10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2002

Howmet Aerospace Inc. Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2002

Filed April 26, 2002For Securities:HWM

Summary

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM), operating as Alcoa Inc. during this filing period, reported a significant decrease in net income for the first quarter of 2002 compared to the same period in 2001. Net income fell by 46% to $218 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, down from $404 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in Q1 2001. This decline was primarily driven by lower realized prices for alumina and aluminum, coupled with reduced shipment volumes and weak market conditions across most business segments. The company also experienced a 19% year-over-year decrease in sales, totaling $4.98 billion in the first quarter of 2002. A notable event impacting the financial results was the adoption of new accounting standards for goodwill and other intangible assets (SFAS No. 142), which resulted in a one-time cumulative effect adjustment of $34 million (or $0.04 per share) recognized as income in the first quarter of 2002. This standard also eliminated goodwill amortization, providing a positive impact of $44 million ($0.05 per share) compared to the prior year. Despite the earnings decline, the company continued its focus on cost reductions through initiatives like the Alcoa Business System.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income decreased by 46% to $218 million ($0.26/share) in Q1 2002 from $404 million ($0.46/share) in Q1 2001, primarily due to lower commodity prices and volumes.
  • 2Sales declined 19% to $4.98 billion in Q1 2002, impacted by lower shipments, reduced realized prices for key commodities, and divestitures.
  • 3Adoption of SFAS No. 142 resulted in a one-time $34 million income from the cumulative effect of accounting for goodwill and the cessation of goodwill amortization, which benefited Q1 2002 results by $44 million.
  • 4Operating income before tax was $329 million in Q1 2002, a substantial decrease from $747 million in Q1 2001, reflecting lower sales and operational impacts.
  • 5Cash from operations was $237 million in Q1 2002, down from $342 million in Q1 2001, largely due to lower net income and working capital management.
  • 6The company is proceeding with the acquisition of Ivex Packaging Corporation, announced in March 2002, for an approximate enterprise value of $790 million, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.
  • 7Despite market challenges, Alcoa continues to implement cost reduction programs, which partially offset the negative impacts of lower prices and volumes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver for the significant decrease in net income was the substantial decline in realized prices for key commodities like alumina and aluminum, coupled with lower shipment volumes and generally weak market conditions across most of Alcoa's business segments.

Alcoa adopted SFAS No. 142, 'Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,' effective January 1, 2002. This resulted in a one-time cumulative effect adjustment of $34 million recognized as income, primarily from the write-off of negative goodwill from prior acquisitions. Additionally, the standard eliminated goodwill amortization, which positively impacted net income by $44 million in Q1 2002 compared to Q1 2001, when amortization was still being expensed.

For Alumina and Chemicals, demand is expected to remain at current levels with slight price improvement. Primary Metals faces continued capacity curtailments. Flat-Rolled Products anticipate strong demand in the beverage can business but weak conditions for aerospace. Engineered Products expect continued weakness in aerospace but some improvement in automotive and commercial transportation. Packaging and Consumer segments anticipate seasonal upturns, while Latin American packaging businesses are expected to remain soft. The 'Other' segment anticipates depressed conditions in telecommunications.

In investing activities, Alcoa used $380 million in Q1 2002, a significant change from Q1 2001 which provided $1,430 million, largely due to $1,777 million in proceeds from asset divestitures in the prior year related to the Reynolds merger. Alcoa also entered into an agreement to acquire Ivex Packaging Corporation. In financing activities, $205 million was provided in Q1 2002, compared to $1,651 million used in Q1 2001. This difference is mainly due to reduced share repurchases, no dividend payments to minority interests in Q1 2002, and an increase in commercial paper borrowings in Q1 2002.