Century Aluminum reports $34.6 million loss for 2nd quarter

Century Aluminum Company reported a net loss of $34.6 million ($0.39 per basic and diluted share) for the second quarter of 2013. Financial results were positively impacted by a gain on bargain purchase of $2.0 million and power contract amortization of $2.7 million associated with the Sebree acquisition. Results were negatively impacted by a charge of $3.3 million for the early extinguishment of its 8.0% Sr. Notes; and a charge for severance and other expenses of $1.7 million related to the corporate headquarters relocation. Cost of sales for the quarter included a $10.2 million charge for lower of cost or market inventory adjustments.

A year ago, Century lost $12.3 million ($0.14 per basic and diluted share) in the second quarter.

Sales for the second quarter of 2013 were $331.9 million, compared with $323.6 million for the second quarter of 2012. Shipments of primary aluminum for the 2013 second quarter were 176,270 tonnes, compared with 160,828 tonnes shipped in the year-ago quarter.

For the first half of 2013, the company reported a net loss of $26.3 million ($0.30 per basic and diluted share). First half results were positively impacted by an unrealized gain of $16.1 million related to a LME-based contingent obligation, a gain on bargain purchase of $2.0 million and power contract amortization of $2.7 million. Results were negatively impacted by a charge of $3.3 million for the early extinguishment of our 8.0% Sr. Notes and a charge of $4.0 million for severance and other expenses related to our corporate headquarters relocation. Cost of sales for the first half included a $16.0 million charge for lower of cost or market inventory adjustments.

This result compares to a net loss of $16.7 million ($0.19 per basic and diluted share) for the first half of 2012. Results for the prior six-month period were negatively impacted by an unrealized net loss on forward contracts of $3.2 million primarily related to the mark to market of aluminum price protection options. Cost of sales for the first half included an $11.6 million benefit for lower of cost or market inventory adjustments.

Sales in the first six months of 2013 were $653.2 million compared with $649.8 million in the same period of 2012. Shipments of primary aluminum for the first six months of 2013 were 335,046 tonnes compared with 320,795 tonnes for the comparable 2012 period.