Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA consists of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA further adjusts EBITDA for unrealized gains (losses) on change in fair value of derivative instruments, net, except for foreign currency remeasurement hedging activities; impairment of goodwill; gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt; adjustment to include proportional consolidation; restructuring and impairment charges; gains or losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment and businesses; and certain other costs. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are measures commonly used in the company’s industry. The company presents Adjusted EBITDA to enhance investors’ understanding of the company’s operating performance. Novelis believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an operating performance measure, and not a liquidity measure, that provides investors and analysts with a measure of operating results unaffected by differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles and ages of related assets among otherwise comparable companies. 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.

Free Cash Flow. Free Cash Flow consists of: (a) net cash provided by (used in) operating activities; (b) plus net cash provided by (used in) investing activities and (c) less proceeds from sales of assets. Management believes that Free Cash Flow is relevant to investors as it provides a measure of the cash generated internally that is available for debt service and other value creation opportunities. However, Free Cash Flow is not a measurement of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and does not necessarily represent cash available for discretionary activities, as certain debt service obligations must be funded out of Free Cash Flow. In addition, the company's method of calculating Free Cash Flow may not be consistent with that of other companies. 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.

Net Income (Loss) Excluding Special Items. Net income (loss) excluding special items adjusts net income (loss) for restructuring and impairment charges, loss on extinguishment of debt, metal price lag, gains (losses) on sale of assets held for sale, gains (losses) on sale of a business, and the tax effect of such items. We adjust for items which may recur in varying magnitude which affect the comparability of the operational results of our underlying business. Novelis believes that net income (loss) excluding special items enhances the overall understanding of the company's current financial performance. Specifically, management believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors by excluding or adjusting certain items, which impact the comparability of the company's core operating results. With respect to gains (losses) on sale of assets held for sale and gains (losses) on sale of a business, and the tax effect of such special items, management believes these excluded items are not reflective of fixed costs that the company believes it will incur over the long term. Management also adjusts for loss on extinguishment of debt, metal price lag and restructuring and impairment charges to enhance the comparability of the company’s operating results between periods. However, the company has recorded similar charges in prior periods. The company may incur additional restructuring charges in connection with ongoing restructuring initiatives announced previously and may also incur additional restructuring and impairment charges in connection with future streamlining measures. The company may also incur additional impairment charges unrelated to restructuring initiatives. Net income (loss) excluding special items should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, results prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

Liquidity. Liquidity consists of cash and cash equivalents plus availability under our committed credit facilities. In addition to presenting available cash and cash equivalents, management believes that presenting Liquidity enhances investors’ understanding of the liquidity that is actually available to the company. This financial measure should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, results prepared in accordance with US GAAP.