Alcoa Reports Strong Full-Year 2013 Profit Up from 2012, Excluding Special Items; Alcoa Addresses Legacy Matters

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) today reported solid operating performance in the fourth quarter and full-year 2013 as the Company’s repositioning gains traction, offset by special items primarily to address legacy matters in the Primary Metals business. As a result, Alcoa reported a fourth quarter 2013 net loss of $2.3 billion, or $2.19 per share.

Special items in fourth quarter 2013 totaled $2.4 billion and included a non-cash goodwill impairment of $1.7 billion related to Primary Metals. The impairment has no impact on the Company’s liquidity and does not affect the ongoing operating performance of Primary Metals.

Excluding the negative impact of special items, Alcoa reported net income of $40 million, or $0.04 per share, in fourth quarter 2013. Engineered Products and Solutions (EPS) reported record fourth quarter after-tax operating income (ATOI), the upstream business improved performance for the ninth consecutive quarter, and all business segments produced productivity gains in the fourth quarter. The Company reported fourth quarter revenue of $5.6 billion.

"We delivered strong operating performance in the fourth quarter, led by record downstream profitability, as our strategy to build-out the value-add businesses and lower the cost base in the commodity segment gains traction,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition, we put a number of legacy matters behind us, clearing a path for Alcoa’s continued transformation in 2014.” Kleinfeld added, "We started growing our value-add businesses and lowering the cost base of our commodity businesses at the height of the economic crisis. Today, this transformation is paying off, with the value-add businesses driving 57 percent of our revenues and 80 percent of our segment profits.”

Alcoa’s value-add businesses comprise EPS and Global Rolled Products.

In 2014, Alcoa projects global growth in the aerospace (7 percent to 8 percent), automotive (1 percent to 4 percent), packaging (2 percent to 3 percent), and building and construction (4 percent to 6 percent) markets. After a strong 2013, Alcoa projects a steady commercial transportation market (-1 percent to 3 percent), and a decline in the industrial gas turbine market (-8 percent to -12 percent) on lower orders for new gas turbines and spare parts.

Alcoa sees global aluminum demand growth of 7 percent in 2014, after 7 percent growth in 2013.

Fourth Quarter 2013 Results

Alcoa reported a fourth quarter 2013 net loss of $2.3 billion, or $2.19 per share, compared to net income of $24 million, or $0.02 per share, in third quarter 2013 and $242 million, or $0.21 per share, in fourth quarter 2012. Adjusted EBITDA in fourth quarter 2013 was $565 million, compared to $675 million in third quarter 2013 and $597 million in fourth quarter 2012.

Special items in fourth quarter 2013 reflect the results of the goodwill impairment analysis that the Company performs annually. As a result of this analysis, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment of $1.7 billion related to its Primary Metals business for goodwill arising primarily from the acquisitions of Alumax Inc. (1998) and Reynolds Metals Company (2000), which included significant smelting assets. The impairment is a result of unfavorable trends that impact the estimated fair value of the Primary Metals business such as lower metal prices, reduced operating margins and increased discount rates.

Other special items in fourth quarter 2013 included:

• $361 million of non-cash discrete tax items, primarily for valuation allowances recorded against certain deferred tax assets whose benefits are unlikely to be realized, largely due to reduced earnings in the Primary Metals business;
• $13 million non-cash charge to write-off certain upstream capital projects no longer being pursued;
• $243 million charge in connection with the resolution of the U.S. government investigations of the Alba matter (see "Alba Resolution” below);
• $46 million of restructuring charges primarily tied to overhead cost reductions across all business segments; and
• $9 million unfavorable impact tied to the temporary shutdown of one smelter potline at the Ma’aden-Alcoa joint venture project.

Excluding special items, Alcoa reported fourth quarter 2013 net income of $40 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to net income of $120 million, or $0.11 per share, in third quarter 2013. Sequentially, results were affected by lower London Metal Exchange (LME) prices, volume and cost headwinds, somewhat offset by productivity gains. Excluding special items, fourth quarter 2013 results compare to net income of $64 million, or $0.06 per share, in the year-ago period.

Fourth quarter 2013 revenue was $5.6 billion, compared with $5.8 billion sequentially, and $5.9 billion in fourth quarter 2012, as realized aluminum prices declined 1 percent sequentially, and 7 percent year-over-year.

Alcoa generated $498 million in free cash flow in fourth quarter 2013. Cash from operations was $920 million, up from $214 million sequentially. The Company achieved an all-time low in days working capital at 20 days, four days lower than fourth quarter 2012. This milestone was the 17^th successive year-over-year improvement in days working capital and equates to approximately $240 million in cash.

Alcoa also maintained its strong liquidity position, ending the quarter with $1.4 billion cash on hand, up from $1.0 billion in third quarter 2013.

2013 Full-Year Results

In 2013, Alcoa reported a net loss of $2.3 billion, or $2.14 per share, compared to 2012 net income of $191 million, or $0.18 per share.

Excluding the impact of special items, 2013 net income was $357 million, or $0.33 per share, a 36 percent increase from $262 million, or $0.24 per share, in 2012. Full year net income, excluding special items, increased on record EPS profitability and productivity savings, partially offset by cost increases and lower metal prices.

Revenue in 2013 was $23.0 billion, compared to $23.7 billion in 2012 as realized aluminum prices declined 4 percent year-over-year.

Alcoa executed against its financial targets, and for full-year 2013, delivered $385 million in free cash flow, with cash from operations of $1.6 billion. This is the fourth consecutive year Alcoa has generated positive free cash flow even as LME prices reached four-year lows.

Alcoa achieved $1.1 billion year-over-year productivity savings exceeding a $750 million annual target; managed growth capital expenditures of $407 million against a $550 million annual plan and controlled sustaining capital expenditures of $786 million against a $1.0 billion annual plan. Progress on the Saudi Arabia joint venture project is on track with $159 million invested in 2013 against a $350 million annual plan.

The Company reduced its total debt from $8.8 billion in 2012, to $8.3 billion in 2013, with year-end net debt of $6.9 billion, the lowest since December 2006. Alcoa’s debt-to-capital ratio stood at 38.1 percent; excluding the impact of the goodwill impairment and deferred tax valuation allowances, debt-to-capital was 34.8 percent. Net debt-to-capital stood at 33.7 percent.

Segment Information

Engineered Products and Solutions

ATOI was a fourth quarter record of $168 million, down $24 million sequentially and up $28 million, or 20 percent, year-over-year. Sequentially, seasonal cost increases and unfavorable volume and price/mix were somewhat offset by continued productivity improvements. Days working capital improved by 3 days to a new record low.

Global Rolled Products

ATOI in the fourth quarter was $21 million, down from $71 million in third quarter 2013, and $77 million in fourth quarter 2012. Sequentially, seasonal volume and pricing headwinds in packaging, lower aerospace volumes and mix, partially due to high OEM plate inventories, as well as lower industrial volumes and prices were somewhat offset by record automotive shipments. Days working capital was a record at 30 days, an improvement of 6 days compared with fourth quarter 2012.

Alumina

ATOI in the fourth quarter was $70 million, up from $67 million in third quarter 2013, and up from $41 million in fourth quarter 2012. The sequential increase was driven by strong productivity savings and energy efficiency improvements, benchmark production levels, and sales at Alumina Price Index-based pricing, despite higher energy costs and lower LME-based prices. Adjusted EBITDA per metric ton was $46, up from $44 in third quarter 2013 and up from $36 in fourth quarter 2012. Days working capital remained at record lows, improving by 5 days compared with fourth quarter 2012.

Primary Metals

ATOI in the fourth quarter was negative $35 million compared to $8 million in third quarter 2013 and $316 million in fourth quarter 2012, which included a $275 million gain on the Tapoco Hydroelectric Project asset sale. Lower LME and regional premium prices combined with a potline outage at the Ma’aden-Alcoa joint venture to drive the sequential decline, while strong productivity improvements and broad cost cutting offset higher seasonal energy and other price increases. Third-party realized price in the fourth quarter was $2,157 per metric ton, down 1 percent sequentially. Adjusted EBITDA per metric ton decreased to $87 from $154 in third quarter 2013, and down from $214 in fourth quarter 2012. Days working capital improved by 4 days compared with fourth quarter 2012, to a record 15 days.

Alba Resolution

Earlier today, Alcoa announced the resolution of the investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding certain legacy alumina contracts with Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba).

The settlement with the DOJ was reached with Alcoa World Alumina LLC (AWA). AWA is a company within Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC), the unincorporated bauxite mining and alumina refining venture between Alcoa Inc. and Alumina Limited. As part of the DOJ resolution, AWA will pay a total of $223 million, including a fine of $209 million payable in five equal installments over four years. The first installment of $41.8 million, plus a one-time administrative forfeiture of $14 million, will be paid in the first quarter of 2014, and the remaining installments of $41.8 million each will be paid in the first quarters of 2015-2018. The $223 million amount is within the range previously disclosed by Alcoa. During the second quarter of 2013, Alcoa recorded a $103 million charge ($62 million after non-controlling interest) for the DOJ investigation. Under the terms of the DOJ resolution, AWA pled guilty to one count of violating the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The DOJ is bringing no case against Alcoa Inc.

Alcoa also settled civil charges filed by the SEC in an administrative proceeding relating to the anti-bribery, internal controls, and books and records provisions of the FCPA. Under the terms of the settlement with the SEC, Alcoa Inc. agreed to a settlement amount of $175 million, but will be given credit for the $14 million one-time forfeiture payment, which is part of the DOJ resolution, resulting in a total cash payment to the SEC of $161 million payable in five equal installments over four years. The first installment of $32.2 million will be paid to the SEC in the first quarter of 2014, and the remaining installments of $32.2 million each will be paid in the first quarters of 2015-2018.

There is no allegation in the filings by the DOJ and there is no finding by the SEC that anyone at Alcoa Inc. knowingly engaged in the conduct at issue. The U.S. Government also recognized Alcoa for its cooperation and compliance efforts.

AWA, owned 60% by Alcoa Inc. and 40% by Alumina Limited, is consolidated by Alcoa for financial reporting purposes. As previously disclosed, under an agreement between Alcoa Inc. and Alumina Limited, the costs (including all associated legal fees) of the settlements with the DOJ and SEC, as well as the $85 million civil settlement with Alba reached in October 2012, will be allocated between Alcoa Inc. and Alumina Limited on an 85% and 15% basis, respectively. As a result of the settlements with the DOJ and the SEC, Alcoa has recorded a charge of $288 million ($243 million after-tax and non-controlling interest, which includes $107 million to reflect the impact of the allocation agreement between Alcoa and Alumina Limited) in the fourth quarter of 2013. Taking into account the fourth-quarter charge, Alcoa has recognized all costs associated with the resolution of the Alba civil suit and related government investigations.

Alcoa will hold its quarterly conference call at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on January 9, 2014 to present the quarter and full-year results. The meeting will be webcast via alcoa.com. Call information and related details are available at www.alcoa.com under "Invest.”

About Alcoa

Alcoa is a global innovation leader in lightweight metals, products and solutions. Its technology, expertise and industry reach continue to advance automotive and aerospace transportation, building and construction, consumer electronics and packaging, defense applications across air, land and sea, and the oil and gas industry. Alcoa pioneered the modern-day aluminum industry 125 years ago and today is a leader in delivering value-add products made from a range of lightweight metals and flat-rolled aluminum. Alcoa is also a world leading producer of primary aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 12 consecutive years and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 60,000 people in 30 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Alcoa and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Alcoa.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as "anticipates,” "estimates,” "expects,” "forecasts,” "intends,” "outlook,” "plans,” "projects,” "should,” "targets,” "will,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that reflect Alcoa’s expectations, assumptions or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, forecasts concerning global demand growth for aluminum, end market conditions, supply/demand balances, and growth opportunities for aluminum in automotive, aerospace, and other applications, trend projections, targeted financial results or operating performance, and statements about Alcoa’s strategies, outlook, and business and financial prospects. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors and are not guarantees of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include: (a) material adverse changes in aluminum industry conditions, including global supply and demand conditions and fluctuations in London Metal Exchange-based prices (and premiums, as applicable) for primary aluminum, alumina, and other products, and fluctuations in indexed-based and spot prices for alumina; (b) deterioration in global economic and financial market conditions generally; (c) unfavorable changes in the markets served by Alcoa, including aerospace, automotive, commercial transportation, building and construction, distribution, packaging, defense, and industrial gas turbine; (d) the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on costs and results, particularly the Australian dollar, Brazilian real, Canadian dollar, euro, and Norwegian kroner; (e) increases in energy costs, including electricity, natural gas, and fuel oil, or the unavailability or interruption of energy supplies; (f) increases in the costs of other raw materials, including calcined petroleum coke, caustic soda, and liquid pitch; (g) Alcoa’s inability to achieve the level of revenue growth, cash generation, cost savings, improvement in profitability and margins, fiscal discipline, or strengthening of competitiveness and operations (including moving its alumina refining and aluminum smelting businesses down on the industry cost curves and increasing revenues in its Global Rolled Products and Engineered Products and Solutions segments) anticipated from its restructuring programs, productivity improvement, cash sustainability, and other initiatives; (h) Alcoa’s inability to realize expected benefits, in each case as planned and by targeted completion dates, from sales of non-core assets, or from newly constructed, expanded, or acquired facilities, including facilities supplying aluminum-lithium capacity, or from international joint ventures, including the joint venture in Saudi Arabia; (i) political, economic, and regulatory risks in the countries in which Alcoa operates or sells products, including unfavorable changes in laws and governmental policies, civil unrest, or other events beyond Alcoa’s control; (j) the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings, government investigations, and environmental remediation; (k) the business or financial condition of key customers, suppliers, and business partners; (l) adverse changes in tax rates or benefits; (m) adverse changes in discount rates or investment returns on pension assets; (n) the impact of cyber attacks and potential information technology or data security breaches; and (o) the other risk factors summarized in Alcoa’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alcoa disclaims any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the information included in this release is derived from Alcoa’s consolidated financial information but is not presented in Alcoa’s financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Certain of these data are considered "non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules. These non-GAAP financial measures supplement our GAAP disclosures and should not be considered an alternative to the GAAP measure. Reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and management’s rationale for the use of the non-GAAP financial measures can be found in the schedules to this release and on our website at www.alcoa.com under the "Invest” section.

Alcoa’s definition of Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) is net margin plus an add-back for depreciation, depletion, and amortization. Net margin is equivalent to Sales minus the following items: Cost of goods sold; Selling, general administrative, and other expenses; Research and development expenses; and Provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure is meaningful to investors because Adjusted EBITDA provides additional information with respect to Alcoa’s operating performance and the Company’s ability to meet its financial obligations. The Adjusted EBITDA presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure is meaningful to investors because management reviews cash flows generated from operations after taking into consideration capital expenditures due to the fact that these expenditures are considered necessary to maintain and expand Alcoa’s asset base and are expected to generate future cash flows from operations. It is important to note that Free Cash Flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since other non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt service requirements, are not deducted from the measure.

Net income attributable to Alcoa – as adjusted is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure is meaningful to investors because management reviews the operating results of Alcoa excluding the impacts of restructuring and other charges, discrete tax items, and other special items (collectively, "special items”). There can be no assurances that additional special items will not occur in future periods. To compensate for this limitation, management believes that it is appropriate to consider both Net (loss) income attributable to Alcoa determined under GAAP as well as Net income attributable to Alcoa – as adjusted.

* Discrete tax items include the following:

• for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, a charge for a valuation allowance related to certain U.S. and Spain deferred tax assets ($372), a benefit related to the interim period treatment of operational losses in certain foreign jurisdictions for which no tax benefit was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 ($3), and a net benefit for other miscellaneous items ($8);
• for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, an unfavorable impact related to the interim period treatment of operational losses in certain foreign jurisdictions for which no tax benefit was recognized ($6) and a net charge for other miscellaneous items ($1);
• for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, a benefit related to the interim period treatment of operational losses in certain foreign jurisdictions for which no tax benefit was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 ($39), a benefit for a change in the legal structure of an investment ($13), and a net benefit for other miscellaneous items ($6);
• for the year ended December 31, 2013, a charge for a valuation allowance related to certain U.S. and Spain deferred tax assets ($372), a benefit related to the reinstatement under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 of two tax provisions that were applied in 2013 to Alcoa’s U.S income tax return for calendar year 2012 ($19), a charge related to prior year taxes in Spain and Australia ($10), and a net benefit for other miscellaneous items ($3); and
• for the year ended December 31, 2012, a benefit for a change in the legal structure of an investment ($13), a benefit as a result of including the then anticipated gain from the sale of the Tapoco Hydroelectric Project in the calculation of the estimated annual effective tax rate applied to the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 ($12), a charge related to prior year U.S. taxes on certain depletable assets ($8), and a net benefit for other miscellaneous items ($5).

** Other special items include the following:

• for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, a goodwill impairment charge ($1,719), an unfavorable impact related to a temporary shutdown of one of the two smelter potlines at the joint venture in Saudi Arabia due to a period of pot instability ($9), a net favorable change in certain mark-to-market energy derivative contracts ($7), and an insurance recovery related to the March 2012 cast house fire at the Massena, NY location ($5);
• for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, an insurance recovery related to the March 2012 cast house fire at the Massena, NY location ($12), a net favorable change in certain mark-to-market energy derivative contracts ($8), and the write off of inventory related to the permanent closure of two potlines at a smelter in Canada ($1);
• for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, a gain on the sale of the Tapoco Hydroelectric Project ($161: $275 is included in the Primary Metals segment and $(114) is included in Corporate), a net favorable change in certain mark-to-market energy derivative contracts ($12), interest income on an escrow deposit ($8), and uninsured losses related to fire damage to the cast house at the Massena, NY location ($7);
• for the year ended December 31, 2013, a goodwill impairment charge ($1,719), a net insurance recovery related to the March 2012 cast house fire at the Massena, NY location ($22), a net favorable change in certain mark-to-market energy derivative contracts ($15), an unfavorable impact related to a temporary shutdown of one of the two smelter potlines at the joint venture in Saudi Arabia due to a period of pot instability ($9), and the write off of inventory related to the permanent closure of two potlines at a smelter in Canada and a smelter in Italy ($6); and
• for the year ended December 31, 2012, a gain on the sale of the Tapoco Hydroelectric Project ($161), a net increase in the environmental reserve related to the Grasse River remediation in Massena, NY, remediation at two former locations, East St. Louis, IL and Sherwin, TX, and two new remediation projects at the smelter sites in Baie Comeau, Quebec, Canada and Mosjøen, Norway ($133), a litigation reserve ($33), uninsured losses related to fire damage to the cast house at the Massena, NY location ($28), interest income on an escrow deposit ($8), and a net favorable change in certain mark-to-market energy derivative contracts ($5).

Days Working Capital = Working Capital divided by (Sales/number of days in the quarter).

* The deferred purchase price receivable relates to an arrangement to sell certain customer receivables to several financial institutions on a recurring basis. Alcoa is adding back this receivable for the purposes of the Days Working Capital calculation.

Net debt-to-capital is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure is meaningful to investors because management assesses Alcoa’s leverage position after factoring in available cash that could be used to repay outstanding debt. Debt-to-capital – as adjusted and Net debt-to-capital – as adjusted are also non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that these additional measures are meaningful to investors as the adjustments represent significant, unusual noncash items that are relevant to this metric.

* See above calculation of adjusted income for additional information related to these items.

Alcoa’s definition of Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) is net margin plus an add-back for depreciation, depletion, and amortization. Net margin is equivalent to Sales minus the following items: Cost of goods sold; Selling, general administrative, and other expenses; Research and development expenses; and Provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization. The Other line in the table above includes gains/losses on asset sales and other nonoperating items. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure is meaningful to investors because Adjusted EBITDA provides additional information with respect to Alcoa’s operating performance and the Company’s ability to meet its financial obligations. The Adjusted EBITDA presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Alcoa’s definition of Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) is net margin plus an add-back for depreciation, depletion, and amortization. Net margin is equivalent to Sales minus the following items: Cost of goods sold; Selling, general administrative, and other expenses; Research and development expenses; and Provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization. The Other line in the table above includes gains/losses on asset sales and other nonoperating items. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure is meaningful to investors because Adjusted EBITDA provides additional information with respect to Alcoa’s operating performance and the Company’s ability to meet its financial obligations. The Adjusted EBITDA presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

* On January 1, 2013, management revised the inventory-costing method used by certain locations within the Global Rolled Products and Engineered Products and Solutions segments, which affects the determination of the respective segment’s profitability measure, ATOI. Management made the change in order to improve internal consistency and enhance industry comparability. This revision does not impact the consolidated results of Alcoa. Segment information for all prior periods presented was revised to reflect this change.