Form: 8-K

Current report filing

February 1, 2018

Exhibit 99.1
novelislogonewa02.jpg
News Release

Novelis Reports Fiscal 2018 Third Quarter Results
Financial strength, strategic investments in automotive capabilities to grow its leadership position

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

ATLANTA, February 1, 2018 – Novelis, 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

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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,

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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.


Media Contact:
 
Investor Contact:
Matthew Bianco
 
Megan Cochard
+1 404 760 4159
 
+1 404 760 4170
matthew.bianco@novelis.adityabirla.com
 
megan.cochard@novelis.adityabirla.com









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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
)























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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



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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


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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,
 
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

7



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



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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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