Alcoa(US:AA) HUAXI Securities·2025-04-20 13:03Investment Rating - The industry rating is "Recommended" [5] Core Insights - The report indicates that the company expects a negative impact of approximately $105 million on its primary aluminum business due to the 25% Section 232 tariffs imposed on Canadian aluminum imports, with a quarter-over-quarter increase of about $90 million [1] - The company anticipates an annual cost of $400 million to $425 million due to these tariffs, significantly affecting its profitability [1] - The Midwest aluminum premium has not reacted as strongly as the company had anticipated based on the 25% tariff expectations, leading to a current annual net profit of approximately -$100 million [6] Summary by Sections Company Overview - In Q2 2025, the company projects a $105 million adverse impact on its primary aluminum business due to tariffs, with a quarter-over-quarter increase of about $90 million [1] - The tariffs were raised from 10% to 25% in March 2025, eliminating exemptions for Canadian aluminum imports, which is critical as 70% of the aluminum produced in Canada is sold to U.S. customers [1] - The company expects to incur annual costs of $400 million to $425 million due to these tariffs, despite benefiting from higher premiums in the Midwest [1] Tariff Impact - The company is not significantly affected by tariffs on aluminum products and most input materials from Canada and Mexico due to compliance with the USMCA [2] - However, high reciprocal tariffs on alumina and other raw materials are expected to increase input costs by $10 million to $15 million annually due to a lack of suitable alternative suppliers [2] Market Dynamics - In 2024, the U.S. imported approximately 4.2 million tons of primary aluminum, with 70% (2.9 million tons) sourced from Canada [3] - Even if all idle smelters in the U.S. were restarted, there would still be a shortage of 3.6 million tons of aluminum, indicating a significant reliance on Canadian aluminum imports [3] - The company has the capability to adjust its global smelting mix and supply chains based on trade policies and economic conditions [3] Financial Projections - The company expects a total loss of $100 million for the year, factoring in the higher Midwest premium and the costs associated with tariffs [6] - The Midwest premium is currently lower than the company's expectations, attributed to market sentiment and pre-tariff inventory accumulation [6] - The company estimates that the reasonable Midwest premium under the 25% tariff should be between $880 and $990 [17]