Aluminum Producer Alcoa's Cost-Cutting Measures - Plans To Curtail Production At One Western Australian Refinery
Portfolio Pulse from Vandana Singh
Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) is set to fully curtail production at its Kwinana Alumina Refinery in Western Australia in 2024, starting in Q2 2023. The refinery, operating at 80% capacity since January 2023, will gradually reduce its workforce from 800 to 50 by Q3 2025. The curtailment is due to the refinery's age, costs, and market conditions. Alcoa expects to improve annual earnings by $70 million post-curtailment, despite incurring $40 million in non-cash expenses. Restructuring charges of $180-$200 million will be recorded in Q1 2024, with Alcoa's share at $76-$84 million. Alcoa's stock dropped 1.04% in premarket trading.

January 09, 2024 | 12:37 pm
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Alcoa Corporation plans to curtail production at its Kwinana refinery, expecting to improve annual earnings by $70 million starting Q3 2024. The company will record restructuring charges in Q1 2024 and anticipates related cash outlays of $115 million over 2024 and 2025. AA shares dropped 1.04% premarket.
The curtailment of the Kwinana refinery is a significant operational change for Alcoa, aimed at cost savings and efficiency improvements. However, the short-term impact includes substantial restructuring charges and cash outlays, which may concern investors and negatively affect the stock price. The premarket drop in share price indicates a negative market reaction to the news.
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