ACG6175 – Final Examination

ACG6175 – Final Examination

ACG6175 – Final Examination

Name ___________________________________________________

Panther ID ______________________________________________








Score:

Question:

1 	 / 4

2 	 / 4

3 	 / 4

4 	 / 4

5 	 / 4

Total 		 / 20 
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)—01/09/2008
Alcoa (NYSE: AA) today announced it achieved record results in revenues, income from continuing operations and cash from operations for the full year 2007. Revenues for 2007 were $30.7 billion, compared to $30.4 billion in 2006. Annual income from continuing operations rose to $2.6 billion, or $2.95 per diluted share, for 2007, a 19 percent increase compared to $2.2 billion, or $2.47, in 2006. And, cash from operations for 2007 increased 21 percent to more than $3.1 billion from $2.6 billion in 2006.

“For the second year in a row, Alcoa has achieved company all-time records in revenues, income from continuing operations and cash generation,” said Alain Belda, Alcoa Chairman and CEO. “We battled substantially higher material input and energy costs, and currency impacts while simultaneously continuing to execute on the largest capital investment program in our history.

“We have invested in new plants, expanded production at others, modernized operations, renegotiated long-term power agreements, and built new energy facilities to extend our energy access at competitive rates, while also continuing to invest in growth markets such as Brazil, China and Russia,” Belda said.

"These actions, combined with portfolio and cash flow management, our share repurchase program, conservative leverage, and our commitment to sustainability delivered results now, and will continue to generate quality profitable growth for decades,” added Belda. “In 2007, Alcoans delivered yet again. This is what builds a stronger Company for our stakeholders.”

Fourth quarter income from continuing operations was $624 million, or $0.74. Included in the results are a favorable restructuring adjustment and a tax benefit totaling $323 million or $0.38 per share, almost all of which stems from the recent agreement to sell the packaging and consumer businesses. Income from continuing operations in the 2006 fourth quarter was $258 million, or $0.29, and $558 million, or $0.64, in the third quarter 2007.

Net income for the fourth quarter 2007 was $632 million, or $0.75, which includes the restructuring adjustment and the benefit from the agreement to sell the packaging and consumer business. Net income for the fourth quarter 2006 was $359 million, or $0.41, and $555 million, or $0.63, in the 2007 third quarter.

Revenues for the 2007 fourth quarter were $7.4 billion, compared to $7.8 billion a year ago as a result of lower LME prices and the exclusion of results from the soft alloy extrusion business which is now part of a joint venture. The soft alloy extrusion business had revenues of approximately $560 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.
________________________________________
LME = LONDON METAL EXCHANGE. Prices for aluminum, copper and nickel, unlike steel, are set by contracts traded on commodity exchanges such as the London Metal Exchange and the New York Mercantile Exchange. ________________________________________
Cash Generation, ROC, and Growth

Cash from operations in the fourth quarter 2007 was $643 million, bringing full-year cash from operations to more than $3.1 billion, compared to $2.6 billion in 2006 and helping to keep the Company’s debt-to-capital ratio within its targeted range at 30.2 percent.

The Company’s trailing 12-month return on capital (ROC) was 16.1 percent, excluding investments in growth projects. Including investments in growth projects, ROC stands at 12.7 percent, well above the cost of capital.

In 2007, the Company completed major growth projects, including its first greenfield smelter in 20 years in Iceland, a new anode plant in Mosjoen, Norway, and its third flat-rolled products facility in China (Kunshan). In addition, major progress was made on several other growth projects including the Juruti bauxite mine, the expansion of the Bohai rolling mill in China, and expansion of the Sao Luis alumina refinery.

The Company made significant progress to extend the life of existing facilities through renegotiating long-term power agreements including those in Massena, NY and Wenatchee, WA in 2007. The Company also continued investments in Brazil including the Serra do Facao hydroelectric project to further increase its self-sufficiency there.

The Company is now operating primary aluminum production at a run rate of approximately four million metric tons per year.

The Company made major progress in 2007 on its portfolio management plan. During the year, the Company reached agreement to sell its packaging and consumer businesses; divested the automotive castings business; monetized its stake in Chalco to enable redeployment of capital into other value-adding options, including projects in China; and formed a joint venture with Sapa for its soft alloy extrusion business.

In 2007, Alcoa also increased its share repurchase program from 10 percent to 25 percent of outstanding shares and increased its dividend by 13 percent during the year. Through the end of the fourth quarter the Company has repurchased 68 million shares, or approximately eight percent of shares outstanding, as part of its share repurchase program, leaving approximately 150 million shares, or 18 percent of shares outstanding, remaining within the authorization.

Segment and Other Results
 ________________________________________

NOTE: All comparisons are on a sequential quarter basis, unless noted. ATOI = “AFTER TAX OPERATING INCOME.” ATOI is similar to Net Operating Profit After Tax, or NOPAT. 
 ________________________________________

Alumina –After-tax operating income (ATOI) was $205 million, a decrease of $10 million, or five percent, from the prior quarter. System production increased by a net of 80 kmt as Suralco, San Ciprian and Pinjarra set quarterly production records and Jamalco continued its recovery from Hurricane Dean. However, higher freight and energy costs and unfavorable currency offset production gains.

Primary Metals -- ATOI was $196 million, down $87 million, or 31 percent, compared to the prior quarter. The majority of the decrease resulted from lower LME prices and unfavorable currency. These items were partially offset by the recovery at the Rockdale and Tennessee smelters and a three percent production increase. The company purchased approximately 55 kmt of primary metal for internal use.

Flat-Rolled Products –ATOI was a loss of $16 million for the quarter, down $77 million from the prior quarter. Weak performance in Russia and China accounted for 50 percent of the ATOI decline in the quarter. For Russia specifically, the increased loss was due to higher operational and energy costs and unfavorable currency. The remaining decline in the segment’s ATOI is mostly due to general market weakness in the U.S. and Europe flat-rolled businesses, weaker product mix, and de-stocking by aerospace customers. Finally, results for the Australian flat-rolled business declined following restructuring last quarter that is designed to reduce headcount and simplify product mix. In addition, the weakening U.S. dollar has had a negative impact in this business.

Extruded and End Products –ATOI was $16 million, up $3 million, or 23 percent, from the prior quarter. Market and operating conditions were comparable to the prior quarter with margin improvements accounting for the increase.

Engineered Solutions –ATOI was $58 million or essentially flat to the prior quarter ATOI of $60 million. Improvements from the wire harness business restructuring offset the weaker market conditions in forgings and investment castings. On a year over year basis, the Fastening Systems and Power & Propulsion (Howmet) businesses had outstanding years with ATOI up 36 percent and 47 percent, respectively.

Packaging & Consumer -- ATOI was $56 million, up $20 million, or 56 percent, from the prior quarter. The normal seasonal decrease in the closures business was offset by seasonal improvements in the consumer products business. With the pending sale, depreciation was ceased in the segment leading to a positive impact of approximately $20 million.

________________________________________
Recent Earnings Forecasts:

Qtr.4 2007	Qtr.3 2007	Qtr.2 2007	Qtr.1 2007 
Estimate 	0.33 		0.65 		0.81 		0.76 
Actual 	0.36 		0.64		0.81		0.79
________________________________________
 
Alcoa and subsidiaries
Statement of Consolidated Income (unaudited), continued
(in millions, except per-share, share, and metric ton amounts)
	Year ended
	December 31,
	2006	  	2007
Sales 	$ 	30,379 			$ 	30,748 	
			  
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of expenses below) 		23,318 				24,248 	
Selling, general administrative, and other expenses 		1,402 				1,472 	
Research and development expenses 		213 				249 	
Provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization 		1,280 				1,268 	
Goodwill impairment charge 		–				133 	
Restructuring and other charges 		543 				399 	
Interest expense 		384 				401 	
Other income, net 	  	(193)			  	(1,913)	
Total costs and expenses 		26,947 				26,257 	
			  
Income from continuing operations before taxes on income 		3,432 				4,491 	
Provision for taxes on income 	  	835	  		  	1,555	  
Income from continuing operations before minority interests’ share 		2,597 				2,936 	
Less: Minority interests’ share 	  	436	  		  	365	  
			  
Income from continuing operations 		2,161 				2,571 	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 	  	87	  		  	(7)	
			  
NET INCOME 	$	2,248	  		$	2,564	  
			  
Earnings (loss) per common share: 			
Basic: 			
Income from continuing operations 	$ 	2.49 			$ 	2.98 	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 	  	.10	  		  	–	  
Net income 	$	2.59	  		$	2.98	  
			
	2006		  2007
Average number of shares used to compute: 			
Basic earnings per common share 		868,819,955 				860,771,021 	
Common stock outstanding at the end of the period 		867,739,544 				827,401,800 	
			  
Shipments of aluminum products (metric tons) 		5,545,000 				5,393,000 	
Alcoa and subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheet (a = unaudited) - in millions
  		December 31, 2006 (a)		December 31, 2007
ASSETS 				
Current assets: 				
Cash and cash equivalents 		$ 	506 			$ 	483 	
Receivables from customers, less allowances of $68 in 2006 and $72 in 2007 			2,788 				2,602 	
Other receivables 			301 				451 	
Inventories 			3,380 				3,326 	
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 		  	1,378	  		  	1,224	  
Total current assets 		  	8,353	  		  	8,086	  
				  
Properties, plants, and equipment 			27,689 				31,601 	
Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization 		  	13,682	  		  	14,722	  
Properties, plants, and equipment, net 		  	14,007	  		  	16,879	  
Goodwill 			4,885 				4,806 	
Investments 			1,718 				2,038 	
Other assets 			3,939 				4,046 	
Assets held for sale 		  	4,281	  		  	2,948	  
Total assets 		$	37,183	  		$	38,803	  
				  
LIABILITIES 				
Current liabilities: 				
Short-term borrowings 		$ 	462 			$ 	569 	
Commercial paper 			340 				856 	
Accounts payable, trade 			2,407 				2,787 	
Accrued compensation and retirement costs 			949 				943 	
Taxes, including taxes on income 			851 				644 	
Other current liabilities 			1,360 				1,165 	
Long-term debt due within one year 		  	510	  		  	202	  
Total current liabilities 		  	6,879	  		  	7,166	  
Commercial paper 			1,132 				–	
Long-term debt, less amount due within one year 			4,777 				6,371 	
Accrued pension benefits 			1,540 				1,098 	
Accrued postretirement benefits 			2,956 				2,753 	
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits 			2,002 				1,943 	
Deferred income taxes 			762 				545 	
Liabilities of operations held for sale 		  	704	  		  	451	  
Total liabilities 		  	20,752	  		  	20,327	  
				  
MINORITY INTERESTS 		  	1,800	  		  	2,460	  
				  
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 				
Preferred stock 			55 				55 	
Common stock 			925 				925 	
Additional capital 			5,817 				5,774 	
Retained earnings 			11,066 				13,039 	
Treasury stock, at cost 			(1,999) 				(3,440)	
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 		  	(1,233)			  	(337)	
Total shareholders' equity 		  	14,631	  		  	16,016	  
Total liabilities and equity 		$	37,183	  		$	38,803	  
(a) The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2006 has been reclassified to reflect the movement of the automotive castings and packaging and consumer businesses to held for sale in the third quarter of 2007. 

Alcoa and subsidiaries - Segment Information (unaudited) - dollars in millions, except realized prices; production and shipments in thousands of metric tons [kmt])
		  		  		  		  		  		  	
	4Q06		2006		1Q07		2Q07		3Q07		4Q07		2007
Alumina:													
Production (kmt) 		3,790 				15,128 				3,655 			3,799 			3,775 				3,855 				15,084 
Third-party alumina shipments (kmt) 		2,084 				8,420 				1,877 			1,990 			1,937 				2,030 				7,834 
Third-party sales 	$ 	711 			$ 	2,785 			$ 	645 		$ 	712 		$ 	664 			$ 	688 			$ 	2,709 
Intersegment sales 	$ 	550 			$ 	2,144 			$ 	579 		$ 	587 		$ 	631 			$ 	651 			$ 	2,448 
Equity income (loss) 	$ 	1 			$ 	(2 )			$ 	1 		$ 	–		$ 	(1 )			$ 	1 			$ 	1 
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 	$ 	56 			$ 	192 			$ 	56 		$ 	62 		$ 	76 			$ 	73 			$ 	267 
Income taxes 	$ 	115 			$ 	428 			$ 	100 		$ 	102 		$ 	89 			$ 	49 			$ 	340 
After-tax operating income (ATOI) 	$ 	259 	  	  	$ 	1,050 	  	  	$ 	260 	  	$ 	276 	  	$ 	215 	  	  	$ 	205 	  	  	$ 	956 
													  
Primary Metals:													
Aluminum (kmt) 		908 				3,552 				899 			901 			934 				959 				3,693 
Third-party aluminum shipments (kmt) 		556 				2,087 				518 			565 			584 				624 				2,291 
Average realized price per kmt of aluminum 	$ 	2,766 			$ 	2,665 			$ 	2,902 		$ 	2,879 		$ 	2,734 			$ 	2,646 			$ 	2,784 
		4Q06				2006				1Q07			2Q07			3Q07				4Q07				2007
Third-party sales 	$ 	1,698 			$ 	6,171 			$ 	1,633 		$ 	1,746 		$ 	1,600 			$ 	1,597 			$ 	6,576 
Intersegment sales 	$ 	1,524 			$ 	6,208 			$ 	1,477 		$ 	1,283 		$ 	1,171 			$ 	1,063 			$ 	4,994 
Equity income 	$ 	18 			$ 	82 			$ 	22 		$ 	18 		$ 	11 			$ 	6 			$ 	57 
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 	$ 	97 			$ 	395 			$ 	95 		$ 	102 		$ 	102 			$ 	111 			$ 	410 
Income taxes 	$ 	180 			$ 	726 			$ 	214 		$ 	196 		$ 	80 			$ 	52 			$ 	542 
ATOI 	$ 	480 	  	  	$ 	1,760 	  	  	$ 	504 	  	$ 	462 	  	$ 	283 	  	  	$ 	196 	  	  	$ 	1,445 
													  
													
Flat-Rolled Products:													
Third-party aluminum shipments (kmt) 		564 				2,273 				568 			583 			602 				574 				2,327 
Third-party sales 	$ 	2,127 			$ 	8,297 			$ 	2,275 		$ 	2,344 		$ 	2,309 			$ 	2,243 			$ 	9,171 
Intersegment sales 	$ 	66 			$ 	246 			$ 	60 		$ 	63 		$ 	59 			$ 	59 			$ 	241 
Equity loss 	$ 	(1) 			$ 	(2 )			$ 	–		$ 	–		$ 	–			$ 	–			$ 	–
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 	$ 	55 			$ 	219 			$ 	55 		$ 	55 		$ 	58 			$ 	55 			$ 	223 
Income taxes 	$ 	(2)			$ 	68 			$ 	26 		$ 	33 		$ 	31 			$ 	5 			$ 	95 
ATOI 	$ 	62 	  	  	$ 	255 	  	  	$ 	62 	  	$ 	93 	  	$ 	61 	  	  	$ 	(16 )		  	$ 	200 
													  
													
Extruded and End Products:													
Third-party aluminum shipments (kmt) 		203 				877 				213 			146 			78 				69 				506 
Third-party sales 	$ 	1,070 			$ 	4,419 			$ 	1,175 		$ 	965 		$ 	563 			$ 	543 			$ 	3,246 
Intersegment sales 	$ 	25 			$ 	99 			$ 	42 		$ 	26 		$ 	13 			$ 	7 			$ 	88 
Equity income (loss) 	$ 	–			$ 	–			$ 	–		$ 	9 		$ 	(2 	) 		$ 	7 			$ 	14 
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 	$ 	31 			$ 	118 			$ 	9 		$ 	10 		$ 	11 			$ 	9 			$ 	39 
Income taxes 	$ 	2 			$ 	18 			$ 	11 		$ 	29 		$ 	5 			$ 	9 			$ 	54 
ATOI 	$ 	27 	  	  	$ 	60 	  	  	$ 	34 	  	$ 	46 	  	$ 	13 	  	  	$ 	16 	  	  	$ 	109 
													  
													
													
	4Q06		2006		1Q07		2Q07		3Q07		4Q07		2007
Engineered Solutions:													
Third-party aluminum shipments (kmt) 		30 				139 				31 			30 			27 				24 				112 
Third-party sales 	$ 	1,346 			$ 	5,456 			$ 	1,449 		$ 	1,478 		$ 	1,407 			$ 	1,391 			$ 	5,725 
Equity loss 	$ 	(5 )			$ 	(4 )			$ 	–		$ 	–		$ 	–			$ 	–			$ 	–
Dep, depl, & amort	$ 	44 			$ 	169 			$ 	41 		$ 	42 		$ 	46 			$ 	43 			$ 	172 
Income taxes 	$ 	(15) 			$ 	101 			$ 	44 		$ 	47 		$ 	38 			$ 	11 			$ 	140 
ATOI 	$ 	73 	  	  	$ 	331 	  	  	$ 	93 	  	$ 	105 	  	$ 	60 	  	  	$ 	58 	  	  	$ 	316 
													  
Packaging and Consumer:													
Third-party aluminum shipments (kmt) 		46 				169 				35 			40 			37 				45 				157 
Third-party sales 	$ 	837 			$ 	3,235 			$ 	736 		$ 	837 		$ 	828 			$ 	887 			$ 	3,288 
Equity income 	$ 	1 			$ 	1 			$ 	–		$ 	–		$ 	–			$ 	–			$ 	–
Dep, depl, & amort	$ 	32 			$ 	124 			$ 	30 		$ 	30 		$ 	29 			$ 	–			$ 	89 
Income taxes 	$ 	11 			$ 	33 			$ 	7 		$ 	17 		$ 	17 			$ 	27 			$ 	68 
ATOI 	$ 	26 	  	  	$ 	95 	  	  	$ 	19 	  	$ 	37 	  	$ 	36 	  	  	$ 	56 	  	  	$ 	148 
		  		  		  		  		  		  	
Reconciliation of ATOI to consolidated net income:	4Q06		2006		1Q07		2Q07		3Q07		4Q07		2007
Total segment ATOI 	$ 	927 			$ 	3,551 			$ 	972 			$ 	1,019 			$ 	668 			$ 	515 			$ 	3,174 	
Unallocated amounts (net of tax): 													
Impact of LIFO 		(66 )				(170 	) 			(27)				(16) 				10 				9 				(24) 	
Interest income 		14 				58 				11 				9 				10 				10 				40 	
Interest expense 		(61 )				(250 	) 			(54) 				(56) 				(98) 				(53) 				(261) 	
Minority interests 		(98 )				(436 	) 			(115 	) 			(110) 				(76) 				(64) 				(365) 	 
Corporate expense 		(82 )				(317 	) 			(86) 				(101) 				(101 	) 			(100 	) 			(388) 	
Restructuring and other charges 		(386 	) 			(379 	) 			(18) 				21 				(311 	) 			1 				(307) 	 
Discontinued operations 		101 				87 				(11) 				(1) 	 			(3) 				8 				(7) 	 
Other 	  	10 	  	  	  	104 	  	  	  	(10) 		  	  	(50) 		  	  	456 	  	  	  	306 	  	  	  	702 	  
Consolidated net income 	$ 	359 	  	  	$ 	2,248 	  	  	$ 	662 	  	  	$ 	715 	  	  	$ 	555 	  	  	$ 	632 	  	  	$ 	2,564 	  
The difference between certain segment financial information totals and consolidated financial information is in Corporate. 
 
QUESTIONS:

1.) Decompose Alcoa’s ROE for 2006 and 2007. In what direction do you see the company’s performance moving? What other information would you like to see (be specific)?
 
2.) Alcoa's net income for the 3rd quarter of 2007 increased 86% over 3rd quarter results from 2006. Why then did the stock price drop 6% after the company announced those earnings?  
 
3.) Based on the data presented, what operating segments comprise 
Alcoa's business?  Based on the reconciliation of ATOI to Net Income, what can you say about the quality of Alcoa’s income? Be specific in your answer.
 
4.) How would you classify (from an economic perspective) the products sold by Alcoa? What external factors limit Alcoa’s flexibility in pricing those products?  Which segments of Alcoa's operations do you think are most directly impacted by this pricing limitation?
 
5.) Given the pricing limitations on their products, on what basis does Alcoa 
compete?  Why might that make it difficult to compete with rising entities in 
diverse global locations, such as United Company Rusal, that that has access to low-cost hydropower in Russia?



REQUIRED: 
Compose your answers in Standard English.
Answer all parts of each question separately. 
Label each of your responses accordingly.
Provide and label the elements of any supporting calculations.
BE SPECIFIC!