Kaiser Aluminum Corporation Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
- Net sales decreased modestly to $738 million in Q1 2024 compared to $808 million in the prior year period, attributed to a decrease in average selling price and a reduction in shipments.
- Conversion revenue for Q1 2024 was $367 million, reflecting a 1% decrease compared to the prior year period.
- Reported net income for Q1 2024 was $25 million, with earnings per diluted share of $1.51, compared to net income of $16 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.99 in the prior year period.
- Adjusted net income for Q1 2024 was $17 million, with adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.02, compared to adjusted net income of $7 million and adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.42 in the prior year period.
- Adjusted EBITDA of $62 million in Q1 2024 increased $16 million compared to the prior year period and increased $11 million compared to Q4 2023.
- The company had cash and cash equivalents of $102 million and total liquidity of $619 million as of March 31, 2024.
- Kaiser announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.77 per share to be paid on May 15, 2024.
- The company expects demand to improve across most end markets in 2024, with a flat conversion revenue outlook for aerospace/high strength applications.
- Kaiser continues to focus on cost reduction measures, increasing manufacturing efficiencies, and pursuing strategic growth initiatives to improve adjusted EBITDA margins in 2024.
- Kaiser Aluminum will host a conference call on April 25, 2024, to discuss its first quarter 2024 results.
- Kaiser Aluminum is a leading producer of semi-fabricated specialty aluminum products, serving customers worldwide with highly-engineered solutions for various applications.
- The company's stock is included in the Russell 2000® index and the S&P Small Cap 600® index.
- None.
The first quarter results for Kaiser Aluminum indicate a strategic positioning of the company to leverage market conditions and internal efficiency improvements. The reported net sales decline, juxtaposed with an actual increase in conversion revenue per pound and adjusted EBITDA, suggests robust cost management and an ability to extract more value per unit of product sold. However, investors should consider the modest decrease in shipments, which could signal market saturation or competitive pressures.
Moreover, the hedged cost of alloyed metal points to proficient risk management practices in commodity price volatility. The strategic shift to revised metal sourcing could be a sign of proactive measures to sustain profitability in fluctuating markets. The consistency in EBITDA margins, especially the increase from previous quarters, showcases operational effectiveness.
Looking ahead, the maintained outlook reflects management's confidence in their business model amidst uncertain aerospace and automotive sectors. The steady dividends and lack of debt drawdown show a healthy liquidity position, which is commendable. However, investors should remain cautious of industry cycles and competitive dynamics that could affect future performance.
From a market perspective, Kaiser Aluminum's performance in various application markets requires a nuanced understanding. The reported increases in the aerospace/high strength application net sales and conversion revenue are indicative of a resilient demand in this sector, despite expectations of softer performance. These dynamics can be attributed to the cyclical nature of the aerospace industry and its current phase of recovery.
The packaging application's downturn, driven by anticipated destocking, implies market sensitivity to inventory levels and suggests that future periods may see a normalization or rebound in demand. Interpretation of the general engineering and automotive sectors' stability should factor in external economic conditions, such as manufacturing trends and automotive industry health.
Overall, the Company’s multi-year contracts and diverse end-market participation help mitigate single market risks, which is a solid strategy for stabilizing revenue streams. The maintained outlook and expected improvements in conversion revenue and adjusted EBITDA margins signal an optimistic view of cost control and operational scaling, potentially leading to a robust financial position over the mid-term.
First Quarter 2024 Highlights:
- Net Sales
$738 Million ; Conversion Revenue$367 Million - Net Income
$25 Million ; Net Income per Diluted Share$1.51 - Adjusted Net Income
$17 Million ; Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share$1.02 - Adjusted EBITDA
$62 Million ; Adjusted EBITDA Margin17.0% - Improved Cost Controls and Operating Efficiencies Across the Platform
- Maintaining Full Year 2024 Outlook
FRANKLIN, Tenn., April 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaiser Aluminum Corporation (NASDAQ:KALU), a leading producer of semi-fabricated specialty aluminum products serving customers worldwide with highly-engineered solutions for aerospace and high-strength, packaging, general engineering, automotive extrusions, and other industrial applications, today announced first quarter 2024 results.
Management Commentary
“The year is off to a good start with our first quarter results surpassing our internal expectations on more normalized business conditions with improved operating efficiencies across all platforms,” said Keith A. Harvey, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Both the general engineering and automotive end markets are off to a faster start than expected at the beginning of the year while aerospace/high strength, which was strong year-over-year, was softer than our original expectations. As a result, we are maintaining our 2024 outlook. The investments we have made and are continuing to make in the business position Kaiser well to benefit from the next stage of our growth strategy in 2025. We remain committed to controlling costs, including the successful execution of our revised metal sourcing strategy, and improving overall operating efficiencies to drive profitable growth.”
| First Quarter 2024 Consolidated Results (Unaudited)* | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions of dollars, except shipments, realized price and per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarterly | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1Q24 | 4Q23 | 3Q23 | 2Q23 | 1Q23 | ||||||||||||||||
| Shipments (millions of lbs.) | 291 | 284 | 299 | 314 | 299 | |||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 738 | $ | 722 | $ | 744 | $ | 814 | $ | 808 | ||||||||||
| Less: Hedged cost of alloyed metal1 | (371 | ) | (361 | ) | (387 | ) | (436 | ) | (438 | ) | ||||||||||
| Conversion revenue | $ | 367 | $ | 361 | $ | 357 | $ | 379 | $ | 369 | ||||||||||
| Realized price per pound ($/lb.) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2.53 | $ | 2.54 | $ | 2.48 | $ | 2.59 | $ | 2.70 | ||||||||||
| Less: Hedged cost of alloyed metal | (1.27 | ) | (1.27 | ) | (1.29 | ) | (1.38 | ) | (1.47 | ) | ||||||||||
| Conversion revenue | $ | 1.26 | $ | 1.27 | $ | 1.19 | $ | 1.21 | $ | 1.23 | ||||||||||
| As reported | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 33 | $ | 22 | $ | 19 | $ | 36 | $ | 19 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 25 | $ | 8 | $ | 5 | $ | 18 | $ | 16 | ||||||||||
| Net income per share, diluted2 | $ | 1.51 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.34 | $ | 1.14 | $ | 0.99 | ||||||||||
| Adjusted3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 34 | $ | 23 | $ | 20 | $ | 37 | $ | 20 | ||||||||||
| EBITDA4 | $ | 62 | $ | 52 | $ | 48 | $ | 64 | $ | 47 | ||||||||||
| EBITDA margin5 | 17.0 | % | 14.3 | % | 13.3 | % | 16.8 | % | 12.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 17 | $ | 10 | $ | 7 | $ | 20 | $ | 7 | ||||||||||
| EPS, diluted2 | $ | 1.02 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.46 | $ | 1.26 | $ | 0.42 | ||||||||||
- Hedged cost of alloyed metal for 1Q24, 4Q23, 3Q23, 2Q23, and 1Q23 was comprised of
$367.1 million ,$356.5 million ,$380.0
million,$428.8million , and$436.7 million , respectively, reflecting the cost of aluminum at the average Midwest Transaction Price and
the cost of alloys used in the production process, as well as metal price exposure on shipments that the Company hedged with realized
losses upon settlement of$3.5 million ,$4.0 million ,$6.5 million ,$6.8 million , and$1.6 million , in 1Q24, 4Q23, 3Q23, 2Q23, and 1Q23, respectively, all of which were included within both Net sales and Cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization in the Company’s Statements of Consolidated Income. - Diluted shares for EPS are calculated using the two-class method for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and the treasury stock method for all other quarters presented.
- Adjusted numbers exclude non-run-rate items. For all Adjusted numbers and EBITDA refer to Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.
- Adjusted EBITDA = Consolidated operating income, excluding operating non-run-rate items, plus Depreciation and amortization.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin = Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of Conversion Revenue.
* Please refer to GAAP financial statements.
Totals may not sum due to rounding.
First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights
Net sales for the first quarter 2024 decreased modestly to
Conversion revenue for the first quarter 2024 was
- Net sales for the Company's aerospace/high strength applications were
$221 million , and conversion revenue was$137 million , reflecting a12% increase primarily resulting from a8% increase in shipments over the prior year quarter. The improvement reflects higher pricing, along with growth in shipments, driven by demand for our diversified applications. - Net sales for packaging applications were
$298 million , and conversion revenue was$118 million , reflecting an11% decrease over the prior year quarter mainly due to a7% reduction in shipments of primarily higher priced coated food products driven by anticipated destocking during the first quarter. - Net sales for general engineering applications were
$153 million , and conversion revenue was$80 million , reflecting a modest year-over-year increase on a2% increase in shipments, which was partially offset by a lower value product mix. - Net sales for automotive extrusions were
$64 million , and conversion revenue was$31 million , relatively flat compared to the prior year period reflecting a4% decrease in shipments, which was partly offset by improved pricing.
Reported net income for the first quarter 2024 was
Adjusted EBITDA of
Cash Flow and Liquidity
Adjusted EBITDA of
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of
On April 15, 2024, the Company announced the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of
2024 Outlook
Kaiser remains well positioned in the current demand environment as a key supplier in diverse end markets with multi-year contracts with strategic partners. The Company expects demand will improve across the majority of its end markets throughout 2024. In aerospace/high strength applications, a more cautious outlook is warranted on expected build rates for domestic large commercial jet production in the near-term resulting in anticipated flat conversion revenue in 2024 following a strong 2023. The long-term demand outlook for these platforms remains unchanged. The Company believes demand for other aerospace/high strength applications remains strong. Now that destocking is complete, the Company expects the rest of its end markets to perform consistent with the prior outlook.
As a result, the Company continues to expect conversion revenue for the full year 2024 to improve
Conference Call
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation will host a conference call on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 10:00 am (Eastern Time); 9:00 am (Central Time); 7:00 am (Pacific Time), to discuss its first quarter 2024 results. To participate, the conference call can be directly accessed from the U.S. and Canada at (877) 423-9813 and accessed internationally at (201) 689-8573. The conference call ID number is 13745245. A link to the simultaneous webcast can be accessed on the Company’s website at https://investors.kaiseraluminum.com. A copy of a presentation will be available for download prior to the call and an audio archive will be available on the Company’s website following the call.
Company Description
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., is a leading producer of semi-fabricated specialty aluminum products, serving customers worldwide with highly-engineered solutions for aerospace and high-strength, packaging, general engineering, automotive extrusions, and other industrial applications. The Company’s North American facilities produce value-added plate, sheet, coil, extrusions, rod, bar, tube, and wire products, adhering to traditions of quality, innovation, and service that have been key components of the culture since the Company was founded in 1946. The Company’s stock is included in the Russell 2000® index and the S&P Small Cap 600® index.
Available Information
For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.kaiseraluminum.com. The website includes a section for investor relations under which the Company provides notifications of news or announcements regarding its financial performance, including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, investor events, and earnings and other press releases. In addition, all Company filings submitted to the SEC are available through a link to the section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, which includes: Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Proxy Statements for the Company’s annual stockholders’ meetings, and other information statements as filed with the SEC. In addition, the Company provides a webcast of its quarterly earnings calls and certain events in which management participates or hosts with members of the investment community.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This earnings release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. A “non-GAAP financial measure” is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statements of income, balance sheets, or statements of cash flow of the Company. Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G, the Company has provided a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measure in the accompanying tables.
The non-GAAP financial measures used within this earnings release are conversion revenue, adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted earnings per diluted share which exclude non-run-rate items and ratios related thereto. As more fully described in these reports, “non-run-rate” items are items that, while they may occur from period to period, are particularly material to results, impact costs primarily as a result of external market factors and may not occur in future periods if the same level of underlying performance were to occur. These measures are presented because management uses this information to monitor and evaluate financial results and trends and believes this information to also be useful for investors. Reconciliations of certain forward looking non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP measures are not provided because certain items required for such reconciliations are outside of the Company's control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted or provided without unreasonable effort.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied. These factors include: (a) the effectiveness of management's strategies and decisions, including strategic investments, capital spending strategies, cost reduction initiatives, sourcing strategies, process and countermeasures implemented to address operational and supply chain challenges, and the execution of those strategies; (b) general economic and business conditions, including the impact of geopolitical factors and governmental and other actions taken in response, cyclicality, reshoring, labor challenges, supply interruptions, customer disruptions, and other conditions that impact demand drivers in the Aero/HS Products, Packaging, GE Products, Automotive Extrusions and other end markets we serve; (c) the Company’s ability to participate in mature and anticipated new automotive programs expected to launch in the future and successfully launch new automotive programs; (d) changes or shifts in defense spending due to competing national priorities; (e) pricing, market conditions and the Company’s ability to effectively execute its commercial and labor strategies, pass through cost increases, including the institution of surcharges, and flex costs in response to inflation, volatile commodity costs and changing economic conditions; (f) developments in technology; (g) the impact of the Company's future earnings, cash flows, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors on its financial strength and flexibility; (h) new or modified statutory or regulatory requirements; (i) the successful integration of the acquired operations and technologies; (j) stakeholders’, including regulators’, views regarding the Company's sustainability goals and initiatives and the impact of factors outside of the Company's control on such goals and initiatives; and (k) other risk factors summarized in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. All information in this release is as of the date of the release. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company’s expectations.
Investor Relations and Public Relations Contact:
Addo Investor Relations
Investors@KaiserAluminum.com
(949) 614-1769
| Kaiser Aluminum Corporation and Subsidiary Companies Statements of Consolidated Income (Unaudited)1 | ||||||||
| (In millions of dollars, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||
| Quarter Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net sales | $ | 737.5 | $ | 807.6 | ||||
| Costs and expenses: | ||||||||
| Cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization | 642.9 | 731.1 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 28.8 | 26.3 | ||||||
| Selling, general, administrative, research and development | 32.6 | 29.7 | ||||||
| Restructuring costs | 0.1 | 1.4 | ||||||
| Other operating charges, net | 0.4 | — | ||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 704.8 | 788.5 | ||||||
| Operating income | 32.7 | 19.1 | ||||||
| Other (expense) income: | ||||||||
| Interest expense | (11.5 | ) | (11.9 | ) | ||||
| Other income, net | 10.9 | 13.6 | ||||||
| Income before income taxes | 32.1 | 20.8 | ||||||
| Income tax provision | (7.5 | ) | (4.9 | ) | ||||
| Net income | $ | 24.6 | $ | 15.9 | ||||
| Net income per common share: | ||||||||
| Basic | $ | 1.53 | $ | 1.00 | ||||
| Diluted2 | $ | 1.51 | $ | 0.99 | ||||
| Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands): | ||||||||
| Basic | 16,027 | 15,940 | ||||||
| Diluted2 | 16,230 | 16,096 | ||||||
- Please refer to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 for detail regarding the items in the table.
- Diluted shares for EPS are calculated using the two-class method for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 and the treasury stock method for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
| Kaiser Aluminum Corporation and Subsidiary Companies Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)1 | ||||||||
| (In millions of dollars, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||
| As of March 31, 2024 | As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 101.6 | $ | 82.4 | ||||
| Receivables: | ||||||||
| Trade receivables, net | 341.4 | 325.2 | ||||||
| Other | 11.2 | 12.4 | ||||||
| Contract assets | 63.0 | 58.5 | ||||||
| Inventories | 471.3 | 477.2 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 34.6 | 34.5 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 1,023.1 | 990.2 | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,055.0 | 1,052.1 | ||||||
| Operating lease assets | 30.5 | 32.6 | ||||||
| Deferred tax assets, net | 5.4 | 6.0 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 48.9 | 50.0 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 18.8 | 18.8 | ||||||
| Other assets | 118.1 | 117.7 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 2,299.8 | $ | 2,267.4 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 273.8 | $ | 252.7 | ||||
| Accrued salaries, wages and related expenses | 45.5 | 53.0 | ||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | 65.4 | 64.3 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 384.7 | 370.0 | ||||||
| Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities | 27.4 | 29.2 | ||||||
| Pension and other postretirement benefits | 75.6 | 76.8 | ||||||
| Net liabilities of Salaried VEBA | 3.8 | 3.8 | ||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | 19.5 | 13.9 | ||||||
| Long-term liabilities | 83.6 | 81.7 | ||||||
| Long-term debt, net | 1,040.3 | 1,039.8 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,634.9 | 1,615.2 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized at both March 31, 2024 and | ||||||||
| December 31, 2023; no shares were issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | — | — | ||||||
| Common stock, par value | ||||||||
| March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 22,891,318 shares issued and 16,056,032 shares outstanding at March 31, 2024; 22,851,077 shares issued and 16,015,791 shares outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 0.2 | 0.2 | ||||||
| Additional paid in capital | 1,107.5 | 1,104.7 | ||||||
| Retained earnings | 22.1 | 10.1 | ||||||
| Treasury stock, at cost, 6,835,286 shares at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | (475.9 | ) | (475.9 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 11.0 | 13.1 | ||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 664.9 | 652.2 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 2,299.8 | $ | 2,267.4 | ||||
- Please refer to the Company's Form 10-Q for the year ended March 31, 2024 for detail regarding the items in the table.
| Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Consolidated (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions of dollars, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Quarterly | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1Q24 | 4Q23 | 3Q23 | 2Q23 | 1Q23 | |||||||||||||||
| GAAP net income | $ | 24.6 | $ | 7.6 | $ | 5.4 | $ | 18.3 | $ | 15.9 | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.4 | 12.1 | 11.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (10.9 | ) | 1.5 | 2.2 | 2.5 | (13.6 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 7.5 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 3.0 | 4.9 | ||||||||||||||
| GAAP operating income | 32.7 | 21.7 | 19.1 | 35.9 | 19.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Mark-to-market loss (gain)1 | — | 0.2 | (0.3 | ) | 0.2 | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 0.1 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-cash asset impairment charge | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Other operating NRR loss2,3 | 0.4 | 0.2 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income, excluding operating NRR items | 33.6 | 22.9 | 20.4 | 37.3 | 20.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 28.8 | 28.7 | 27.2 | 26.4 | 26.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA4 | $ | 62.4 | $ | 51.6 | $ | 47.6 | $ | 63.7 | $ | 46.7 | |||||||||
| GAAP net income | $ | 24.6 | $ | 7.6 | $ | 5.4 | $ | 18.3 | $ | 15.9 | |||||||||
| Operating NRR items | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-operating NRR items5 | (11.2 | ) | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | (13.1 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Tax impact of above NRR items | 2.3 | (0.4 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (0.8 | ) | 2.7 | |||||||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 16.6 | $ | 9.8 | $ | 7.4 | $ | 20.3 | $ | 6.8 | |||||||||
| Net income per share, diluted6 | $ | 1.51 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.34 | $ | 1.14 | $ | 0.99 | |||||||||
| Adjusted earnings per diluted share6 | $ | 1.02 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.46 | $ | 1.26 | $ | 0.42 | |||||||||
- Mark-to-market loss (gain) on derivative instruments includes the loss (gain) on non-designated commodity hedges. Adjusted EBITDA reflects the loss (gain) realized upon settlement.
- NRR is an abbreviation for non-run-rate; NRR items are pre-tax.
- Other operating NRR items primarily represent the impact of adjustments to environmental expenses.
- Adjusted EBITDA = Consolidated operating income, excluding operating NRR items, plus Depreciation and amortization.
- Non-operating NRR items represent the impact of non-cash net periodic benefit cost related to the Salaried VEBA excluding service cost, gains recorded from the sale of land, and gains recorded from business interruption insurance recoveries.
- Diluted shares for EPS are calculated using the two-class method for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and the treasury stock method for all other quarters presented.
FAQ
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