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Century Aluminum Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Sales increased on prices and production growth: Net sales increased $102.9 million sequentially to $752.1 million, driven by higher realized metal prices and increased production from Mt. Holly expansion and Grundartangi Line 2 restart during quarter. Source
  • Aluminum shipments rose 6.3 percent: Aluminum shipments increased to 130,632 tonnes from 122,865 tonnes in Q1, driven primarily by production from Mt. Holly expansion and recovery of Grundartangi Line 2 capacity. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA surged 41 percent sequentially: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Century increased $95.5 million to $326.9 million, up 41 percent from Q1 on favorable realized metal prices, sales mix, operating expenses and power realization. Source
  • Mt. Holly expansion fully completed: Completed restart of final 90 smelting pots at Mt. Holly facility, achieving full expansion project that was initiated in April 2026 and contributed to Q2 shipment growth. Source
  • Grundartangi Line 2 returned to near capacity: Returned Grundartangi Line 2 to near full production during Q2, recovering from equipment failure in October 2025 and contributing to significant sequential volume gains. Source
  • Equipment failure costs of $61.3 million: Equipment failures at Iceland in Q2 resulted in net charge of $61.3 million after tax, though offsetting insurance proceeds of $40.1 million provided partial recovery. Source
  • Metal prices and power remained favorable: Favorable realized LME and regional premium prices drove EBITDA expansion, with additional benefit from favorable power price realization due to improved weather conditions in United States. Source
  • Total liquidity strengthened to $784.9 million: Liquidity at June 30 comprised cash of $343.4 million, restricted cash of $44.8 million, and borrowing availability of $396.7 million, providing material financial flexibility. Source
  • Tax refund of $94.3 million received: Received 2025 45X tax credit refund of $94.3 million in July, providing significant cash inflow to strengthen balance sheet and capital availability. Source
  • Cash position now exceeds total debt: As of end of July, Century cash exceeded total debt level, demonstrating substantial improvement in balance sheet strength and financial flexibility. Source

“Net sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026 increased by $102.9 million sequentially primarily driven by an increase in realized metal prices and higher shipments”

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Century Sourcethird quarter 2026$325 million to $345 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Third quarter 2026 Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $325 to $345 million provided for first time, with midpoint of $335 million slightly above Q2 achieved level. Source
  • New: Completed restart of final 90 smelting pots at Mt. Holly facility, concluding production expansion initiative announced in Q1 2026. Source
  • New: Returned Grundartangi Line 2 to near full production in Q2, recovering significant capacity lost to October 2025 equipment failure. Source
  • New: New power generation turbine TG4 at Jamalco alumina refinery came online in August, expanding facility power generation capacity. Source
  • New: Received $94.3 million 2025 45X tax credit refund in July, providing material cash inflow to improve capital flexibility. Source

Results and Production Volumes

  • Sales increased on prices and production growth: Net sales increased $102.9 million sequentially to $752.1 million, driven by higher realized metal prices and increased production from Mt. Holly expansion and Grundartangi Line 2 restart during quarter. Source
  • Aluminum shipments rose 6.3 percent: Aluminum shipments increased to 130,632 tonnes from 122,865 tonnes in Q1, driven primarily by production from Mt. Holly expansion and recovery of Grundartangi Line 2 capacity. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA surged 41 percent sequentially: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Century increased $95.5 million to $326.9 million, up 41 percent from Q1 on favorable realized metal prices, sales mix, operating expenses and power realization. Source

Production Facilities and Capacity Recovery

  • Mt. Holly expansion fully completed: Completed restart of final 90 smelting pots at Mt. Holly facility, achieving full expansion project that was initiated in April 2026 and contributed to Q2 shipment growth. Source
  • Grundartangi Line 2 returned to near capacity: Returned Grundartangi Line 2 to near full production during Q2, recovering from equipment failure in October 2025 and contributing to significant sequential volume gains. Source
  • Equipment failure costs of $61.3 million: Equipment failures at Iceland in Q2 resulted in net charge of $61.3 million after tax, though offsetting insurance proceeds of $40.1 million provided partial recovery. Source
  • Jamalco power turbine came online: New power generation turbine TG4 at Jamalco alumina refinery began operation in August, expanding power generation capacity at the majority-owned joint venture facility. Source

“Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Century for the second quarter of 2026 was $326.9 million. This was an increase of $95.5 million from the prior quarter”

Pricing, Costs and Margin Drivers

  • Metal prices and power remained favorable: Favorable realized LME and regional premium prices drove EBITDA expansion, with additional benefit from favorable power price realization due to improved weather conditions in United States. Source
  • Raw material costs moved unfavorably: Unfavorable raw material price realization partially offset positive pricing and operating cost benefits during Q2, creating a headwind to EBITDA expansion. Source
  • Inventory adjustment reflected market prices: Lower of cost or net realizable value inventory adjustment of $4.3 million was recorded in Q2, reflecting application of valuation methodology to inventory holdings. Source

Liquidity and Cash Position

  • Total liquidity strengthened to $784.9 million: Liquidity at June 30 comprised cash of $343.4 million, restricted cash of $44.8 million, and borrowing availability of $396.7 million, providing material financial flexibility. Source
  • Tax refund of $94.3 million received: Received 2025 45X tax credit refund of $94.3 million in July, providing significant cash inflow to strengthen balance sheet and capital availability. Source
  • Cash position now exceeds total debt: As of end of July, Century cash exceeded total debt level, demonstrating substantial improvement in balance sheet strength and financial flexibility. Source

“Therefore, Century reported an Adjusted net income attributable to Century of $257.3 million for the second quarter of 2026, a $86.6 million increase sequentially”

Coming up, per management

  • Jamalco turbine now in operation: New power generation turbine TG4 at Jamalco came online in August 2026, expanding power capacity and supporting continued operations at alumina refinery. Source
  • Grundartangi return to full capacity underway: Company working toward returning Grundartangi facility to 100 percent capacity following October 2025 equipment failure, with current status at near full production level. Source
  • Potential EGA joint venture for new smelter: Company evaluating formalization of potential joint venture with Emirates Global Aluminium for new aluminum smelter project with anticipated DOE funding of $500 million. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Global aluminum market prices and regional premiums remain volatile and subject to global economic conditions and fluctuations in aluminum demand. Source
  • Operational: Potential labor union representation of employees could impact operating costs, labor negotiations, wage levels and terms of future workforce agreements. Source
  • Financial: Company's ability to access financing arrangements and repay or refinance debt in future may be constrained by market conditions and credit availability. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Completed restart of final 90 pots at Mt. Holly during Q2, fulfilling commitment announced in prior quarter results. Source
  • On track: Returned Line 2 at Grundartangi to near full production in Q2, progressing toward full recovery and 100 percent capacity as committed. Source
  • On track: Company is working toward returning Grundartangi facility to full and normal operation at 100 percent capacity, currently at near full production level. Source

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point carries a quote that is checked word for word against the filing; a point whose quote is not found is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.