Kaiser Aluminum (NasdaqGS:KALU) Q3 2025 Earnings Call October 23, 2025 10:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsNeal West - EVP and CFOKeith Harvey - Chairman, President, and CEOKim Orlando - Senior Managing DirectorConference Call ParticipantsTimna Tanners - Managing Director and Senior Equity Research AnalystBill Peterson - Equity Research AnalystOperatorGreetings, and welcome to the Kaiser Aluminum Corporation third quarter 2025 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A ...

Kaiser Aluminum (NasdaqGS:KALU) Q3 2025 Earnings Call October 23, 2025 10:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsNeal West - EVP and CFOKeith Harvey - Chairman, President, and CEOKim Orlando - Senior Managing DirectorConference Call ParticipantsTimna Tanners - Managing Director and Senior Equity Research AnalystBill Peterson - Equity Research AnalystOperatorGreetings, and welcome to the Kaiser Aluminum Corporation Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a third-quarter EBITDA margin of 23%, with over 20% year-to-date, and raised its full-year EBITDA outlook by 10% [2][4][19] - Reported operating income for Q3 was $49 million, an increase of approximately $36 million from $13 million in the prior year quarter [9][10] - Adjusted net income for Q3 was $31 million, or $1.86 per diluted share, compared to $5 million, or $0.31 per diluted share in the prior year [11][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aerospace and high-strength conversion revenue totaled $100 million, down $28 million, or approximately 22%, primarily due to a 30% decline in shipments [7][8] - Packaging conversion revenue totaled $138 million, up $9 million, or approximately 7% year-over-year, despite a 5% decline in shipments [8][9] - General engineering conversion revenue for Q3 was $81 million, up $5 million, or 6% year-over-year, on a 7% increase in shipments [8][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Demand in aerospace is trending positively, with expectations for improved conditions as destocking eases [6][14] - Packaging supply remains tight, with strong demand expected to continue [6][14] - Automotive conversion revenue increased 10% year-over-year, despite a 5% decrease in shipments due to tariff-related uncertainties [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on managing costs, restoring operating efficiencies, and regaining best-in-class operating metrics [6][14] - Major investments in aerospace and packaging are expected to strengthen the company's market position [5][14] - The strategy includes shifting the majority of output to higher-margin coated products at the Warwick mill [5][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the recovery of aerospace shipments and conversion revenue, expecting a return to first-half levels in Q4 [22][23] - The outlook for packaging remains strong, with expectations for conversion revenue to increase by 12% to 15% year-over-year [15][16] - General engineering is expected to see continued growth, with shipments and conversion revenue anticipated to be up approximately 5% to 10% year-over-year [17][18] Other Important Information - The company had $577 million in total liquidity as of September 30, 2025, with a net debt leverage ratio improved to 3.6 times [12][13] - Capital expenditures for the full year 2025 are expected to be approximately $130 million, with free cash flow anticipated to be in the range of $30 to $50 million [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of planned maintenance on aerospace shipments - Management confirmed that the 30% decline in aerospace shipments was primarily due to planned maintenance, with expectations for recovery in Q4 [22][23] Question: Status of packaging contract negotiations - Management indicated progress in contract negotiations, expecting a 300 to 400 basis points increase in EBITDA margins [25][26] Question: Impact of tariffs on customer pricing and market share - Management stated that the impact of tariffs has been neutral to slightly positive, with better demand for domestic products [32][33] Question: Demand for packaging products amid cost inflation - Management noted strong demand for aluminum substrate products, particularly in food-related markets, which has held up well [37][38] Question: Ramp-up of new facilities in 2026 - Management indicated a gradual ramp-up of new facilities, with expectations for strong demand and operational readiness [39][40]

Kaiser Aluminum (NasdaqGS:KALU) Q3 2025 Earnings Call October 23, 2025 10:00 AM ET Speaker0Greetings, and welcome to the Kaiser Aluminum Corporation Third Quarter twenty twenty five Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode. A brief question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Kim Orlando with ADDO Investor Relations.Thank you. You may begin.Speaker1Tha ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total net sales for 2024 were just over $3 billion, with conversion revenue at $1.46 billion, a decrease of $10 million or 1% compared to 2023 [8][10] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $217 million, up approximately $7 million from 2023, with adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of conversion revenue improving by approximately 60 basis points to 14.9% [11][12] - Reported net income for 2024 was $47 million, or $2.87 per diluted share, consistent with 2023 [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aerospace and high strength conversion revenue totaled $530 million, down $4 million or approximately 1%, reflecting a 4% decline in shipments [9] - Packaging conversion revenue was $490 million, down $13 million or approximately 3%, with a 3% decline in shipments [9] - General engineering conversion revenue for 2024 was $313 million, up 3% year over year due to a 6% increase in shipments [9] - Automotive conversion revenue was $120 million, up 3% over 2023 despite a 3% decline in shipments [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The market backdrop in 2024 was complex and rapidly changing, with challenges in each end market, particularly in packaging [6][7] - The company expects market conditions to stabilize and become more favorable as it moves through 2025 [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on niche areas in served markets with significant barriers to entry, building strong competitive positions through product differentiation [16] - Investments are being made to upgrade facilities and expand capacity, particularly in the packaging and aerospace sectors [17][21][23] - The company anticipates a transformational year in 2025, driven by strategic investments and strong market positions [32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strength of customer contracts and the potential for increased demand in the second half of 2025 [41][42] - The company expects to see meaningful EBITDA and EBITDA margin uplift in the second half of 2025, with around 60% of full-year EBITDA expected to come in during that period [31][59] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $51 million to shareholders through dividend payments in 2024, marking the eighteenth consecutive year of dividends [15] - The company is assessing alternative inventory accounting methods and expects to provide an update prior to the release of first-quarter 2025 results [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the assumptions regarding scrap spreads and their impact on EBITDA? - The company modeled EBITDA improvement based on last year's performance, expecting 150 to 200 basis points of improvement from scrap spreads [35][36] Question: What is the outlook for the aerospace market and inventory levels? - Management expects build rates to increase with large OEM airframers, leading to a potential uptick in demand in the second half of the year [42] Question: What is the impact of pricing in the packaging segment? - The fourth quarter pricing decline was attributed to a mix impact, with strong demand anticipated for higher value-added products in the second half of the year [44][46] Question: What is the expected CapEx for 2025? - The company expects CapEx to be around $125 million for 2025, including finalizing investments in the RollCoat line and Trentwood expansion [61] Question: What is the status of NOLs and cash tax payments? - The company has utilized its NOLs and expects cash tax payments in 2025 to be in the range of $5 million to $7 million [62]