Kaiser Aluminum Reports Results for Second Quarter of 2001
Updated: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 08:24 AM ET

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 2001--

Reports Extension of Credit Agreement, Settlement of Gramercy

Insurance Claim, and Increase in Asbestos Reserve

Kaiser Aluminum Corporation today reported a net loss of $64.1 million, or $.80 per share, for the second quarter of 2001, compared to net income of $11.0 million, or $.14 per share, for the second quarter of 2000.

Results also include a number of other special items and adjustments, as detailed in tables accompanying this press release. Excluding all such items from both periods, the company reported a net loss of $19.7 million, or $.25 per share for the second quarter of 2001, compared to net income of $6.4 million, or $.08 per share, for the year-ago quarter.

Results for the second quarter include a non-cash pre-tax charge of $45.8 million related to an increase in the company's net asbestos liability. The charge results from the company's recurring assessment of existing reserves, primarily for 2003 to 2010 cash outflows, net of expected insurance recoveries, based on recent spending and other trends experienced by Kaiser and other companies. The company continues to believe that it has insurance coverage available to recover a substantial portion of its asbestos-related spending.

For the first six months of 2001, Kaiser's net income was $55.5 million, or $.70 per share, compared to net income of $22.7 million, or $.29 per share, for the first six months of 2000. Both periods include previously cited special items and adjustments.

Net sales in the second quarter and first six months of 2001 were $446.8 million and $927.1 million, compared to $552.8 million and $1,128.5 for the comparable periods of 2000.

Kaiser Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Raymond J. Milchovich said, "Our operating results in the second quarter of 2001 were well below those of the year-ago quarter largely as a result of continuing costs associated with the startup of the Gramercy, La., alumina refinery; an almost 50% decline in primary aluminum shipments due to smelter curtailments in the Pacific Northwest; a 9% decline in realized prices for alumina; and weak demand in a number of key fabricated products markets."

Additional segment and corporate information is presented in tables that accompany this press release.

Separately, Kaiser has reached a settlement with its insurers under which the company will receive additional cash payments totaling $35 million in the second half of 2001 in respect of its Gramercy-related business interruption, property damage and related claims. (Insurance matters related to liability and workers' compensation are handled separately.) Since the settlement exceeds the company's previous insurance accrual, Kaiser recognized a pre-tax benefit of $15.2 million in the second quarter of 2001.

In another matter, Kaiser said its existing $300 million credit agreement has been extended to Nov. 2, 2001 from its previous expiration date of Aug. 15, 2001. The company sought the extension in order to gain additional flexibility in advance of the February 2002 maturity of its 9-7/8% senior notes. The company anticipates further extension or renewal of the credit agreement in conjunction with steps to address its capital structure. Under the credit agreement, as of June 30, 2001, the company had no borrowings and $191 million of availability.

Kaiser also noted that it is working with financial advisors to review its options for addressing its near-term debt maturities and its overall capital structure. While Kaiser continues to consider potential asset transactions (beyond the recently announced agreement to sell an interest in Queensland Alumina Limited), the company intends to pursue only those transactions that would create long-term value through strategic positioning and/or the generation of acceptable levels of earnings and cash. The company cannot predict if any such transactions will materialize.

Milchovich said, "We clearly have a challenging near-term environment, but we are encouraged by the progress we are making to realize $50 million to $75 million of improvement in Gramercy's annualized operating income from second-quarter levels once that facility reaches full operation; to increase the operating cash flow of the company -- through our performance improvement initiative -- to an annualized run rate of $235 million by early 2003; and to address our near-term debt maturities."

Kaiser Aluminum Corporation is a leading producer of alumina, primary aluminum and fabricated aluminum products. MAXXAM Inc. directly and indirectly holds approximately 63 percent of Kaiser.

Company press releases may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and involve significant risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

Segment Summary Tables, Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss), Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, And Selected Operational and Financial Information Follow

SUMMARY OF SEGMENT DETAIL: 2Q2001 vs 2Q2000

Alumina

Segment operating loss was $6.0 million, compared to operating

income of $16.2 million in the year-ago period. Segment

results include a benefit of $15.2 million for business

interruption insurance as well as abnormal Gramercy startup

costs of $22.0 million.

-- Total shipment volumes were up 3% because of routine

fluctuations in the timing of shipments. Intersegment

shipments were below those of the year-ago period because the

curtailment of the company's Northwest smelters has cut

internal demand for alumina. Gramercy operated at about 60% of

rated capacity during the quarter - and more recently has

operated at about 67% of capacity.

-- Third-party price realizations were down 9%, reflecting the

decline in the market price for primary aluminum, to which

alumina prices are contractually linked.

-- Operating costs per tonne were unfavorable largely because

Gramercy did not perform as well as expected in its interim

operating mode. Additional cost factors were non-recurring

operating issues at the 49%-owned KJBC facility in Jamaica and

higher energy prices.

Primary Aluminum

-- Segment operating income was $3.9 million, compared to $22.7

million in the year-ago period. Segment results include $4.5

million of excess overhead and fixed costs associated with

Northwest curtailments. The company believes such costs are

excess to the run rate that could be achieved in the event of

an extended curtailment.

-- Total shipment volumes were down 49% due largely to the

power-related curtailment of the company's Tacoma and Mead,

Wash., smelters. The company temporarily curtailed rod

production during the quarter. The company's primary aluminum

operating rate was approximately 42% as compared to

approximately 91% in the year-ago period.

-- Third-party price realizations were down 3%, largely

reflecting the Northwest smelter curtailments, whose

third-party shipments typically capture a Midwest premium

price.

-- Operating costs per pound were unfavorable because of the

excess overhead costs identified above offset somewhat by

favorable costs at the 90%-owned Valco and 49%-owned Anglesey

smelters.

Flat-Rolled Products

-- Segment operating income was $3.1 million, compared to $7.2

million in the year-ago period.

-- Shipment volumes were down 54% reflecting the company's exit

from the can body stock market, as well as weak demand in

markets such as general engineering, lid and tab stock, and

automotive. The aerospace market continued to be strong.

-- Average price realizations were up 34% due to mix.

-- Operating costs per pound were higher primarily due to mix,

exacerbated by less than favorable cost performance associated

with product line transition.

Engineered Products

-- Segment operating income was $2.4 million, compared to $12.6

million in the year-ago period.

-- Shipment volumes were down 29% due to weakness in all markets,

particularly truck-trailer.

-- Average price realizations were up 11% due to mix.

-- Operating costs per pound were up due to higher energy prices

and other costs.

Corporate

-- Segment expense was $17.7 million, compared to $15.2 million

in the year-ago period.

-- Expense was modestly higher primarily due to increased pension

costs for active and retired employees.

Other Corporate Matters - Second Quarter 2001

Pacific Northwest Status and Power Sales

-- The company has maintained its ability to restart up to

approximately 110,000 metric tonnes of its Northwest smelter

capacity on or after Oct. 1, 2001, subject to prevailing

economics. The company remains open to achieving mutually

acceptable terms with the Bonneville Power Administration for

continued curtailment. However, short of that, the company is

maintaining its option to operate.

-- The company recognized additional power sale revenues of

approximately $2.5 million. The net impact of power sales was

a loss of $5.5 million, after consideration of $8 million of

curtailment related expenses.

-- Estimated value of remaining power transactions to be sold is

approximately $2 - $7 million.

-- Cash yet to be received from previous power sales is

approximately $45 million.

-- The company continues to believe that Pacific Northwest power

fundamentals are sound and capable of supporting smelter

operations.

Overview of Major Q2 Cash Flows

-- Beginning cash: $44 million

-- Cash in: $123 million

-- $75 million power sale proceeds

-- $42 million of asbestos insurance receipts

-- $2 million of adjusted EBITDA

-- $4 million in disposition of property

-- Cash out: $101 million

-- $43 million of capital spending

-- $14 million of interest paid

-- $22 million for asbestos claims

-- $18 million of cash tax payments

-- $4 million of working capital and other

-- Ending cash: $66 million

Gramercy Rebuild

-- Construction is largely complete; plan to reach run rate, with

increased capacity and improved efficiency, at end of 2001 or

early 2002.

-- Capital spending was $26 million, for a cumulative project

total of $306 million.

-- Total capital spending on the project still estimated to be

$300 - $325 million.

QAL Transaction

-- Still expected to close in third quarter of 2001.

-- The company expects after-tax net income benefit of at least

$75 million.

Asbestos

-- Results include pre-tax charge of $45.8 million to reflect an

increase in net asbestos liability.

-- 108,000 claims pending versus 102,500 at March 31, 2001; of

these amounts, the claims subject to settlement agreements

were 66,200 in second quarter versus 69,400 in first quarter.

-- In Q2, paid approximately $22 million versus insurance

proceeds of approximately $42 million. For the first six

months of 2001, the company paid approximately $60 million

versus insurance proceeds of approximately $65 million.

-- Liability of $650.4 million at end of 2Q was offset by

estimated insurance receivable of $504.7 million. This

compares to March 31, 2001 liability of $486.2 million and

insurance receivable of $408.0.

 

             SUMMARY OF SEGMENT OUTLOOK: 3Q2001 vs 2Q2001

Business       Shipment   Price         Operating       Operating
Unit           Volumes    Realizations  Costs           Income
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Alumina          Flat      Market     Flat/favorable   Flat/favorable
                            driven        
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary 
 Aluminum        Down      Market     Flat             Flat 
                            driven                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Flat-Rolled 
 Products        Flat      Flat       Flat/favorable   Flat/favorable
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Engineered
  Products       Flat/down Flat       Flat/favorable   Flat/favorable
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate        --        --         Flat             --
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Alumina

-- Total shipment volumes are likely to be flat.

-- Third-party price realizations are contractually linked to LME

aluminum prices generally on a one-to-three month lag. As a

result, recent weakness in LME prices would tend to dampen

alumina price realizations in the third quarter.

-- Operating are expected to be better but will largely be

determined by the speed at which Gramercy completes its

technology changeover. A planned maintenance outage at Alpart

is expected to be somewhat offset by improved energy costs at

all three alumina refineries.

Primary Aluminum

-- Shipment volumes are likely to be down modestly, reflecting

curtailment of aluminum rod production at the Tacoma, Wash.,

smelter.

-- Price realizations are reflective of commodity pricing as

determined by LME and Midwest markets. Kaiser realizations

also typically reflect some product premiums.

-- Costs are expected to be flat.

Flat-Rolled Products

-- Shipment volumes are likely to be affected by the prospect of

continued weakness in general engineering and lid & tab stock

- offset somewhat by the prospect of continued firm demand in

the aerospace market.

-- Average price realizations are likely to be flat, reflecting a

product mix reasonably similar to that of the second quarter.

-- Costs are likely to be flat/favorable as the facility adjusts

more efficiently to the mix shift.

Engineered Products

-- Shipment volumes are likely to be flat/down, reflecting

continued weakness in ground transportation markets as well as

seasonality.

-- Average price realizations are likely to be flat due to

relatively stable mix.

-- Costs are expected to be flat/favorable due to moderation in

energy prices.

Corporate

-- Corporate expenses are likely to remain flat/favorable as the

company continues to seek reductions in overhead expenses.

Company press releases may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and involve significant risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

 

         KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

               STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (LOSS)
                              (Unaudited)
            (In millions of dollars, except share amounts)

                            Quarter Ended           Six Months Ended
                              June 30,                   June 30,
                         ---------------------   ---------------------
                           2001        2000         2001        2000
                         ---------   ---------   ----------- ---------
Net sales                 $446.8      $552.8        $927.1   $1,128.5
                         ---------   ---------   ----------- ---------
Costs and expenses:
 Cost of products sold     418.8       469.5         863.3      960.2
 Depreciation
  and amortization          22.2        19.6          43.5       39.2
 Selling, administrative,
  research and
  development and general   25.4        25.8          52.7       52.3
 Other non-recurring
  operating items,
  net(1)                     8.0       (13.6)       (220.2)     (11.6)
                         ---------   ---------   ----------- ---------
 Total cost and
  expenses                 474.4       501.3         739.3    1,040.1
                         ---------   ---------   ----------- ---------
Operating income
 (loss)                    (27.6)       51.5         187.8       88.4
Other income
 (expense):
 Interest expense          (27.1)      (28.2)        (55.0)     (56.6)
 Other - net(2)            (51.7)       (6.5)        (44.4)       3.6
                         ---------   ---------   ----------- ---------
Income (loss) before
 income taxes and
 minority interests       (106.4)       16.8          88.4       35.4
Benefit (provision)
 for income taxes           41.5        (6.4)        (34.5)     (13.7)
Minority interests            .8          .6           1.6        1.0
                         ---------   ---------   ----------- ---------
Net income (loss)         $(64.1)      $11.0         $55.5      $22.7
                         =========   =========   =========== =========
Earnings (loss)
 per share:
  Basic/Diluted             $(.80)       $.14          $.70       $.29

Weighted average shares
 outstanding (000):
  Basic/Diluted             79,780      79,541        79,696    79,474

    (1) Operating income (loss) for the quarter and six-month period
        ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, included the following items.
        The business segment to which the items are applicable is
        indicated.

                                   Quarter Ended      Six Months Ended
                                      June 30,            June 30,
                                 -----------------    ----------------
                                  2001        2000     2001      2000
                                 ------      -----    ------    ------
Net gains (losses) on
 power sales
 (Primary aluminum)              $(5.5)      $15.8    $222.7    $15.8
Restructuring initiatives -
 Corporate                         (.5)       (1.5)      (.5)    (3.5)
 Bauxite & Alumina                (2.0)         --      (2.0)      --
 Impairment charge
  associated with
  product line exit
  (Engineered products)             --         (.7)        --     (.7)
                                 ------      -----    ------    ------
Other non-recurring
 items                           $(8.0)      $13.6    $220.2    $11.6
                                 ======      =====    ======    ======

    (2) Other income (expense) for the quarter and six-month period
        ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, included the following pre-tax
        gains (losses):

                                   Quarter Ended      Six Months Ended
                                      June 30,            June 30,
                                 -----------------    ----------------
                                  2001        2000     2001      2000
                                 ------      -----    ------    ------
Mark-to-market gains
 (losses)                         $3.1       $(6.0)    $18.4     $8.4
Asbestos related
 charges                         (45.8)         --     (53.3)      --
Adjustment to
 environmental
 liabilities                      (8.0)         --      (8.0)      --
MetalSpectrum investment
 write-off                        (2.8)         --      (2.8)      --
Other, net                         1.8         (.5)      1.3     (4.8)
                                 ------      -----    ------    ------
Other - net                     $(51.7)      $(6.5)   $(44.4)    $3.6
                                 ======      =====    ======    ======

    (3) Earnings (loss) per share for the quarter and six-month period
        ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, excluding material special items
        is recapped as follows:

                                 Quarter Ended    Six Months Ended
                                    June 30,         June 30,
                                 -------------    -----------------
                                  2001    2000     2001    2000
                                  -----   ----    -----    ----
Earnings (loss) per
 share, as reported               $(.80)  $.14     $.70    $.29
Less material
 special (gains)
 losses:
 Net (gains) losses
  on power sales                    .04   (.12)   (1.70)   (.12)
 Excess overhead
  and other fixed
  costs associated
  with curtailed
  Northwest smelting
  operations                        .03    --       .08     --
 Mark-to-market
  (gains) losses                   (.02)   .05     (.14)   (.06)
 Asbestos-related
  charges                           .35    --       .41     --
 Adjustment to
  environmental
  liabilities                       .06    --       .06     --
Abnormal Gramercy
 start-up costs                     .17    --       .31     --
Additional Gramercy
 business interruption
 ("BI") recoveries                 (.12)   --      (.12)    --
MetalSpectrum
 investment
 write-off                          .02    --       .02     --
Restructuring and
 impairment charges                 .02    .01      .02     .02
                                  -----   ----    -----    ----
                                  $(.25)  $.08    $(.36)   $.13
                                  =====   ====    =====    ====

    The foregoing is for information purposes only and is not intended
to be a surrogate for basic or diluted earnings per share in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

    (4) The following presents the Company's estimate of its recurring
        EBITDA (at current economics) for the quarter and six-month
        period ended June 30, 2001:

                           Quarter      Six-months
                         ----------    -----------
EBITDA (excluding
 other non-recurring
 items)                    $2.6          $11.1
Remove special
 costs
 (benefits) --
  Excess overhead
   and other fixed
   costs associated
   with curtailed
   Northwest smelting
   operations               4.5           10.5
  Abnormal Gramercy
   start-up costs          22.0           41.0
  Additional Gramercy
   B.I. recoveries        (15.2)         (15.2)
                          -----          -----
Adjusted EBITDA at
 current economics        $13.9          $47.4
                          =====           =====

    The foregoing is for information purposes only and is not intended
to be a surrogate for cash flow from operations, net income or any
other measure of performance in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

         KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

            SELECTED OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                             (Unaudited)
         (In millions of dollars, except shipments and prices)

                          Quarter Ended           Six Months Ended
                             June 30,                 June 30,
                         ------------------     ---------------------
                          2001       2000         2001        2000
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
Shipments:
(000 metric tons)
 Alumina (1)
  Third Party             664.9      538.9      1,328.9        976.4
  Intersegment             51.9      156.7        234.8        434.3
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
   Total
    Alumina               716.8      695.6      1,563.7      1,410.7
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
Primary
 Aluminum (2)
  Third party              62.8       86.1        126.7        165.5
  Intersegment               .5       37.5          2.0         85.4
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
   Total Primary
    Aluminum               63.3      123.6        128.7        250.9
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
Flat-Rolled
 Products (2)              17.8       39.0         42.8         90.8
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
Engineered
 Products (2)              31.3       44.3         64.2         91.6
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
Average realized
 third-party sales
 price:
  Alumina
   (per ton)               $190       $208         $192         $213
  Primary
   aluminum
   (per pound)             $.69       $.71         $.71         $.75
Net Sales
Bauxite and
 Alumina
 Third Party
  (including net
  sales of
  bauxite)               $132.7     $122.2       $270.3       $229.8
 Intersegment               9.9       29.5         45.9         86.3
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
  Total Bauxite
   and Alumina            142.6      151.7        316.2        316.1
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
Primary
 Aluminum (2)
  Third party              96.1      135.3        199.1        273.3
  Intersegment               .8       57.5          3.3        139.6
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
   Total Primary
    Aluminum               96.9      192.8        202.4        412.9
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
Flat-Rolled
 Products                  76.9      125.4        172.8        283.3
Engineered
 Products                 115.9      148.7        236.5        312.4
Commodities
 Marketing                 (1.0)      (4.1)        (3.6)       (20.2)
Minority
 Interests                 26.2       25.3         52.0         49.9
Eliminations              (10.7)     (87.0)       (49.2)      (225.9)
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
 Total Net
  Sales                  $446.8     $552.8       $927.1     $1,128.5
                         =======    =======     ========    =========
Operating
 Income
 (Loss):
  Bauxite and
   Alumina (3)            $(6.0)     $16.2       $(12.8)       $43.7
  Primary
   Aluminum                 3.9       22.7          8.4         64.7
  Flat-Rolled
   Products                 3.1        7.2          6.3         10.3
  Engineered
   Products                 2.4       12.6          5.1         25.9
  Commodities
   Marketing               (7.0)      (6.8)        (9.0)       (34.4)
  Eliminations              1.7        1.2          5.5         (2.9)
  Corporate and
   Other                  (17.7)     (15.2)       (35.9)       (30.5)
Other Non-Recurring
 Operating
 Items (4)                 (8.0)      13.6        220.2         11.6
                         -------    -------     --------    ---------
  Total Operating
   Income (Loss)         $(27.6)     $51.5       $187.8        $88.4
                         =======    =======     ========    =========
Net Income
 (Loss)                  $(64.1)     $11.0        $55.5        $22.7
                         =======    =======     ========    =========
Capital
 Expenditures             $42.8      $69.1        $86.8        $85.8
                         =======    =======     ========    =========

    (1) Net sales for the quarter and six-month period ended June 30,
        2001, included approximately 26,400 tons and 66,100 tons of
        alumina purchased from third parties. Net sales for the
        quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2000 included
        approximately 83,000 tons and 199,000 tons of alumina
        purchased from third parties.

    (2) Beginning in the first quarter of 2001, the Flat-rolled
        products business unit began purchasing its own primary
        aluminum rather than relying on the Primary aluminum business
        unit to supply its aluminum requirements thru production or
        third party purchases. The Engineered products business unit
        was already responsible for purchasing the majority of its
        primary aluminum requirements. During the quarter and
        six-month period ended June 30, 2001, the Primary aluminum
        business unit purchased approximately 6,600 tons and 23,800
        tons of primary aluminum from third parties to meet existing
        third party commitments.

    (3) During the quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2001
        approximately $22.0 and $41.0, respectively, of abnormal
        Gramercy start-up costs were incurred. Operating income (loss)
        for both the quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2001,
        also included additional accrued business interruption
        recoveries related to the Gramercy facility of $15.2 based on
        a recent agreement with KACC's insurers. Depreciation was
        suspended for the Gramercy facility during the six months of
        2000 as a result of the July 1999 incident. Depreciation
        expense for the Gramercy facility for the first six months of
        1999 was $6.0.

    (4) Results for the quarter and six-month period ended June 30,
        2001 and 2000, included significant non-recurring operating
        items. See Note 1 to Statements of Consolidated Income (loss).

         KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (In millions of dollars)

                                  June 30,     Dec. 31,
                                   2001          2000
                                  --------     --------
  Assets                         (Unaudited)

Current assets (1)                  $903.7     $1,012.1
Investments in and
 advances to
 unconsolidated
 affiliates                           74.2         77.8
Property, plant
 and equipment - net               1,219.1      1,176.1
Deferred income taxes                446.3        454.2
Other assets                         699.5        622.9
                                  --------     --------
     Total                        $3,342.8     $3,343.1
                                  ========     ========

  Liabilities &  Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities (2)             $882.8       $841.4
Long-term liabilities                870.1        703.7
Accrued postretirement
 medical benefit obligation          647.6        656.9
Long-term debt                       698.8        957.8
Minority interests                   113.9        101.1
Commitments and contingencies          --           --
Stockholders' equity                 129.6         82.2
                                  --------     --------
     Total                        $3,342.8     $3,343.1
                                  ========     ========

    (1) Includes Cash and cash equivalents of $65.6 and $23.4 at June
        30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, respectively.

    (2) Includes current portion of long-term debt of $224.5 and $31.6
        at June 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, respectively. There
        were no outstanding borrowings under KACC's Credit Agreement
        at June 30, 2001. Outstanding borrowings under KACC's Credit
        Agreement were $30.4 at December 31, 2000.