Century Reports Third Quarter 2014 Financial Results

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Oct 29, 2014) - Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX) reported net income of $50.4 million or $0.52 per common share for the third quarter of 2014 on higher aluminum prices and lower power prices in the Midwestern U.S.

Sales for the third quarter of 2014 were $500.6 million compared with $399.9 million for the third quarter of 2013. Shipments of primary aluminum for the third quarter of 2014 were 218,214 tonnes compared with 212,797 tonnes shipped in the third quarter of 2013.

For the third quarter of 2013, Century reported a net loss of $9.5 million or $0.11 per common share. Cost of sales for the year-ago quarter included a $5.8 million benefit for lower inventory costs and an $11.7 million benefit for deferred power contract liability amortization.

For the first nine months of 2014, the company reported net income of $50.6 million or $0.52 per common share. Cost of sales for the first nine months included a benefit of $5.5 million related to power contract amortization and $1.2 million for lower inventory costs. Results were negatively impacted by $3.6 million for a legal settlement.

Sales for the first nine months of 2014 were $1,379.8 million compared with $1,053.1 million in the same period of 2013. Shipments of primary aluminum for the first nine months of 2014 were 641,043 tonnes compared with 547,843 tonnes for the comparable 2013 period.

For the first nine months of 2013, the company reported a net loss of $30.6 million or $0.35 per common share. Results for the first nine months of 2013 were positively impacted by an unrealized gain of $16.2 million primarily related to an LME-based contingent obligation, a gain on bargain purchase of $5.3 million and deferred power contract liability amortization of $14.5 million. Results were negatively impacted by a non-cash charge of $3.3 million for the early extinguishment of our 8.0% Senior Notes and a charge of $4.7 million for severance and other expenses related to our corporate headquarters relocation. Cost of sales for the first nine months of 2013 included a $10.3 million charge for lower of cost or market inventory adjustments.

"Global economic and capital market conditions remain volatile and somewhat uncertain," commented Michael Bless, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Markets have been buffeted by recent weakness in the euro zone economies and by continuing soft data from China; various geopolitical concerns also continue to weigh. In contrast, fundamental conditions in our markets appear robust. In primary metal, we see incremental demand outstripping planned new supply for the foreseeable future. The markets in which we participate are facing even more acute shortages in the value-added products required to serve sectors forecasting strong growth. It is in this context that we are targeting our efforts."

Mr. Bless continued, "Our operations generally performed well during the quarter. Safety performance continued to improve, though we are still running below the excellent levels reached during the last few years. Power prices in the U.S. Midwest continued their downward trend from the beginning of the year. Plant operating performance was generally good, although Hawesville continued to experience pot instability caused by the power modulations we experienced several months ago. Hawesville's performance has improved during recent weeks."

"We are excited about the pending acquisition of the remaining interest in Mt. Holly," concluded Mr. Bless. "This is an excellent plant with a superb group of employees, located in a great community. The challenge of a long-term electric power structure remains, and we will be hard at work on this critical issue over the coming months. Assuming an acceptable solution, we see Mt. Holly as being well positioned to compete in the growing market opportunities in North America. This acquisition will complement the developments at all of our operating facilities as well as the hoped for restart of our smelter in Ravenswood, WV."

About Century Aluminum

Century Aluminum Company owns primary aluminum capacity in the United States and Iceland. Century's corporate offices are located in Chicago, IL. Visit www.centuryaluminum.com for more information.

Certified Advisors for the First North market of the OMX Nordic Exchange Iceland hf. for Global Depositary Receipts in Iceland:

Atli B. Gudmundsson, Senior Manager -- Corporate Finance, Landsbankinn hf.
Steingrimur Helgason, Director -- Corporate Finance, Landsbankinn hf.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements about future events and are based on our current expectations. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "believe," "expect," "target," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "seek," "estimate," "potential," "project," "scheduled," "forecast" or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," "might," or "may." Our forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect to: future global and local financial and economic conditions; our assessment of the aluminum market and aluminum prices (including premiums); the future financial and operating performance of the Company, its subsidiaries and its projects; future earnings, operating results and liquidity; future inventory, production, sales, cash costs and capital expenditures; access to existing or future financing arrangements; our ability to successfully manage transmission issues and wholesale market power price risk and to control or reduce power costs; our assessment of power pricing and our ability to successfully obtain and/or implement long-term competitive power arrangements for our operations and projects; future construction investment and development, including at the Helguvik Project, the Vlissingen project and our expansion project at Grundartangi, including our discussions regarding securing sufficient amounts of power, future capital expenditures, the costs of completion or cancellation, timing, production capacity and sources of funding; our ability to successfully complete and derive benefit from the acquisition of Mt. Holly; and whether or not we are able to restart the Ravenswood plant.

Where we express an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, our forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by those forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results and events to differ from those described in such forward-looking statements can be found in the risk factors and forward-looking statements cautionary language contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we have attempted to identify those material factors that could cause actual results or events to differ from those described in such forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause results or events to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
			Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
			2014				2013				2014				2013
NET SALES:
	Third-party customers		$	175,857			$	271,016			$	480,872			$	680,480
	Related parties			324,775				128,912				898,931				372,659
				500,632				399,928				1,379,803				1,053,139
	Cost of goods sold			424,918				387,574				1,267,343				1,028,901
Gross profit				75,714				12,354				112,460				24,238
	Other operating expense - net			1,417				2,174				5,705				6,288
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			12,146				14,422				32,826				45,875
Operating income (loss)				62,151				(4,242	)			73,929				(27,925	)
	Interest expense			(5,493	)			(5,406	)			(16,541	)			(17,706	)
	Interest income			23				141				197				458
	Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts			353				440				(174	)			16,151
	Gain on bargain purchase			--				--				--				5,253
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt			--				--				--				(3,272	)
	Other income (expense) - net			(470	)			213				(423	)			(1,001	)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint ventures				56,564				(8,854	)			56,988				(28,042	)
	Income tax expense			(6,444	)			(1,384	)			(7,004	)			(4,714	)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of joint ventures				50,120				(10,238	)			49,984				(32,756	)
	Equity in earnings of joint ventures			285				731				661				2,118
Net income (loss)			$	50,405			$	(9,507	)		$	50,645			$	(30,638	)
Net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders			$	46,277			$	(9,507	)		$	46,487			$	(30,638	)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
	Basic and Diluted		$	0.52			$	(0.11	)		$	0.52			$	(0.35	)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
	Basic			88,827				88,611				88,777				88,588
	Diluted			89,532				88,611				89,372				88,588

CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
			September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents			$	133,410			$	84,088
Restricted cash				1,217				1,697
Accounts receivable -- net				50,576				56,184
Due from affiliates				52,452				43,587
Inventories				241,750				239,615
Prepaid and other current assets				29,101				32,276
Deferred taxes				13,614				13,614
	Total current assets			522,120				471,061
Property, plant and equipment -- net				1,221,705				1,247,661
Other assets				95,656				91,474
	TOTAL		$	1,839,481			$	1,810,196
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable, trade			$	89,918			$	108,490
Due to affiliates				64,917				53,582
Accrued and other current liabilities				46,007				69,466
Accrued employee benefits costs				8,672				8,410
Industrial revenue bonds				7,815				7,815
	Total current liabilities			217,329				247,763
Senior notes payable				246,796				246,528
Accrued pension benefits costs -- less current portion				40,322				39,848
Accrued postretirement benefits costs -- less current portion				129,130				129,284
Other liabilities				38,879				37,743
Deferred taxes				112,694				106,218
	Total noncurrent liabilities			567,821				559,621
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Series A Preferred stock (one cent par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 160,000 issued and 78,670 outstanding at September 30, 2014; 160,000 issued and 79,620 outstanding at December 31, 2013)				1				1
Common stock (one cent par value, 195,000,000 shares authorized; 93,724,391 issued and 88,937,870 outstanding at September 30, 2014; 93,496,798 issued and 88,710,277 outstanding at December 31, 2013)				937				935
Additional paid-in capital				2,509,631				2,508,574
Treasury stock, at cost				(49,924	)			(49,924	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss				(92,017	)			(91,832	)
Accumulated deficit				(1,314,297	)			(1,364,942	)
	Total shareholders' equity			1,054,331				1,002,812
	TOTAL		$	1,839,481			$	1,810,196

CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
					Nine months ended September 30,
					2014				2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
	Net income (loss)				$	50,645			$	(30,638	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
		Unrealized net gain on forward contracts				--				(762	)
		Gain on bargain purchase				--				(5,253	)
		Unrealized gain on E.ON contingent obligation				(1,059	)			(16,428	)
		Accrued and other plant curtailment costs -- net				3,267				3,380
		Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment				(1,247	)			10,286
		Depreciation				52,784				49,082
		Sebree power contract amortization				(5,534	)			(14,461	)
		Debt discount amortization				268				586
		Pension and other postretirement benefits				1,432				(2,674	)
		Deferred income taxes				6,502				(1,532	)
		Stock-based compensation				957				961
		Loss on early extinguishment of debt				--				3,272
		Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net of dividends				(661	)			(2,118	)
		Change in operating assets and liabilities:
			Accounts receivable -- net			5,608				(1,063	)
			Due from affiliates			(8,866	)			12,915
			Inventories			(889	)			(22,848	)
			Prepaid and other current assets			3,035				(4,892	)
			Accounts payable, trade			(8,885	)			26,547
			Due to affiliates			11,336				32,002
			Accrued and other current liabilities			(7,566	)			2,209
			Other -- net			(3,413	)			3,887
Net cash provided by operating activities						97,714				42,458
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
	Purchase of property, plant and equipment					(26,865	)			(31,994	)
	Nordural expansion -- Helguvik					(277	)			(2,855	)
	Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements					(12,280	)			(8,519	)
	Purchase of Sebree smelter					(1,042	)			(48,058	)
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment					46				515
	Restricted and other cash deposits					480				(3,015	)
Net cash used in investing activities						(39,938	)			(93,926	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
	Repayment of debt					(2,603	)			(249,604	)
	Proceeds from issuance of debt					--				246,330
	Borrowings under revolving credit facilities					91,731				16,725
	Repayments under revolving credit facilities					(97,731	)			--
	Debt issuance costs					--				(3,994	)
	Debt retirement costs					--				(1,208	)
	Issuance of common stock					149				44
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities						(8,454	)			8,293
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS						49,322				(43,175	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period						84,088				183,976
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period					$	133,410			$	140,801

CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
(Unaudited)
SHIPMENTS - PRIMARY ALUMINUM
		Direct										Toll
		United States					Iceland					Iceland
		Tonnes		Revenue $ (000)			Tonnes		Revenue $ (000)			Tonnes		Revenue $ (000)
2014
3rd Quarter		143,338		$	353,246		38,056		$	85,117		36,820		$	60,032
2nd Quarter		143,439			325,650		39,593			82,328		33,012			48,441
1st Quarter		136,532			296,889		36,764			74,370		33,489			47,185
Total		423,309		$	975,785		114,413		$	241,815		103,321		$	155,658
2013
3rd Quarter		138,916		$	295,969		1,204		$	2,578		72,677		$	101,381
2nd Quarter		104,008			225,638		2,276			5,010		69,986			101,290
1st Quarter		87,642			203,727		5,830			13,573		65,304			103,973
Total		330,566		$	725,334		9,310		$	21,161		207,967		$	306,644