Alcoa Corp
For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Feb 21, 2024.
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FY2023 · Filed Feb 21, 2024
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Management’s Reports to Alcoa Corporation Stockholders
Management’s Report on Financial Statements and Practices
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements of Alcoa Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company) were prepared by management, which is responsible for their integrity and objectivity, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include amounts that are based on management’s best judgments and estimates. The other financial information included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 is consistent with that in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Management recognizes its responsibility for conducting the Company’s affairs according to the highest standards of personal and corporate conduct. This responsibility is characterized and reflected in key policy statements issued from time to time regarding, among other things, conduct of its business activities within the laws of the host countries in which the Company operates and potentially conflicting outside business interests of its employees. The Company maintains a systematic program to assess compliance with these policies.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended), for the Company. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted an assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 using the criteria in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, has audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 and has issued an attestation report, which is included herein.
/s/ William F. Oplinger
William F. OplingerPresident and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Molly S. Beerman
Molly S. BeermanExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
February 21, 2024
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Alcoa Corporation
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Alcoa Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Asset Retirement Obligations – Mine Reclamation and Closure of Bauxite Residue Areas
As described in Notes B and R to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recognizes asset retirement obligations (AROs) related to legal obligations associated with the standard operation of bauxite mines, alumina refineries, and aluminum smelters. For the bauxite mines and alumina refineries, the AROs consist primarily of costs associated with mine reclamation and closure of bauxite residue areas, respectively. The fair values of the AROs are recorded on a discounted basis at the time the obligation is incurred and accreted over time for the change in present value; related accretion is recorded as a component of cost of goods sold. Additionally, the Company capitalizes asset retirement costs by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived assets and depreciating the assets over their remaining useful life. As disclosed by management, estimates are used to record AROs based on the best available information at the time of recognition. Several assumptions are used to estimate the cost required for reclamation and restoration of the site including: engineering designs for construction or closure, materials and services costs, regulatory requirements, and timing to complete construction or closure. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $989 million in AROs, of which $328 million related to mine reclamation and $437 million related to the closure of bauxite residue areas. During 2023, the Company incurred liabilities related to mine reclamation and closure of bauxite residue areas, consisting of $97 million for changes in closure estimates of operating bauxite residue areas, $87 million for new mining areas opened during the year and higher estimated mine reclamation costs, and $10 million related to changes in closure estimates of non-operating bauxite residue areas.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the AROs for mine reclamation and closure of bauxite residue areas is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management in developing the fair value estimate of the AROs; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgement, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to the engineering designs for construction or closure, materials and services costs, regulatory requirements, and timing to complete construction or closure; (collectively “management’s assumptions”); and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s accounting for AROs, including controls over management’s methodology, assumptions, and valuation of the AROs for mine reclamation and closure of bauxite residue areas. These procedures also included, among others, (i) testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimate of the AROs for mine reclamation and closure of bauxite residue areas; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the methodologies used by management, (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the methodologies, and (iv) evaluating the reasonableness of management’s assumptions described above. Evaluating management’s assumptions involved (i) evaluating the cost of rehabilitation and restoration of a site, including comparing the cost assumptions used, on a sample basis, to comparable data from external parties and internal source data; (ii) evaluating the consistency of management’s assumptions across mine and bauxite residue areas, as applicable; (iii) the identification of circumstances which may require a modification to a previous estimate; (iv) physically observing the progress of the mine reclamation; (vi) evaluating management’s application of and compliance with regulatory requirements; and (vii) evaluating whether the assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in (i) evaluating the appropriateness of the methodology used by management for closure of bauxite residue areas; (ii) evaluating the reasonableness of the application of and compliance with regulatory requirements for closure of bauxite residue areas; and (iii) evaluating the reasonableness of management’s estimate of AROs for closure of bauxite residue areas by developing an independent estimate of the costs included in AROs for a sample of bauxite residue areas, using independently determined assumptions, and comparing the independent estimate of the costs to management’s estimate.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaFebruary 21, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.
Statement of Consol idated Operations
(in millions, except per-share amounts)
| For the year ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales (E) | $10,551 | $12,451 | $12,152 |
| Cost of goods sold (exclusive of expenses below) | 9,813 | 10,212 | 9,153 |
| Selling, general administrative, and other expenses | 226 | 204 | 227 |
| Research and development expenses | 39 | 32 | 31 |
| Provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization | 632 | 617 | 664 |
| Restructuring and other charges, net (D) | 184 | 696 | 1,128 |
| Interest expense (U) | 107 | 106 | 195 |
| Other expenses (income), net (U) | 134 | (118) | (445) |
| Total costs and expenses | 11,135 | 11,749 | 10,953 |
| (Loss) income before income taxes | (584) | 702 | 1,199 |
| Provision for income taxes (Q) | 189 | 664 | 629 |
| Net (loss) income | (773) | 38 | 570 |
| Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest | (122) | 161 | 141 |
| Net (loss) income attributable to Alcoa Corporation | (651) | (123) | 429 |
| Earnings per share attributable to Alcoa Corporation common shareholders (F): | |||
| Basic | $(3.65) | $(0.68) | $2.30 |
| Diluted | $(3.65) | $(0.68) | $2.26 |
Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income
| Alcoa Corporation | Noncontrollinginterest | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the year ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Net (loss) income | $(651) | $(123) | $429 | $(122) | $161 | $141 | $(773) | $38 | $570 |
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax (G): | |||||||||
| Change in unrecognized net actuarial loss and prior service cost/benefit related to pension and other postretirement benefits | (62) | 944 | 1,654 | (10) | 8 | 54 | (72) | 952 | 1,708 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 92 | (71) | (229) | 57 | (103) | (93) | 149 | (174) | (322) |
| Net change in unrecognized gains/losses on cash flow hedges | (136) | 180 | (388) | (1) | 2 | — | (137) | 182 | (388) |
| Total Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax | (106) | 1,053 | 1,037 | 46 | (93) | (39) | (60) | 960 | 998 |
| Comprehensive (loss) income | $(757) | $930 | $1,466 | $(76) | $68 | $102 | $(833) | $998 | $1,568 |
Consolidated Balance Sheet
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | ||
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents (P) | $944 | $1,363 |
| Receivables from customers (I) | 656 | 778 |
| Other receivables | 152 | 131 |
| Inventories (J) | 2,158 | 2,427 |
| Fair value of derivative instruments (P) | 29 | 134 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 466 | 417 |
| Total current assets | 4,405 | 5,250 |
| Properties, plants, and equipment, net (K) | 6,785 | 6,493 |
| Investments (H) | 979 | 1,122 |
| Deferred income taxes (Q) | 333 | 296 |
| Fair value of derivative instruments (P) | 3 | 2 |
| Other noncurrent assets (U) | 1,650 | 1,593 |
| Total Assets | $14,155 | $14,756 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable, trade | $1,714 | $1,757 |
| Accrued compensation and retirement costs | 357 | 335 |
| Taxes, including income taxes | 88 | 230 |
| Fair value of derivative instruments (P) | 214 | 200 |
| Other current liabilities | 578 | 481 |
| Long-term debt due within one year (M & P) | 79 | 1 |
| Total current liabilities | 3,030 | 3,004 |
| Long-term debt, less amount due within one year (M & P) | 1,732 | 1,806 |
| Accrued pension benefits (O) | 278 | 213 |
| Accrued other postretirement benefits (O) | 443 | 480 |
| Asset retirement obligations (R) | 772 | 711 |
| Environmental remediation (S) | 202 | 226 |
| Fair value of derivative instruments (P) | 1,092 | 1,026 |
| Noncurrent income taxes (Q) | 193 | 215 |
| Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits (U) | 568 | 486 |
| Total liabilities | 8,310 | 8,167 |
| Contingencies and commitments (S) | ||
| Equity | ||
| Alcoa Corporation shareholders’ equity: | ||
| Common stock (N) | 2 | 2 |
| Additional capital | 9,187 | 9,183 |
| Accumulated deficit | (1,293) | (570) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss (G) | (3,645) | (3,539) |
| Total Alcoa Corporation shareholders’ equity | 4,251 | 5,076 |
| Noncontrolling interest (A) | 1,594 | 1,513 |
| Total equity | 5,845 | 6,589 |
| Total Liabilities and Equity | $14,155 | $14,756 |
Statement of Consol idated Cash Flows
| For the year ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash from Operations | |||
| Net (loss) income | $(773) | $38 | $570 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash from operations: | |||
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | 632 | 617 | 664 |
| Deferred income taxes (Q) | (22) | 219 | 147 |
| Equity loss (income), net of dividends (H) | 201 | 4 | (138) |
| Restructuring and other charges, net (D) | 184 | 696 | 1,128 |
| Net loss (gain) from investing activities—asset sales (U) | 18 | 10 | (354) |
| Net periodic pension benefit cost (O) | 6 | 54 | 47 |
| Stock-based compensation (N) | 35 | 40 | 39 |
| Premium paid on early redemption of debt | — | — | 43 |
| Loss (gain) on mark-to-market derivative financial contracts | 26 | (44) | (24) |
| Other | 78 | 53 | 49 |
| Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of divestitures and foreign currency translation adjustments: | |||
| Decrease (increase) in receivables | 104 | (59) | (414) |
| Decrease (increase) in inventories (J) | 243 | (547) | (639) |
| Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets | 39 | 44 | (41) |
| (Decrease) increase in accounts payable, trade | (74) | 189 | 354 |
| Decrease in accrued expenses | (133) | (173) | (38) |
| (Decrease) increase in taxes, including income taxes | (146) | (152) | 301 |
| Pension contributions (O) | (24) | (17) | (579) |
| Increase in noncurrent assets | (210) | (87) | (160) |
| Decrease in noncurrent liabilities | (93) | (63) | (35) |
| Cash provided from operations | 91 | 822 | 920 |
| Financing Activities | |||
| Additions to debt (M) | 127 | 4 | 495 |
| Payments on debt (M) | (72) | (1) | (1,294) |
| Proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options (N) | 1 | 22 | 25 |
| Repurchase of common stock (N) | — | (500) | (150) |
| Dividends paid on Alcoa common stock (N) | (72) | (72) | (19) |
| Payments related to tax withholding on stock-based compensation awards | (34) | (19) | (1) |
| Financial contributions for the divestiture of businesses (C) | (52) | (33) | (17) |
| Contributions from noncontrolling interest (A) | 188 | 214 | 21 |
| Distributions to noncontrolling interest | (30) | (379) | (215) |
| Other | 1 | (4) | (3) |
| Cash provided from (used for) financing activities | 57 | (768) | (1,158) |
| Investing Activities | |||
| Capital expenditures | (531) | (480) | (390) |
| Proceeds from the sale of assets and businesses (C) | 4 | 5 | 966 |
| Additions to investments (H) | (70) | (32) | (11) |
| Sale of investments (H) | — | 10 | — |
| Other | 12 | 2 | — |
| Cash (used for) provided from investing activities | (585) | (495) | 565 |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | 10 | (9) | (13) |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | (427) | (450) | 314 |
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year | 1,474 | 1,924 | 1,610 |
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year | $1,047 | $1,474 | $1,924 |
Statement of Changes in Consolidated Equity
| Alcoa Corporation shareholders | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commonstock | Additionalcapital | Accumulated deficit | Accumulatedothercomprehensive (loss) income | Noncontrollinginterest | Totalequity | |
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | $2 | $9,663 | $(725) | $(5,629) | $1,705 | $5,016 |
| Net income | — | — | 429 | — | 141 | 570 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) (G) | — | — | — | 1,037 | (39) | 998 |
| Stock-based compensation (N) | — | 39 | — | — | — | 39 |
| Net effect of tax withholding for compensation plans and exercise of stock options (N) | — | 25 | — | — | — | 25 |
| Repurchase of common stock (N) | — | (150) | — | — | — | (150) |
| Dividends paid on Alcoa common stock ($0.10 per share) (N) | — | — | (19) | — | — | (19) |
| Contributions | — | — | — | — | 21 | 21 |
| Distributions | — | — | — | — | (215) | (215) |
| Other | — | — | — | — | (1) | (1) |
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | 2 | 9,577 | (315) | (4,592) | 1,612 | 6,284 |
| Net (loss) income | — | — | (123) | — | 161 | 38 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) (G) | — | — | — | 1,053 | (93) | 960 |
| Stock-based compensation (N) | — | 40 | — | — | — | 40 |
| Net effect of tax withholding for compensation plans and exercise of stock options (N) | — | 3 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Repurchase of common stock (N) | — | (440) | (60) | — | — | (500) |
| Dividends paid on Alcoa common stock ($0.10 per share) (N) | — | — | (72) | — | — | (72) |
| Contributions | — | — | — | — | 214 | 214 |
| Distributions | — | — | — | — | (379) | (379) |
| Other | — | 3 | — | — | (2) | 1 |
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | 2 | 9,183 | (570) | (3,539) | 1,513 | 6,589 |
| Net loss | — | — | (651) | — | (122) | (773) |
| Other comprehensive (loss) income (G) | — | — | — | (106) | 46 | (60) |
| Stock-based compensation (N) | — | 35 | — | — | — | 35 |
| Net effect of tax withholding for compensation plans and exercise of stock options (N) | — | (33) | — | — | — | (33) |
| Dividends paid on Alcoa common stock ($0.10 per share) (N) | — | — | (72) | — | — | (72) |
| Contributions | — | — | — | — | 188 | 188 |
| Distributions | — | — | — | — | (30) | (30) |
| Other | — | 2 | — | — | (1) | 1 |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $2 | $9,187 | $(1,293) | $(3,645) | $1,594 | $5,845 |
Alcoa Corporation and subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except per-share amounts; metric tons in thousands (kmt))
A. Basis of Presentation
Alcoa Corporation (or the Company) is a vertically integrated aluminum company comprised of bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminum production (smelting and casting), and energy generation. Through direct and indirect ownership, the Company has 27 operating locations innine countries around the world, situated primarily in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Spain, and the United States.
Alcoa Corporation became an independent, publicly traded company on November 1, 2016, following its separation (the Separation Transaction) from its former parent company, Alcoa Inc. References herein to “ParentCo” refer to Alcoa Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries through October 31, 2016, at which time it was renamed Arconic Inc. (Arconic) and since has been subsequently renamed Howmet Aerospace Inc.
Basis of Presentation. The Consolidated Financial Statements of Alcoa Corporation are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). In accordance with GAAP, certain situations require management to make estimates based on judgments and assumptions, which may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. They also may affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates. Management regularly evaluates the judgments and assumptions used in its estimates, and results could differ from those estimates upon future events and their effects or new information.
Principles of Consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company include the accounts of Alcoa Corporation and companies in which Alcoa Corporation has a controlling interest, including those that comprise the Alcoa World Alumina & Chemicals (AWAC) joint venture (see below). Intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in affiliates and other joint ventures over which the Company has significant influence but does not have effective control. Investments in affiliates in which Alcoa Corporation cannot exercise significant influence are accounted at cost less any impairment, a measurement alternative in accordance with GAAP.
AWAC is an unincorporated global joint venture between Alcoa Corporation and Alumina Limited and consists of several affiliated operating entities, which own, have an interest in, or operate the bauxite mines and alumina refineries within the Company’s Alumina segment (except for the Poços de Caldas mine and refinery, portions of the São Luís refinery, and investment in Mineração Rio do Norte S.A. (MRN) until its sale in April 2022, all in Brazil) and a portion (55%) of the Portland smelter (Australia) within the Company’s Aluminum segment. Alcoa Corporation owns 60% and Alumina Limited owns 40% of these individual entities, which are consolidated by the Company for financial reporting purposes and include Alcoa of Australia Limited (AofA), Alcoa World Alumina LLC (AWA), Alcoa World Alumina Brasil Ltda. (AWAB), and Alúmina Española, S.A. (Española). Alumina Limited’s interest in the equity of such entities is reflected as Noncontrolling interest on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Management evaluates whether an Alcoa Corporation entity or interest is a variable interest entity and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. Consolidation is required if both of these criteria are met. Alcoa Corporation does not have any variable interest entities requiring consolidation.
Related Party Transactions. Alcoa Corporation buys products from and sells products to various related companies, consisting of entities in which the Company retains a 50% or less equity interest, at negotiated prices between the two parties. These transactions were not material to the financial position or results of operations of Alcoa Corporation for all periods presented.
B. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity ofthree months or less.
Restricted Cash. Restricted cash is included with Cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year and Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows. Current restricted cash amounts are reported in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. Noncurrent restricted cash amounts are reported in Other noncurrent assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet (see Note U for a reconciliation of Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash).
Inventory Valuation. Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with the cost of inventories principally determined under the average cost method.
Properties, Plants, and Equipment. Properties, plants, and equipment are recorded at cost. Interest related to the construction of qualifying assets is capitalized as part of the construction costs. Depreciation is recorded principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation is recorded on temporarily idled facilities until such time management approves a permanent closure. The following table details the weighted average useful lives of structures and machinery and equipment by type of operation (numbers in years):
| Structures | Machineryandequipment | |
|---|---|---|
| Alumina | 29 | 27 |
| Aluminum smelting and casting | 37 | 22 |
| Energy generation | 33 | 25 |
Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred while costs for significant improvements that add productive capacity or that extend the useful life are capitalized. Gains or losses from the sale of assets are generally recorded in Other expenses (income), net.
Properties, plants, and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets (asset group) may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is determined by comparing the estimated undiscounted net cash flows of the operations related to the assets (asset group) to their carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of the assets (asset group) exceeds the fair value. The amount of the impairment loss to be recorded is calculated as the excess of the carrying value of the assets (asset group) over their fair value, with fair value determined using the best information available, which generally is a discounted cash flow (DCF) model. The determination of what constitutes an asset group, the associated estimated undiscounted net cash flows, and the estimated useful lives of assets also require significant judgments.
Leases. The Company determines whether an arrangement is a lease at the inception of the arrangement based on the terms and conditions in the contract. A contract contains a lease if there is an identified asset which the Company has the right to control. Lease right-of-use (ROU) assets are included in Properties, plants, and equipment, net with the corresponding operating lease liabilities included within Other current liabilities and Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments unless a rate is implicit in the lease. Lease terms include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that those options will be exercised. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, including anticipated renewals, are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The Company made a policy election not to record any non-lease components of a lease agreement in the lease liability. Variable lease payments are not presented as part of the ROU asset or liability recorded at the inception of a contract. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Equity Investments. Alcoa invests in a number of privately-held companies, primarily through joint ventures and consortia, which are accounted for using the equity method. The equity method is applied in situations where the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. Management reviews equity investments for impairment whenever certain indicators are present suggesting that the carrying value of an investment is not recoverable.
Deferred Mining Costs. Alcoa incurs deferred mining costs during the development stage of a mine life cycle. Such costs include the construction of access and haul roads, detailed drilling and geological analysis to further define the grade and quality of the known bauxite, and overburden removal costs. These costs relate to sections of the related mines where the Company is currently extracting bauxite or preparing for production in the near term. These sections are outlined and planned incrementally and generally are mined over periods ranging fromone tofive years, depending on specific mine plans. The amount of geological drilling and testing necessary to determine the economic viability of the bauxite deposit being mined is such that the reserves are considered to be proven. Deferred mining costs are amortized on a units-of-production basis and included in Other noncurrent assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for impairment annually (in the fourth quarter) or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist or if a decision is made to sell or exit a business.
Goodwill is allocated among and evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. Beginning in January 2023, the Company changed its operating segments, by combining the Bauxite and Alumina segments, and reported its financial results in the following two segments: (i) Alumina and (ii) Aluminum (see Note E).
The Company hasthree reporting units, of whichtwo are included in the Aluminum segment (smelting/casting and energy generation). The remaining reporting unit is the Alumina segment. Of these three reporting units, only Alumina contains goodwill (see Note L).
Goodwill is tested for impairment by assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount or performing a quantitative assessment using a discounted cash flow model. If the qualitative assessment indicates a possible impairment, then a quantitative impairment test is performed to determine the fair value of the reporting unit using a discounted cash flow method. Otherwise, no further analysis is required.
Under the quantitative assessment, the evaluation of impairment involves comparing the current fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. In the event the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value not to exceed the total amount of goodwill applicable to that reporting unit would be recognized.
Alcoa’s policy for its annual review of goodwill is to perform the quantitative impairment test for its reporting unit containing goodwill at least once during every three-year period.
Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized generally on a straight-line basis over the periods benefited. The following table details the weighted average useful lives of software and other intangible assets by type of operation (numbers in years):
| Software | Other intangibleassets | |
|---|---|---|
| Alumina | 6 | 25 |
| Aluminum smelting and casting | 3 | 40 |
| Energy generation | 3 | 29 |
Asset Retirement Obligations. Alcoa recognizes asset retirement obligations (AROs) related to legal obligations associated with the standard operation of bauxite mines, alumina refineries, and aluminum smelters. These AROs consist primarily of costs associated with mine reclamation, closure of bauxite residue areas, spent pot lining and regulated waste materials disposal, and landfill closure. Additionally, costs are recorded as AROs upon management’s decision to permanently close and demolish certain structures and for any significant lease restoration obligations. The fair values of these AROs are recorded on a discounted basis at the time the obligation is incurred and accreted over time for the change in present value; related accretion is recorded as a component of Cost of goods sold. Additionally, the Company capitalizes asset retirement costs by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived assets and depreciating these assets over their remaining useful life.
The fair values for AROs are determined using significant assumptions, including engineering designs for construction or closure, materials and services costs, regulatory requirements, volume of regulated material to be removed, disposition of demolition materials, and timing to complete construction or closure.
Subsequent adjustments to estimates of previously established AROs for current operations are capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived assets and depreciating these assets over their remaining useful life. Adjustments to estimates of AROs for closed locations are charged to Restructuring and other charges, net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations (see Note R).
Certain conditional asset retirement obligations related to alumina refineries, aluminum smelters, and energy generation facilities have not been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements due to uncertainties surrounding the ultimate settlement date. The fair value of these asset retirement obligations will be recorded when a reasonable estimate of the ultimate settlement date can be made.
Environmental Matters. Environmental related expenditures for current operations are expensed as a component of Cost of goods sold or capitalized, as appropriate. Expenditures relating to existing conditions caused by past operations, generally for closed locations which will not contribute to future revenues, are charged to Restructuring and other charges, net. Liabilities are recorded when remediation costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated. In instances where the Company has ongoing monitoring and maintenance responsibilities, it is Alcoa’s policy to maintain a reserve equal to five years of expected costs. The liability is continuously reviewed and adjusted to reflect current remediation progress, rate and pricing changes, actual volumes of material requiring management, changes to the original assumptions regarding how the site was to be remediated, and other factors that may be relevant, including changes in technology or regulations. The estimates may also include costs related to other potentially responsible parties to the extent that Alcoa has reason to believe such parties will not fully pay their proportionate share.
Litigation Matters. For asserted claims and assessments, liabilities are recorded when an unfavorable outcome of a matter is deemed to be probable and the loss is reasonably estimable. With respect to unasserted claims or assessments, liabilities are recorded when the probability that an assertion will be made is likely, an unfavorable outcome of the matter is deemed to be probable, and the loss is reasonably estimable. Legal matters are reviewed on a continuous basis to determine if there has been a change in management’s judgment regarding the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the estimate of a potential loss. Legal costs, which are primarily for general litigation, environmental compliance, tax disputes, and general corporate matters, are expensed as incurred.
Revenue Recognition. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation(s) in accordance with the provisions of a customer order or contract. This is achieved when control of the product has been transferred to the customer, which is generally determined when title, ownership, and risk of loss pass to the customer, all of which occurs upon shipment or delivery of the product. The shipping terms vary across all businesses and depend on the product, the country of origin, and the type of transportation. Accordingly, the sale of Alcoa’s products to its customers represent single performance obligations for which revenue is recognized at a point in time, except for the Company’s Energy product division in which the customer simultaneously receives and consumes electricity (see Note E). Revenue is based on the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for its products. Returns and other adjustments have not been material. Based on the foregoing, no significant judgment is required to determine when control of a product has been transferred to a customer.
The Company considers shipping and handling activities as costs to fulfill the promise to transfer the related products. As a result, customer payments of shipping and handling costs are recorded as a component of revenue. Taxes collected (e.g., sales, use, value added, excise) from its customers related to the sale of its products are remitted to governmental authorities and excluded from Sales.
Cost of goods sold. The Company includes the following in Cost of goods sold: operating costs of ourtwo segments, excluding depreciation, depletion, and amortization, but including all production related costs: raw materials consumed; purchases of metal for consumption; conversion costs, such as labor, materials, and utilities; equity earnings of certain investments integral to the Company’s supply chain; and plant administrative expenses. Also included in Cost of goods sold are: costs related to the Transformation function, which focuses on the management of expenses and obligations of previously closed operations; pension and other postretirement benefit service cost for employees maintaining closed locations; purchases of bauxite from offtake or other supply agreements, alumina to satisfy customer commitments, and metal for trade; and other costs not included in the operating costs of the segments.
Selling, general administrative, and other expenses. The Company includes the costs of corporate-wide functional support in Selling, general administrative, and other expenses. Such costs include: executive; sales; marketing; strategy; operations administration; finance; information technology; legal; human resources; and government affairs and communications.
Stock-Based Compensation. Compensation expense for employee equity grants is recognized using the non-substantive vesting period approach, in which the expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period based on the grant date fair value. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. The fair value of performance stock units containing a market condition is valued using a Monte Carlo valuation model. Determining the fair value at the grant date requires judgment, including estimates for the average risk-free interest rate, and volatility. These assumptions may differ significantly between grant dates because of changes in the actual results of these inputs that occur over time. As of January 1, 2021, the Company no longer grants stock options.
Refer to Note N for more information regarding stock-based compensation.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits. Alcoa sponsors several defined benefit pension plans and health care postretirement benefit plans. The Company recognizes on a plan-by-plan basis the net funded status of these pension and postretirement benefit plans as either an asset or a liability on its Consolidated Balance Sheet. The net funded status represents the difference between the fair value of each plan’s assets and the benefit obligation of the respective plan. The benefit obligation represents the present value of the estimated future benefits the Company currently expects to pay to plan participants based on past service. Unrecognized gains and losses related to the plans are deferred in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet until amortized into earnings.
The plan assets and benefit obligations are measured at the end of each year or more frequently, upon the occurrence of certain events such as a significant plan amendment, settlement, or curtailment. For interim plan remeasurements, it is the Company’s policy to record the related accounting impacts within the same quarter as the triggering event.
Liabilities and expenses for pension and other postretirement benefits are determined using actuarial methodologies and incorporate significant assumptions, including the interest rate used to discount the future estimated liability, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, and several assumptions relating to the employee workforce (salary increases, health care cost trend rates, retirement age, and mortality).
The yield curve model used to develop the discount rate parallels the plans’ projected cash flows and has a weighted average duration of 10 years. The underlying cash flows of the high-quality corporate bonds included in the model exceed the cash flows needed to satisfy the Company’s plan obligations multiple times. If a deep market of high-quality corporate bonds does not exist in a country, then the yield on government bonds plus a corporate bond yield spread is used.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is generally applied to afive-year market-related value of plan assets (a four-year average or the fair value at the plan measurement date is used for certain non-U.S. plans). The process used by management to develop this assumption is one that relies on forward-looking investment returns by asset class. Management incorporates expected future investment returns on current and planned asset allocations using information from various external investment managers and consultants, as well as management’s own judgment.
Mortality rate assumptions are based on mortality tables and future improvement scales published by third parties, such as the Society of Actuaries, and consider other available information including historical data as well as studies and publications from reputable sources.
A change in one or a combination of these assumptions, or the effects of actual results differing from assumptions, could have a material impact on Alcoa’s projected benefit obligation. These changes or differences are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and are amortized into earnings as a component of the net periodic benefit cost (income) over the average future working lifetime or average remaining life expectancy, as appropriate, of the plan’s participants.
One-time accounting impacts, such as curtailment and settlement losses (gains), are recognized immediately and are reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Restructuring and other charges, net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
Refer to Note O for more information regarding pension and other postretirement benefits including accounting impacts of current year actions.
Derivatives and Hedging. Derivatives are held for purposes other than trading and are part of a formally documented risk management program.
Alcoa accounts for hedges of firm customer commitments for aluminum as fair value hedges. The fair values of the derivatives and changes in the fair values of the underlying hedged items are reported as assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives and underlying hedged items generally offset and are recorded each period in Sales, consistent with the underlying hedged item.
The Company accounts for certain hedges of foreign currency exposures and certain forecasted transactions as cash flow hedges. The fair values of the derivatives are recorded as assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The changes in the fair values of these derivatives are recorded in Other comprehensive (loss) income and are reclassified to Sales, Cost of goods sold, or Other expenses (income), net in the period in which earnings are impacted by the hedged items or in the period that the transaction no longer qualifies as a cash flow hedge. These contracts cover the same periods as known or expected exposures, generally not exceeding five years.
If no hedging relationship is designated, the derivative is marked to market through Other expenses (income), net.
Cash flows from derivatives are recognized in the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows in a manner consistent with the underlying transactions.
Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, the provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable (or received or receivable) for the current year plus the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid, resulting from differences between the financial and tax bases of Alcoa’s assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when enacted.
Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that a tax benefit will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, management applies judgment in assessing all available positive and negative evidence and considers all potential sources of taxable income. Deferred tax assets for which no valuation allowance is recorded may not be realized upon changes in facts and circumstances, resulting in a future charge to establish a valuation allowance. Existing valuation allowances are re-examined under the same standards of positive and negative evidence. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will be realized, the appropriate amount of the valuation allowance, if any, is released. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are also re-measured to reflect changes in underlying tax rates due to law changes and the granting and lapse of tax holidays.
Tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return are recorded when such benefits meet a more likely than not threshold. Otherwise, these tax benefits are recorded when a tax position has been effectively settled, which means that the statute of limitations has expired or the appropriate taxing authority has completed their examination even though the statute of limitations remains open. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized as part of the provision for income taxes and are accrued in the period that such interest and penalties would be applicable under relevant tax law until such time that the related tax benefits are recognized.
Foreign Currency. The local currency is the functional currency for Alcoa’s significant operations outside the United States, except for certain operations in Canada and Iceland, and a holding and trading company in the Netherlands, where the U.S. dollar is used as the functional currency. The determination of the functional currency for Alcoa’s operations is made based on the appropriate economic and management indicators. Where local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using period end exchange rates and income and expenses are translated using the average exchange rates for the reporting period. Unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses are deferred in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance. On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2022-04 which requires a buyer in a supplier finance program to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about its supplier finance programs, including the key terms of the program, the amount of obligations outstanding at the end of the reporting period, a description of where those obligations are presented in the balance sheet, and effective January 1, 2024, a roll-forward of such amounts during the annual period. The adoption of this guidance resulted in enhanced disclosures regarding these programs (see Note V) and did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Guidance. In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2023-09 which includes changes to income tax disclosures, including greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and disclosure of taxes paid by jurisdiction. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will provide enhanced disclosures regarding income taxes and will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07 which requires disclosure of significant segment expenses regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM), other segment items (not included in significant segment expenses for each reportable segment), the title and position of the CODM, and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure of segment profit or loss to assess segment performance and allocate resources. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 on an annual basis and beginning after December 15, 2024 on an interim basis. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will provide enhanced disclosures regarding reportable segments and will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
C. Divestitures
Rockdale Site
During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company completed the sale of land and industrial assets at the previously closed Rockdale smelter site in the state of Texas in a transaction valued at $240. Upon closing of the transaction, the Company received $230 in cash and recorded a net gain of $202 in Other expenses (income), net (pre- and after-tax; see Note U) on the Statement of Consolidated Operations.
Eastalco Site
During the second quarter of 2021, the Company completed the sale of land at the previously closed Eastalco smelter site in the state of Maryland in a transaction valued at $100. Upon closing of the transaction, the Company received $94 in cash and recorded a gain of $90 in Other expenses (income), net ($90 pre- and $89 after-tax; see Note U) on the Statement of Consolidated Operations.
Warrick Rolling Mill
In March 2021, Alcoa completed the sale of its rolling mill located at Warrick Operations (Warrick Rolling Mill), an integrated aluminum manufacturing site near Evansville, Indiana (Warrick Operations), to Kaiser Aluminum Corporation (Kaiser) for total consideration of approximately $670, which included the assumption of $69 in other postretirement benefit liabilities. The Company recorded a net gain of $30 in Other expenses (income), net (pre- and after-tax, see Note U) on the Statement of Consolidated Operations. Upon the closing of the transaction, the Company recorded estimated liabilities for future site separation commitments and remaining transaction costs associated with the sales agreement.
The Company recorded a charge of $17 and $8 in 2023 and 2022 in Other expenses (income), net, respectively, related to additional costs of existing site separation commitments. In 2023 and 2022, the Company spent $52 and $37 against the reserve, respectively. The remaining balance of $11 at December 31, 2023 is expected to be spent in 2024. The cash spent against the reserve is included in Cash provided from (used for) financing activities on the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows.
D. Restructuring and Other Charges, Net
Restructuring and other charges, net were comprised of the following:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settlements and/or curtailments related to retirement benefits (O) | $21 | $632 | $977 |
| Severance and employee termination costs | 11 | 1 | 1 |
| Loss on divestitures | — | 79 | — |
| Asset impairments | 50 | 58 | 75 |
| Asset retirement obligations (R) | 41 | 34 | 23 |
| Environmental remediation (S) | 27 | 21 | 15 |
| Other | 36 | (7) | 82 |
| Reversals of previously recorded charges | (2) | (122) | (45) |
| Restructuring and other charges, net | $184 | $696 | $1,128 |
Severance and employee termination costs were recorded based on approved detailed action plans submitted by the operating locations that specified positions to be eliminated, benefits to be paid under existing severance plans, union contracts or statutory requirements, and the expected timetable for completion of the plans.
2023 Actions. In 2023, Alcoa Corporation recorded Restructuring and other charges, net, of $184 which were primarily comprised of the following components:
Non-cash settlement charges related to pension benefits (see Note O):
o
$21 related to the purchase of group annuity contracts to transfer approximately $235 of pension obligations and assets associated with defined benefit pension plans for approximately 530 Canadian retirees and beneficiaries;
Charges related to portfolio actions:
o
$101 for the permanent closure of the previously curtailed Intalco(Washington) smelter (see below);
o
$53 for the updated viability agreement for the San Ciprián(Spain) smelter; and,
o
$11 for employee termination and severance costs, primarily related to the Kwinana refinery productivity program (see below);
Other net charges:
o
$17 to record additional environmental and asset retirement related reserves at previously closed sites (see Note R and Note S);
o
$19 benefit for the sale of unused carbon credits at a previously closed site;
o
$1 to record additional asset retirement related reserves at Warrick Operations (Indiana) (see Note R); and,
o
$1 for additional take-or-pay contract costs related to the closed Wenatchee (Washington) and Intalco smelters;
o
$2 due to lower costs for demolition and remediation at previously closed sites (see Note R).
In December 2023, Alcoa began the closure of a line at its Warrick Operations site in Indiana that had not operated since 2016 to allow for future capital investments to improve casting capabilities. The Company recorded a charge of $1 in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations to establish reserves related to demolition obligations. Additionally, Alcoa recorded $1 in Cost of goods sold on the Statement of Consolidated Operations to write-off the remaining net book value of related inventory.
In September 2023, the Company initiated productivity programs across its operations in Australia to mitigate the financial impacts of lower grade bauxite and to optimize operating levels. In connection with this program, the Company recorded Restructuring and other charges, net of $6 for employee termination and severance costs for approximately 90 employees at the Kwinana refinery. The restructuring action and associated cash outlays are anticipated to be complete by the end of the second quarter of 2024. In 2023, the Company spent $1 against the reserve.
In March 2023, Alcoa Corporation announced the closure of the Intalco aluminum smelter, which had been fully curtailed since 2020. The Company recorded charges of $117 related to the closure, including a charge of $16 in Cost of goods sold on the Statement of Consolidated Operations to write-down remaining inventories to net realizable value and a charge of $101 in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations. The restructuring charges were comprised of asset impairments of $50, environmental and demolition obligation reserves of $50, and severance and employee termination costs of $1 for the separation of approximately 12 employees. Cash outlays related to the permanent closure of the site in 2024 and 2025 are expected to be approximately $54 related to environmental and demolition obligation reserves, $4 of which was reserved for in prior periods, and $31 related to holding costs during the closure. At December 31, 2023, the separation of employees associated with this program was complete with $1 of payments made against the severance and employee termination cost reserve.
In February 2023, the Company reached an updated viability agreement with the workers’ representatives of the San Ciprián smelter to commence the restart process in phases beginning in January 2024. The smelter was curtailed in January 2022 as a result of an agreement reached with the workers’ representatives in December 2021 (see below). Under the terms of the updated viability agreement, the Company is responsible for certain employee obligations during 2023 through 2025 and made commitments for capital improvements of $78. The Company recorded charges of $53 in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations to establish the related reserve for employee obligations in 2023. Cash outlays related to these obligations were $7 in 2023 and the remainder is expected in 2024 and 2025. At December 31 2023, the Company has restricted cash of $91 to be made available for remaining capital improvement commitments at the site of $118 and smelter restart costs of $35 (see below). Restricted cash is included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other noncurrent assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (see Note U).
2022 Actions. In 2022 Alcoa Corporation recorded Restructuring and other charges, net, of $696 which were primarily comprised of the following components:
Non-cash settlement charges related to pension benefits (see Note O):
o
$635 related to the purchase of group annuity contracts to transfer approximately $1,000 of pension obligations and assets associated with defined benefit pension plans for approximately 4,400 United States retirees and beneficiaries, as well as lump sum settlements;
Charges related to portfolio actions:
o
$79 for the agreement reached with the workers of the divested Avilés and La Coruña facilities to settle various legal disputes related to the 2019 divestiture (see Note S);
o
$58 for an asset impairment related to the sale of the Company’s interest in MRN (see Note H); and,
o
$29 related to the closure of the previously curtailed magnesium smelter facility in Addy (Washington) (see below);
Other charges and credits:
o
$26 to record additional environmental and asset retirement related reserves at previously closed sites (see Note R and Note S); and,
o
$7 net credit for revaluation of adjustments to take-or-pay contract reserves related to the closed Wenatchee and curtailed Intalco smelters;
o
$83 for the release of a valuation allowance on Brazil value added taxes (VAT) (see Note Q); and,
o
$34 due to lower costs for demolition and remediation at previously closed sites (see Note S).
In July 2022, Alcoa made the decision to permanently close the previously curtailed magnesium smelter in Addy. The facility has been fully curtailed since 2001. The Company recorded a charge of $29 to establish reserves for environmental and demolition obligations in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations in the third quarter of 2022.
2021 Actions. In 2021 Alcoa Corporation recorded Restructuring and other charges, net, of $1,128 which were comprised of the following components:
Non-cash settlement charges related to pension and certain other postretirement benefits (see Note O):
o
$858 related to the purchase of group annuity contracts to transfer approximately $1,500 of pension obligations and assets associated with defined benefit pension plans for approximately 14,000 United States retirees and beneficiaries, as well as lump sum settlements;
o
$63 related to the purchase of a group annuity contract to transfer approximately $55 of pension obligations and assets associated with a Suriname pension plan for approximately 800 retirees and beneficiaries;
o
$47 related to lump sum settlements; and,
o
Net $9 related to the settlement and curtailment of certain other postretirement benefits resulting from the sale of the Warrick Rolling Mill;
Charges related to portfolio actions taken as part of the Company’s ongoing strategic review (see details below):
o
$80 related to the closure of the previously curtailed aluminum smelter facility in Wenatchee (Washington);
o
$62 related to the agreement reached with the workers at the San Ciprián aluminum smelter to curtail smelting capacity; and,
o
$27 related to the closure of the previously curtailed anode facility in Lake Charles (Louisiana);
Other charges:
o
$13 for additional take-or-pay contract costs related to the curtailed Wenatchee and Intalco smelters;
o
$11 to record additional environmental and asset retirement related reserves (see Note R and Note S); and,
o
$3 for several other immaterial items;
o
$6 for a take-or-pay energy-related obligation at the Alumar (Brazil) smelter no longer required due to the restart;
o
$17 related to the divestiture of the Avilés and La Coruña entities (see below); and,
o
$22 due to lower costs for demolition and remediation related to previously established reserves (see Note R and Note S).
In December 2021, the Company announced the two-year curtailment of 228 kmt of smelting capacity at the San Ciprián smelter. The temporary curtailment, which began at the end of January 2022, was the result of an agreement reached with the workers' representatives at the site to suspend production due to exorbitant energy prices in Spain. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company is responsible for certain employee obligations during 2022 and 2023, and committed to restart the smelter beginning in January 2024. The Company recorded charges of $62 in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations to establish the related reserve for employee obligations in 2021. Cash payments were $31 and $26 in 2023 and 2022, respectively and this program is complete as of December 31, 2023. Additionally, the Company made restricted cash available for capital improvements at the site of $68 and smelter restart costs of $35 (see above).
During the fourth quarter of 2021, as part of the Company’s ongoing strategic portfolio review, the Company announced the permanent closure of the Wenatchee aluminum smelter. The smelter has been fully curtailed since 2015. Charges related to the closure totaled $90 in the fourth quarter of 2021 and included a charge of $10 for the write-down of remaining inventories to net realizable value recorded in Cost of goods sold on the Statement of Consolidated Operations and a charge of $80 recorded in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations. The restructuring charges were comprised of: $30 to write-off the remaining net book value of various assets; $23 of asset impairments; $21 to establish reserves related to environmental and demolition obligations; $5 related to take-or-pay contractual obligations; and $1 of severance and employee termination costs from the separation of approximately 10 employees. Cash payments were $3 and $1 in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
During the third quarter of 2021, as part of the Company’s ongoing strategic portfolio review, the Company announced the decision to permanently close the previously curtailed anode facility in Lake Charles. The anode facility within the Lake Charles site has been fully curtailed since 2015. The Company recorded charges of $27 in the third quarter of 2021, which were recorded in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations, comprised of asset impairments of $22 and cash-based charges for closure and asset retirement obligations of $5. The closure was completed in September 2022. The decision to permanently close the facility was made as part of the Company’s ongoing portfolio review. The Company’s petroleum coke calciner located at the same site in Lake Charles remains in operation, unaffected by the closure of the anode facility.
Alcoa Corporation does not include Restructuring and other charges, net in the results of its reportable segments. The impact of allocating such charges to segment results would have been as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alumina(1) | $8 | $(27) | $1 |
| Aluminum | 169 | 82 | 184 |
| Segment total | 177 | 55 | 185 |
| Corporate | 7 | 641 | 943 |
| Total Restructuring and other charges, net | $184 | $696 | $1,128 |
(1)
Beginning in January 2023, the Company changed its operating segments, by combining the Bauxite and Alumina segments, and reported its financial results in the following two segments: (i) Alumina and (ii) Aluminum (see Note E).
Activity and reserve balances for restructuring charges were as follows:
| Severanceandemployeeterminationcosts | Othercosts | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balances at December 31, 2020 | $6 | $57 | $63 |
| Restructuring charges, net | 1 | 80 | 81 |
| Cash payments | (4) | (25) | (29) |
| Reversals and other | — | (22) | (22) |
| Balances at December 31, 2021 | 3 | 90 | 93 |
| Restructuring charges, net | 1 | 73 | 74 |
| Cash payments | (2) | (37) | (39) |
| Reversals and other | (1) | (10) | (11) |
| Balances at December 31, 2022 | 1 | 116 | 117 |
| Restructuring charges, net | 11 | 55 | 66 |
| Cash payments | (6) | (118) | (124) |
| Reversals and other | — | 4 | 4 |
| Balances at December 31, 2023 | $6 | $57 | $63 |
The activity and reserve balances include only Restructuring and other charges, net that impact the reserves for Severance and employee termination costs and Other costs. Restructuring and other charges, net that affected other accounts such as Investments (see Note H), Accrued pension benefits and Accrued other postretirement benefits (see Note O), Asset retirement obligations (see Note R), and Environmental remediation (see Note S) are excluded from the above activity and balances. Reversals and other include reversals of previously recorded liabilities and foreign currency translation impacts.
The current portion of the reserve balance is reflected in Other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the noncurrent portion of the reserve balance is reflected in Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The noncurrent portion of the reserve was $15 and $3 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
E. Segment and Related Information
Segment Information
Alcoa Corporation is a producer of bauxite, alumina, and aluminum products. Beginning in January 2023, the financial information provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) for the activities of the bauxite mines and the alumina refineries was combined into the Alumina segment, and accordingly the Company changed its operating segments. Beginning with the first quarter of 2023, the Company reported its financial results in the followingtwo segments: (i) Alumina and (ii) Aluminum. Segment information for all prior periods presented has been updated to reflect the new segment structure. Segment performance under Alcoa Corporation’s management reporting system is evaluated based on a number of factors; however, the primary measure of performance is the Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) for each segment. The Company calculates Segment Adjusted EBITDA as Total sales (third-party and intersegment) minus the following items: Cost of goods sold; Selling, general administrative, and other expenses; and Research and development expenses. Alcoa Corporation’s Segment Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. The CODM function regularly reviews the financial information, including Adjusted EBITDA, of thesetwo operating segments to assess performance and allocate resources.
Segment assets include, among others, customer receivables (third-party and intersegment), inventories, properties, plants, and equipment, and equity investments. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (see Note B). Transactions between segments are established based on negotiation between the parties. Differences between segment totals and Alcoa Corporation’s consolidated totals for line items not reconciled are in Corporate.
The following are detailed descriptions of Alcoa Corporation’s reportable segments:
Alumina. This segment represents the Company’s worldwide refining system, including the mining of bauxite, which is then refined into alumina.
The alumina produced by this segment is sold primarily to internal and external aluminum smelter customers; a portion of the alumina is sold to external customers who process it into industrial chemical products. Approximately two-thirds of Alumina’s production is sold under supply contracts to third parties worldwide, while the remainder is used internally by the Aluminum segment. Alumina produced by this segment and used internally is transferred to the Aluminum segment at prevailing market prices. A portion of this segment’s third-party sales are completed through the use of alumina traders.
Generally, this segment’s sales are transacted in U.S. dollars while costs and expenses are transacted in the local currency of the respective operations, which are the Australian dollar, the Brazilian real, and the euro. Most of the operations that comprise the Alumina segment are part of AWAC (see Principles of Consolidation in Note A).
A portion of this segment’s bauxite production represents the offtake from equity method investments in Brazil (prior to the MRN sale in April 2022) and Guinea, as well as AWAC’s share of bauxite production related to an equity investment in Saudi Arabia. Bauxite mined is primarily used internally within the Alumina segment; a portion of the bauxite is sold to external customers. Bauxite sales to third-parties are conducted on a contract basis.
This segment also includes AWAC’s 25.1% ownership interest in a mining and refining joint venture company in Saudi Arabia (see Note H).
Aluminum. This segment consists of the Company’s (i) worldwide smelting and casthouse system, which processes alumina into primary aluminum, and (ii) portfolio of energy assets in Brazil, Canada, and the United States.
Aluminum’s combined smelting and casting operations produce primary aluminum products, nearly all of which are sold to external customers and traders. The smelting operations produce molten primary aluminum, which is then formed by the casting operations into either common alloy ingot (e.g., t-bar, sow, standard ingot) or into value-add ingot products (e.g., foundry, billet, rod, and slab). A variety of external customers purchase the primary aluminum products for use in fabrication operations, which produce products primarily for the transportation, building and construction, packaging, wire, and other industrial markets. Results from the sale of aluminum powder and scrap are also included in this segment, as well as the impacts of embedded aluminum derivatives (see Note P) related to energy supply contracts.
The energy assets supply power to external customers in Brazil and the United States, as well as internal customers in the Aluminum segment (Canadian smelters and Warrick (Indiana) smelter) and, to a lesser extent, the Alumina segment (Brazilian refineries).
Results from the Warrick Rolling Mill are included in this segment through the first quarter of 2021 (see Note C). Alcoa continues to own and operate the Warrick Operations aluminum smelter and the power plant.
Generally, this segment’s aluminum sales are transacted in U.S. dollars while costs and expenses of this segment are transacted in the local currency of the respective operations, which are the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Norwegian krone, the Icelandic króna, the Canadian dollar, the Brazilian real, and the Australian dollar.
This segment also includes Alcoa Corporation’s 25.1% ownership interest in a smelting joint venture company in Saudi Arabia (see Note H).
The operating results, capital expenditures, and assets of Alcoa Corporation’s reportable segments were as follows:
| Alumina | Aluminum | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales: | |||
| Third-party sales | $3,613 | $6,925 | $10,538 |
| Intersegment sales | 1,648 | 15 | 1,663 |
| Total sales | $5,261 | $6,940 | $12,201 |
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA | $273 | $461 | $734 |
| Supplemental information: | |||
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $333 | $277 | $610 |
| Equity loss | (48) | (106) | (154) |
| Sales: | |||
| Third-party sales | $3,724 | $8,735 | $12,459 |
| Intersegment sales | 1,708 | 27 | 1,735 |
| Total sales | $5,432 | $8,762 | $14,194 |
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA | $788 | $1,492 | $2,280 |
| Supplemental information: | |||
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $312 | $283 | $595 |
| Equity (loss) income | (39) | 48 | 9 |
| Sales: | |||
| Third-party sales | $3,375 | $8,766 | $12,141 |
| Intersegment sales | 1,552 | 18 | 1,570 |
| Total sales | $4,927 | $8,784 | $13,711 |
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA | $1,192 | $1,879 | $3,071 |
| Supplemental information: | |||
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $351 | $289 | $640 |
| Equity income | 4 | 116 | 120 |
| Assets: | |||
| Capital expenditures | $323 | $198 | $521 |
| Equity investments | 395 | 569 | 964 |
| Total assets | 6,153 | 5,854 | 12,007 |
| Assets: | |||
| Capital expenditures | $320 | $153 | $473 |
| Equity investments | 422 | 685 | 1,107 |
| Total assets | 5,859 | 6,358 | 12,217 |
The following tables reconcile certain segment information to consolidated totals:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales: | |||
| Total segment sales | $12,201 | $14,194 | $13,711 |
| Elimination of intersegment sales | (1,663) | (1,735) | (1,570) |
| Other | 13 | (8) | 11 |
| Consolidated sales | $10,551 | $12,451 | $12,152 |
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net (loss) income attributable to Alcoa Corporation: | |||
| Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA | $734 | $2,280 | $3,071 |
| Unallocated amounts: | |||
| Transformation(1) | (80) | (66) | (44) |
| Intersegment eliminations | 7 | 138 | (119) |
| Corporate expenses(2) | (133) | (128) | (129) |
| Provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization | (632) | (617) | (664) |
| Restructuring and other charges, net (D) | (184) | (696) | (1,128) |
| Interest expense (U) | (107) | (106) | (195) |
| Other (expenses) income, net (U) | (134) | 118 | 445 |
| Other(3) | (55) | (221) | (38) |
| Consolidated (loss) income before income taxes | (584) | 702 | 1,199 |
| Provision for income taxes (Q) | (189) | (664) | (629) |
| Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest | 122 | (161) | (141) |
| Consolidated net (loss) income attributable to Alcoa Corporation | $(651) | $(123) | $429 |
(1)
Transformation includes, among other items, the Adjusted EBITDA of previously closed operations.
(2)
Corporate expenses are composed of general administrative and other expenses of operating the corporate headquarters and other global administrative facilities, as well as research and development expenses of the corporate technical center.
(3)
Other includes certain items that are not included in the Adjusted EBITDA of the reportable segments.
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Assets: | ||
| Total segment assets | $12,007 | $12,217 |
| Elimination of intersegment receivables | (159) | (126) |
| Unallocated amounts: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 944 | 1,363 |
| Corporate fixed assets, net | 392 | 364 |
| Corporate goodwill | 142 | 141 |
| Deferred income taxes | 333 | 296 |
| Pension assets | 125 | 146 |
| Other | 371 | 355 |
| Consolidated assets | $14,155 | $14,756 |
Product Information
Alcoa Corporation hasfour product divisions and one divested product division as follows:
Bauxite—Bauxite is a reddish clay rock that is mined from the surface of the earth’s terrain. This ore is the basic raw material used to produce alumina and is the primary source of aluminum.
Alumina—Alumina is an oxide that is extracted from bauxite and is the basic raw material used to produce primary aluminum. This product can also be consumed for non-metallurgical purposes, such as industrial chemical products.
Primary aluminum—Primary aluminum is metal in the form of a common alloy ingot or a value-add ingot (e.g., foundry, billet, rod, and slab). These products are sold primarily to customers that produce products for the transportation, building and construction, packaging, wire, and other industrial markets, and traders.
Energy—Energy is the generation of electricity, which is sold in the wholesale market to traders, large industrial consumers, distribution companies, and other generation companies.
Flat-rolled aluminum—Flat-rolled aluminum is metal in the form of sheet, which is sold primarily to customers that produce beverage and food cans, including body, tab, and end stock. As noted above, the Company sold the Warrick Rolling Mill in March 2021 which represented the Company’s only Flat-rolled aluminum asset. The results of the Warrick Rolling Mill are included in this product division through the first quarter of 2021.
The following table represents the general commercial profile of the Company’s Bauxite, Alumina, and Primary aluminum product divisions (see text below table for Energy):
| Product division | Pricing components | Shipping terms(3) | Payment terms(4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bauxite | Negotiated | FOB/CIF | LC Sight |
| Alumina: | |||
| Smelter-grade | API(1)/spot/fixed | FOB/CIF | LC Sight/CAD/Net 30 days |
| Non-metallurgical | Negotiated | FOB/CIF | Net 30 days |
| Primary aluminum: | |||
| Common alloy ingot | LME + Regional premium(2) | DAP/CIF | Net 30 to 45 days |
| Value-add ingot | LME + Regional premium + Product premium(2) | DAP/CIF | Net 30 to 45 days |
(1)
API (Alumina Price Index) is a pricing mechanism that is calculated by the Company based on the weighted average of a prior month’s daily spot prices published by the following three indices: CRU Metallurgical Grade Alumina Price, Platts Metals Daily Alumina PAX Price, and FastMarkets Metal Bulletin Non-Ferrous Metals Alumina Index.
(2)
LME (London Metal Exchange) is a globally recognized exchange for commodity trading, including aluminum. The LME pricing component represents the underlying base metal component, based on quoted prices for aluminum on the exchange. The regional premium represents the incremental price over the base LME component that is associated with the physical delivery of metal to a particular region (e.g., the Midwest premium for metal sold in the United States). The product premium represents the incremental price for receiving physical metal in a particular shape or alloy.
(3)
CIF (cost, insurance, and freight) means that the Company pays for these items until the product reaches the buyer’s designated destination point related to transportation by vessel. DAP (delivered at place) means the same as CIF related to all methods of transportation. FOB (free on board) means that the Company pays for costs, insurance, and freight until the product reaches the seller’s designated shipping point.
(4)
The net number of days means that the customer is required to remit payment to the Company for the invoice amount within the designated number of days. LC Sight is a letter of credit that is payable immediately (usually within five to ten business days) after a seller meets the requirements of the letter of credit (i.e. shipping documents that evidence the seller performed its obligations as agreed to with a buyer). CAD (cash against documents) is a payment arrangement in which a seller instructs a bank to provide shipping and title documents to the buyer at the time the buyer pays in full the accompanying bill of exchange.
For the Company’s Energy product division, sales of electricity are based on current market prices. Electricity is provided to customers on demand through a national or regional power grid; the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the electricity. Payment terms are generally within 10 days related to the previous 30 days of electricity consumption.
The following table details Alcoa Corporation’s Sales by product division:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales: | |||
| Primary aluminum | $7,045 | $8,887 | $8,420 |
| Alumina | 3,103 | 3,478 | 3,125 |
| Bauxite | 466 | 168 | 207 |
| Energy | 118 | 201 | 286 |
| Flat-rolled aluminum(1) | — | — | 320 |
| Other(2) | (181) | (283) | (206) |
| $10,551 | $12,451 | $12,152 | |
(1)
Flat-rolled aluminum represented sales of the Warrick Rolling Mill through the sale of the facility in March 2021 (see Note C).
(2)
Other includes realized gains and losses related to embedded derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges of forward sales of aluminum (see Note P).
Geographic Area Information
Geographic information for Third-party sales was as follows (based upon the country where the point of sale originated):
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales: | |||
| United States(1)(2) | $4,993 | $5,462 | $5,290 |
| Netherlands(3) | 2,261 | 3,031 | 2,644 |
| Australia | 2,240 | 2,742 | 2,092 |
| Brazil | 735 | 527 | 610 |
| Spain(2)(3) | 289 | 618 | 1,465 |
| Canada | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Other | 32 | 70 | 40 |
| $10,551 | $12,451 | $12,152 | |
(1)
Sales of a portion of the alumina from refineries in Australia and Brazil and most of the aluminum from smelters in Canada occurred in the United States.
(2)
Sales of aluminum off-take related to an interest in the Saudi Arabia joint venture (see Note H), occurred in Spain through most of the third quarter of 2021, and in the United States thereafter.
(3)
Sales of aluminum from smelters in Iceland and Norway occurred in Spain through most of the first quarter of 2021, and in the Netherlands thereafter.
Geographic information for long-lived assets was as follows (based upon the physical location of the assets):
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Long-lived assets: | ||
| Australia | $2,046 | $1,944 |
| Brazil | 1,550 | 1,298 |
| Iceland | 950 | 1,002 |
| Canada | 896 | 919 |
| United States | 780 | 830 |
| Norway | 310 | 304 |
| Spain | 250 | 194 |
| Other | 3 | 2 |
| $6,785 | $6,493 | |
F. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share (EPS) amounts are computed by dividing Net (loss) income attributable to Alcoa Corporation by the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS amounts assume the issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive share equivalents outstanding.
The share information used to compute basic and diluted EPS attributable to Alcoa Corporation common shareholders was as follows (shares in millions):
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average shares outstanding—basic | 178 | 181 | 186 |
| Effect of dilutive securities: | |||
| Stock options | — | — | — |
| Stock units | — | — | 4 |
| Average shares outstanding—diluted | 178 | 181 | 190 |
In 2023, basic average shares outstanding and diluted average shares outstanding were the same because the effect of potential shares of common stock was anti-dilutive. Had Alcoa generated net income in 2023, three million common share equivalents related tothree million outstanding stock units and stock options combined would have been included in diluted average shares outstanding for the period.
In 2022, basic average shares outstanding and diluted average shares outstanding were the same because the effect of potential shares of common stock was anti-dilutive. Had Alcoa generated net income in 2022, three million common share equivalents related tofive million outstanding stock units and stock options combined would have been included in diluted average shares outstanding for the period.
In 2021, options to purchase less than two hundred thousand shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2021 at a weighted average exercise price of $38.67 per share were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the exercise prices of these options were greater than the annual average market price of Alcoa Corporation’s common stock.
G. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table details the activity of the three components that comprise Accumulated other comprehensive loss for both Alcoa Corporation’s shareholders and Noncontrolling interest:
| Alcoa Corporation | Noncontrolling interest | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Pension and other postretirement benefits (O) | ||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $62 | $(882) | $(2,536) | $(5) | $(13) | $(67) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||
| Unrecognized net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service cost/benefit | (112) | 263 | 550 | (13) | 7 | 30 |
| Tax (expense) benefit(2) | 17 | (42) | (37) | 2 | — | (6) |
| Total Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax | (95) | 221 | 513 | (11) | 7 | 24 |
| Amortization of net actuarial loss and prior service cost/benefit(1) | 39 | 723 | 1,144 | 1 | 1 | 30 |
| Tax expense(2) | (6) | — | (3) | — | — | — |
| Total amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax(7) | 33 | 723 | 1,141 | 1 | 1 | 30 |
| Total Other comprehensive income (loss) | (62) | 944 | 1,654 | (10) | 8 | 54 |
| Balance at end of period | $— | $62 | $(882) | $(15) | $(5) | $(13) |
| Foreign currency translation | ||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $(2,685) | $(2,614) | $(2,385) | $(1,040) | $(937) | $(844) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | 92 | (71) | (229) | 57 | (103) | (93) |
| Balance at end of period | $(2,593) | $(2,685) | $(2,614) | $(983) | $(1,040) | $(937) |
| Cash flow hedges (P) | ||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $(916) | $(1,096) | $(708) | $1 | $(1) | $(1) |
| Other comprehensive (loss) income: | ||||||
| Net change from periodic revaluations | (295) | (119) | (782) | — | 2 | (2) |
| Tax benefit(2) | 70 | 43 | 140 | — | — | 1 |
| Total Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of tax | (225) | (76) | (642) | — | 2 | (1) |
| Net amount reclassified to earnings: | ||||||
| Aluminum contracts(3) | 181 | 316 | 288 | — | — | — |
| Financial contracts(4) | (20) | — | 2 | — | — | 1 |
| Interest rate contracts(5) | (5) | 5 | 8 | (1) | — | 1 |
| Foreign exchange contracts(6) | (26) | (5) | (3) | — | — | — |
| Sub-total | 130 | 316 | 295 | (1) | — | 2 |
| Tax expense(2) | (41) | (60) | (41) | — | — | (1) |
| Total amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax(7) | 89 | 256 | 254 | (1) | — | 1 |
| Total Other comprehensive (loss) income | (136) | 180 | (388) | (1) | 2 | — |
| Balance at end of period | $(1,052) | $(916) | $(1,096) | $— | $1 | $(1) |
| Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss | $(3,645) | $(3,539) | $(4,592) | $(998) | $(1,044) | $(951) |
(1)
These amounts were included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefits. The amounts related to settlements and/or curtailments of certain pension and other postretirement benefits for Alcoa Corporation include $21, $633, and $952 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The amounts related to settlements and/or curtailments of certain pension and other postretirement benefits for Noncontrolling interest include $0, ($1), and $25 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively (see Note O).
(2)
These amounts were reported in Provision for income taxes on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
(3)
These amounts were reported in Sales on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
(4)
These amounts were reported in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
(5)
These amounts were included in Other (income) expenses, net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
(6)
In 2023, $5 was reported in Cost of goods sold and ($31) was reported in Sales on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations. In 2022, $5 was reported in Cost of goods sold and ($10) was reported in Sales on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
(7)
A positive amount indicates a corresponding charge to earnings and a negative amount indicates a corresponding benefit to earnings.
H. Investments
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Equity investments | $969 | $1,112 |
| Other investments | 10 | 10 |
| $979 | $1,122 |
Equity Investments. The following table summarizes information of Alcoa Corporation’s equity investments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. In 2023, 2022, and 2021, Alcoa Corporation received $51, $127, and $50, respectively, in dividends from these equity investments. Each of the investees either owns the facility listed or has an ownership interest in an entity that owns the facility listed:
| Investee | Country | Nature of investment | Income Statement Location of Equity Earnings | Ownershipinterest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ma’aden Aluminum Company | Saudi Arabia | Aluminum smelter and casthouse | Other expenses (income), net | 25.1% |
| Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Company | Saudi Arabia | Bauxite mine and alumina refinery | Other expenses (income), net | 25.1% |
| Halco Mining, Inc. | Guinea | Bauxite mine | Cost of goods sold | 45% |
| Energética Barra Grande S.A. | Brazil | Hydroelectric generation facility | Cost of goods sold | 42.18% |
| Pechiney Reynolds Quebec, Inc. | Canada | Aluminum smelter | Cost of goods sold | 50% |
| Serra do Facão Energia S/A | Brazil | Hydroelectric generation facility | Cost of goods sold | 34.97% |
| Manicouagan Power Limited Partnership | Canada | Hydroelectric generation facility | Cost of goods sold | 40% |
| ElysisTM Limited Partnership | Canada | Aluminum smelting technology | Other expenses (income), net | 48.235% |
Saudi Arabia Joint Venture—Alcoa Corporation and Ma’aden have a 30-year (from December 2009) joint venture shareholders agreement (automatic extension for an additional 20 years, unless the parties agree otherwise or unless earlier terminated) setting forth the terms for the development, construction, ownership, and operation of an integrated aluminum complex in Saudi Arabia. The project developed by the joint venture consists of a bauxite mine from the Al Ba’itha bauxite deposit in the northern part of Saudi Arabia, an alumina refinery, a primary aluminum smelter, and an aluminum rolling mill.
The joint venture is owned 74.9% by Ma’aden and 25.1% by Alcoa Corporation and originally consisted of three separate companies as follows: the bauxite mine and alumina refinery (Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Company; MBAC), the smelter (Ma’aden Aluminum Company; MAC), and the rolling mill (Ma’aden Rolling Company; MRC). In June 2019, Alcoa Corporation and Ma’aden amended the joint venture agreement that governs the operations of each of the three companies that comprise the joint venture. Under the terms of the agreement, Alcoa Corporation transferred its 25.1% interest in MRC to Ma’aden and, as a result, hasno further direct or indirect equity interest in MRC. In accordance with the June 2019 amended joint venture agreement, Ma’aden’s put option and Alcoa Corporation’s call option, relating to additional interests in the joint venture, were exercisable for a period of six months after October 1, 2021. On March 31, 2022, Ma’aden’s and Alcoa’s put and call options, respectively, expired with neither party exercising their options.
The results for the Saudi Arabia joint venture for the year ended December 31, 2022 include a charge related to a dispute with an industrial utility for periods in 2021 and 2022. Alcoa’s share of this charge was $21 which is included in Other expenses (income), net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations for the year ended December 31, 2022. The results for the Saudi Arabia joint venture for the year ended December 31, 2023 include an adjustment to the estimate for the settlement of this dispute. Alcoa’s share of this adjustment is $41 which is included in Other expenses (income), net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations for 2023. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying value of Alcoa’s investment in this joint venture was $533 and $710, respectively.
ELYSIS Limited Partnership—In June 2018, Alcoa Corporation, Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. (Rio Tinto), and Investissement Québec, a company wholly-owned by the Government of Québec, Canada, launched the ELYSIS Limited Partnership (ELYSIS). The purpose of this partnership is to advance larger scale development and commercialization of its patent-protected technology that produces oxygen and eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional aluminum smelting process. Alcoa and Rio Tinto plc, as general partners, each own a 48.235% stake in ELYSIS, and the Québec provincial government, as a limited partner, owns a 3.53% stake. The federal government of Canada and Apple Inc., as well as the Québec provincial government, are providing initial financing to the partnership.
Through December 31, 2023, the Company has contributed $118 (C$155) toward its investment commitment in ELYSIS. The Company’s basis in the investment has been reduced tozero for its share of losses incurred to date. In addition to cash contributions, Alcoa is contributing approximately $3 annually to cover overhead expenses incurred by Alcoa and charged to the joint venture. As a result, the Company has $60 in unrecognized losses as of December 31, 2023 that will be recognized upon additional contributions into the partnership.
The following table summarizes the profit and loss data for the respective periods ended December 31, as it relates to Alcoa Corporation’s equity investments. Information shown for the Saudi Arabia Joint Venture for all periods presented includes the combined balances for MAC and MBAC. The investments are grouped based on the nature of the investment. The Mining investments are part of the Alumina segment, while the Energy and Other investments are primarily part of the Aluminum segment.
| Saudi ArabiaJoint Venture | Mining | Energy | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | $2,726 | $670 | $236 | $464 |
| Cost of goods sold | 2,550 | 446 | 118 | 425 |
| Net (loss) income | (457) | 50 | 100 | (97) |
| Equity in net (loss) income of affiliated companies, before reconciling adjustments | (115) | 23 | 39 | (46) |
| Other | (43) | - | 1 | (9) |
| Alcoa Corporation’s equity in net (loss) income of affiliated companies | (158) | 23 | 40 | (55) |
| Sales | $3,317 | $763 | $252 | $488 |
| Cost of goods sold | 2,696 | 488 | 120 | 445 |
| Net income (loss) | 42 | 110 | 109 | (75) |
| Equity in net income (loss) of affiliated companies, before reconciling adjustments | 11 | 39 | 41 | (36) |
| Other | (7) | (2) | (3) | 15 |
| Alcoa Corporation’s equity in net income (loss) of affiliated companies | 4 | 37 | 38 | (21) |
| Sales | $3,127 | $794 | $264 | $404 |
| Cost of goods sold | 2,083 | 571 | 135 | 365 |
| Net income (loss) | 495 | 30 | 114 | (42) |
| Equity in net income (loss) of affiliated companies, before reconciling adjustments | 124 | 18 | 45 | (20) |
| Other | (8) | 5 | (1) | 25 |
| Alcoa Corporation’s equity in net income of affiliated companies | 116 | 23 | 44 | 5 |
The following table summarizes the balance sheet data for the respective periods ended December 31, as it relates to Alcoa Corporation’s equity investments.
| Saudi ArabiaJoint Venture | Mining | Energy | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets | $1,433 | $8 | $103 | $181 |
| Noncurrent assets | 6,958 | 419 | 310 | 764 |
| Current liabilities | 1,444 | 5 | 16 | 89 |
| Noncurrent liabilities | 4,272 | 24 | 34 | 117 |
| Current assets | $1,769 | $5 | $114 | $134 |
| Noncurrent assets | 6,993 | 363 | 301 | 757 |
| Current liabilities | 1,255 | 3 | 13 | 114 |
| Noncurrent liabilities | 4,314 | 24 | 26 | 84 |
On February 15, 2022, the Company signed an agreement to sell its share of its investment in MRN in Brazil for $10 to South32 Minerals S.A. Related to this transaction, the Company recorded an asset impairment of $58 in the first quarter of 2022 in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations. On April 30, 2022, Alcoa completed the sale of its investment in MRN. An additional $30 in cash could be paid to the Company in the future if certain post-closing conditions related to future MRN mine development are satisfied.
I. Receivables
On January 31, 2023, a wholly-owned special purpose entity (SPE) of the Company entered into a one-year agreement with a financial institution to sell up to $150 of certain customer receivables without recourse on a revolving basis. On August 27, 2023, the Company amended the agreement to decrease the amount of certain receivables that can be transferred from $150 to $130. On November 15, 2023, the Company amended the agreement to extend the termination date from January 30, 2024 to November 14, 2024. Company subsidiaries sell customer receivables to the SPE, which then transfers the receivables to the financial institution. The Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred receivables, and therefore accounts for the transfers as sales of receivables.
Alcoa Corporation guarantees the performance obligations of the Company subsidiaries and unsold customer receivables are pledged as collateral to the financial institution to secure the sold receivables. At December 31, 2023, the SPE held unsold customer receivables of $104 pledged as collateral against the sold receivables.
The Company continues to service the customer receivables that were transferred to the financial institution. As Alcoa collects customer payments, the SPE transfers additional receivables to the financial institution rather than remitting cash. In 2023, the Company sold gross customer receivables of $591, and reinvested collections of $477 from previously sold receivables, resulting in net cash proceeds from the financial institution of $114. Cash collections from previously sold receivables yet to be reinvested of $99 were included in Accounts payable, trade on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023. Cash received from sold receivables under the agreement are presented within operating activities in the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows.
J. Inventories
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Finished goods | $355 | $385 |
| Work-in-process | 287 | 350 |
| Bauxite and alumina | 586 | 584 |
| Purchased raw materials | 700 | 923 |
| Operating supplies | 230 | 185 |
| $2,158 | $2,427 |
K. Properties, Plants, and Equipment, Net
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Land and land rights, including mines | $257 | $253 |
| Structures (by type of operation): | ||
| Bauxite mining and alumina refining | 4,085 | 3,515 |
| Aluminum smelting and casting | 3,274 | 3,265 |
| Energy generation | 380 | 354 |
| Other | 357 | 346 |
| 8,096 | 7,480 | |
| Machinery and equipment (by type of operation): | ||
| Bauxite mining and alumina refining | 4,352 | 4,227 |
| Aluminum smelting and casting | 5,781 | 5,813 |
| Energy generation | 869 | 851 |
| Other | 457 | 461 |
| 11,459 | 11,352 | |
| 19,812 | 19,085 | |
| Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization | 13,596 | 13,112 |
| 6,216 | 5,973 | |
| Construction work-in-progress | 569 | 520 |
| $6,785 | $6,493 | |
L. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill, which is included in Other noncurrent assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet, was as follows:
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alumina | $4 | $4 |
| Aluminum | — | — |
| Corporate(1) | 142 | 141 |
| $146 | $145 |
(1)
The carrying value of Corporate’s goodwill is net of accumulated impairment losses of $742 as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the $142 of goodwill reflected in Corporate is allocated to Alcoa Corporation's Alumina reportable segment for purposes of impairment testing (see Note B). This goodwill is reflected in Corporate for segment reporting purposes because it is not included in management’s assessment of performance by the reportable segment. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were attributable to foreign currency translation as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Management performed a quantitative assessment for the Alumina reporting unit in the fourth quarter 2023. The estimated fair value of the Alumina reporting unit was substantially in excess of its carrying value, resulting inno impairment. As a result of the January 2023 segment change, the Company reviewed the recoverability of the carrying value of goodwill of its Alumina reporting unit in the first quarter of 2023. The estimated fair value of the Alumina reporting unit substantially exceeded the reporting unit’s carrying value, resulting in no impairment.
Other intangible assets, which are included in Other noncurrent assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet, were as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | Grosscarryingamount | Accumulatedamortization | Net carrying amount | Grosscarryingamount | Accumulatedamortization | Net carrying amount |
| Computer software | $207 | $(194) | $13 | $206 | $(202) | $4 |
| Patents and licenses | 25 | (10) | 15 | 25 | (9) | 16 |
| Other intangibles | 21 | (12) | 9 | 20 | (11) | 9 |
| Total other intangible assets | $253 | $(216) | $37 | $251 | $(222) | $29 |
Computer software consists primarily of software costs associated with the enterprise business solution within Alcoa to drive common systems among all businesses.
Amortization expense related to the intangible assets in the table above for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $5, $7, and $11, respectively, and is expected to be approximately $10 annually from 2024 to 2028.
M. Debt
Short-term Borrowings.
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term borrowings | $56 | $— |
Short-term borrowings are reported in Other current liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Inventory Repurchase Agreements
During 2023, the Company entered into inventory repurchase agreements whereby the Company sold aluminum to a third party and agreed to subsequently repurchase substantially similar inventory. The Company did not record sales upon each shipment of inventory and the net cash received of $56 related to these agreements was recorded in Short-term borrowings as of December 31, 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded borrowings of $117 and repurchased $61 of inventory related to these agreements. As of December 31, 2023, inventory sold of $56 was reflected in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The cash received and subsequently paid under the inventory repurchase agreements is included in Cash provided from financing activities on the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows for the year-ended December 31, 2023.
Long-term Debt.
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 5.500% Notes, due 2027 | $750 | $750 |
| 6.125% Notes, due 2028 | 500 | 500 |
| 4.125% Notes, due 2029 | 500 | 500 |
| Other | 82 | 84 |
| Unamortized discounts and deferred financing costs | (21) | (27) |
| Total | 1,811 | 1,807 |
| Less: amount due within one year | 79 | 1 |
| Long-term debt, less amount due within one year | $1,732 | $1,806 |
The principal amount of long-term debt maturing in each of the next five years is: $79 in 2024, $1 in each of 2025 and 2026, $750 in 2027, and $500 in 2028. At December 31, 2023, Other includes $78 related to a term loan that matures in November 2024.
144A Debt.
2029 Notes. In March 2021, Alcoa Nederland Holding B.V. (ANHBV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alcoa Corporation, completed a Rule 144A (U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended) debt issuance for $500 aggregate principal amount of 4.125% Senior Notes due 2029 (the 2029 Notes) with the following terms:
Net proceeds were approximately $493, reflecting a discount to the initial purchasers as well as issuance costs. The discount, as well as costs to complete the financing, were deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the term;
Interest is paid semi-annually in March and September, which commenced September 30, 2021;
Option to redeem on at least 10 days, but not more than 60 days, prior notice to the holders under multiple scenarios, including, in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time after March 31, 2024, at a redemption price up to 102.063% of the principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest; and,
Subject to repurchase upon the occurrence of a change in control repurchase event (as defined in the indenture) at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.
The Company used the net proceeds of the 2029 Notes, together with cash on hand, to contribute $500 to its U.S. defined benefit pension plans applicable to salaried and hourly employees on April 1, 2021 (see Note O), to redeem in full $750 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 6.75% Senior Notes due 2024 on April 7, 2021, and to pay transaction-related fees and expenses.
2027 Notes. In July 2020, ANHBV completed a Rule 144A debt issuance for $750 aggregate principal amount of 5.500% Senior Notes due 2027 (the 2027 Notes) with the following terms:
Net proceeds were approximately $736, reflecting a discount to the initial purchasers as well as issuance costs. The discount, as well as costs to complete the financing, were deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the term;
Interest is paid semi-annually in June and December, which commenced on December 15, 2020;
Option to redeem on at least 15 days, but not more than 60 days, prior notice to the holders under multiple scenarios, including, in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time after June 15, 2023, at a redemption price up to 102.750% of the principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest; and,
Subject to repurchase upon the occurrence of a change in control repurchase event (as defined in the indenture) at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.
The Company used the net proceeds of the 2027 Notes for general corporate purposes, including adding cash to its balance sheet.
2028 Notes. In May 2018, ANHBV completed a Rule 144A debt issuance for $500 aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2028 (the 2028 Notes) with the following terms:
Net proceeds were approximately $492, reflecting a discount to the initial purchasers as well as issuance costs. The discount, as well as costs to complete the financing, were deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the term;
Interest is paid semi-annually in November and May, which commenced November 15, 2018;
Option to redeem on at least 30 days, but not more than 60 days, prior notice to the holders under multiple scenarios, including, in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time after May 2023, at a redemption price up to 103.063% of the principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest; and,
Subject to repurchase upon the occurrence of a change in control repurchase event (as defined in the indenture) at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.
The Company used the net proceeds of the 2028 Notes, together with cash on hand, to make discretionary contributions to certain U.S. defined benefit pension plans.
The indentures governing the 2027 Notes, 2028 Notes, and 2029 Notes contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, such as limitations on liens, limitations on sale and leaseback transactions, and a prohibition on a reduction in the ownership of AWAC entities below an agreed level. The negative covenants in the indentures are less extensive than those in the Revolving Credit Facility (see below). For example, the indentures do not include a limitation on restricted payments, such as repurchases of common stock and dividends to stockholders.
The 2027 Notes, the 2028 Notes, and the 2029 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of ANHBV and do not entitle the holders to any registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement. ANHBV does not intend to file a registration statement with respect to resales of or an exchange offer for the notes. The notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Alcoa Corporation and its subsidiaries that are guarantors under the Facility (the “subsidiary guarantors” and, together with Alcoa Corporation, the “guarantors”). Each of the subsidiary guarantors will be released from their guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including the release of such guarantor from its obligations as a guarantor under the Facility.
The 2027 Notes, the 2028 Notes, and the 2029 Notes rank equally in right of payment with each other and with all of ANHBV’S existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness; rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated obligations of ANHBV; and are effectively subordinated to ANHBV’s existing and future secured indebtedness, including under the Facility, to the extent of the value of property and assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees of the notes rank equally in right of payment with each other and with all the guarantors’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness; rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated obligations of the guarantors; and are effectively subordinated to the guarantors’ existing and future secured indebtedness, including under the Facility, to the extent of the value of property and assets securing such indebtedness.
Redemption events. On April 7, 2021, the Company redeemed in full $750 aggregate principal amount notes due in 2024 at a redemption price equal to 103.375% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The issuance of the 2029 Notes and this redemption were determined to be an issuance of new debt and an extinguishment of existing debt. As a result, the Company recorded a loss of $32 on the extinguishment of debt in the second quarter of 2021 in Interest expense, which was comprised of the redemption premium and the write-off of deferred financing fees and unamortized debt issuance costs. The cash flows related to the transaction were classified as financing cash flows.
On September 30, 2021, the Company redeemed in full $500 aggregate principal amount notes due in 2026 at a redemption price equal to 103.5% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. As a result, the Company recorded a loss of $22 on the extinguishment of debt in the third quarter of 2021 in Interest expense, which was comprised of the redemption premium and the write-off of deferred financing fees and unamortized debt issuance costs. The cash flows related to the transaction were classified as financing cash flows.
Credit Facilities.
Revolving Credit Facility
On June 27, 2022, Alcoa Corporation and Alcoa Nederland Holding B.V. (ANHBV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Alcoa Corporation and the borrower, entered into an amendment and restatement agreement (the Third Amendment and Restatement) (as amended and restated, the Revolving Credit Facility) that provided additional flexibility to the Company and ANHBV by (i) extending the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility from November 2023 to June 2027, (ii) reducing the aggregate commitments under the facility from $1,500 to $1,250, (iii) releasing the collateral package that had previously secured the Revolving Credit Facility, which would have continued so long as certain credit ratings were maintained, (iv) increasing the maximum leverage ratio from 2.75 to 1.00 to 3.25 to 1.00, which increased following material acquisitions for four consecutive fiscal quarters following an acquisition, (v) providing a debt to capitalization ratio not to exceed.60 to 1.00 to replace the maximum leverage ratio upon a ratings upgrade to investment grade by Moody’s Investor Service (Moody’s) or Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings (S&P), and (vi) providing flexibility for dividends and other restricted payments, to make investments, and to incur additional indebtedness. The Revolving Credit Facility implemented a sustainability adjustment to the applicable margin and commitment fee that may result in a positive or negative adjustment based on two of the Company’s existing sustainability metrics.
On July 26, 2022, Moody’s upgraded the rating of ANHBV’s senior unsecured notes to Baa3 (investment grade).
In addition to the financial covenants, the Revolving Credit Facility includes several customary affirmative and negative covenants (applicable to Alcoa Corporation and certain subsidiaries described as restricted), that, subject to certain exceptions, include limitations on (among other things): indebtedness, liens, investments, sales of assets, restricted payments, entering into restrictive agreements, a covenant prohibiting reductions in the ownership of AWAC entities, and certain other specified restricted subsidiaries of Alcoa Corporation, below an agreed level. The Revolving Credit Facility also contains customary events of default, including failure to make payments under the Revolving Credit Facility, cross-default and cross-judgment default, and certain bankruptcy and insolvency events.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants. The Company may access the entire amount of commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility. There wereno borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022, andno amounts were borrowed during 2023 and 2022 under the Revolving Credit Facility.
On January 17, 2024, Alcoa Corporation, ANHBV, and certain subsidiaries of the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (Amendment No. 1) to the Revolving Credit Facility (Amended Revolving Credit Facility). The Amended Revolving Credit Facility provides additional flexibility to the Company and the Borrower by temporarily (i) reducing the minimum interest coverage ratio required thereunder from 4.00 to 1.00 to 3.00 to 1.00 and (ii) providing for a maximum addback for cash restructuring charges in Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) of $450, in each case for the 2024 fiscal year. As of January 1, 2025, the minimum interest coverage ratio requirement will revert to 4.00 to 1.00 and the maximum addback for cash restructuring charges in Consolidated EBITDA will revert to 15% of Consolidated EBITDA. The requirement that the Company maintain a debt to capitalization ratio not to exceed.60 to 1.00 was not changed by Amendment No. 1. In connection with Amendment No. 1, the Company also agreed to provide collateral for its obligations under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility, which will require it to execute all security documents to re-secure collateral under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility by, subject to certain exceptions, a first priority security interest in substantially all assets of the Company, the Borrower, the material domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, and the material foreign wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company located in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland including equity interests of certain subsidiaries that directly hold equity interests in AWAC entities. The collateral would be released if, on or after January 1, 2025, the Company or the Borrower (as applicable) (i) has at least two of the following three designated ratings: (x) Baa3 from Moody’s, (y) BBB- from S&P and (z) BBB- from Fitch Ratings and (ii) does not have any designated rating lower than: (x) Ba1 from Moody’s, (y) BB+ from S&P and (z) BB+ from Fitch Ratings.
The Amended Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative covenants, negative covenants, and events of default substantially comparable to the Revolving Credit Facility (other than those that are described above and other minor changes). The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Amended Revolving Credit Facility were made only for purposes of Amendment No. 1 and as of specific dates and were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Amended Revolving Credit Facility.
Japanese Yen Revolving Credit Facility
In April 2023, the Company entered into a one-year unsecured revolving credit facility for $250 (available to be drawn in Japanese yen) (the Japanese Yen Revolving Credit Facility). Subject to the terms and conditions under the facility, the Company or ANHBV may borrow funds. The facility included covenants that are substantially the same as those included in the Revolving Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants. The Company may access the entire amount of commitments under the facility. There wereno borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2023 and $10 was borrowed and subsequently repaid in 2023.
On January 17, 2024, Alcoa Corporation and ANHBV, entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Japanese Yen Revolving Credit Facility (Amended Japanese Yen Revolving Credit Facility) which contains changes that are substantially the same as those included in the Amended Revolving Credit Facility (as described above). Also in connection with this amendment, the Company agreed to provide collateral for its obligations with the same conditions as the Amended Revolving Credit Facility. On January 24, 2024, ANHBV drew $201 against this facility.
N. Preferred and Common Stock
Preferred Stock. Alcoa Corporation is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock at a par value of $0.01 per share. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company hadno issued preferred stock.
Common Stock. Alcoa Corporation is authorized to issue 750,000,000 shares of common stock at a par value of $0.01 per share. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Alcoa Corporation had 178,472,464 and 176,969,091, respectively, issued and outstanding shares of common stock.
Under its employee stock-based compensation plan, the Company issued shares of 1,503,373 in 2023,1,434,543 in 2022, and 1,305,979 in 2021. The Company issues new shares to satisfy the exercise of stock options and the conversion of stock units. As of December 31, 2023,20,525,431 shares of common stock were available for issuance.
Common Stock Repurchase
In October 2021, Alcoa Corporation’s Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program under which the Company may purchase shares of its outstanding common stock up to an aggregate transactional value of $500, depending on cash availability, market conditions, and other factors.
In July 2022, Alcoa Corporation announced that its Board of Directors approved an additional common stock repurchase program under which the Company may purchase shares of its outstanding common stock up to an aggregate transactional value of $500, depending on the Company’s continuing analysis of market, financial, and other factors (the New Repurchase Program).
No shares were repurchased in 2023. As of the date of this report, the Company is currently authorized to repurchase up to a total of $500, in the aggregate, of its outstanding shares of common stock under the New Repurchase Program. Repurchases under this program may be made using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, or pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan. This program may be suspended or discontinued at any time and does not have a predetermined expiration date. Alcoa Corporation intends to retire repurchased shares of common stock.
In 2022, the Company repurchased 8,565,200 shares of its common stock for $500, which fully exhausted the October 2021 authorization; the shares were immediately retired.
In 2021, the Company repurchased 3,184,300 shares of its common stock for $150; the shares were immediately retired.
Dividend
Dividends on common stock are subject to authorization by Alcoa Corporation’s Board of Directors.
In October 2021, the Company announced the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock and the Board of Directors declared the first quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share of the Company’s common stock. Dividends paid totaled $19 in 2021.
Quarterly dividends paid were $0.10 per share in 2023 and 2022, totaling $72 in both years.
The details of any future cash dividend declaration, including the amount of such dividend and the timing and establishment of the record and payment dates, will be determined by the Board of Directors. The decision of whether to pay future cash dividends and the amount of any such dividends will be based on the Company's financial position, results of operations, cash flows, capital requirements, business conditions, the requirements of applicable law, and any other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Stock-based Compensation
Restricted stock units are generally granted in January and/or February of each calendar year to eligible employees (the Company’s Board of Directors also receive certain stock units; however, these amounts are not material). Time-based restricted stock units (RSUs) generally cliff vest on the third anniversary of the award grant date. The Company also grants performance restricted stock units (PRSUs), which are subject to performance conditions and earned after the end of the three-year measurement period. As of January 1, 2021, the Company no longer grants stock options.
The final number of PRSUs earned is dependent on Alcoa Corporation’s achievement of certain targets over a three-year measurement period for grants. For PRSUs granted in 2021, the award was earned after the end of the measurement period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023 based on performance against four measures: (1) the Company’s total shareholder return measured against the ranked total shareholder return of the Standard & Poor’s Metals and Mining Select Industry Index components; (2) a pre-established return-on-equity target; (3) an improvement in proportional net debt; and (4) a reduction in carbon intensity in both refining (through reduced carbon dioxide emissions) and smelting (through increased production from renewable energy) operations. For PRSUs granted in 2022, the award will be earned after the end of the measurement period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024 based on performance against three measures: (1) the Company’s total shareholder return measured against the ranked total shareholder return of the Standard & Poor’s Metals and Mining Select Industry Index components; (2) a pre-established return-on-equity target; and (3) a reduction in carbon intensity in both refining (through reduced carbon dioxide emissions) and smelting (through increased production from renewable energy) operations. For PRSUs granted in 2023, the award will be earned after the end of the measurement period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025 based on performance against three measures: (1) the Company’s total shareholder return measured against the ranked total shareholder return of the Standard & Poor’s Metals and Mining Select Industry Index components; (2) a pre-established return-on-equity target; and (3) a reduction in carbon intensity in both refining (through reduced carbon dioxide emissions) and smelting (through increased production from renewable energy) operations.
In 2023, 2022, and 2021, Alcoa Corporation recognized stock-based compensation expense of $35, $40, and $39, respectively, of which approximately 95% to 100% was related to stock units in each period. There wasno stock-based compensation expense capitalized in 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Stock-based compensation expense is based on the grant date fair value of the applicable equity grant. For both RSUs and PRSUs, the fair value was equivalent to the closing market price per share of Alcoa Corporation’s common stock on the date of grant in the respective periods. For stock units with a market condition, the fair value was estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model, which generated a result of $71.12, $126.86, and $39.88 per unit in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The Monte Carlo simulation model uses certain assumptions to estimate the fair value of a market-based stock unit, including volatility and a risk-free interest rate, to estimate the probability of satisfying market conditions. Volatility (64.88%,65.25%, and 60.19% in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively) was estimated using the historical volatility of the Company calculated from daily stock price returns. The risk-free interest rate (4.26%,1.71%, and 0.22% in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively) was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of the grant based on the remaining performance period.
The activity for stock units and stock options during 2023 was as follows:
| Stock units · Stock options | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number ofunits | Weightedaverage FMVper unit | Number ofoptions | Weightedaverageexercise price | |
| Outstanding, January 1, 2023 | 4,606,215 | $26.08 | 220,596 | $23.88 |
| Granted | 835,083 | 49.95 | — | — |
| Exercised | — | — | (70,060) | 17.94 |
| Converted | (2,090,761) | 16.98 | — | — |
| Expired or forfeited | (354,230) | 55.82 | (1,928) | 19.89 |
| Performance share adjustment | (862) | 127.42 | — | — |
| Outstanding, December 31, 2023 | 2,995,445 | $35.54 | 148,608 | $26.73 |
The number of Converted units includes 657,448 shares withheld to meet the Company’s statutory tax withholding requirements related to the income earned by the employees as a result of vesting in the units.
As of December 31, 2023, the 148,608 outstanding stock options were fully vested and exercisable, had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.99 years, a total intrinsic value of $2 and a weighted average exercise price of $26.73. Cash received from stock option exercises was $1, $22, and $25 in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $2, $22, and $17, respectively. The total fair value of stock units converted during 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $35, $32 and $19, respectively.
At December 31, 2023, there was $23 of combined unrecognized compensation expense (pretax) related to non-vested grants of stock units. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.80 years.
O. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans
Alcoa sponsors several defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees in the U.S. and foreign locations. Pension benefits generally depend on length of service, job grade, and remuneration. Substantially all benefits are paid through pension trusts that are sufficiently funded to ensure that all plans can pay benefits to retirees as they become due. Most salaried and non-bargaining hourly U.S. employees hired after March 1, 2006 and most bargaining hourly U.S. employees hired after January 1, 2020 participate in a defined contribution plan instead of a defined benefit plan.
The Company also maintains health care postretirement benefit plans covering certain eligible U.S. retired employees and certain retirees from foreign locations. Generally, the medical plans are unfunded and pay a percentage of medical expenses, reduced by deductibles and other coverage. The Company retains the right, subject to existing agreements, to change or eliminate these benefits. All salaried and certain non-bargaining hourly U.S. employees hired after January 1, 2002 and certain bargaining hourly U.S. employees hired after July 1, 2010 are not eligible for postretirement health care benefits.
As of January 1, 2023, the pension benefit plans and the other postretirement benefit plans covered an aggregate of approximately 17,000 and approximately 21,000 participants, respectively.
2023 Plan Actions. In 2023, management initiated the following actions to certain pension plans:
Action #1 – In the second quarter of 2023, plan amendment accounting and related plan remeasurements were triggered within the Surinamese pension and other postretirement plans as a result of participants electing to prospectively convert their Surinamese dollar pension and Company-provided retiree medical to a United States dollar pension with no Company-provided retiree medical. As a result, Alcoa recorded a $15 increase to Accrued pension benefits and a $9 decrease to Accrued other postretirement benefits.
Action #2 – In the second quarter of 2023, settlement accounting and related plan remeasurements were triggered within certain Canadian pension plans as a result of the Company's purchase of group annuity contracts to transfer the obligation to pay the remaining retirement benefits of approximately 530 retirees and beneficiaries from its Canadian defined benefit pension plans. The transfer of approximately $235 in both plan obligations and plan assets was completed in April 2023. As a result, Alcoa recorded a $22 increase to Accrued pension benefits and a $5 decrease to Other noncurrent assets and recognized a non-cash settlement loss of $21 ($16 after-tax) in Restructuring and other charges, net on theaccompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
Action #3 – In the third quarter of 2023, settlement accounting and a related plan remeasurement was triggered within Alcoa’s Australian pension plan as a result of participants electing lump sum payments. As a result, Alcoa recorded a $2 decrease to Other noncurrent assets.
| Action # | Number of affected plan participants | Weighted averagediscount rate as of prior plan remeasurement date | Plan remeasurement date | Weighted average discount rate as of plan remeasurement date | Increase to accrued pension benefits liability | Decrease to other noncurrent assets | Decrease to accrued other postretirement benefits liability | Settlement loss(1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~370 | 5.58% | March 31, 2023 | 5.20% | $15 | $— | $(9) | $— |
| 2 | ~530 | 5.20% | April 30, 2023 | 4.80% | 22 | (5) | — | 21 |
| 3 | ~50 | 5.08% | September 30, 2023 | 5.03% | — | (2) | — | — |
| ~950 | $37 | $(7) | $(9) | $21 | ||||
(1)
This amount represents the net actuarial loss and was reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Restructuring and other charges, net (see Note D) on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
2022 Plan Actions. In 2022, management initiated the following actions to certain pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
Action #1 – In the third quarter of 2022, settlement accounting and related plan remeasurements were triggered within Alcoa’s U.S. pension plans as a result of the Company’s purchase of group annuity contracts to transfer the obligation to pay the remaining retirement benefits of approximately 4,400 retirees and beneficiaries from its U.S. defined benefit pension plans. The transfer of approximately $1,000 in both plan obligations and plan assets was completed in August 2022. As a result, Alcoa recorded a $5 increase to Accrued pension benefits and a $27 increase to Other noncurrent assets and recognized a non-cash settlement loss of $617 (pre- and after-tax) in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations.
Action #2 – In the third quarter of 2022, settlement accounting and related plan remeasurements were triggered within Alcoa’s U.S. pension plans as a result of participants electing lump sum payments. Alcoa recognized a non-cash settlement loss of $11 (pre- and after-tax) in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations.
Action #3 – In the third quarter of 2022, settlement accounting and a related plan remeasurement was triggered within Alcoa’s U.S. salaried pension plan as a result of participants electing lump sum payments. Alcoa recorded a $23 increase to Accrued pension benefits and a $12 decrease to Other noncurrent assets and recognized a non-cash settlement loss of $1 (pre- and after-tax) in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations.
Action #4 – In the third quarter of 2022, settlement accounting and a related plan remeasurement was triggered within Alcoa’s Australian pension plan as a result of participants electing lump sum payments. Alcoa recorded a $21 increase to Other noncurrent assets and recognized a non-cash settlement gain of $3 (pre- and after-tax) in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations.
Action #5 – In the fourth quarter of 2022, settlement accounting was triggered within Alcoa’s U.S. pension plans as a result of participants electing lump sum payments. Alcoa recorded a $3 increase to Accrued pension benefits and recognized a non-cash settlement loss of $6 (pre- and after-tax) in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations.
| Action # · Number of affected plan participants · Weighted averagediscount rate as of prior plan remeasurement date · Plan remeasurement date · Weighted average discount rate as of plan remeasurement date · Increase to accrued pension benefits liability(1) · Increase (decrease) to other noncurrent assets(1) · Settlement loss (gain)(2) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~4,400 | 2.90% | July 31, 2022 | 4.63% | $5 | $27 | $617 | |||||
| 2 | ~45 | 2.90% | July 31, 2022 | 4.63% | — | — | 11 | |||||
| 3 | ~5 | 4.57% | September 30, 2022 | 5.71% | 23 | (12) | 1 | |||||
| 4 | ~25 | 2.46% | September 30, 2022 | 4.99% | — | 21 | (3) | |||||
| 5 | ~20 | N/A | December 31, 2022 | N/A | 3 | — | 6 | |||||
| ~4,495 | $31 | $36 | $632 | |||||||||
(1)
Actions 1-4 caused interim plan remeasurements, including an update to the discount rates used to determine the benefit obligations of the affected plans. These amounts include impacts due to interim plan remeasurements.
(2)
These amounts represent the net actuarial loss (gain) and were reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Restructuring and other charges, net (see Note D) on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
2021 Plan Actions. In 2021, management initiated the following actions to certain pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
Action #1 – On March 31, 2021, Alcoa completed the sale of the Warrick Rolling Mill to Kaiser Aluminum Corporation for total consideration of $670, which included the assumption of $69 in other postretirement benefit liabilities. Approximately 1,150 employees at the rolling operations, which includes the casthouse, hot mill, cold mills, and coating and slitting lines, became employees of Kaiser. As a result, the affected plan was remeasured, including an update to the discount rate used to determine the benefit obligation of the plan. Accrued other postretirement benefits reflects a decrease of $40 related to the remeasurement in addition to the $69 assumed by Kaiser. Further, Alcoa recognized a curtailment gain of $17 (pre- and after-tax) and a settlement loss of $26 (pre- and after-tax).
Action #2 – In the second quarter of 2021, settlement accounting and a related plan remeasurement was triggered within Alcoa’s U.S. salaried pension plan as a result of a high number of participants electing lump sum payments. This includes former employees of the Warrick Rolling Mill, as well as other Alcoa employees making this election at retirement. Alcoa recorded a $90 decrease to Accrued pension benefits related to this remeasurement and recognized a settlement loss of $39 (pre- and after-tax).
Action #3 – In the third quarter of 2021, settlement accounting and a related plan remeasurement was triggered within Alcoa’s U.S. salaried pension plan as a result of participants electing lump sum payments. Alcoa recorded a $7 increase to Accrued pension benefits related to this remeasurement and recognized a settlement loss of $7 (pre- and after-tax).
Action #4 – In the third quarter of 2021, settlement accounting and a related plan remeasurement was triggered within Alcoa’s Australian pension plan as a result of participants electing lump sum payments. Alcoa recorded a $38 decrease to Accrued pension benefits related to this remeasurement and recognized a settlement loss of $1 (pre- and after-tax).
Action #5 – In the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company purchased a group annuity contract to transfer the obligation to pay the remaining retirement benefits of approximately 800 retirees and deferred vested participants from one of its Suriname pension plans to an insurance company. The transfer of $55 in both plan obligations and plan assets were completed on October 19, 2021. As a result, the Company recorded a settlement loss of $63 (pre- and after-tax) in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Action #6 – In the fourth quarter of 2021, settlement accounting and related plan remeasurements were triggered within Alcoa’s U.S. pension plans as a result of the Company purchasing group annuity contracts to transfer the obligation to pay remaining retirement benefits of approximately 14,000 retirees and beneficiaries from its U.S. defined benefit pension plans and transferred approximately $1,540 in both plan obligations and plan assets. The transfers were completed on November 23, 2021 and December 16, 2021. As a result, the Company recorded a $84 decrease to Accrued pension benefits related to this remeasurement and recognized a non-cash settlement loss of $848 (pre- and after-tax) in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Action #7 – In the fourth quarter of 2021, settlement accounting and related plan remeasurements were triggered within Alcoa’s U.S. pension plans as a result of participants electing lump sum payments (and the group annuity contracts discussed in Action 6 above). Alcoa recorded a $1 decrease to Accrued pension benefits related to this remeasurement and recognized a settlement loss of $10 (pre- and after-tax).
| Action # · Number of affected plan participants · Weighted averagediscount rate as of prior plan remeasurement date · Plan remeasurement date · Weighted average discount rate as of plan remeasurement date · Increase (decrease) to accrued pension benefits liability · Decrease to accrued other postretirement benefits liability · Curtailmentgain(1) · Settlementloss(1) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~840 | 2.45% | March 31, 2021 | 3.06% | $— | $(106) | $(17) | $26 | ||||
| 2 | ~120 | 2.38% | June 30, 2021 | 2.71% | (90) | — | — | 39 | ||||
| 3 | ~20 | 2.71% | September 30, 2021 | 2.74% | 7 | — | — | 7 | ||||
| 4 | ~20 | 1.34% | September 30, 2021 | 1.53% | (38) | — | — | 1 | ||||
| 5 | ~800 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | 63 | ||||
| 6 | ~14,000 | 2.59% | November 30, 2021 | 2.79% | (84) | — | — | 848 | ||||
| 7 | ~60 | 2.59% | November 30, 2021 | 2.79% | (1) | — | — | 10 | ||||
| $(206) | $(106) | $(17) | $994 | |||||||||
(1)
These amounts primarily represent the accelerated amortization of a portion of the existing prior service benefit for curtailments and net actuarial loss for settlements and were reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Restructuring and other charges, net (see Note D) on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
Obligations and Funded Status
| Pension benefits | Otherpostretirement benefits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Change in benefit obligation | ||||
| Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $2,518 | $4,594 | $536 | $710 |
| Service cost | 11 | 13 | 3 | 4 |
| Interest cost | 119 | 107 | 26 | 15 |
| Amendments | 2 | — | — | — |
| Actuarial losses (gains) | 117 | (803) | (7) | (140) |
| Settlements | (280) | (1,090) | — | — |
| Benefits paid, net of participants’ contributions | (133) | (211) | (52) | (53) |
| Suriname resident election transfer | 12 | — | (12) | — |
| Foreign currency translation impact | 27 | (92) | — | — |
| Benefit obligation at end of year | $2,393 | $2,518 | $494 | $536 |
| Change in plan assets | ||||
| Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | $2,434 | $4,306 | $— | $— |
| Actual return on plan assets | 141 | (528) | — | — |
| Employer contributions | 24 | 18 | — | — |
| Participant contributions | 3 | 4 | — | — |
| Benefits paid | (125) | (204) | — | — |
| Administrative expenses | (9) | (6) | — | — |
| Settlements | (280) | (1,090) | — | — |
| Annuity purchase premium refund | 7 | 22 | — | — |
| Foreign currency translation impact | 24 | (88) | — | — |
| Fair value of plan assets at end of year | $2,219 | $2,434 | $— | $— |
| Funded status | $(174) | $(84) | $(494) | $(536) |
| Less: Amounts attributed to joint venture partners | (11) | (6) | — | — |
| Net funded status | $(163) | $(78) | $(494) | $(536) |
| Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet consist of: | ||||
| Noncurrent assets | $125 | $146 | $— | $— |
| Current liabilities | (10) | (11) | (51) | (55) |
| Noncurrent liabilities | (278) | (213) | (443) | (481) |
| Net amount recognized | $(163) | $(78) | $(494) | $(536) |
| Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss consist of: | ||||
| Net actuarial loss | $1,098 | $1,016 | $88 | $95 |
| Prior service cost (benefit) | 4 | 2 | (97) | (111) |
| Total, before tax effect | 1,102 | 1,018 | (9) | (16) |
| Less: Amounts attributed to joint venture partners | 33 | 27 | — | — |
| Net amount recognized, before tax effect | $1,069 | $991 | $(9) | $(16) |
| Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) consist of: | ||||
| Net actuarial loss (benefit) | $131 | $(141) | $(2) | $(140) |
| Amortization of accumulated net actuarial loss | (49) | (720) | (5) | (18) |
| Prior service cost | 2 | — | — | — |
| Amortization of prior service benefit | — | — | 14 | 14 |
| Total, before tax effect | 84 | (861) | 7 | (144) |
| Less: Amounts attributed to joint venture partners | 6 | (11) | — | — |
| Net amount recognized, before tax effect | $78 | $(850) | $7 | $(144) |
At December 31, 2023, the benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, and funded status for U.S. pension plans were $1,119, $1,054, and ($65), respectively. At December 31, 2022, the benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, and funded status for U.S. pension plans were $1,113, $1,064, and ($49), respectively.
Pension Plan Benefit Obligations
| Pension benefits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| The aggregate projected benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was as follows: | ||
| Projected benefit obligation | $2,393 | $2,518 |
| Accumulated benefit obligation | 2,285 | 2,453 |
| The aggregate projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets was as follows: | ||
| Projected benefit obligation | 1,636 | 1,465 |
| Fair value of plan assets | 1,336 | 1,232 |
| The aggregate accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets was as follows: | ||
| Accumulated benefit obligation | 1,425 | 1,458 |
| Fair value of plan assets | 1,169 | 1,232 |
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
| Pension benefits(1) | Other postretirement benefits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Service cost | $10 | $13 | $22 | $3 | $4 | $4 |
| Interest cost(2) | 114 | 104 | 116 | 26 | 15 | 15 |
| Expected return on plan assets(2) | (146) | (151) | (281) | — | — | — |
| Recognized net actuarial loss(2) | 28 | 88 | 190 | 5 | 18 | 21 |
| Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)(2) | — | — | — | (14) | (14) | (14) |
| Settlements(3) | 21 | 632 | 968 | — | — | 26 |
| Curtailments(4) | — | — | — | — | — | (17) |
| Net periodic benefit cost(5) | $27 | $686 | $1,015 | $20 | $23 | $35 |
(1)
In 2023, 2022, and 2021, net periodic benefit cost for U.S pension plans was $6, $698, and $962, respectively.
(2)
These amounts were reported in Other expenses (income), net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
(3)
These amounts were reported in Restructuring and other charges, net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations (see Note D). In 2023, 2022 and 2021, settlements were due to management actions (see Plan Actions above).
(4)
These amounts were reported in Restructuring and other charges, net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations (see Note D). In 2021, curtailments were due to management actions (see Plan Actions above).
(5)
Amounts attributed to joint venture partners are not included.
Assumptions. Liabilities and expenses for pension and other postretirement benefits are determined using actuarial methodologies and incorporate significant assumptions, including the interest rate used to discount the future estimated liability, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, and several assumptions relating to the employee workforce (salary increases, health care cost trend rates, retirement age, and mortality).
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations for pension and other postretirement benefit plans were as follows:
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Discount rate—pension plans | 5.03% | 5.41% |
| Discount rate—other postretirement benefit plans | 5.19 | 5.54 |
| Rate of compensation increase—pension plans | 3.77 | 3.21 |
The yield curve model used to develop the discount rate parallels the plans’ projected cash flows and has a weighted average duration of 10 years. The underlying cash flows of the high-quality corporate bonds included in the model exceed the cash flows needed to satisfy the Company’s plan obligations multiple times. If a deep market of high-quality corporate bonds does not exist in a country, then the yield on government bonds plus a corporate bond yield spread is used.
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefit plans were as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discount rate—pension plans | 5.34% | 2.66% | 1.91% |
| Discount rate—other postretirement benefit plans | 5.45 | 2.46 | 1.99 |
| Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets—pension plans | 6.21 | 4.94 | 5.66 |
| Rate of compensation increase—pension plans | 3.21 | 3.11 | 2.58 |
For 2023, 2022, and 2021, the expected long-term rate of return used by management was based on the prevailing and planned strategic asset allocations, as well as estimates of future returns by asset class. For 2024, management anticipates that 6.13% will be the weighted average expected long-term rate of return.
Assumed health care cost trend rates for U.S. other postretirement benefit plans were as follows (non-U.S. plans are not material):
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year | 6.5% | 7.0% | 5.5% |
| Rate to which the cost trend rate gradually declines | 5.0% | 5.0% | 4.5% |
| Year that the rate reaches the rate at which it is assumed to remain | 2032 | 2028 | 2026 |
The assumed health care cost trend rate is used to measure the expected cost of gross eligible charges covered by the Company’s other postretirement benefit plans. For 2024, a 6.5% trend rate will be used, reflecting management’s best estimate of the change in future health care costs covered by the plans.
Plan Assets. Alcoa’s pension plan weighted average target and actual asset allocations at December 31, 2023 and 2022, by asset class, were as follows:
| Target asset allocation | Plan assets atDecember 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asset class | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Equities | 20% | 20% | 17% | 29% |
| Fixed income | 65 | 65 | 70 | 57 |
| Other investments | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
The principal objectives underlying the investment of the pension plan assets are to ensure that the Company can properly fund benefit obligations as they become due under a broad range of potential economic and financial scenarios, maximize the long-term investment return with an acceptable level of risk based on such obligations, and broadly diversify investments across and within various asset classes to protect asset values against adverse movements. Investment risk is controlled by rebalancing to target allocations on a periodic basis and ongoing monitoring of investment manager performance.
The portfolio includes an allocation to investments in long-duration corporate credit and government debt, public and private market equities, intermediate duration corporate credit and government debt, global-listed infrastructure, high-yield bonds and bank loans, real estate, and securitized credit.
In late 2022, management began restructuring the asset portfolios of certain non-U.S. pension plans. The new strategy increased the amount and duration of the fixed income asset portfolios to reduce exposure to interest rates and was substantially implemented at the end of the first quarter in 2023.
Investment practices comply with the requirements of applicable laws and regulations in the respective jurisdictions, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) in the United States.
The following section describes the valuation methodologies used by the trustees to measure the fair value of pension plan assets. For plan assets measured at net asset value, this refers to the net asset value of the investment on a per share basis (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. Otherwise, an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which each type of asset is generally classified is provided (see Note P for the definition of fair value and a description of the fair value hierarchy).
Equities—These securities consist of: (i) direct investments in the stock of publicly traded U.S. and non-U.S. companies and are valued based on the closing price reported in an active market on which the individual securities are traded (generally classified in Level 1); (ii) the plans’ share of commingled funds that are invested in the stock of publicly traded companies and are valued at net asset value; and (iii) direct investments in long/short equity hedge funds and private equity (limited partnerships and venture capital partnerships) and are valued at net asset value.
Fixed income—These securities consist of: (i) U.S. government debt and are generally valued using quoted prices (included in Level 1); (ii) cash and cash equivalents invested in publicly-traded funds and are valued based on the closing price reported in an active market on which the individual securities are traded (generally classified in Level 1); (iii) publicly traded U.S. and non-U.S. fixed interest obligations (principally corporate bonds and debentures) and are valued through consultation and evaluation with brokers in the institutional market using quoted prices and other observable market data (included in Level 2); and (iv) cash and cash equivalents invested in institutional funds and are valued at net asset value.
Other investments—These investments include, among others: (i) real estate investment trusts valued based on the closing price reported in an active market on which the investments are traded (included in Level 1); (ii) the plans’ share of commingled funds that are invested in real estate partnerships and are valued at net asset value; (iii) direct investments in private real estate (includes limited partnerships) and are valued at net asset value; and (iv) absolute return strategy funds and are valued at net asset value.
The fair value methods described above may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Additionally, while Alcoa believes the valuation methods used by the plans’ trustees are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
The following table presents the fair value of pension plan assets classified under either the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy or net asset value:
| December 31, 2023 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Net AssetValue | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equities: | |||||
| Equity securities | $108 | $— | $— | $134 | $242 |
| Private equity | — | — | — | 127 | 127 |
| $108 | $— | $— | $261 | $369 | |
| Fixed income: | |||||
| Intermediate and long-duration government/credit | $403 | $517 | $— | $496 | $1,416 |
| Cash and cash equivalent funds | 14 | — | — | 114 | 128 |
| $417 | $517 | $— | $610 | $1,544 | |
| Other investments: | |||||
| Real estate | $21 | $— | $— | $253 | $274 |
| Other | — | — | — | 19 | 19 |
| $21 | $— | $— | $272 | $293 | |
| Total(1) | $546 | $517 | $— | $1,143 | $2,206 |
| December 31, 2022 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Net AssetValue | Total |
| Equities: | |||||
| Equity securities | $71 | $— | $— | $480 | $551 |
| Long/short equity hedge funds | — | — | — | 8 | 8 |
| Private equity | — | — | — | 145 | 145 |
| $71 | $— | $— | $633 | $704 | |
| Fixed income: | |||||
| Intermediate and long-duration government/credit | $390 | $426 | $— | $420 | $1,236 |
| Cash and cash equivalent funds | 38 | — | — | 118 | 156 |
| $428 | $426 | $— | $538 | $1,392 | |
| Other investments: | |||||
| Real estate | $20 | $— | $— | $282 | $302 |
| Other | — | — | — | 28 | 28 |
| $20 | $— | $— | $310 | $330 | |
| Total(2) | $519 | $426 | $— | $1,481 | $2,426 |
(1)
As of December 31, 2023, the total fair value of pension plan assets excludes a net receivable of $13, which primarily represents securities not yet settled plus interest and dividends earned on various investments.
(2)
As of December 31, 2022, the total fair value of pension plan assets excludes a net receivable of $8, which primarily represents securities not yet settled plus interest and dividends earned on various investments.
Funding and Cash Flows. It is Alcoa’s policy to fund amounts for defined benefit pension plans sufficient to meet the minimum requirements set forth in applicable country benefits laws and tax laws, including ERISA for U.S. plans. From time to time, the Company contributes additional amounts as deemed appropriate.
In 2023, 2022, and 2021, cash contributions to Alcoa’s defined benefit pension plans were $24, $17, and $579.
During 2021, Alcoa made $500 in unscheduled contributions to certain U.S. defined benefit pension plans. The additional contributions were discretionary in nature and were funded with net proceeds from a March 2021 debt issuance (see Note M) plus available cash on hand. There wereno discretionary contributions made in 2022 or 2023.
Alcoa’s minimum required contribution to defined benefit pension plans in 2024 is estimated to be $60, of which approximately $40 is for U.S. plans. Under ERISA regulations, a plan sponsor that establishes a pre-funding balance by making discretionary contributions to a U.S. defined benefit pension plan may elect to apply all or a portion of this balance toward its minimum required contribution obligations to the related plan in future years. In 2024, management intends to make such election related to the Company’s U.S. plans.
Benefit payments expected to be paid to pension and other postretirement benefit plan participants are as follows:
| Year ending December 31, | Pensionbenefits | Otherpostretirementbenefits |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $180 | $50 |
| 2025 | 175 | 50 |
| 2026 | 175 | 45 |
| 2027 | 180 | 45 |
| 2028 | 175 | 45 |
| 2029 through 2033 | 855 | 195 |
| $1,740 | $430 |
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company sponsors savings and investment plans in several countries, primarily in Australia and the United States. In the United States, employees may contribute a portion of their compensation to the plans, and Alcoa matches a specified percentage of these contributions in equivalent form of the investments elected by the employee. Also, the Company makes contributions to a retirement savings account based on a percentage of eligible compensation for certain U.S. employees that are not able to participate in Alcoa’s defined benefit pension plans. The Company’s expenses related to all defined contribution plans were $80 in 2023, $71 in 2022, and $72 in 2021.
Member-funded Pension Plans
The Company contributes to member-funded pension plans for the employees of Aluminerie de Bécancour Inc. and Aluminerie de Deschambault in Canada. Alcoa makes contributions to the plans based on a percentage of the employees’ eligible compensation. The Company’s expenses related to the member-funded pension plans were $16 in 2023, $17 in 2022, and $17 in 2021.
Target Benefit Plan
The Company contributes to a target benefit plan for the employees of Baie-Comeau in Canada. Alcoa makes contributions to the plan based on a percentage of the employees’ eligible compensation. The Company’s expenses related to the target benefit plan were $8 in 2023, $9 in 2022, and $9 in 2021.
P. Derivatives and Other Financial Instruments
Fair Value. The Company follows a fair value hierarchy to measure its assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were primarily derivative instruments. In addition, the Company measures its pension plan assets at fair value (see Note O). Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (i) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (ii) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means; and,
Level 3—Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
Derivatives. Alcoa Corporation is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including the risks of changing commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Alcoa Corporation’s commodity and derivative activities include aluminum, energy, foreign exchange, and interest rate contracts, which are held for purposes other than trading. They are used to mitigate uncertainty and volatility, and to cover underlying exposures. While Alcoa does not generally enter into derivative contracts to mitigate the risk associated with changes in aluminum price, the Company may do so in isolated cases to address discrete commercial or operational conditions. Alcoa is not involved in trading activities for energy, weather derivatives, or other nonexchange commodities.
Alcoa Corporation’s commodity and derivative activities are subject to the management, direction, and control of the Strategic Risk Management Committee (SRMC), which consists of at least three members, including the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, and the chief commercial officer. The remaining member(s) are other officers and/or employees of the Company as the chief executive officer may designate from time to time. The SRMC meets on a periodic basis to review derivative positions and strategy and reports to the Audit Committee of Alcoa Corporation’s Board of Directors on the scope of its activities.
Alcoa Corporation’s aluminum and foreign exchange contracts are predominately classified as Level 1 under the fair value hierarchy. All of the Level 1 contracts are designated as either fair value or cash flow hedging instruments (except as described below). Alcoa Corporation also has several derivative instruments classified as Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy, which are either designated as cash flow hedges or undesignated. Alcoa includes the changes in its equity method investee’s Level 2 derivatives in Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
The following tables present the detail for Level 1 and 3 derivatives (see additional Level 3 information in further tables below):
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, | Assets | Liabilities | Assets | Liabilities |
| Level 1 derivative instruments | $16 | $9 | $84 | $14 |
| Level 3 derivative instruments | 16 | 1,297 | 52 | 1,212 |
| Total | $32 | $1,306 | $136 | $1,226 |
| Less: Current | 29 | 214 | 134 | 200 |
| Noncurrent | $3 | $1,092 | $2 | $1,026 |
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, | Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in Other comprehensive loss | Realized gain (loss) reclassed from Other comprehensive loss to earnings | Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in Other comprehensive loss | Realized gain (loss) reclassed from Other comprehensive loss to earnings |
| Level 1 derivative instruments | $31 | $86 | $116 | $35 |
| Level 3 derivative instruments | (326) | (221) | (247) | (345) |
| Noncontrolling and equity interest (Level 2) | — | 5 | 12 | (6) |
| Total | $(295) | $(130) | $(119) | $(316) |
The 2023 realized gain of $86 on Level 1 cash flow hedges was comprised of a $91 gain recognized in Sales and a $5 loss recognized in Cost of goods sold. The 2022 realized gain of $35 on Level 1 cash flow hedges was comprised of a $40 gain recognized in Sales and a $5 loss recognized in Cost of goods sold.
The following table presents the outstanding quantities of derivative instruments classified as Level 1:
| Classification | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (in kmt) | Commodity buy forwards | 78 | 176 |
| Aluminum (in kmt) | Commodity sell forwards | 46 | 337 |
| Foreign currency (in millions of euro) | Foreign exchange buy forwards | 48 | 60 |
| Foreign currency (in millions of euro) | Foreign exchange sell forwards | 9 | — |
| Foreign currency (in millions of Norwegian krone) | Foreign exchange buy forwards | 138 | 302 |
| Foreign currency (in millions of Brazilian real) | Foreign exchange buy forwards | 467 | 1,008 |
| Foreign currency (in millions of Brazilian real) | Foreign exchange sell forwards | — | 7 |
| Foreign currency (in millions of Canadian dollar) | Foreign exchange buy forwards | 31 | — |
Alcoa routinely uses Level 1 aluminum derivative instruments to manage exposures to changes in the fair value of firm commitments for the purchases or sales of aluminum. Additionally, Alcoa uses Level 1 aluminum derivative instruments to manage exposures to changes in the LME associated with the Alumar (Brazil) restart (April 2022 through December 2023) and the San Ciprián (Spain) strike (expired October 2022). As a result of delays with the Alumar restart, it became probable that certain of the original forecasted transactions would not occur by the end of the originally specified time period and Alcoa dedesignated certain aluminum sell forwards. The Company reclassified the related unrealized gain of $11 and $20 included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Sales during the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In conjunction with the dedesignations, the Company entered into aluminum buy forwards in 2023 and 2022 for the same volume and periods which were also not designated. The unrealized and realized gains and losses on the aluminum buy and sell forwards that are not designated offset resulting in no impact to Alcoa’s earnings.
Alcoa Corporation uses Level 1 foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate the risk of foreign exchange exposure related to euro power purchases in Norway (expires December 2026), U.S. dollar aluminum sales in Norway (expires June 2025), U.S. dollar alumina and aluminum sales in Brazil (expires August 2025), and U.S. dollar aluminum sales in Canada (expires March 2025).
Derivative instruments classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy represent those in which management has used at least one significant unobservable input in the valuation model. Alcoa Corporation uses a discounted cash flow model to fair value all Level 3 derivative instruments. Inputs in the valuation models for Level 3 derivative instruments are composed of the following: (i) quoted market prices (e.g., aluminum prices on the 10-year LME forward curve and energy prices), (ii) significant other observable inputs (e.g., information concerning time premiums and volatilities for certain option type embedded derivatives and regional premiums for aluminum contracts), and (iii) unobservable inputs (e.g., aluminum and energy prices beyond those quoted in the market, and estimated credit spread between Alcoa and the counterparty). For periods beyond the term of quoted market prices for aluminum, Alcoa Corporation estimates the price of aluminum by extrapolating the 10-year LME forward curve. For periods beyond the term of quoted market prices for the Midwest premium, management estimates the Midwest premium based on recent transactions. Where appropriate, valuations are adjusted for various factors such as liquidity, bid/offer spreads, and credit considerations. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence (Level 2). In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used (Level 3). If a significant input that is unobservable in one period becomes observable in a subsequent period, the related asset or liability would be transferred to the appropriate classification (Level 1 or 2) in the period of such change (there were no such transfers in the periods presented). There were no sales or settlements of Level 3 derivative instruments in the periods presented.
Level 3 derivative instruments outstanding as of December 31, 2023 are described in the table below:
| Description | Designation | Contract Termination | Unobservable Inputs Impacting Valuation | Sensitivity to Inputs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power contracts | ||||
| Embedded derivative that indexes the price of power to the LME price of aluminum plus the Midwest premium | Cash flow hedge of forward sales of aluminum | March 2026 December 2029February 2036 | LME price, Midwest premium and MWh per year | Increase in LME price and/or the Midwest premium results in a higher cost of power and an increase to the derivative liability |
| Embedded derivative that indexes the price of power to the LME price of aluminum | Cash flow hedge of forward sales of aluminum | September 2027 | LME price and MWh per year | Increase in LME price results in a higher cost of power and an increase to the derivative liability |
| Embedded derivative that indexes the price of power to the credit spread between the Company and the counterparty | Not designated | October 2028 | Estimated credit spread | Wider credit spread results in a higher cost of power and increase in the derivative liability |
| Financial contracts | ||||
| Hedge power prices | Not designated | June 2035 | LME price and power price | Lower prices in the power market or higher LME prices result in an increase in the derivative liability |
In December 2022, Alcoa entered into a financial contract with a counterparty to hedge power price exposure through March 31, 2023. The Financial contract was designated as a cash flow hedge of future sales of power. Unrealized gains and losses were recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet, and realized gains and losses were recognized in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
In addition to the instruments presented above, Alcoa had a financial contract that expired in July 2021 that hedged the anticipated power requirements at one of its smelters and was designated as a cash flow hedge of future purchases of electricity. In March 2021, Alcoa entered into four financial contracts (Financial contracts (undesignated), below) with three counterparties to hedge the anticipated power requirements at this smelter for the period from August 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026. A fifth financial contract (undesignated) was entered into in November 2021, with an effective date of September 30, 2022 through June 30, 2026. In August 2023, the Company entered into a nine-year financial contract (undesignated) effective July 1, 2026 when the current contracts end. Three of these financial contracts include LME-linked pricing components and do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Management elected not to apply hedge accounting treatment for the other three financial contracts. Unrealized and realized gains and losses on these financial contracts are included in Other expenses (income), net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.
At December 31, 2023, the outstanding Level 3 instruments are associated with seven smelters. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the power contracts with embedded derivatives designated as cash flow hedges hedge forecasted aluminum sales of 1,456 kmt and 1,683 kmt, respectively.
The following table presents quantitative information related to the significant unobservable inputs described above for Level 3 derivative instruments (megawatt hours in MWh):
| December 31, 2023 · Unobservable Input · Unobservable Input Range | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asset Derivatives | ||||
| Financial contract (undesignated) | $16 | Interrelationship of forward energy price, LME forward price and the Consumer Price Index | Electricity(per MWh) | 2024: $50.992024: $53.55 |
| LME (per mt) · 2024: $2,352 | ||||
| Total Asset Derivatives | $16 | |||
| Liability Derivatives | ||||
| Power contract | $197 | MWh of energy needed to produce the forecasted mt of aluminum | LME (per mt) | 2024: $2,3522027: $2,796 |
| Electricity · Rate of 4 million MWh per year | ||||
| Power contracts | 1,100 | MWh of energy needed to produce the forecasted mt of aluminum | LME (per mt) | 2024: $2,3522029: $2,9042036: $3,153 |
| Midwest premium(per pound) · 2024: $0.18802029: $0.23002036: $0.2300 | ||||
| Electricity · Rate of 18 million MWh per year | ||||
| Power contract | — | MWh of energy needed to produce the forecasted mt of aluminum | LME (per mt) | 2024: $2,3522024: $2,381 |
| Midwest premium (per pound) · 2024: $0.18802024: $0.2140 | ||||
| Electricity · Rate of 2 million MWh per year | ||||
| Power contract (undesignated) | — | Estimated spread between the 30-year debt yield of Alcoa and the counterparty | Credit spread | 1.15%: 30-year debt yield spread6.33%: Alcoa (estimated)5.18%: counterparty |
| Total Liability Derivatives | $1,297 | |||
The fair values of Level 3 derivative instruments recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:
| Asset Derivatives | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | ||
| Current—financial contract | $— | $20 |
| Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | $— | $20 |
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | ||
| Current—financial contract | $16 | $32 |
| Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | $16 | $32 |
| Total Asset Derivatives | $16 | $52 |
| Liability Derivatives | ||
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | ||
| Current—power contracts | $210 | $195 |
| Noncurrent—power contracts | 1,087 | 1,017 |
| Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | $1,297 | $1,212 |
| Total Liability Derivatives | $1,297 | $1,212 |
The following table shows the net fair values of the Level 3 derivative instruments at December 31, 2023 and the effect on these amounts of a hypothetical change (increase or decrease of 10%) in the market prices or rates that existed as of December 31, 2023:
| Fair valueasset (liability) | Index changeof + / -10% | |
|---|---|---|
| Power contracts | $(1,297) | $300 |
| Embedded credit derivative | - | - |
| Financial contracts | 16 | 8 |
The following tables present a reconciliation of activity for Level 3 derivative instruments:
| Assets | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Power contracts | Financial contracts |
| January 1, 2023 | $— | $52 |
| Total gains or losses included in: | ||
| Sales (realized) | (4) | — |
| Cost of goods sold (realized) | — | (20) |
| Other expenses, net (unrealized/realized) | — | (5) |
| Other comprehensive income (unrealized) | 4 | — |
| Settlements and other | — | (11) |
| December 31, 2023 | $— | $16 |
| Change in unrealized gains or losses included in earnings for derivative instruments held at December 31, 2023: | ||
| Other expenses, net | $— | $(5) |
| Liabilities | |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Power contracts |
| January 1, 2023 | $1,212 |
| Total gains or losses included in: | |
| Sales (realized) | (245) |
| Other comprehensive income (unrealized) | 330 |
| December 31, 2023 | $1,297 |
| Assets | |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Financial contracts |
| January 1, 2022 | $2 |
| Total gains or losses included in: | |
| Sales (realized) | — |
| Other income, net (unrealized/realized) | 171 |
| Other comprehensive income (unrealized) | 20 |
| Settlements and other | (141) |
| December 31, 2022 | $52 |
| Change in unrealized gains or losses included in earnings for derivative instruments held at December 31, 2022: | |
| Other income, net | $171 |
| Liabilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Power contracts | Embedded credit derivative |
| January 1, 2022 | $1,290 | $3 |
| Total gains or losses included in: | ||
| Sales (realized) | (345) | — |
| Other income, net (unrealized/realized) | — | (3) |
| Other comprehensive (income) loss (unrealized) | 267 | — |
| December 31, 2022 | $1,212 | $— |
| Change in unrealized gains or losses included in earnings for derivative instruments held at December 31, 2022: | ||
| Other income, net | $— | $(3) |
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments—Cash Flow Hedges
Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at December 31, 2023, a realized loss of $210 related to power contracts is expected to be recognized in Sales over the next 12 months.
Material Limitations
The disclosures with respect to commodity prices and foreign currency exchange risk do not consider the underlying commitments or anticipated transactions. If the underlying items were included in the analysis, the gains or losses on the futures contracts may be offset. Actual results will be determined by several factors that are not under Alcoa Corporation’s control and could vary significantly from those factors disclosed.
Alcoa Corporation is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties on the above instruments, as well as credit or performance risk with respect to its hedged customers’ commitments. Alcoa Corporation does not anticipate nonperformance by any of these parties. Contracts are with creditworthy counterparties and are further supported by cash, treasury bills, or irrevocable letters of credit issued by carefully chosen banks. In addition, various master netting arrangements are in place with counterparties to facilitate settlement of gains and losses on these contracts.
Other Financial Instruments. The carrying values and fair values of Alcoa Corporation’s other financial instruments were as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | Carryingvalue | Fairvalue | Carryingvalue | Fairvalue |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $944 | $944 | $1,363 | $1,363 |
| Restricted cash | 103 | 103 | 111 | 111 |
| Short-term borrowings | 56 | 56 | — | — |
| Long-term debt due within one year | 79 | 79 | 1 | 1 |
| Long-term debt, less amount due within one year | 1,732 | 1,702 | 1,806 | 1,744 |
Cash and cash equivalents and Restricted cash. The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments. The fair value amounts for Cash and cash equivalents and Restricted cash were classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Short-term borrowings and Long-term debt, including amounts due within one year. The fair value of Long-term debt, less amount due within one year was based on quoted market prices for public debt and on interest rates that are currently available to Alcoa Corporation for issuance of debt with similar terms and maturities for non-public debt. The fair value amounts for all Short-term borrowings and Long-term debt were classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Q. Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes. The components of (Loss) income before income taxes were as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | $(277) | $(652) | $(663) |
| Foreign | (307) | 1,354 | 1,862 |
| Total | $(584) | $702 | $1,199 |
Provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current: | |||
| Federal | $— | $— | $8 |
| Foreign | 211 | 445 | 473 |
| State and local | — | — | 1 |
| $211 | $445 | $482 | |
| Deferred: | |||
| Federal | — | (3) | 6 |
| Foreign | (22) | 222 | 141 |
| State and local | — | — | — |
| $(22) | $219 | $147 | |
| Total | $189 | $664 | $629 |
Federal includes U.S. income taxes related to foreign income.
A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate to Alcoa’s effective tax rate was as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. federal statutory rate | 21.0% | 21.0% | 21.0% |
| Taxes on foreign operations—rate differential | 7.1 | 9.9 | 10.8 |
| Tax credits | 1.4 | (0.2) | — |
| Adjustment of prior year income taxes | 0.3 | — | — |
| Noncontrolling interest | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Internal legal entity reorganizations | 0.2 | (9.0) | — |
| Tax holidays | 0.1 | (5.2) | (2.8) |
| Impacts of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 | — | — | 2.0 |
| Uncertain tax positions | (0.1) | 0.4 | — |
| Equity loss | (5.3) | (2.0) | (2.5) |
| Tax on foreign operations—other | (6.1) | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Changes in valuation allowances | (50.8) | 76.7 | 23.4 |
| Other | (0.4) | 0.9 | (1.6) |
| Effective tax rate | (32.4%) | 94.6% | 52.5% |
Certain income earned by AWAB is eligible for a tax holiday, which decreases the tax rate on this income from 34% to 15.25%, which will result in future cash tax savings. The holiday related to production at the Alumar refinery was originally expected to end on December 31, 2027. During 2023, it was extended to December 31, 2032. The holiday related to the operation of the Juruti (Brazil) bauxite mine will end on December 31, 2026.
In 2021, it was determined that the deferred taxes associated with income subject to the tax holiday would be fully exhausted within the holiday period and the amounts were therefore maintained on the balance sheet at the holiday tax rate. In 2022, the Company’s projection of the reversal of deferred tax assets during the holiday tax period was lowered, and as a result, the remainder was revalued at the statutory rate of 34%, resulting in a discrete income tax benefit of $33, which is included in Tax holidays, above. In 2023, the Company determined that it was no longer more likely than not that the deferred tax asset at AWAB would be realized and recorded a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset (see below). As a result, the amount reflected in Tax holidays, above, is zero with respect to AWAB as of December 31, 2023.
In October 2022, Alcoa completed the liquidation of Alcoa Saudi Rolling Inversiones S.L. (ASRI), a wholly owned subsidiary that previously held the Company’s investment in MRC. This liquidation resulted in a deductible loss in the Netherlands and a tax benefit of $94 was recognized in 2022, however, this tax benefit was substantially offset by a valuation allowance.
In December 2022, Alcoa commenced an internal reorganization to reduce its number of legal entities in Norway from four toone to simplify accounting and treasury functions and reduce external costs. As a result of the simplification, the Company recorded a deferred tax expense of $30 in 2022.
Deferred income taxes. The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the underlying attributes without regard to jurisdiction were as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | Deferredtaxassets | Deferredtaxliabilities | Deferredtaxassets | Deferredtaxliabilities |
| Tax loss carryforwards | $2,042 | $— | $1,781 | $— |
| Employee benefits | 312 | — | 297 | — |
| Derivatives and hedging activities | 312 | 10 | 283 | 24 |
| Loss provisions | 161 | — | 174 | — |
| Interest | 142 | 6 | 127 | 2 |
| Depreciation | 94 | 318 | 128 | 336 |
| Investment basis differences | 78 | — | 75 | — |
| Lease assets and liabilities | 34 | 33 | 24 | 23 |
| Tax credit carryforwards | 24 | — | 23 | — |
| Deferred income/expense | 16 | 131 | 10 | 153 |
| Other | 25 | — | 36 | — |
| $3,240 | $498 | $2,958 | $538 | |
| Valuation allowance | (2,595) | — | (2,333) | — |
| Total | $645 | $498 | $625 | $538 |
The following table details the expiration periods of the deferred tax assets presented above:
| December 31, 2023 | Expireswithin10 years | Expireswithin11-20years | Noexpiration | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax loss carryforwards | $203 | $333 | $1,471 | $35 | $2,042 |
| Tax credit carryforwards | 24 | — | — | — | 24 |
| Other | (1) | — | 154 | 1,021 | 1,174 |
| Valuation allowance | (226) | (333) | (1,613) | (423) | (2,595) |
| Total | $— | $— | $12 | $633 | $645 |
Deferred tax assets with no expiration may still have annual limitations on utilization. Other represents deferred tax assets whose expiration is dependent upon the reversal of the underlying temporary difference.
The total deferred tax asset (net of valuation allowance) is supported by projections of future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and taxable temporary differences that reverse within the carryforward period. The composition of Alcoa’s net deferred tax asset by jurisdiction as of December 31, 2023 was as follows:
| Domestic | Foreign | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deferred tax assets | $1,050 | $2,190 | $3,240 |
| Valuation allowance | (988) | (1,607) | (2,595) |
| Deferred tax liabilities | (62) | (436) | (498) |
| Total | $— | $147 | $147 |
The Company has several income tax filers in various foreign countries. Of the $147 net deferred tax asset included under the Foreign column in the table above, approximately 90% relates tosix of Alcoa’s income tax filers (the Foreign Filers) as follows: a $135 net deferred tax asset for Alcoa Canada Company in Canada; a $90 net deferred tax asset for Alcoa-Lauralco Management Company in Canada; a $39 net deferred tax asset for Alcoa Wolinbec Company in Canada; a $19 net deferred tax asset for Alcoa Islandi and a $35 net deferred tax asset for Fjarðaál, both in Iceland; and a $185 net deferred tax liability for AofA in Australia.
The future realization of the net deferred tax asset for each of the Foreign Filers was based on projections of the respective future taxable income (defined as the sum of pretax income, other comprehensive income, and permanent tax differences), exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards. The realization of the net deferred tax assets of the Foreign Filers is not dependent on any future tax planning strategies.
Accordingly, management concluded that the net deferred tax assets of the Foreign Filers referenced above will more likely than not be realized in future periods, resulting in no need for a partial or full valuation allowance as of December 31, 2023.
In December 2023, Alcoa recorded a valuation allowance of $154 against the net deferred tax assets of AWAB, of which $106 related to the balance as of December 31, 2022. The 2023 full valuation allowance for AWAB was a result of AWAB’s three-year cumulative loss position for the period ended December 31, 2023. The majority of AWAB’s net deferred tax assets relate to prior net operating losses; the loss carryforwards are not subject to an expiration period. AWAB’s profitability in future periods could prompt the Company to evaluate the realizability of the deferred tax asset and assess the possibility of a reversal of the valuation allowance, which could have a significant impact on net income in the quarter the valuation allowance is reversed.
The Company’s subsidiaries in Iceland had a full valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets, which was established in 2015 and 2017, as the Company believed it was more likely than not that these tax benefits would not be realized. During 2023, after considering all positive and negative evidence, including the expectation that the jurisdiction will remain in athree-year cumulative income position, the Company determined that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will be realized. Based on this conclusion, the Company reversed the valuation allowance totaling $58 during 2023, generating a non-cash benefit from income taxes.
In December 2022, Alcoa recorded a valuation allowance of $217 against the net deferred tax assets of Alcoa Alumínio (Alumínio), of which $150 related to the balance as of December 31, 2021. The 2022 full valuation allowance for Alumínio was a result of Alumínio’s three-year cumulative loss position for the period ended December 31, 2022. Although the Company entered into aluminum contracts to manage exposures associated with the restart, these contracts were held by another legal entity, and the associated realized gains are not available to Alumínio to offset the restart losses. While management believes Alumínio will return to profitability in the future with the restart of the Alumar smelter, current volatility in the market does not provide a reliable basis for concluding that it is more likely than not that Alumínio’s net deferred tax assets, which consist primarily of tax loss carryforwards with indefinite life, will be realized. Alumar smelter profitability in future periods could prompt the Company to evaluate the realizability of the deferred tax asset and assess the possibility of a reversal of the valuation allowance, which could have a significant impact on net income in the quarter the valuation allowance is reversed.
In 2021, Alcoa recorded a valuation allowance of $103 against the net deferred tax assets of Alúmina Española, S.A. (Española). Management concluded that it was more likely than not that Española’s net deferred tax assets, which consisted primarily of tax loss carryforwards, would not be realized as the entity’s sole operating asset, the San Ciprián refinery, was in a three-year cumulative loss position for the period ended December 31, 2021. This cumulative loss position was the result of recent operating losses due to the high energy costs in Spain and the impact of the refinery workers’ strike on the fourth quarter of 2021. After weighing all available positive and negative evidence as of December 31, 2023, management’s position continues to be that it is more likely than not that Alcoa Corporation will not realize the benefit of these deferred tax assets and continues to have a full valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax assets.
The following table details the changes in the valuation allowance:
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at beginning of year | $(2,333) | $(2,062) | $(2,127) |
| Establishment of new allowances(1) | (106) | (150) | (103) |
| Net change to existing allowances(2) | (113) | (151) | 139 |
| Foreign currency translation | (43) | 30 | 29 |
| Balance at end of year | $(2,595) | $(2,333) | $(2,062) |
(1)
Reflects valuation allowances initially established as a result of a change in management’s judgment regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets.
(2)
Reflects movements in previously established valuation allowances, which increase or decrease as the related deferred tax assets increase or decrease. Such movements occur as a result of a change in management’s judgment regarding previously established valuation allowances, remeasurement due to a tax rate change and changes in the underlying attributes of the deferred tax assets, including expiration of the attribute and reversal of the temporary difference that gave rise to the deferred tax asset.
Undistributed net earnings. Certain earnings of Alcoa’s foreign subsi diaries are deemed to be permanently reinvested outside the United States. The cumulative amount of Alcoa’s foreign undistributed net earnings deemed to be permanently reinvested was approximately $2,676 as of December 31, 2023. Alcoa Corporation has several commitments and obligations related to the Company’s operations in various foreign jurisdictions; therefore, management has no plans to distribute such earnings in the foreseeable future. Alcoa Corporation continuously evaluates its local and global cash needs for future business operations and anticipated debt facilities, which may influence future repatriation decisions. If these earnings were distributed in the form of dividends or otherwise, Alcoa could be subject to foreign income or withholding taxes and state income taxes. Due to the uncertainty of the manner in which the undistributed earnings would be brought back to the United States and the tax laws in effect at that time, it is not practicable to estimate the tax liability that might be incurred if such earnings were remitted to the U.S.
Unrecognized tax benefits. Alcoa and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various foreign and U.S. state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is not subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2014. The U.S. federal income tax filings of the Company’s U.S. consolidated tax group have been examined through the 2018 tax year. Foreign jurisdiction tax authorities are in the process of examining income tax returns of several of Alcoa’s subsidiaries for various tax years. Excluding the Australia tax matter discussed in Note S, the period under foreign examination includes the income tax years from 2014 through 2022. For U.S. state income tax purposes, the Company and its subsidiaries remain subject to income tax examinations for the 2017 tax year and forward.
In the third quarter of 2020, AofA paid approximately $74 (A$107) to the ATO related to the tax dispute described in Note S. Upon payment, AofA recorded a noncurrent prepaid tax asset, as the Company continues to believe it is more likely than not that AofA’s tax position will be sustained and therefore is not recognizing any tax expense in relation to this matter. In accordance with Australian tax laws, the initial interest assessment and additional interest are deductible against AofA’s taxable income. AofA applied this deduction beginning in the third quarter of 2020, reducing cash tax payments. Interest compounded in future years is also deductible against AofA’s income in future periods. If AofA is ultimately successful, the interest deduction would become taxable as income in the year the dispute is resolved. In addition, should the ATO decide in the interim to reduce any interest already assessed, the reduction would be taxable as income at that point in time. During 2023, AofA continued to record its tax provision and tax liability without effect of the ATO assessment, since it expects to prevail. The tax payable will remain on AofA’s balance sheet as a noncurrent liability, increased by the tax effect of subsequent periods’ interest deductions, until dispute resolution, which is expected to take several years. The noncurrent liability resulting from the cumulative interest deductions was approximately $199 (A$293) and $174 (A$260) at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The reserve balance for unrecognized tax benefits is included in Noncurrent income taxes on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) was as follows:
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at beginning of year | $5 | $4 | $4 |
| Additions for tax positions of prior years | — | 2 | — |
| Reductions for tax positions of prior years | — | — | — |
| Expiration of the statute of limitations | — | (1) | — |
| Foreign currency translation | — | — | — |
| Balance at end of year | $5 | $5 | $4 |
For all periods presented, a portion of the balance at end of year pertains to state tax liabilities, which are presented before any offset for federal tax benefits. The effect of unrecognized tax benefits, if recorded, that would impact the annual effective tax rate for 2023, 2022, and 2021 would be 1%,1%, and 0%, respectively, of (Loss) income before income taxes. Alcoa does not anticipate that changes in its unrecognized tax benefits will have a material impact on the Statement of Consolidated Operations during 2024.
It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of the Provision for income taxes on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations. In 2023, 2022, and 2021 Alcoa recognized $1, $1, and $0, in interest and penalties, respectively. Due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, settlements with tax authorities, and refunded overpayments, the Company also recognized interest income of $1, $1, and $0 in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amount accrued for the payment of interest and penalties was $4 and $3, respectively.
Other Matters. On August 16, 2022, the U.S. enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), which includes a 15% minimum tax on book income of certain large corporations, a 1% excise tax on net stock repurchases after December 31, 2022, and several tax incentives to promote clean energy. As a result of the provisions of the IRA, we will incur an excise tax of 1% for certain common stock repurchases made subsequent to December 31, 2022, which will be reflected in the cost of purchasing the underlying shares. The minimum corporate tax did not have an impact on the Company for 2023 and will not have an impact on the Company for 2024.
The IRA contains a number of tax credits and other incentives for investments in renewable energy production, carbon capture, and other climate-related actions, as well as the production of critical minerals. In December 2023, the U.S. Treasury issued guidance on Section 45X of the Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (the Notice) clarifies that commercial grade aluminum can qualify for the credit, which was designed to incentivize domestic production of critical materials important for the transition to clean energy. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company recorded a benefit of $36 in Cost of goods sold and Other receivables related to its Massena West smelter (New York) and its Warrick smelter (Indiana).
R. Asset Retirement Obligations
The following table details the carrying value of recorded AROs by major category, of which $217 and $117 was classified as a current liability as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Closure of bauxite residue areas | $437 | $342 |
| Mine reclamation | 328 | 279 |
| Spent pot lining disposal | 124 | 115 |
| Demolition | 76 | 61 |
| Landfill closure | 24 | 31 |
| Balance at end of year | $989 | $828 |
The following table details the changes in the total carrying value of recorded AROs:
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Balance at beginning of year | $828 | $738 |
| Accretion expense | 33 | 20 |
| Liabilities incurred | 254 | 224 |
| Payments | (148) | (114) |
| Reversals of previously recorded liabilities | (8) | (12) |
| Foreign currency translation and other | 30 | (28) |
| Balance at end of year | $989 | $828 |
Liabilities incurred in 2023 include:
$97 for changes in closure estimates of operating bauxite residue areas;
$87 for new mining areas opened during the year and higher estimated mine reclamation costs;
$36 related to the closure of the previously curtailed Intalco smelter;
$23 related to spent pot lining treatment and disposal;
$10 for changes in closure estimates of non-operating bauxite residue areas; and,
$1 related to an accrual for demolition for the closure of a potline at Warrick Operations.
The additional accruals were primarily recorded with corr esponding capitalized asset retirement costs except for $15 related to non-operating bauxite residue areas at the Alumar refinery, spent pot lining and treatment, and mine reclamation which was recorded to Cost of goods sold; and $41 related to the closure of the Intalco smelter, updated estimates for spent pot lining treatment and disposal at a previously closed site, and demolition accruals for the closure of a potline at Warrick Operations, which was recorded to Restructuring and other charges, net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations (see Note D).
Liabilities incurred in 2022 include:
$81 related to improvements required on both operating and non-operating bauxite residue areas at the Poços de Caldas and Alumar refineries for changes in closure estimates and to comply with updated impoundment regulations in the regions;
$79 for new mining areas opened during the year and higher estimated mine reclamation costs;
$28 related to spent pot lining treatment and disposal;
$18 for bauxite residue areas related to water management at non-operating bauxite residue areas and changes in engineering designs for closure of operating bauxite residue areas;
$15 related to the closure of the previously curtailed magnesium smelter in Addy (Washington). The facility has been fully curtailed since 2001; and,
$3 related to accruals for demolition projects at closed sites.
The additional accruals were primarily recorded with corresponding capitalized asset retirement costs (see Note B) except for $72 related to non-operating bauxite reside areas which was recorded to Cost of goods sold at the Poços de Caldas and Alumar refineries and $34 related to the closure of the magnesium smelter in Addy and adjustments to other previously closed sites which were recorded to Restructuring and other charges, net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations (see Note D).
In 2023, reversals of previously recorded liabilities included a reversal of $8 due to changes in estimates at various sites and the completion of a site demolition project. In 2022, reversals of previously recorded liabilities included a reversal of $12 due to the completion of demolition projects at numerous permanently closed sites.
The estimated timing of cash outflows for recorded AROs at December 31, 2023 was as follows:
| 2024 | $217 |
| 2025 – 2028 | 573 |
| Thereafter | 199 |
| Total | $989 |
Changes to the estimates may result in material changes to the recorded AROs that may require an increase to or a reversal of previously recorded liabilities, as well as changes in the timing of cash outflows.
S. Contingencies and Commitments
Contingencies
Alcoa Corporation participates in environmental assessments and cleanups at several locations. These include currently or previously owned or operated facilities and adjoining properties, and waste sites, including Superfund (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)) sites.
Alcoa Corporation’s environmental remediation reserve balance reflects the most probable costs to remediate identified environmental conditions for which costs can be reasonably estimated. The following table details the changes in the carrying value of recorded environmental remediation reserves:
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | $322 |
|---|---|
| Liabilities incurred | 21 |
| Cash payments | (23) |
| Reversals of previously recorded liabilities | (17) |
| Foreign currency translation and other | 6 |
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | 309 |
| Liabilities incurred | 32 |
| Cash payments | (26) |
| Reversals of previously recorded liabilities | (30) |
| Foreign currency translation and other | (1) |
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | 284 |
| Liabilities incurred | 39 |
| Cash payments | (55) |
| Reversals of previously recorded liabilities | (1) |
| Foreign currency translation and other | 1 |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $268 |
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the current portion of theremediation reserve balance was $66 and $58, respectively.
In 2023, the Company incurred liabilities of $39 primarily related to $14 for the closure of the previously curtailed Intalco smelter and $13 for an increase in estimated costs associated with ongoing remediation work at the previously closed Longview (Washington) site which were recorded in Restructuring and other charges, net on the Statement of Consolidated Operations, and $12 for an increase in estimated costs associated with ongoing remediation work at various other sites which was recorded in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations. Payments related to remediation expenses applied against the reserve were $55 in 2023. These amounts include mandated expenditures as well as those not required by any regulatory authority or third party. Further, the Company reversed reserves of $1 during 2023 due to the determination that certain remaining site remediation is no longer required.
In 2022, the Company incurred liabilities of $32 primarily related to $14 for the closure of the previously curtailed magnesium smelter in Addy (Washington), $6 for estimates for environmental remediation at the Point Henry site, $4 for a new phase of work at the former East St. Louis site and $9 for environmental activities at various sites. These charges are recorded in Cost of goods sold and Restructuring and other charges, net (see Note D) on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations. Payments related to remediation expenses applied against the reserve were $26 in 2022. These amounts include mandated expenditures as well as those not required by any regulatory authority or third party. Further, the Company reversed reserves of $30 during 2022, primarily related to changes in estimates for site remediation at Massena East of $18 and Suralco of $5, and completion of remediation at a previously closed site in Brazil of $6.
In 2021, the Company incurred liabilities of $21 primarily related to remediation design considerations at the Longview site in Washington, closure of the Wenatchee aluminum smelter in Washington, environmental activities at the Point Comfort site in Texas, closure of the anode plant at the Lake Charles site in Louisiana, and wetlands mitigation at the Longview site in Washington, as well as other increases for ongoing monitoring and maintenance at various sites. These charges are primarily recorded in Cost of goods sold and Restructuring and other charges, net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations. Payments in 2021 include mandated expenditures as well as those not required by any regulatory authority or third-party. Further, the Company reversed reserves of $17 related to:
$7 due to the determination that previously estimated site remediation is not required at the previously closed Tennessee site;
$5 due to lower costs for waste treatment at a previously closed Suriname site; and,
$5 due to lower costs for site remediation related to a previously closed site in Brazil.
The estimated timing of cash outflows from the environmental remediation reserve at December 31, 2023 was as follows:
| 2024 | $66 |
| 2025 – 2028 | 112 |
| Thereafter | 90 |
| Total | $268 |
Reserve balances at December 31, 2023 and 2022, associated with significant sites with active remediation underway or for future remediation were $211 and $234, respectively. In management’s judgment, the Company’s reserves are sufficient to satisfy the provisions of the respective action plans. Upon changes in facts or circumstances, a change to the reserve may be required. The Company’s significant sites include:
Suriname—The reserve associated with the 2017 closure of the Suralco refinery and bauxite mine is for treatment and disposal of refinery waste and soil remediation. The work began in 2017 and is expected to be completed at the end of 2025.
Hurricane Creek, Arkansas—The reserve associated with the 1990 closure of two mining areas and refineries near Hurricane Creek, Arkansas is for ongoing monitoring and maintenance for water quality surrounding the mine areas and residue disposal areas.
Massena, New York—The reserve associated with the 2015 closure of the Massena East smelter by the Company’s subsidiary, Reynolds Metals Company, is for subsurface soil remediation to be performed after demolition of the structures. Remediation work commenced in 2021 and will take four toeight years to complete.
Point Comfort, Texas—The reserve associated with the 2019 closure of the Point Comfort alumina refinery is for disposal of industrial wastes contained at the site, subsurface remediation, and post-closure monitoring and maintenance. The final remediation plan is currently being developed, which may result in a change to the existing reserve.
Sherwin, Texas—In connection with the 2018 settlement of a dispute related to the previously-owned Sherwin alumina refinery, the Company’s subsidiary, Copano Enterprises LLC, accepted responsibility for the final closure of four bauxite residue waste disposal areas (known as the Copano facility). Work commenced on the first residue disposal area in 2018 and is expected to take up to an additional four years to complete, depending on the nature of its potential re-use. Other than ongoing maintenance and repair activities, work on the next three areas has not commenced but is expected to be completed by 2048, depending on its potential re-use.
Longview, Washington— In connection with a 2018 Consent Decree and Cleanup Action Plan with the State of Washington Department of Ecology, the Company’s subsidiary, Northwest Alloys as landowner, accepted certain responsibilities for future remediation of contaminated soil and sediments at the site located near Longview, Washington. In December 2020, the lessee of the land, who was a partner in the remediation of the site, filed for bankruptcy and exited the site in January 2021. The full site remediation project design, long-term and post-closure monitoring and maintenance at the site was approved in March 2023. In the third quarter of 2023, changes in scope and cost increases for remediation resulted in an increase to the reserve. The project is planned to be completed in the next two years.
Addy, Washington—The reserve associated with the 2022 closure of the Addy magnesium smelter facility is for site-wide remediation and investigation and post-closure monitoring and maintenance. Remediation work is not expected to begin until 2026 and will take three tofive years to complete. The final remediation plan is currently being developed, which may result in a change to the existing reserve.
Ferndale, Washington—The reserve associated with the 2023 closure of the Intalco aluminum smelter in Ferndale, Washington is for below grade site remediation andfive years of post-closure maintenance and monitoring. The final remediation plan is under review.
Other Sites—The Company is in the process of decommissioning various other plants and remediating sites in several countries for potential redevelopment or to return the land to a natural state. In aggregate, there are remediation projects at 32 other sites that are planned or underway. These activities will be completed at various times in the future with the latest expected to be in 2026, after which ongoing monitoring and other activities may be required. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the reserve balance associated with these activities was $57 and $50, respectively.
Tax
Brazil (AWAB)— In March 2013, AWAB was notified by the Brazilian Federal Revenue Office (RFB) that approximately $110 (R$220) of value added tax credits previously claimed were being disallowed and a penalty of 50% was assessed. Of this amount, AWAB received $41 (R$82) in cash in May 2012. The value added tax credits were claimed by AWAB for both fixed assets and export sales related to the Juruti bauxite mine and Alumar refinery expansion for tax years 2009 through 2011. The RFB has disallowed credits they allege belong to the consortium in which AWAB owns an interest and should not have been claimed by AWAB. Credits have also been disallowed as a result of challenges to apportionment methods used, questions about the use of the credits, and an alleged lack of documented proof. AWAB presented defense of its claim to the RFB on April 8, 2013. In February 2022, the RFB notified AWAB that it had inspected the value added tax credits claimed for 2012 and disallowed $4 (R$19). In its decision, the RFB allowed credits of $14 (R$65) that were similar to those previously disallowed for 2009 through 2011. In July 2022, the RFB notified AWAB that it had inspected the value added tax credits claimed for 2013 and disallowed $13 (R$70). In its decision, the RFB allowed credits of $16 (R$84) that were similar to those previously disallowed for 2009 through 2011. The decisions on the 2012 and 2013 credits provide positive evidence to support management’s opinion that there is no basis for these credits to be disallowed. AWAB received the 2012 allowed credits with interest of $9 (R$44) in March 2022 and the 2013 allowed credits with interest of $6 (R$31) in August 2022. AWAB will continue to dispute the credits that were disallowed for 2012 and 2013. If AWAB is successful in this administrative process, the RFB would have no further recourse. If unsuccessful in this process, AWAB has the option to litigate at a judicial level. Separately from AWAB’s administrative appeal, in June 2015, a new tax law was enacted repealing the provisions in the tax code that were the basis for the RFB assessing a 50% penalty in this matter. As such, the estimated range of reasonably possible loss for these matters is $0 to $49 (R$239). It is management’s opinion that the allegations have no basis; however, at this time, the Company is unable to reasonably predict an outcome for this matter.
Australia (AofA)— In December 2019, AofA received a statement of audit position (SOAP) from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) related to the pricing of certain historic third-party alumina sales. The SOAP proposed adjustments that would result in additional income tax payable by AofA. During 2020, the SOAP was the subject of an independent review process within the ATO. At the conclusion of this process, the ATO determined to continue with the proposed adjustments and issued Notices of Assessment (the Notices) that were received by AofA on July 7, 2020. The Notices asserted claims for income tax payable by AofA of approximately $145 (A$214). The Notices also included claims for compounded interest on the tax amount totaling approximately $481 (A$707).
On September 17, 2020, the ATO issued a position paper with its preliminary view on the imposition of administrative penalties related to the tax assessment issued to AofA. This paper proposed penalties of approximately $87 (A$128).
AofA disagreed with the Notices and with the ATO’s proposed position on penalties. During 2020, AofA lodged formal objections to the Notices, provided a submission on the ATO’s imposition of interest and submitted a response to the ATO’s position paper on penalties. After the ATO completes its review of AofA’s response to the penalties position paper, the ATO could issue a penalty assessment.
To date, AofA has not received a response to its submission on the ATO’s imposition of interest or its response to the ATO’s position paper on penalties.
Through February 1, 2022, AofA did not receive a response from the ATO on AofA’s formal objections to the Notices and, on that date, AofA submitted statutory notices to the ATO requiring the ATO to make decisions on AofA’s objections within a 60-day period. On April 1, 2022, the ATO issued its decision disallowing the Company’s objections related to the income tax assessment, while the position on penalties and interest remains outstanding.
On April 29, 2022, AofA filed proceedings in the Australian Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) against the ATO to contest the Notices, a process which could last several years. The AAT held the first directions hearing on July 25, 2022 ordering AofA to file its evidence and related materials by November 4, 2022, ATO to file its materials by April 14, 2023 and AofA to file reply materials by May 26, 2023. AofA filed its evidence and related materials on November 4, 2022. The ATO did not file its materials by April 14, 2023. At a directions hearing on May 17, 2023, the ATO was granted an extension to file its materials by August 18, 2023. At a directions hearing on September 26, 2023, the ATO was granted an additional extension to file its materials by November 3, 2023. The ATO filed its materials on November 13, 2023. At a directions hearing on November 22, 2023, AofA was ordered to file any reply materials by March 15, 2024. The substantive hearing is scheduled for June 2024.
The Company maintains that the sales subject to the ATO’s review, which were ultimately sold to Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C., were the result of arm’s length transactions by AofA over two decades and were made at arm’s length prices consistent with the prices paid by other third-party alumina customers.
In accordance with the ATO’s dispute resolution practices, AofA paid 50% of the assessed income tax amount exclusive of interest and any penalties, or approximately $74 (A$107), during the third quarter 2020, and the ATO is not expected to seek further payment prior to final resolution of the matter. If AofA is ultimately successful, any amounts paid to the ATO as part of the 50% payment would be refunded. AofA funded the payment with cash on hand and recorded the payment within Other noncurrent assets as a noncurrent prepaid tax asset; the related December 31, 2023 balance is $73 (A$107).
Further interest on the unpaid tax will continue to accrue during the dispute. The initial interest assessment and the additional interest accrued are deductible against taxable income by AofA but would be taxable as income in the year the dispute is resolved if AofA is ultimately successful. AofA applied this deduction beginning in the third quarter of 2020, reducing cash tax payments. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, total reductions in cash tax payments were $199 (A$293) and $174 (A$260), respectively, and are reflected within Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits as a noncurrent accrued tax liability.
The Company continues to believe it is more likely than not that AofA’s tax position will be sustained and therefore is not recognizing any tax expense in relation to this matter. However, because the ultimate resolution of this matter is uncertain at this time, the Company cannot predict the potential loss or range of loss associated with the outcome, which may materially affect its results of operations and financial condition. References to any assessed U.S. dollar amounts presented in connection with this matter have been converted into U.S. dollars from Australian dollars based on the exchange rate in the respective period.
AofA is part of the Company’s joint venture with Alumina Limited, an Australian public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. The Company and Alumina Limited own 60% and 40%, respectively, of the joint venture entities, including AofA.
Other
Spain— In July 2019, the Company completed the divestiture of the Avilés and La Coruña (Spain) aluminum facilities to PARTER Capital Group AG (PARTER) in a sale process endorsed by the Spanish government and supported by the workers’ representatives following a collective dismissal process. In connection with the divestiture, Alcoa committed to make financial contributions to the divested entities of up to $95; a total of $78 was paid through December 31, 2021.
In early 2020, PARTER sold a majority stake in the facilities to an unrelated party. Alcoa had no knowledge of the subsequent transaction prior to its announcement and on August 28, 2020, Alcoa filed a lawsuit with the Court of First Instance in Madrid, Spain asserting that the sale was in breach of the sale agreement between Alcoa and PARTER. In June 2023, the Court of First Instance in Madrid issued a declaratory judgment in Alcoa’s favor ruling that the transaction between PARTER and the unrelated party was a breach of the sale agreement. There was no financial compensation to the Company as a result of this ruling.
Related to this subsequent sale transaction, certain proceedings and investigations were initiated by or at the request of the employees of the facilities against their current employers, the new owners of the current employers, and Alcoa, alleging that certain agreements from the 2019 collective dismissal process remain in force and that, under such agreements, Alcoa remains liable for certain related employment benefits.
During 2022, Alcoa reached a Global Settlement Agreement (GSA) with the workers of the divested Avilés and La Coruña facilities to settle various legal disputes related to the 2019 divestiture, and Alcoa recorded a charge of $79 in Restructuring and other charges, net to reflect its estimated liability for the GSA. In July 2023, the Supreme Court of Spain ratified the GSA. Upon completion of the remaining administrative and judicial approvals, the Company made cash payments of $76 to the former employees of the facilities in 2023 in accordance with the GSA. The remaining payments will be made in the early 2024.
General
In addition to the matters discussed above, various other lawsuits, claims, and proceedings have been or may be instituted or asserted against Alcoa Corporation, including those pertaining to environmental, safety and health, commercial, tax, product liability, intellectual property infringement, employment, and employee and retiree benefit matters, and other actions and claims arising out of the normal course of business. While the amounts claimed in these other matters may be substantial, the ultimate liability is not readily determinable because of the considerable uncertainties that exist. Accordingly, it is possible that the Company’s liquidity or results of operations in a particular period could be materially affected by one or more of these other matters. However, based on facts currently available, management believes that the disposition of these other matters that are pending or asserted will not have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on the financial position of the Company.
Commitments
Purchase Obligations. Alcoa Corporation is party to unconditional purchase obligations for energy that expire between 2040 and 2041. Commitments related to these contracts total $56 in 2024, $59 in 2025, $61 in 2026, $63 in 2027, $65 in 2028, and $770 thereafter. Expenditures under these contracts totaled $53 in 2023, $58 in 2022, and $86 in 2021. Additionally, the Company has entered into other purchase commitments for energy, raw materials, and other goods and services, which total $3,896 in 2024, $1,998 in 2025, $1,566 in 2026, $1,448 in 2027, $1,407 in 2028, and $8,757 thereafter.
AofA has a gas supply agreement to power itsthree alumina refineries in Western Australia which began in July 2020 for a 12-year period. The terms of this agreement required AofA to make a prepayment of $500 prior to 2017. At December 31, 2023, prepayments of $37 and $283 were included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other noncurrent assets (see Note U), respectively, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. At December 31, 2022, prepayments of $37 and $311 were included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other noncurrent assets (see Note U), respectively, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Guarantees of Third Parties. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company hadno outstanding potential future payments for guarantees issued on behalf of a third party.
Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credit. Alcoa Corporation and its subsidiaries have outstanding bank guarantees and letters of credit related to, among others, energy contracts, environmental obligations, legal and tax matters, leasing obligations, workers compensation, and customs duties. The total amount committed under these instruments, which automatically renew or expire at various dates between 2024 and 2025, was $294 (includes $86 issued under a standby letter of credit agreement —see below) at December 31, 2023. Additionally, ParentCo has outstanding bank guarantees and letters of credit related to the Company of $13 at December 31, 2023. In the event ParentCo would be required to perform under any of these instruments, ParentCo would be indemnified by Alcoa Corporation in accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement. Likewise, the Company has outstanding bank guarantees and letters of credit related to ParentCo of $8 at December 31, 2023. In the event Alcoa Corporation would be required to perform under any of these instruments, the Company would be indemnified by ParentCo in accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
In December 2023, AofA committed to provide a bank guarantee for approximately $68 (A$100) which demonstrates Alcoa’s confidence that its operations will not impair drinking water supplies.
In August 2017, Alcoa Corporation entered into a standby letter of credit agreement, which expires on June 27, 2024 (amended in August 2018, May 2019, May 2021, June 2022, and January 2024), with three financial institutions. The agreement provides for a $200 facility used by the Company for matters in the ordinary course of business. Alcoa Corporation’s obligations under this facility are secured in the same manner as obligations under the Company’s revolving credit facility. Additionally, this facility contains similar representations and warranties and affirmative, negative, and financial covenants as the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility (see Note M). As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit aggregating $86 were issued under this facility.
Surety Bonds. Alcoa Corporation has outstanding surety bonds primarily related to tax matters, contract performance, workers compensation, environmental-related matters, and customs duties. The total amount committed under these bonds, which automatically renew or expire at various dates between 2024 and 2028, was $190 at December 31, 2023. Additionally, ParentCo has outstanding surety bonds related to the Company of $8 at December 31, 2023. In the event ParentCo would be required to perform under any of these instruments, ParentCo would be indemnified by Alcoa Corporation in accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement. Likewise, the Company has outstanding surety bonds related to ParentCo of $5 at December 31, 2023. In the event Alcoa Corporation would be required to perform under any of these instruments, the Company would be indemnified by ParentCo in accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
T. Leasing
The Company records a right-of-use asset and lease liability for several types of operating leases, including land and buildings, alumina refinery process control technology, plant equipment, vehicles, and computer equipment. These amounts are equivalent to the aggregate future lease payments on a discounted basis. The leases have remaining terms of less thanone to 59 years. The discount rate applied in determining the present value of lease payments is the Company’s incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date, unless there is a rate implicit in the lease agreement. The Company does not have material financing leases.
Lease expense and operating cash flows include:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Costs from operating leases | $53 | $54 |
| Variable lease payments | $25 | $16 |
| Short-term rental expense | $11 | $2 |
The weighted average lease term and weighted average discount rate were as follows:
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Weighted average lease term for operating leases (years) | 12.9 | 5.1 |
| Weighted average discount rate for operating leases | 6.7% | 5.6% |
The following represents the aggregate right-of-use assets and related lease obligations recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Properties, plants, and equipment, net | $135 | $89 |
| Other current liabilities | 31 | 30 |
| Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits | 104 | 59 |
| Total operating lease liabilities | $135 | $89 |
New leases of $76 and $26 were added during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The future cash flows related to the operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:
| Year Ending December 31, | |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $40 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2026 | 20 |
| 2027 | 16 |
| 2028 | 11 |
| Thereafter | 112 |
| Total lease payments (undiscounted) | 225 |
| Less: discount to net present value | (90) |
| Total | $135 |
U. Other Financial Information
Interest Cost Components
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amount charged to expense | $107 | $106 | $195 |
| Amount capitalized | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| $111 | $109 | $201 |
Other Expenses (Income), Net
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity loss (income) | $228 | $27 | $(105) |
| Foreign currency (gains) losses, net | (64) | 9 | 3 |
| Net loss (gain) from asset sales | 14 | 10 | (354) |
| Net loss (gain) on mark-to-market derivative instruments (P) | 5 | (174) | (25) |
| Non-service costs – pension and other postretirement benefits (O) | 13 | 60 | 47 |
| Other, net | (62) | (50) | (11) |
| $134 | $(118) | $(445) |
In 2023, Other, net of $62 was primarily related to interest income on interest bearing accounts.
In 2022, Other, net of $50 was primarily related to interest income for the Brazil value added tax credits (see Note S).
In 2021, Net loss (gain) from asset sales of $354 was primarily related to the sales of the Rockdale site, the Eastalco site, and the Warrick Rolling Mill (see Note C).
Other Noncurrent Assets
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Value added tax credits | $336 | $294 |
| Prepaid gas transmission contract | 297 | 285 |
| Gas supply prepayment (S) | 283 | 311 |
| Deferred mining costs, net | 187 | 161 |
| Goodwill (L) | 146 | 145 |
| Prepaid pension benefit (O) | 125 | 146 |
| Noncurrent prepaid tax asset (S) | 73 | 72 |
| Noncurrent restricted cash (see below) | 71 | 56 |
| Intangibles, net (L) | 37 | 29 |
| Other | 95 | 94 |
| $1,650 | $1,593 |
Prepaid gas transmission contract—As part of a previous sale transaction of an equity investment, Alcoa maintained access to approximately 30% of the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline transmission capacity in Western Australia for gas supply to three alumina refineries. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, AofA had an asset of $297 and $285, respectively, representing prepayments made under the agreement for future gas transmission services.
Value added tax credits—The Value added tax (VAT) credits (federal and state) relate totwo of the Company’s subsidiaries in Brazil, AWAB and Alumínio, concerning the Alumar smelter and refinery and the Juruti mine. The mine, refinery and smelter pay VAT on the purchase of goods and services used in the mining, alumina, and production process. The credits generally can be utilized to offset the VAT charged on domestic sales of bauxite, alumina, and aluminum.
In March 2021, the Brazil Federal Supreme Court provided clarification on an earlier ruling that found the inclusion of state VAT within the federal VAT tax base to be unconstitutional. After receiving further clarification from the court in August 2021, the Company finalized the amount of its recovery claim and submitted the claim to the tax authorities in the fourth quarter and received acknowledgment of the claim in January 2022. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company recorded $95 of additional VAT credits in Other noncurrent assets, $47 payable to Arconic Corporation within Other noncurrent liabilities, $34 in Sales, and $14 of interest income within Other (income) expenses, net. The amount due to Arconic Corporation represents VAT payments related to an Arconic subsidiary previously owned by Alumínio for a portion of the claim years and covered under agreements related to the Separation Transaction (see Note A).
In the fourth quarter of 2018, after an assessment of the future realizability of Brazil state VAT credits recorded, the Company established an allowance on the accumulated state VAT credit balances and stopped recording any future credit benefits. With the restart of the Alumar smelter and its first metal sales in June 2022, the Company had the ability to monetize these credits. In June 2022, the Company reversed the allowance with a credit of $83 to Restructuring and other charges, net and reversed the subsequent additions to the valuation allowance with a credit to Cost of goods sold of $46 (same accounts as when incurred).
Other Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred Credits
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Noncurrent accrued tax liability (S) | $199 | $174 |
| Operating lease obligations (T) | 104 | 59 |
| Accrued compensation and retirement costs | 94 | 95 |
| Value added tax credits payable to Arconic Corporation | 58 | 51 |
| Deferred energy credits | 42 | 37 |
| Noncurrent restructuring reserve (D) | 15 | 3 |
| Deferred alumina sales revenue | 20 | 28 |
| Other | 36 | 39 |
| $568 | $486 |
Deferred energy credits—Deferred energy credits relate to cash received for 2022 and 2021 carbon dioxide emissions related to the San Ciprián smelter and refinery during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, from a governmental agency in Spain. The terms of the credits require the Company to comply with certain conditions for a period of three years. These deferred credits will be recognized as a reduction to Cost of goods sold once it is determined to be probable the Company will satisfy all conditions. Should the Company not meet all conditions during the three-year period, the credits will be repaid to the governmental agency.
Value added tax credits payable to Arconic Corporation—See, Other noncurrent assets—Value added tax credits, above.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $944 | $1,363 |
| Current restricted cash | 32 | 55 |
| Noncurrent restricted cash | 71 | 56 |
| $1,047 | $1,474 |
Restricted cash primarily relates to commitments made for the December 2021 and February 2023 viability agreements for the San Ciprián restart (see Note D).
At December 31, 2023, the Company had restricted cash of $91 remaining to be made available for $118 in capital improvements at the site and $35 in smelter restart costs. The Company incurred $28 of capital investment expenditures against the commitments during 2023.
Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for interest and income taxes was as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest, net of amount capitalized | $100 | $100 | $191 |
| Income taxes, net of amount refunded | 319 | 504 | 152 |
V. Supplier Finance Programs
The Company has various supplier finance programs with third-party financial institutions that are made available to suppliers to facilitate payment term negotiations. Under the terms of these agreements, participating suppliers receive payment in advance of the payment date from third-party financial institutions for qualifying invoices. Alcoa’s obligations to its suppliers, including amounts due and payment terms, are not impacted by its suppliers’ participation in these programs. The Company does not pledge any assets as security or provide any guarantees beyond payment of outstanding invoices at maturity under these arrangements. The Company does not pay fees to the financial institutions under these arrangements. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, qualifying supplier invoices outstanding under these programs were $104 and $185, respectively, and have payment terms ranging from 50 to 110 days. These obligations are included in Accounts payable, trade on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.
W. Subsequent Events
On January 8, 2024, Alcoa announced the full curtailment of the Kwinana refinery beginning in the second quarter of 2024. The refinery has an annual nameplate capacity of 2.2 million metric tons and has been operating at approximately 80 percent of its nameplate capacity since January 2023, when the Company reduced production in response to a domestic natural gas shortage in Western Australia due to production challenges experienced by key gas suppliers. The Company’s decision to fully curtail the refinery was made based on a variety of factors, including the refinery’s age, scale, operating costs and current bauxite grades, in addition to current market conditions. The refinery currently has approximately 800 employees and this number will be reduced to approximately 250 in the third quarter of 2024, when alumina production will cease. Certain processes will continue until about the third quarter of 2025, when the employee number will be further reduced to approximately 50.
In the first quarter of 2024, Alcoa will record restructuring charges between $180 and $200 related to the curtailment of the refinery. The charges include approximately $81 for water management costs, $55 for employee related costs, $26 for asset retirement obligations, and $18 of other costs. Alcoa’s share of related cash outlays of approximately $115 (which includes existing employee related liabilities and asset retirement obligations) is expected to be spent in 2024 ($80) and 2025 ($35).
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