Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Report”) contains statements which constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements appear throughout this Report and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “estimates,” “will,” “should,” “plans” or “anticipates,” or the negative of the foregoing or other variations of comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. Readers are cautioned that any such forward‑looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve significant risks and uncertainties and that actual results may vary from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These factors include: (i) the effectiveness of management’s strategies and decisions, including strategic investments, capital spending strategies, processes and countermeasures implemented to address operational and supply chain challenges and the execution of those strategies; (ii) 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, such as the most recent disruptions experienced with our molten metal and magnesium supply chain, and other conditions that impact demand drivers in the aerospace/high strength, aluminum beverage and food packaging, general engineering, automotive and other end markets we serve; (iii) our ability to participate in mature and anticipated new automotive programs expected to launch in the future and successfully launch new automotive programs; (iv) changes or shifts in defense spending due to competing national priorities; (v) pricing, market conditions and our ability to effectively execute commercial and labor strategies, pass through cost increases, including the institution of surcharges, and flex costs in response to changing economic conditions, volatile commodity costs and inflation; (vi) developments in technology; (vii) the impact of our future earnings, cash flows, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors on our financial strength and flexibility; (viii) new or modified statutory or regulatory requirements; (ix) the successful integration of acquired operations and technologies; and (x) stakeholder’s, including regulator’s, views regarding our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) goals and initiatives, and the impact of factors outside of our control on such goals and initiatives. This Item and Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, each identify other factors that could cause actual results to vary. No assurance can be given that these are all of the factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from the forward looking statements.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements” of this Report and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This information 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 generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flows of the company. We have provided a reconciliation of non‑GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measure in the accompanying tables. We have also provided discussion of the reasons we believe that presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors, as well as any additional ways in which we use the non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures used in the following discussions are Conversion Revenue (defined as Net sales less the Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal, see below in “Metal Pricing Policies” discussion), adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and ratios related thereto. 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.
In the discussion of operating results below, we refer to certain items as “non-run-rate items.” For purposes of such discussion, non-run-rate items are items that, while they may recur from period-to-period: (i) are particularly material to results; (ii) affect costs primarily as a result of external market factors; and (iii) may not recur in future periods if the same level of underlying performance were to occur. Non-run-rate items are part of our business and operating environment but are worthy of being highlighted for the benefit of readers of our financial statements. Our intent is to allow users of the financial statements to consider our results both in light of and separately from such items. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net income, see below in “Results of Operations - Selected Operational and Financial Information.” 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 our control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted or provided without unreasonable effort.
Metal Pricing Policies
A fundamental part of our business model is to remain neutral to the impact from fluctuations in the market price for aluminum and certain alloys, thereby earning profit predominantly from the conversion of aluminum into semi-fabricated mill products. We refer
21
to this as “metal price neutrality.” We purchase primary, rolling ingot and scrap, or recycled, aluminum, our main raw material, and alloys at prices that fluctuate on a monthly basis, and our pricing policies generally allow us to pass the underlying index cost of aluminum and certain alloys through to our customers so that we remain neutral to metal pricing. However, for some of our higher margin products sold on a spot basis, competitive dynamics may limit the amount and/or delay the timing of selling price increases to recover our increased aluminum and alloy costs, resulting in a lag up to several months during which we may be exposed to metal price risk. As a result, we can experience an adverse impact when aluminum and alloy prices increase, and a favorable impact to us when aluminum and alloy prices decline, as we and our competitors tend to defer adjusting pricing unless market dynamics require such in a declining metal cost environment. We may also enter into firm-price customer sales agreements that specify a firm underlying metal price plus a conversion price. Spot sales with lagged aluminum and alloy price pass through and firm-price sales agreements create price exposure for us, which we mitigate through hedging and related programs with an objective to remain metal price neutral. Additionally, we have certain contracts that may adjust certain alloy prices for a forward period based on an average prior period cost for such alloys. As a result, until the selling price resets, we can experience an adverse impact when alloy prices increase and a favorable impact when alloy prices decrease.
Our pricing policies and hedging program are intended to significantly reduce or eliminate the impact on our profitability of fluctuations in underlying price of primary, rolling ingot and scrap, or recycled, aluminum, our main raw material, and certain alloys so that our earnings are predominantly associated with the conversion of aluminum to semi‑fabricated mill products. To allow users of our financial statements to consider the impact of aluminum and alloy cost on our Net sales, we disclose Net sales as well as Conversion Revenue, which is Net sales less the Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal. As used in this discussion, “Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal” is the cost of aluminum at the average Midwest Transaction Price (“Midwest Price”) plus the cost of alloying elements and any realized gains and/or losses on settled hedges related to the metal sold in the referenced period. The average Midwest Price of aluminum reflects the primary aluminum supply/demand dynamics in North America. For a reconciliation of Conversion Revenue to Net sales, see below in “Results of Operations - Selected Operational and Financial Information.”
Business Overview
We manufacture and sell semi-fabricated specialty aluminum mill products for the following end market applications: (i) aerospace and high strength (“Aero/HS products”); (ii) aluminum beverage and food packaging (“Packaging”); (iii) general engineering (“GE products”); (iv) automotive (“Automotive Extrusions”); and (v) other industrial (“Other products”). Our fabricated aluminum mill products include flat-rolled (plate, sheet and coil), extruded (rod, bar, hollows and shapes), drawn (rod, bar, pipe, tube and wire) and certain cast aluminum products. The sophistication of our products is due to the metallurgy and physical properties of the metal and the special characteristics that are required for particular end uses. We strategically choose to serve technically challenging applications for which we can deploy our core metallurgical and process technology capabilities to produce highly engineered mill products with differentiated characteristics that present opportunities for us to receive premium pricing and to create long-term profitable growth.
With respect to the global market for flat-rolled aluminum mill products, our focus is on heat treat plate and sheet for applications that require higher strength and other desired product attributes that cannot be achieved by common alloy rolled products. The primary end market applications of flat-rolled heat treat plate and sheet, which are produced at our rolling mill in Spokane, Washington (“Trentwood”), are Aero/HS products (which we sell globally) and GE products (which we predominantly sell within North America). The primary end market application of bare and coated aluminum coil, which are produced at our rolling mill in Warrick County, Indiana (“Warrick”), is Packaging for can stock applications which we sell in North America. Our Packaging products require demanding attributes and can be further processed to include coating and slitting depending on customer specifications.
In the areas of aluminum extrusions, we focus on demanding Aero/HS products, GE products and Automotive Extrusions that require high strength, machinability or other specific properties where we can create and maintain a defensible competitive position because of our technical expertise, strong production capability and high product quality. Our 11 extrusion/drawing facilities, 10 of which are in the United States and one of which is in Canada, serve primarily North American demand for aerospace, general engineering or automotive applications. Additionally, we have a facility in Columbia, New Jersey, that focuses on multi-material advanced manufacturing methods and techniques, which include multi-axis computer numerical control (“CNC”) machining, additive manufacturing (“3D Printing”), welding and fabrication for demanding aerospace and defense, high tech, general industrial and automotive applications. Our consolidated Net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 totaled $807.6 million on 299.3 million pounds shipped from our facilities. We employed approximately 4,000 people at March 31, 2023.
We have long-standing relationships with our customers, which consist primarily of blue-chip companies including leading aerospace and automotive manufacturers, tier one aerospace and automotive suppliers, food and beverage packaging manufacturers and metal service centers. Approximately 73% of our shipments is sold direct to manufacturers or tier one suppliers and approximately 27% is sold to metal service centers. In our served markets, we seek to be the supplier of choice by pursuing “Best in Class” customer
22
satisfaction driven by quality, availability, service and delivery performance. We believe we differentiate our product portfolio through our broad product offering and our KaiserSelect® products, which are engineered and manufactured to deliver enhanced product characteristics with improved consistency, so as to result in better performance, lower waste and, in many cases, lower production cost for our customers.
Highlights of the quarter ended March 31, 2023 include:
• Strengthening demand for commercial aerospace applications;
• Destocking in our Packaging and GE products end markets;
• Increasing demand for Automotive Extrusions; and
• Cash dividends and dividend equivalents of $0.77 per share or $12.5 million paid during the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
Results of Operations
Consolidated Results of Operations
Net Sales. Net sales totaled $807.6 million and $948.8 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively, reflecting a 36.1 million pound decrease in shipment volume and a $0.13/lb (5%) decrease in average realized sales price per pound. The shipment volume decrease reflected: (i) a 30.7 million pound (35%) decrease in GE products primarily due to destocking at service centers for our extruded rod and bar products, in addition to softer demand for plate due to impacts from the recently enacted semi-conductor chip export restrictions; (ii) a 21.0 million pound (12%) decrease in Packaging primarily due to destocking in the beverage can markets; and (iii) a 1.5 million pound (35%) decrease in Other products, partially offset by: (i) a 12.7 million pound (28%) increase in Aero/HS products reflecting strengthening demand for commercial aerospace applications and (ii) a 4.4 million pound (19%) increase in Automotive Extrusions. The average realized sales price per pound reflected a $0.30/lb (17%) decrease in the average Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal price per pound and a $0.17/lb (16%) increase in Conversion Revenue per pound reflecting higher pricing and surcharges to offset higher inflationary and commodity related costs. For further details, see the table below in “Selected Operational and Financial Information.”
Cost of Products Sold, Excluding Depreciation and Amortization (“Cost of products sold”). Cost of products sold for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 totaled $731.1 million, or 91% of Net sales, compared to $865.9 million, or 91% of Net sales, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The decrease of $134.8 million reflected a $156.6 million decrease in Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal, partially offset by a $21.8 million increase in net manufacturing conversion and other costs. Of the $156.6 million decrease in Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal, $92.5 million was due to lower hedged metal prices and $64.1 million was due to lower shipment volume, see above in our “Net Sales” discussion for further details. The $21.8 million increase in net manufacturing conversion and other costs reflected: (i) a $20.5 million increase in manufacturing costs due to lower efficiencies; (ii) a $7.2 million increase in planned major maintenance for furnace rebuilds; (iii) a $4.1 million inflation driven increase in coatings costs related to Packaging products; (iv) a $3.4 million inflationary increase in energy costs; and (v) a $1.5 million increase in benefits and overhead costs, partially offset by: (i) a $7.8 million decrease in freight and other costs and (ii) a $7.0 million decrease related to lower shipments. For a further discussion of the comparative results of operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, see below in “Selected Operational and Financial Information.”
Selling, General, Administrative, Research and Development (“SG&A and R&D”). SG&A and R&D expense totaled $29.7 million and $30.2 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively. The decrease during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was primarily due to a $1.3 million decrease in salaries, benefits and incentive compensation, partially offset by a $1.0 million increase in legal fees.
Restructuring Costs. Restructuring costs of $1.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 related to our restructuring plan initiated in 2022. See Note 4 of Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for further information regarding the restructuring plan.
Interest Expense. See Note 6 of Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for a discussion of our debt and credit facilities that were in effect during the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 and interest expense capitalized as part of construction in progress.
Other Income (Expense), Net. See Note 9 of Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for details.
23
Income Tax Provision. See Note 10 of Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for disclosure regarding our income tax provision.
Selected Operational and Financial Information
The following data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements” of this Report. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of those for a full year.
The table below provides selected operational and financial information (in millions of dollars):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Net income |
|
$ |
15.9 |
|
|
$ |
8.1 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
11.9 |
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
(13.6 |
) |
|
|
1.6 |
|
Income tax provision |
|
|
4.9 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
26.3 |
|
|
|
27.5 |
|
Non-run-rate items: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring cost |
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Mark-to-market gain on derivative instruments1 |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
(1.0 |
) |
Acquisition costs2 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
Total non-run-rate items |
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
46.7 |
|
|
$ |
52.3 |
|
1Mark-to-market gain on derivative instruments represented the gain on non-designated commodity hedges. Adjusted EBITDA reflects the realized gains related to these derivatives upon settlement.
2Acquisition costs are non-run-rate acquisition-related transaction items, which include professional fees, as well as non‑cash hedging charges recorded in connection with our Warrick acquisition.
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was $5.6 million lower than Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was impacted by: (i) $7.5 million of increased coating and energy costs and (ii) $7.2 million of increased planned major maintenance activity, partially offset by $6.7 million of lower freight cost. In addition, margin performance continued to be impaired by higher metal input costs associated with the ongoing inventory imbalance along with the time lag for passing through certain other commodity and production costs within our packaging operations. See above in “Consolidated Results of Operations” for further details.
24
The following table provides our shipment and Conversion Revenue information (in millions of dollars, except shipments and Conversion Revenue per pound) by end market applications:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Aero/HS Products: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shipments (mmlbs) |
|
58.2 |
|
|
45.5 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
214.0 |
|
|
$ |
3.68 |
|
|
$ |
176.6 |
|
|
$ |
3.88 |
|
Less: Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal |
|
|
(91.6 |
) |
|
|
(1.58 |
) |
|
|
(88.8 |
) |
|
|
(1.95 |
) |
Conversion Revenue |
|
$ |
122.4 |
|
|
$ |
2.10 |
|
|
$ |
87.8 |
|
|
$ |
1.93 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Packaging: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shipments (mmlbs) |
|
153.7 |
|
|
174.7 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
354.2 |
|
|
$ |
2.30 |
|
|
$ |
448.0 |
|
|
$ |
2.56 |
|
Less: Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal |
|
|
(221.0 |
) |
|
|
(1.43 |
) |
|
|
(303.0 |
) |
|
|
(1.73 |
) |
Conversion Revenue |
|
$ |
133.2 |
|
|
$ |
0.87 |
|
|
$ |
145.0 |
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GE Products: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shipments (mmlbs) |
|
56.9 |
|
|
87.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
162.1 |
|
|
$ |
2.85 |
|
|
$ |
251.2 |
|
|
$ |
2.87 |
|
Less: Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal |
|
|
(82.2 |
) |
|
|
(1.45 |
) |
|
|
(154.8 |
) |
|
|
(1.77 |
) |
Conversion Revenue |
|
$ |
79.9 |
|
|
$ |
1.40 |
|
|
$ |
96.4 |
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automotive Extrusions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shipments (mmlbs) |
|
27.7 |
|
|
23.3 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
70.8 |
|
|
$ |
2.56 |
|
|
$ |
63.8 |
|
|
$ |
2.74 |
|
Less: Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal |
|
|
(39.6 |
) |
|
|
(1.43 |
) |
|
|
(42.0 |
) |
|
|
(1.80 |
) |
Conversion Revenue |
|
$ |
31.2 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
$ |
21.8 |
|
|
$ |
0.94 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Products: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shipments (mmlbs) |
|
2.8 |
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
6.5 |
|
|
$ |
2.32 |
|
|
$ |
9.2 |
|
|
$ |
2.14 |
|
Less: Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal |
|
|
(3.9 |
) |
|
|
(1.39 |
) |
|
|
(6.3 |
) |
|
|
(1.47 |
) |
Conversion Revenue |
|
$ |
2.6 |
|
|
$ |
0.93 |
|
|
$ |
2.9 |
|
|
$ |
0.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shipments (mmlbs) |
|
299.3 |
|
|
335.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ / lb |
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
807.6 |
|
|
$ |
2.70 |
|
|
$ |
948.8 |
|
|
$ |
2.83 |
|
Less: Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal1 |
|
|
(438.3 |
) |
|
|
(1.47 |
) |
|
|
(594.9 |
) |
|
|
(1.77 |
) |
Conversion Revenue |
|
$ |
369.3 |
|
|
$ |
1.23 |
|
|
$ |
353.9 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
1.Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 was comprised of $436.7 million and $611.2 million, respectively, reflecting the cost of aluminum at the average Midwest Price and the cost of certain alloys used in the production process, as well as metal price exposure on shipments that we hedged with realized losses upon settlement of $1.6 million and realized gains upon settlement of $16.3 million in the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively, all of which were included within both Net sales and Cost of products sold in our Statements of Consolidated Income. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for the total realized gain on aluminum hedges for which we hedged the metal price exposure externally.
Outlook
We remain well positioned to execute in the current demand environment given our solid market position as a key supplier in diverse end markets and multi-year contracts with strategic partners. We expect demand in commercial aerospace to continue to
25
strengthen towards pre-pandemic levels with business jet, defense and space remaining strong. In Packaging, we expect continued destocking with some lingering impacts from higher metal input costs and a lag in passing through certain costs. GE products demand is expected to be similar to the first quarter 2023 with some softening for plate resulting from the semiconductor market, while rod and bar products are expected to stabilize at current levels. In Automotive Extrusions, we do not expect a meaningful recovery until mid‑to‑late 2023.
For the second quarter 2023, we expect our consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin (Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Conversion Revenue) to be flat to slightly higher compared to the first quarter 2023. We remain cautiously optimistic that our consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin will continue to strengthen in 2023 as we pursue cost reductions in our operations, improve manufacturing efficiencies and continue commercial actions to improve pricing.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Summary
The following table summarizes our liquidity (in millions of dollars):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2023 |
|
|
As of December 31, 2022 |
|
Available cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
31.5 |
|
|
$ |
57.4 |
|
Borrowing availability under Revolving Credit Facility, net of letters of credit1 |
|
|
514.0 |
|
|
|
557.8 |
|
Total liquidity |
|
$ |
545.5 |
|
|
$ |
615.2 |
|
1Borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was determined by a borrowing base calculated as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 using the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility in effect as of those dates.
We place our cash in bank deposits with stable, high credit quality financial institutions and, from time to time, highly liquid money market funds. For cash and cash equivalents, we are exposed to credit risk in the event of default by these financial institutions to the extent our deposit amounts exceed federally insured limits; however, we believe this risk to be remote.
See Note 12 of Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for information regarding restricted cash at March 31, 2023.
We had $39.4 million in outstanding borrowings as of March 31, 2023 under our revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the other financial institutions party thereto (“Revolving Credit Facility”), after repaying $80.1 million on total borrowings of $119.5 million incurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 and no borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2022. See “Sources of Liquidity” below for a further discussion of subsequent borrowing activity. See Note 6 of Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities (in millions of dollars):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Total cash (used in) provided by: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities |
|
$ |
(20.3 |
) |
|
$ |
1.4 |
|
Investing activities |
|
$ |
(25.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(28.3 |
) |
Financing activities |
|
$ |
25.0 |
|
|
$ |
(14.9 |
) |
Cash used in operating activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 reflected results of business activity described above in our “Consolidated Results of Operations” discussion, as well as the following working capital changes: (i) an increase in trade receivables of $36.9 million, primarily due to higher pricing and an increase in metal price; (ii) a decrease in accounts payable of $22.6 million primarily due to timing of payments; and (iii) an increase in inventory of $12.3 million due primarily to a higher per pound inventory cost.
Cash provided by operating activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 reflected results of business activity described above within “Consolidated Results of Operations,” as well as the following working capital changes: (i) an increase in trade and other receivables of $97.1 million, the majority of which was driven by Warrick receivables added during the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and the remainder of which was due to the timing and mix of sales and an increase in metal price; (ii) an increase in accounts payable
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of $92.9 million, the majority of which was driven by Warrick payables added during the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and higher metal cost; and (iii) an increase in inventory of $26.9 million due primarily to higher inventory pounds to satisfy increased demand, as well as a higher per pound inventory cost.
See Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows included in this Report for further details on our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022.
Sources of Liquidity
We believe our available cash and cash equivalents, borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility and funds generated from operations are our most significant sources of liquidity, and that our Revolving Credit Facility and unsecured notes have covenants that allow us to operate our business with limited restrictions and significant flexibility for the foreseeable future. While we believe these sources will be sufficient to finance our working capital requirements, planned capital expenditures, investments, debt service obligations and other cash requirements for at least the next 12 months, and while we also believe that alternative sources of liquidity will remain available in the event we seek to add liquidity for opportunistic or other reasons in the future, our ability to fund such cash requirements will depend upon our future operating performance (which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions) and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.
We do not believe that covenants contained in the Revolving Credit Facility are reasonably likely to limit our ability to raise additional debt or equity should we choose to do so during the next 12 months, nor do we believe it is likely that during the next 12 months we will trigger the availability threshold that would require measuring and maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio.
At April 24, 2023, we had $20.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility after repaying $23.9 million and incurring $4.5 million of additional borrowings subsequent to March 31, 2023.
See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for a description of our Revolving Credit Facility.
We engage in certain customer-based supply chain financing programs to accelerate the receipt of payment for outstanding accounts receivable from certain customers. Costs of these programs are typically reimbursed to us by the customer. Receivables transferred under these customer-based supply chain financing programs generally meet the requirements to be accounted for as sales resulting in the derecognition of such receivables from our consolidated balance sheets. Receivables involved with these customer‑based supply chain finance programs for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 constituted approximately 38% of our net sales. See Note 9 of Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for further details with respect to these supply chain financing programs.
Debt
See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for mandatory principal and cash interest payments on the outstanding borrowings.
We do not believe that covenants in the indentures governing the 4.50% Senior Notes due 2031 (“4.50% Senior Notes”) and 4.625% Senior Notes due 2028 (“4.625% Senior Notes”) are reasonably likely to limit our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing should we choose to do so during the next 12 months.
Capital Expenditures and Investments
We strive to strengthen our competitive position across our end markets through strategic capital investment. Significant investments over the past decade have positioned us well with increased capacity and expanded manufacturing capabilities while more recent capital projects have focused on further enhancing manufacturing cost efficiency, improving product quality and promoting operational security, which we believe are critical to maintaining and strengthening our position in an increasingly competitive market environment. A significant portion of our capital spending over the past several years related to the modernization project at our Trentwood rolling mill, which focused on equipment upgrades throughout the process flow to reduce conversion costs, increase efficiency and further improve our competitive cost position on all products produced at our Trentwood facility. In addition, a significant portion of the investment also focused on modernizing legacy equipment and the process flow for thin gauge plate to achieve KaiserSelect® quality enhancements for these Aero/HS products and GE products. These improvements have allowed us to
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gain incremental manufacturing capacity to enable future sales growth. We continue spending on our previously announced capital project to add a fourth roll coat line at our Warrick facility to increase our capacity for higher margin coated packaging product.
Our capital investment plans remain focused on supporting demand growth through capacity expansion, sustaining our operations, enhancing product quality and increasing operating efficiencies. We anticipate total capital spending in 2023 of approximately $170.0 million to $190.0 million, the majority of which will be focused on growth initiatives, primarily reflecting investment in the new roll coat line at the Warrick facility. We will continue to deploy capital thoughtfully to ensure that investment decisions align with demand expectations in order to maximize the earnings potential of the business and maintain financial strength and flexibility.
Capital investments will be funded using cash generated from operations, available cash and cash equivalents, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and/or other third-party financing arrangements. The level of anticipated capital expenditures may be adjusted from time to time depending on our business plans, our price outlook for fabricated aluminum products, our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and other factors. No assurance can be provided as to the timing of any such expenditures or the operational benefits expected therefrom.
Dividends
We have consistently paid a quarterly cash dividend since the second quarter of 2007 to holders of our common stock, including holders of restricted stock. Nevertheless, as in the past, the future declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on a number of factors, including our financial and operating results, including the availability of surplus and/or net profits, liquidity position, anticipated cash requirements and contractual restrictions under our Revolving Credit Facility, the indentures for our 4.50% Senior Notes and 4.625% Senior Notes or other indebtedness we may incur in the future. We can give no assurance that dividends will be declared and paid in the future.
We also pay quarterly dividend equivalents to the holders of certain restricted stock units. Holders of performance shares are not paid a quarterly dividend equivalent, but instead are entitled to receive, in connection with the issuance of underlying shares of common stock for performance shares that ultimately vest, a one-time payment equal to the dividends such holder would have received if the number of such shares of common stock so issued had been held of record by such holder from the date of grant of such performance shares through the date of such issuance.
See our Statements of Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity and Note 14 of Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for information regarding dividends paid during the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, and declared subsequent to March 31, 2023.
Repurchases of Common Stock
We suspended share repurchases as of March 2020. We will continue to assess share repurchases as a part of our capital allocation priorities and strategic investment opportunities identified to support further growth in our business. At March 31, 2023, $93.1 million remained authorized and available for future repurchases of common stock under our stock repurchase program.
See our Statements of Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity included in this Report for information regarding: (i) repurchases of common stock during the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 and (ii) minimum statutory tax withholding obligations arising during the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 in connection with the vesting of non‑vested shares, restricted stock units and performance shares.
Environmental Commitments and Contingencies
See Note 7 of Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for information regarding our environmental commitments and contingencies.
Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, we granted additional stock-based awards to executive officers and certain key employees under our equity incentive plan. Additional awards are expected to be made in future years.
Except as otherwise disclosed in this Report, there has been no material change in our contractual obligations, commercial commitments or off-balance sheet arrangements other than in the ordinary course of business since December 31, 2022.
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Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. In connection with the preparation of our financial statements, we are required to make assumptions and estimates about future events and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and the related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates and such differences could be material.
Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. We discuss our critical accounting estimates in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
There have been no material changes in our critical accounting estimates and policies since December 31, 2022.
New Accounting Pronouncements
There have been no new accounting pronouncements identified during the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
Available Information
Our website is located at www.kaiseraluminum.com. The website includes a section for investor relations under which we provide notifications of news or announcements regarding our financial performance, including Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, investor events and press and earnings releases. In addition, all Kaiser Aluminum Corporation filings submitted to the SEC, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Proxy Statements for our annual meeting of stockholders, as well as other Kaiser Aluminum Corporation reports and statements, are available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. Such filings are also available for download free of charge on our website. In addition, we provide and archive on our website webcasts of our quarterly earnings calls and certain events in which management participates or hosts with members of the investment community and related investor presentations. The contents of the website are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this Report or any other report or document filed by us, and any reference to the websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.