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Alcoa Corp.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 16 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 lowered, 4 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue hit a quarterly record: Revenue rose to $3,966 million, a quarterly record, up 24 percent from $3,193 million in the first quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose on aluminum prices: Adjusted EBITDA excluding special items was $901 million, up $306 million, mainly from higher aluminum prices and shipments. Source
  • Aluminum output and shipments rose: Aluminum production rose 5 percent to 636,000 metric tons, and total shipments rose 18 percent, with restarts at San Ciprián, Alumar, Lista and Portland. Source
  • Alumina production fell at Pinjarra: Alumina production fell 6 percent to 2.2 million metric tons, mainly at the Pinjarra refinery, after instability from late March. Source
  • Alumina volume projections cut: Full-year 2026 alumina production and shipment projections were lowered to 9.5 to 9.6 and 11.5 to 11.6 million metric tons. Source
  • Cash from operations recovered: Cash provided from operations was $608 million, against $179 million used in the first quarter, and free cash flow was $422 million. Source
  • AliGroup acquisition agreed: Agreement signed June 30, 2026 for South32's interests in Australia, Brazil and South Africa, for about $4.1 billion upfront plus a contingent value right of up to $750 million. Source

“During the second quarter, in addition to delivering strong financial results that captured favorable aluminum prices, our team executed on strategic initiatives, most notably the announced agreement with South32,”

Alcoa President and CEO William F. Oplinger

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Alumina production Source2026 full year9.5 to 9.6 million metric tonsLowered from 9.7 to 9.9 million metric tons
Alumina shipments Source2026 full year11.5 to 11.6 million metric tonsLowered from 11.8 to 12.0 million metric tons
Aluminum production and shipments Source2026 full yearproduction 2.4 to 2.6 million metric tons; shipments 2.6 to 2.8 million metric tonsKept
Alumina segment Adjusted EBITDA Sourcethird quarter 2026sequential favorable impact of approximately $10 millionNew
Section 232 tariff costs on Canadian aluminum imports to the U.S. Sourcethird quarter 2026decrease of approximately $10 million sequentiallyNew
Alumina costs in the Aluminum segment Sourcethird quarter 2026unfavorable by approximately $10 million sequentiallyNew
Operational tax expense Sourcethird quarter 2026$80 million to $90 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Both 2026 alumina production and alumina shipment projections were reduced, mainly for Pinjarra refinery instability and Cyclone Narelle gas disruptions. Source
  • Guidance kept: 2026 Aluminum segment production and shipment projections were kept at the prior ranges. Source
  • New guidance: Third-quarter 2026 expectations were given for alumina and aluminum segment costs, Section 232 tariff costs and operational tax expense. Source
  • New: Definitive agreement signed on June 30, 2026 to acquire South32's bauxite, alumina and aluminum interests in Australia, Brazil and South Africa. Source
  • New: Final investment decision reached on a gallium production plant to be co-located at the Wagerup refinery in Australia. Source
  • New: A $65 million casthouse investment at the Mosjøen smelter in Norway was announced, adding recycled content to casting. Source
  • New: New collective bargaining agreements were ratified in Western Australia, at U.S. smelters and at the ABI smelter in Quebec. Source
  • Ended: The remaining $219 million of 6.125% notes due 2028 were redeemed on May 15, 2026, from cash on hand. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue hit a quarterly record: Revenue rose to $3,966 million, a quarterly record, up 24 percent from $3,193 million in the first quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose on aluminum prices: Adjusted EBITDA excluding special items was $901 million, up $306 million, mainly from higher aluminum prices and shipments. Source
  • Adjusted EPS reached $2.12: Adjusted net income was $562 million, or $2.12 per share, excluding net special items of $155 million, including a $123 million Ma’aden mark-to-market loss. Source
  • Mark-to-market items weighed on net income: Net income was $407 million, or $1.53 per share, against $425 million in the first quarter, reflecting mark-to-market changes, currency and energy effects. Source

Segments and production

  • Aluminum output and shipments rose: Aluminum production rose 5 percent to 636,000 metric tons, and total shipments rose 18 percent, with restarts at San Ciprián, Alumar, Lista and Portland. Source
  • Alumina production fell at Pinjarra: Alumina production fell 6 percent to 2.2 million metric tons, mainly at the Pinjarra refinery, after instability from late March. Source
  • Alumina volume projections cut: Full-year 2026 alumina production and shipment projections were lowered to 9.5 to 9.6 and 11.5 to 11.6 million metric tons. Source
  • Alumina shipments held flat: Third-party alumina shipments were flat at 1.6 million metric tons, as delayed Australian shipments were completed and offset lower trading and Pinjarra output. Source
  • Segment results split by business: Alumina segment Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $96 million, against a loss of $40 million in the first quarter. Source

“We continue to demonstrate operational excellence and positive momentum in our disciplined approach to maximize value creation.”

Alcoa President and CEO William F. Oplinger

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Aluminum realized price increased: The average realized third-party aluminum price rose to $4,752 per metric ton from $4,209 in the first quarter, lifting Aluminum segment revenue. Source
  • Alumina operating costs climbed: Alumina adjusted operating cost rose to $368 per metric ton from $334, with higher Pinjarra production costs and increased tariff costs on imported aluminum. Source
  • Energy costs rose on Middle East conflict: Higher fuel oil and diesel prices tied to the Middle East conflict, plus lower third-party energy sales, reduced Adjusted EBITDA this quarter. Source

Working capital and cash

  • Cash from operations recovered: Cash provided from operations was $608 million, against $179 million used in the first quarter, and free cash flow was $422 million. Source
  • Working capital days fell: Days working capital was 46, down 2 days, as inventory days decreased, partly offset by lower payables days, on higher sales. Source
  • Cash balance held near $1.4 billion: Cash ended at $1.4 billion after financing outflows of $353 million and investing outflows of $203 million, including $186 million of capital expenditures. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • Remaining 2028 notes redeemed: The company redeemed the remaining $219 million of 6.125% notes due 2028 at 100 percent of principal plus accrued interest, funded from cash on hand. Source
  • Dividends and net debt levels: Cash dividends on stock were $26 million in the quarter; net debt was $873 million and adjusted net debt $1,446 million at June 30, 2026. Source

Strategy and acquisitions

  • AliGroup acquisition agreed: Agreement signed June 30, 2026 for South32's interests in Australia, Brazil and South Africa, for about $4.1 billion upfront plus a contingent value right of up to $750 million. Source
  • Gallium plant investment decided: A final investment decision was reached on July 14, 2026 for a gallium plant at the Wagerup refinery, with Australian, Japanese and U.S. partners. Source
  • Mosjøen casthouse investment: A $65 million investment was announced on May 11, 2026 to add recycled content to casting at the Mosjøen smelter, with phased completion. Source

Labor agreements ratified

  • Western Australia agreement ratified: A four-year agreement covers about 1,400 employees across mining and refining in Western Australia. Source
  • U.S. smelter agreement ratified: A four-year agreement with the United Steelworkers covers about 1,000 employees at Warrick and Massena; a five-year ABI agreement in Quebec was ratified in May. Source

Third-quarter 2026 expectations

  • Alumina segment EBITDA expected up: Sequential favorable impact of about $10 million expected from recovered Pinjarra stability and lower energy prices, partly offset by Alumar and Juruti maintenance. Source
  • Aluminum segment cost items guided: Tariff costs on Canadian aluminum imports are expected to fall about $10 million, while Aluminum segment alumina costs are expected to rise about $10 million. Source
  • Operational tax expense range set: Third-quarter operational tax expense is expected at $80 million to $90 million, depending on market conditions and jurisdictional profitability. Source

Coming up, as management said on 16 July 2026

  • Mosjøen upgrade runs through 2028: Commissioning and ramp-up of the Mosjøen casthouse upgrade are scheduled to progress through 2028, in phases. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Alumina production Source2,218 thousand metric tons
Aluminum production Source636 thousand metric tons
Total aluminum shipments Source726 thousand metric tons
Third-party alumina shipments Source1,618 thousand metric tons
Average realized third-party price of aluminum Source$4,752 per metric ton

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Pinjarra refinery output was reduced by instability from late March, worsened by gas supply disruptions after Cyclone Narelle. Source
  • Financial: Results were affected by mark-to-market changes on Ma’aden shares and energy contracts, which moved sequentially in the quarter. Source
  • External: Higher fuel oil and diesel prices linked to the Middle East conflict raised energy costs in the quarter. Source
  • Regulatory: Section 232 tariff costs on Canadian aluminum imports are a cost item; they are expected to fall by about $10 million sequentially in the third quarter. Source
  • Financial: External costs tied to portfolio actions were recorded as special items, mainly related to the South32 agreement. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The first-quarter release expected shipment timing impacts to be realized in the second quarter; management states Australian delayed shipments were completed in the second quarter. Source
  • Met: The first-quarter release reported progress on the San Ciprián restart; management states restart completion on April 7, 2026. Source
  • Met: The first-quarter release announced notice to redeem the remaining 2028 notes in May 2026; management states the redemption occurred on May 15. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.