Century Aluminum Company Statement on U.S. Supreme Court IEEPA Ruling

Rhea-AI Summary

Century Aluminum (NASDAQ: CENX) issued a statement on Feb 20, 2026 about the U.S. Supreme Court IEEPA tariffs ruling and reaffirmed support for President Trump’s trade policies.

Key company claims: a near 10% immediate U.S. production increase from Mt. Holly, plans with EGA for a new Inola smelter to double U.S. production, and that Century smelts nearly 60% of U.S. primary aluminum while planning further multibillion-dollar investments.

Positive

• Mt. Holly expansion raised U.S. primary aluminum production by almost 10%
• Inola smelter with EGA announced to double U.S. production and create 1,000 permanent jobs
• Construction jobs projection of 4,000 roles for the Inola project
• Market share smelts nearly 60% of U.S. primary aluminum

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction – CENX

+0.27%

8 alerts

+0.27% News Effect

+$14M Valuation Impact

$5.18B Market Cap

0.2x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, CENX gained 0.27%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 8 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $14M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $5.18B at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Mt. Holly production increase: almost 10% Permanent jobs Inola: over 1,000 jobs Construction jobs Inola: 4,000 jobs +1 more

4 metrics

Mt. Holly production increase almost 10% Immediate increase in total U.S. primary aluminum production

Permanent jobs Inola over 1,000 jobs Planned new aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma

Construction jobs Inola 4,000 jobs Construction phase for new Inola, Oklahoma smelter project

U.S. primary aluminum share nearly 60% Century’s share of U.S. primary aluminum smelting

Market Reality Check

Price: $51.56 Vol: Volume 892,839 is 0.36x t...

low vol

$51.56 Last Close

Volume Volume 892,839 is 0.36x the 20-day average of 2,487,182, indicating muted trading activity. low

Technical Shares at $52.50 trade 5.59% below the 52-week high of $55.61 and 302.3% above the 52-week low of $13.05, remaining well above the 200-day MA of $28.71.

Peers on Argus

CENX is down 0.72% while key aluminum peers like CSTM, AA, KALU, MTRN, and NGVT ...

CENX is down 0.72% while key aluminum peers like CSTM, AA, KALU, MTRN, and NGVT show gains between 0.29% and 2.04%, indicating a stock-specific move rather than a sector-wide reaction to the ruling.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 19 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 19	Earnings results	Positive	-1.3%	Reported strong Q4 and FY 2025 results with higher adjusted earnings and EBITDA.
Feb 10	Project announcement	Positive	-4.4%	Announced landmark Oklahoma smelter partnership expected to create 5,000 jobs.
Feb 09	Project engineering	Positive	+3.7%	Named Bechtel to lead preparatory engineering for Oklahoma aluminum plant.
Feb 05	Earnings date	Neutral	-1.4%	Set schedule and webcast details for upcoming Q4 2025 earnings release.
Feb 02	Asset sale	Positive	+4.4%	Sold Hawesville site, retaining minority stake in new digital infrastructure project.

Pattern Detected

Recent fundamentally positive and strategic announcements have seen mixed reactions, with some expansions and partnerships sold off while other project updates were bought.

Recent Company History

Over recent months, CENX reported strong Q4 and FY 2025 results with positive adjusted earnings and liquidity, while outlining growth via a new Oklahoma smelter with EGA and expansion at Mt. Holly. The company also monetized its Hawesville site while retaining a minority stake. Several of these growth-oriented and earnings-related updates drew both positive and negative price reactions, suggesting investors have alternated between embracing long-term expansion and reacting cautiously to capital and execution commitments.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement reinforces CENX’s alignment with U.S. trade measures under IEEPA and Section 232, ...

Analysis

This announcement reinforces CENX’s alignment with U.S. trade measures under IEEPA and Section 232, emphasizing their role in supporting domestic primary aluminum. The company cites nearly 60% share of U.S. primary aluminum output, an almost 10% production lift via Mt. Holly, and plans for over 1,000 permanent and 4,000 construction jobs in Oklahoma. Investors may watch how these policy frameworks, recent earnings strength, and large-scale projects translate into sustained profitability and capital needs.

Key Terms

international emergency economic powers act, ieepa, section 232, primary aluminum

4 terms

international emergency economic powers act regulatory

"decision on the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)."

A U.S. law that gives the president broad authority to control trade, financial transactions, and assets during a declared national emergency, such as by imposing sanctions, freezing property, or restricting exports and imports. For investors it matters because those powers can suddenly block deals, cut off access to markets or funds, and change the value of companies or securities much like an emergency brake that can stop or reroute economic activity overnight.

ieepa regulatory

"decision on the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)."

A U.S. law that gives the president broad authority to control trade, freeze assets, and block financial transactions during a declared national emergency. Investors care because those powers can abruptly restrict a company's ability to sell products, access cash, or do business with certain countries or parties, creating sudden risks to revenues, supply chains and share prices — like an emergency brake that can stop or reroute parts of a business overnight.

section 232 regulatory

"as well as the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs which were not impacted"

A provision of U.S. trade law that lets the government review whether certain imports threaten national security and, if they do, impose measures such as tariffs, quotas or restrictions. For investors, it matters because these actions can suddenly raise costs, disrupt supply chains, or shield domestic producers—like a safety valve that can change competitive dynamics and profit outlooks for companies tied to affected imports.

primary aluminum technical

"reshoring American production of primary aluminum – a critical metal for industries"

Primary aluminum is the metal produced directly from mined ore rather than from recycled scrap, made by extracting and refining aluminum from bauxite in large, energy‑intensive plants. Investors watch it because its supply, production costs (especially energy), and global demand are leading indicators of industrial activity and profit margins for producers—think of it like virgin lumber versus reclaimed wood: the raw, newly made product sets prices and signals factory activity.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

CHICAGO, Feb. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX) today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Century Aluminum proudly stands with President Donald J. Trump and his America First trade policies, which have been instrumental in ensuring a level playing field for American industry and workers and restoring the U.S. industrial base. Those trade policies include the IEEPA tariffs addressed in today’s Supreme Court ruling, as well as the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs which were not impacted by the decision and remain in full force and effect.

President Trump’s trade policies have strengthened our commitment to reshoring American production of primary aluminum – a critical metal for industries ranging from aerospace and automobiles to national defense. Since the Section 232 program was reinforced by President Trump a year ago, with no exemptions and no exceptions, Century Aluminum has taken decisive action to expand U.S. aluminum production and create new American manufacturing jobs, including:

• Immediately increasing total U.S. primary aluminum production by almost 10% through the expansion of our Mt. Holly, S.C. smelter; and
• Announcing plans to build the first new American aluminum smelter in close to 50 years with EGA, a project that will double U.S. production and create over 1,000 permanent jobs and 4,000 construction jobs in Inola, Oklahoma.

No company is investing more in US primary aluminum production than Century. Century is already the largest producer of aluminum in the United States, smelting nearly 60% of the country’s primary aluminum, employing more American primary aluminum workers than any other company, and, thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the Section 232 program, we plan to invest billions more in new and expanded production at Mt. Holly and our Oklahoma smelter project.

Century is grateful to President Trump for his unwavering commitment to American workers and American industry. Century remains committed to investing in America as the largest producer of this critical mineral for decades to come.

Investors: Chad Rigg, 312.696.3132, investorrelations@centuryaluminum.com
Media: Tawn Earnest, 614.698.6351, tawn.earnest@centuryaluminum.com

FAQ

What did Century Aluminum (CENX) say about the Feb 20, 2026 Supreme Court IEEPA ruling?

Century reaffirmed support for President Trump’s trade policies and IEEPA tariffs, tying them to reshoring aluminum production. According to the company, those policies and Section 232 measures underpin recent U.S. production expansions and planned investments.

How much did Century Aluminum (CENX) increase U.S. production after the Mt. Holly expansion?

Century said it immediately increased total U.S. primary aluminum production by almost 10%. According to the company, that rise followed expansion work at its Mt. Holly, South Carolina smelter tied to Section 232 policy changes.

What are the details of the Inola, Oklahoma smelter plan announced by Century Aluminum (CENX)?

Century announced plans with EGA to build a new smelter in Inola that it says will double U.S. production. According to the company, the project is expected to create over 1,000 permanent jobs and about 4,000 construction jobs.

How large is Century Aluminum’s share of U.S. primary aluminum production (CENX)?

Century states it currently smelts nearly 60% of U.S. primary aluminum. According to the company, that makes it the largest U.S. producer and supports its announced expansion and investment plans.

Will the Supreme Court ruling affect Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs, according to Century Aluminum (CENX)?

Century said Section 232 tariffs were not affected by the decision and remain in full force and effect. According to the company, Section 232 continues to support reshoring and its production investments.

Who should investors contact at Century Aluminum (CENX) for questions about the announcement?

Investors are directed to contact Chad Rigg at the provided phone or email in the announcement. According to the company, investor relations inquiries should use the listed contact details for further information.