This Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") provides information that management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations ofCentury Aluminum Company and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto. This MD&A contains "forward-looking statements" - see "Forward-Looking Statements" above. Overview We are a global producer of primary aluminum with aluminum reduction facilities, or "smelters," inthe United States andIceland . The key determinants of our results of operations and cash flow from operations are as follows: •the price of primary aluminum, which is based on theLondon Metal Exchange ("LME") and other exchanges, plus any regional premiums and value-added product premiums; •the cost of goods sold, the principal components of which are electrical power, alumina, carbon products and labor, which in aggregate represent more than 75% of our cost of goods sold; and •our production volume. Recent Developments OnOctober 20, 2020 , we issued a notice to employees at our Mt. Holly,South Carolina aluminum smelter of our intent to curtail the Mt. Holly plant operations by no later thanDecember 31, 2020 , when our current power contracts at Mt. Holly expire, if we are unable to secure a competitively priced power arrangement to deliver energy to the plant. The announcement was made pursuant to the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. If a decision is made to curtail the Mt. Holly facility, we would be subject to various costs and it could cause us to write down the book value of the Mt. Holly facility. COVID-19 Update In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken a number of actions to protect the health and well-being of our employees and to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our operations. As a result, our plants have not experienced any disruption in operations as a result of the pandemic, and we continue to sell all of our metal essentially as it is cast. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the broader economy, however, resulted in decreased prices for our product. For example, the LME price for primary aluminum averaged$1,494 per tonne for the three months endedJune 30, 2020 and$1,592 per tonne for the six months endedJune 30, 2020 , as compared to an average of$1,792 for 2019. We have recently continued to see some improvement in the global economy resulting in an increase in the price for our product. For example, the LME price for primary aluminum averaged$1,706 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 and$1,803 per tonne forOctober 2020 . However, because we sell our product on a one- to three-month lag to current prices, our results reflect the LME price on this one to three month lag basis. Customer demand for value-added aluminum products and, in turn, the product premium we receive for such products, also have generally returned to first quarter levels after having been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have taken actions to mitigate the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including reducing discretionary spending, optimizing working capital and deferring non-essential capital projects. Decreases in the prices of our products have also been partially offset by decreases in the prices of our key cost inputs. The potential future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial performance is difficult to predict and will depend on future developments, and such effects could exist for an extended period of time. See Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for additional information on the potential risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of Operations The following discussion for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 reflects restart activity atHawesville and no change in production capacities at our other operating facilities. Our net sales are impacted primarily by the LME price for aluminum, regional and value-added premiums, and the volume and product mix of aluminum we ship during the period. In general, our results reflect the LME and regional premium pricing on an approximately one to three month lag basis reflecting contractual terms with our customers. Electrical power, alumina, carbon products and labor are the principal components of our cost of goods sold. In general, our results reflect the market cost of alumina on an approximately three-month lag reflecting the terms of our alumina contracts and inventory levels. 40 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in millions, except per share data) NET SALES: Related parties $ 235.8$ 282.3 $ 792.4$ 898.7 Other customers 157.1 155.7 423.6 502.5 Total net sales 392.9 438.0 1,216.0 1,401.2 Gross profit (loss) (27.1) (13.7) (35.3) (30.6) Net income (loss) (58.2) (20.7) (87.8) (76.0) EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE: Basic and Diluted $ (0.65)$ (0.23) $ (0.98)$ (0.86)
SHIPMENTS - PRIMARY ALUMINUM(1)
United States Iceland Total Net Sales (in Net Sales (in Net Sales (in Tonnes millions) Tonnes millions) Tonnes millions) 2020 3rd Quarter 118,835$ 221.8 84,187$ 138.4 203,022$ 360.2 2nd Quarter 130,645$ 246.6 79,664$ 145.9 210,309$ 392.5 1st Quarter 129,114$ 273.8 73,791$ 141.0 202,905$ 414.8 Total 378,594$ 742.2 237,642$ 425.3 616,236$ 1,167.5 2019 3rd Quarter 119,916$ 272.0 78,627$ 152.1 198,543$ 424.1 2nd Quarter 125,154$ 295.0 78,226$ 157.7 203,380$ 452.7 1st Quarter 130,043$ 313.3 76,408$ 159.3 206,451$ 472.6 Total 375,113 880.3 233,261 469.1 608,374 1,349.4 (1) Excludes scrap aluminum and alumina sales. Net sales (in millions) 2020 2019
Three months ended
Net sales (excluding alumina sales) decreased by$63.9 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , compared to the same period in 2019, primarily driven by unfavorable LME and regional premium price realizations of$65.1 million . Net sales decreased by$185.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, primarily driven by unfavorable LME and regional premium price realizations of$175.4 million . Gross profit (loss) (in millions) 2020 2019 Three months ended September 30,$ (27.1) $ (13.7) Nine months ended September 30,$ (35.3) $ (30.6) Gross loss increased by$13.4 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to unfavorable LME and regional premium price realizations of$65.1 million and unfavorable operating expenses of$8.9 million , partially offset by favorable raw material price realizations of$64.4 million . 41 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross loss for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 increased by$4.7 million compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to unfavorable LME and regional premium price realizations of$175.4 million and unfavorable operating expenses of$20.6 million , partially offset by favorable raw material and power price realizations of$192.7 million .
Selling, general and administrative expenses (in millions) 2020
2019
Three months ended September 30,$ 11.0 $ 11.6 Nine months ended September 30,$ 31.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 decreased by$6.5 million compared to the same period in 2019 primarily driven by a decrease in compensation costs. Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts (in millions) 2020
2019
Three months ended September 30,$ (9.4) $ 10.3 Nine months ended September 30, $
(1.9)
For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , net gain on forward and derivative contracts decreased by$19.7 million compared to that for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2019 . The period to period change is primarily due to increases in LME and MWP prices fromJune 30, 2020 toSeptember 30, 2020 , as compared to those fromJune 30, 2019 toSeptember 30, 2019 . For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , net gain on our forward and derivative contracts decreased by$12.6 million compared to that for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 . The decrease in gain relates to the impact of increases in LME and MWP prices. Income tax benefit (expense) (in millions) 2020 2019 Three months ended September 30,$ (0.3) $ 1.3 Nine months ended September 30,$ 1.6 $ 5.7 We have a valuation allowance against all of ourU.S. and certain foreign deferred tax assets. The period to period change is primarily due to the change in earnings at our foreign entities that are not subject to a valuation allowance. See Note 7. Income Taxes to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information. Liquidity and Capital Resources Liquidity Our principal sources of liquidity are available cash and cash flow from operations. We also have access to our existing revolving credit facilities and have raised capital in the past through public equity and debt markets. We regularly explore various other financing alternatives. Our principal uses of cash include the funding of operating costs (including post-retirement benefits), debt service requirements, capital expenditures, investments in our growth activities and in related businesses, working capital and other general corporate requirements. We believe that cash provided from operations and financing activities will be adequate to cover our operations and business needs over the next 12 months. As ofSeptember 30, 2020 , we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately$81.4 million and unused availability under our revolving credit facilities of$88.0 million , resulting in a total liquidity position of approximately$169.4 million . 42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adverse changes in the price of aluminum or our principal costs of production could materially impact our ability to generate and raise cash. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic could continue to impact the economy which may impact the price of our products as well as our ability to access capital and/or the terms under which we can do so. As noted above, we have taken preemptive action to preserve our liquidity and manage our cash flow. Such actions include reducing discretionary spending, optimizing working capital and deferring non-essential capital projects. To preserve liquidity in light of the uncertainty in the global markets due to COVID-19, inMarch 2020 , we drew down a total of$90.0 million under ourU.S. andIceland revolving credit facilities. In the third quarter, we repaid$40.0 million on ourU.S. revolving credit facility. As ofSeptember 30, 2020 , the remaining outstanding borrowings on theU.S. andIceland revolving credit facilities were$50.0 million . We also effectively extended the maturities of our principal debt obligations. OnJuly 1, 2020 , we issued$250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2025 Notes and used the proceeds, together with cash on hand, to purchase all 2021 Notes tendered in a tender offer and to redeem all 2021 Notes that were not tendered. In connection with the offering of the 2025 Notes, we also entered into Amendment No.1 to ourU.S. revolving credit facility extending the maturity date toMay 16, 2023 . As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and our operations is fluid and constantly evolving, we will continue to assess a variety of measures to improve our financial performance and liquidity. See Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year endedDecember 31, 2019 and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months endedMarch 31, 2020 for additional information. Available Cash Our available cash and cash equivalents balance atSeptember 30, 2020 was$81.4 million compared to$38.9 million atDecember 31, 2019 . Sources and Uses of Cash Our statements of cash flows are summarized below: Nine
months ended
2020 2019 (in millions) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 33.3$ (4.4) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (11.4) (29.4) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 23.5 17.4 Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $
45.4
The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by improvements in working capital. The improvements in working capital were primarily attributable to lower raw material prices, timing of raw material receipts and the timing of trade receivable collection. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to higher spending on capital projects during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 , driven by a higher level of capital investments in theHawesville restart project during that period, as compared to the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The increase in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to outstanding borrowings on ourU.S. revolving credit facility andIceland revolving credit facility atSeptember 30, 2020 compared toSeptember 30, 2019 , partially offset by payments on our Hawesville Term Loan. Borrowings on our revolving credit facilities are available, if needed, for working capital requirements, general corporate or other purposes. Availability Under Our Credit Facilities TheU.S. revolving credit facility, datedMay 2018 , provides for borrowings of up to$175.0 million in the aggregate including up to$110.0 million under a letter of credit sub-facility, and also includes an uncommitted accordion feature whereby borrowers may increase the capacity of theU.S. revolving credit facility by up to$50.0 million , subject to agreement with the lenders. TheU.S. revolving credit facility matures onMay 16, 2023 . Any letters of credit issued and outstanding under theU.S. revolving credit facility reduce our borrowing availability on a dollar-for-dollar basis. 43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have also entered into, through our wholly-owned subsidiary Nordural Grundartangi ehf ("Grundartangi"), a$50.0 million revolving credit facility, datedNovember 2013 , as amended. TheIceland revolving credit facility matures inNovember 2022 . The availability of funds under our credit facilities is limited by a specified borrowing base consisting of certain accounts receivable, inventory and qualified cash deposits which meet the lenders' eligibility criteria. Increases in the price of aluminum and/or restarts of previously curtailed operations, for example, increase our borrowing base by increasing our accounts receivable and inventory balances; decreases in the price of aluminum and/or curtailment of production capacity would decrease our borrowing base by reducing our accounts receivable and inventory balances. As ofSeptember 30, 2020 , ourU.S. revolving credit facility had a borrowing base of$124.6 million ,$5.0 million in borrowings and$36.6 million in letters of credit outstanding. Of the outstanding letters of credit,$15.7 million related to our domestic power commitments and the remainder secured certain debt and workers' compensation commitments. As ofSeptember 30, 2020 , ourIceland revolving credit facility had a borrowing base of$50.0 million and$45.0 million in borrowings. As ofSeptember 30, 2020 , our credit facilities had$88.0 million of net availability after consideration of our outstanding borrowings and letters of credit. We may borrow and make repayments under our credit facilities in the ordinary course based on a number of factors, including the timing of payments from our customers and payments to our suppliers. Our credit facilities contain customary covenants, including restrictions on mergers and acquisitions, indebtedness, affiliate transactions, liens, dividends and distributions, dispositions of collateral, investments and prepayments of indebtedness, including, a springing financial covenant that requires us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0 any time availability under theU.S. revolving credit facility is less than or equal to the lower of$17.5 million or 10% of the borrowing base but not less than$12.5 million . We intend to maintain availability to comply with these levels any time we would not meet the ratio, which could limit our ability to access the full amount of our availability under ourU.S revolving credit facility. OurIceland revolving credit facility also contains a covenant that requires Grundartangi to maintain a minimum equity ratio. As ofSeptember 30, 2020 , we were in compliance with all such covenants or maintained availability above such covenant triggers. Senior Secured Notes We have$250.0 million aggregate principal of senior secured notes that will mature inJune 2025 (the "2025 Notes"), unless earlier refinanced in accordance with their terms. Interest on the 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually onJanuary 1 andJuly 1 of each year, beginning onJanuary 1, 2021 , at a rate of (i) 10.00% per annum in cash and (ii) 2.00% per annum in the form of additional notes or in cash, at Century's option. The indenture governing the 2025 Notes contains customary covenants which may limit our ability, and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries, to: (i) incur additional debt; (ii) incur additional liens; (iii) pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock; (iv) purchase or redeem capital stock; (v) make investments or certain other restricted payments; (vi) sell assets; (vii) issue or sell stock of certain subsidiaries; (viii) enter into transactions with shareholders or affiliates; and (ix) effect a consolidation or merger. We applied the net proceeds from the offering of the 2025 Notes described above, together with cash on hand, toward payment of the total consideration amount to holders whose 2021 Notes were accepted and purchased in the tender offer and to fund the redemption of any remaining 2021 Notes. As a result, the Company's and the guarantors' obligations under the indenture governing the 2021 Notes have been fully discharged. Hawesville Term Loan OnApril 29, 2019 , we entered into a term loan agreement withGlencore Ltd. pursuant to which the Company borrowed$40.0 million (the "Hawesville Term Loan"). Borrowings under the Hawesville Term Loan were used to partially finance the second phase of theHawesville restart project. The Hawesville Term Loan matures onDecember 31, 2021 , and is to be repaid in twenty-four (24) equal monthly installments of principal that began onJanuary 31, 2020 . TheHawesville Term Loan bears interest, due monthly, at a floating rate equal to LIBOR plus 5.375% per annum. The Hawesville Term Loan is not secured by any collateral. Contingent Commitments We have a contingent obligation in connection with the "unwind" of a contractual arrangement betweenCentury Aluminum of Kentucky ("CAKY"), Big Rivers and a third party and the execution of a long-term cost-based power contract withKenergy , a member of a cooperative of Big Rivers inJuly 2009 . This contingent obligation consists of the aggregate payments made to Big Rivers by the third party on CAKY's behalf in excess of the agreed upon base amount under the long-term cost-based power contract withKenergy . As ofSeptember 30, 2020 , the principal and accrued interest for the contingent obligation was$26.3 million , which was fully offset by a derivative asset. We may be required to make installment payments for the contingent obligation in the future. These payments are contingent based on the LME price of primary aluminum and 44 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- the level ofHawesville's operations. Based on the LME forward market atSeptember 30, 2020 and management's estimate of the LME forward market beyond the quoted market period, we believe that we will not be required to make payments on the contingent obligation during the term of the agreement, which expires in 2028. There can be no assurance that circumstances will not change, thus accelerating the timing of such payments. Employee Benefit Plan Contributions In 2013, we entered into a settlement agreement with thePension Benefit Guarantee Corporation ("PBGC") regarding an alleged "cessation of operations" at our Ravenswood facility. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we will make additional contributions (above any minimum required contributions) to our defined benefit pension plans totaling approximately$17.4 million . Under certain circumstances, in periods of lower primary aluminum prices relative to our cost of operations, we are able to defer one or more of these payments, but would then be required to provide the PBGC with acceptable security for deferred payments. We did not make any contributions in the three month periods endedSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019. We have elected to defer certain payments under the PBGC agreement and have provided the PBGC with the appropriate security. The remaining contributions under this agreement are approximately$9.6 million . Section 232 Aluminum Tariff OnMarch 23, 2018 , theU.S. implemented a 10% tariff on imported primary aluminum products into theU.S. These tariffs are intended to protectU.S. national security by incentivizing the restart of primary aluminum production in theU.S. , reducing reliance on imports and ensuring that domestic producers, like Century, can supply all the aluminum necessary for critical industries and national defense. In addition to primary aluminum products, the tariffs also cover certain other semi-finished products. All imports that directly compete with our products are covered by the tariff, with the exception of imports fromAustralia ,Argentina ,Canada andMexico or imports that receive a product exclusion from theDepartment of Commerce . Other Items InMarch 2018 , we announced our intention to return ourHawesville smelter, which since 2015 had been operating at approximately 40% capacity, to full production and upgrade its existing reduction technology. The first phase of the project, which involved the restart of the three potlines and approximately 150,000 tonnes of production capacity that had been curtailed in 2015, was successfully completed on budget and ahead of schedule in early 2019. The second phase of the project involves the rebuilding of the pots associated with the 100,000 tonnes of production from the two potlines that had continued to operate past their expected life cycle and the implementation of certain new technology across all production. These two potlines were taken out of production in February andSeptember 2019 , respectively. The rebuild of the first of these potlines was completed in the second quarter of 2020. With the restart of this potline, theHawesville smelter is currently operating at approximately 80% production capacity with total project costs to date of approximately$107.4 million . The rebuild of the fifth and final potline and the completion of the technology upgrades is expected to be completed over the next several years subject to market conditions. InMay 2018 , we temporarily curtailed one potline at ourSebree aluminum smelter due to an equipment failure.Sebree was returned to full capacity by the end of the third quarter of 2018. We expect that all losses arising from theSebree equipment failure will be covered under our insurance policies, less$7.0 million in deductibles. As ofSeptember 30, 2020 , we have received$19.1 million in insurance proceeds to offset against such losses. InNovember 2009 ,Century Aluminum ofWest Virginia ("CAWV") filed a class action complaint for declaratory judgment against the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial andService Workers International Union ("USW"), the USW's local and certain CAWV retirees, individually and as class representatives ("CAWV Retirees"), seeking a declaration of CAWV's rights to modify/terminate retiree medical benefits. Later inNovember 2009 , the USW and representatives of a retiree class filed a separate suit against CAWV,Century Aluminum Company , Century Aluminum Master Welfare Benefit Plan, and various John Does with respect to the foregoing. OnAugust 18, 2017 , theDistrict Court for the Southern District of West Virginia approved a settlement agreement in respect of these actions. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, CAWV agreed to make payments into a trust for the benefit of the CAWV Retirees in the aggregate amount of$23.0 million over the course of ten years. Upon approval of the settlement, we paid$5.0 million to the aforementioned trust inSeptember 2017 and agreed to pay the remaining amounts under the settlement agreement in annual increments of$2.0 million for nine years. AtSeptember 30, 2020 , we had$2.0 million in other current liabilities and$7.3 million in other liabilities related to this agreement. We are a defendant in several actions relating to various aspects of our business. While it is impossible to predict the ultimate disposition of any litigation, we do not believe that any of these lawsuits, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. See Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information. 45 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Resources We intend to finance our future capital expenditures from available cash, cash flow from operations and if necessary, borrowing under our existing revolving credit facilities. For major investment projects we would likely seek financing from various capital and loan markets, and may potentially pursue the formation of strategic alliances. We may be unable, however, to issue additional debt or equity securities, or enter into other financing arrangements on attractive terms, or at all, due to a number of factors including a lack of demand, unfavorable pricing, poor economic conditions, unfavorable interest rates, or our financial condition or credit rating at the time. Future uncertainty in theU.S. and international markets and economies may adversely affect our liquidity, our ability to access the debt or capital markets and our financial condition. Capital expenditures incurred for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 were$7.2 million , excluding expenditures of$4.7 million associated with the restart project atHawesville . We estimate our total capital spending in 2020, excluding theHawesville restart project, will be approximately$10.0 million related to ongoing investment projects at our plants. 46
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