersegment



3


19



(22)


  Total rolled products


376


274


203


156


(22)


987



Selected Operating Results

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations
and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA


$         174


$         104


$           78


$         132


$           17


$         505














Shipments (in kt)













    Rolled products - third party


362


262


199


160



983

    Rolled products - intersegment



10


1



(11)


  Total rolled products


362


272


200


160


(11)


983














Selected Operating Results

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations
and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA


$         685


$         324


$         352


$         681


$             3


$      2,045














Shipments (in kt)













    Rolled products - third party


1,467


1,038


737


616



3,858

    Rolled products - intersegment



29


26


1


(56)


  Total rolled products


1,467


1,067


763


617


(56)


3,858














Selected Operating Results

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2021


North
America


Europe


Asia


South
America


Eliminations
and Other


Total

Adjusted EBITDA


$         663


$         285


$         305


$         449


$           12


$      1,714














Shipments (in kt)













    Rolled products - third party


1,348


947


740


578



3,613

    Rolled products - intersegment



30


6


1


(37)


  Total rolled products


1,348


977


746


579


(37)


3,613


 

 

 

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SOURCE Novelis Inc.