Kaiser Aluminum Corporation Reports First Quarter 2010 Financial Results

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., April 28, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

  --  Fabricated Products Adjusted Operating Income Increased Sequentially on
      Higher Value Added Revenue and Continued Improvement in Manufacturing
      Efficiencies
  --  New Revolving Credit Facility and Convertible Note Offering Further
      Enhance Financial Strength and Flexibility
  --  Investment Continues for Future Growth and Competitive Strength

Kaiser Aluminum Corporation (Nasdaq:KALU) today reported net income of $9 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.44 for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 compared to net income of $4 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.19 for the first quarter March 31, 2009. Excluding the impact of pre-tax, non-run-rate items, adjusted net income was $9 million and earnings per diluted share were $0.47 for the first quarter 2010 compared to adjusted net income of $16 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.81 for the comparable prior year quarter.

First Quarter Summary

"First quarter results improved from recent quarters on higher value added revenue and continuing improvements in our manufacturing efficiencies," said Jack A. Hockema, President, CEO and Chairman. "Although we have not yet seen meaningful improvement in real demand, supply chain inventories appear to be reaching equilibrium and destocking appears to be moderating. We are also pleased with our continued progress in the installation and testing of equipment at our new, world-class rod and bar extrusion facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This facility is an important next step in advancing our competitive cost position for these general engineering products. Our production capabilities at Kalamazoo will also facilitate profitable automotive applications sales growth driven by increasing demand for aluminum extrusions to achieve more fuel-efficient vehicles. The facility remains on schedule to be fully operational late 2010."

"During the quarter we entered into a new revolving credit facility and completed a convertible note offering. These transactions were exceptionally well received in the marketplace and together they serve to further enhance our financial strength and flexibility. We continue to build upon our strong operational and financial platform and are well positioned for value-creating internal and external growth opportunities," said Mr. Hockema.

First Quarter 2010 Consolidated Results (Non GAAP, Unaudited)* ($mm, except per share amounts)

                                      Quarter
                              -----------------------

                               1Q10     4Q09    1Q09
                              -------  ------  ------
  Net Sales                      $268    $237    $266
  Value Added Revenue 1          $137    $129    $147

  Operating Income (Loss)
   before NRR 2
  --------------------------
   Fabricated Products            $27     $23     $28
   All Other
    Anglesey-related /
     Hedging                     ($0)    ($5)      $9

    Corporate                   ($11)    ($9)   ($10)
                              -------  ------  ------
  Consolidated Operating
   Income before NRR 2            $16      $9     $28

   Non-Run-Rate Items            ($1)     $25   ($20)
                              -------  ------  ------
  Reported Consolidated
   Operating Income 3             $15     $34      $7

  Net Income
  --------------------------       $9     $24      $4
   EPS (diluted, GAAP)          $0.44   $1.19   $0.19
   Adjusted EPS 4               $0.47   $0.35   $0.81

  1 Value added revenue =
   Fabricated Products net
   sales less hedged cost of
   alloyed metal
  2 NRR = Non-run-rate
  3 Totals may not sum due
   to rounding
  4 Estimated EPS excluding
   NRR items (net of tax)
  * Please refer to GAAP
   financial statements

On a sequential basis, the Company reported consolidated operating income of $15 million in the first quarter 2010 compared to $34 million in the fourth quarter 2009. The fourth quarter reflected significant non-run-rate items, including approximately $31 million of non-cash mark-to-market gains on derivative positions. Adjusted for non-run-rate items, consolidated operating income increased to $16 million for the first quarter 2010 compared to $9 million for the fourth quarter 2009, primarily reflecting higher sequential operating income for the Fabricated Products segment and improved realized hedging results during the quarter. Consolidated operating income adjusted for non-run-rate items decreased $12 million in the first quarter 2010 compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to favorable hedging gains of $9 million realized in 2009.

Fabricated Products Segment Results (Non GAAP, Unaudited)* ($mm, except per pound amounts)

                                     Quarter
                              ---------------------

                               1Q10     4Q09   1Q09
                              -------  -----  -----
  Shipments (lbs, mm)             128    112    109
  Net Sales                      $267   $236   $241
  Value Added Revenue 1          $137   $129   $147

  Average Realized Price
   ($/lb)
  --------------------------
   Metal Price                  $1.02  $0.97  $0.86

   Value Added Revenue 1        $1.07  $1.14  $1.35
                              -------  -----  -----
   Total                        $2.09  $2.11  $2.21
  Operating Income before
   NRR 2                          $27    $23    $28

   Non-Run-Rate Items            ($4)   ($4)  ($14)
                              -------  -----  -----
  Reported Operating Income       $23    $19    $14

  1 Value Added Revenue = Net Sales less the hedged
   cost of alloyed metal, 2 NRR = Non-Run-Rate
  * Please refer to GAAP financial statements

The Fabricated Products segment reported operating income of approximately $23 million in the first quarter 2010, a $4 million increase sequentially from the fourth quarter 2009. Operating income excluding non-run-rate items increased $4 million sequentially to $27 million on higher value added revenue across the Company's end market applications and continued improvement in manufacturing efficiencies. Reduced inventory destocking across the supply chain and improved demand in select market segments drove the increase in value added revenue. During the quarter operating income was negatively impacted by approximately $3 million due to start-up costs at the new Kalamazoo, Michigan extrusion facility and a one-time signing bonus related to the new five-year labor agreement with the United Steelworkers. Compared to the first quarter 2009, operating income before non-run-rate items was relatively flat as improved manufacturing efficiencies roughly offset lower value added revenue.

Corporate Highlights

During the first quarter the Company implemented a new financing structure comprised of a $200 million revolving credit facility and a $175 million cash convertible senior note issue. The new credit facility matures in March 2014, provides more flexible terms and conditions, and allows the Company to more efficiently deploy assets to collateralize existing and future financing requirements. The cash convertible senior notes which mature in April 2015 were well received by the market, allowing the Company to increase the principal amount of the notes issued. Cash proceeds were utilized for option transactions to effectively increase the conversion premium to the Company, to fund a $44 million share repurchase, and to increase short-term cash by $108 million, which is intended for general corporate purposes. The new financing structure enhances the Company's liquidity and financial flexibility to continue to support its ongoing business needs and longer-term strategic growth objectives.

Outlook

"We anticipate demand in the second quarter 2010 for our products will be similar to the demand we saw in the first quarter," said Mr. Hockema. "We are encouraged by the solid order backlogs and recent announcements by large commercial airframe manufacturers regarding their plans to increase production in late 2010. In the near term, however, we expect commercial airframe manufacturers to continue working through surplus inventories built during prior production delays. On balance, we anticipate our shipments and value-added revenue for the aerospace and high strength applications in the second quarter 2010 to be similar to the first quarter 2010."

"Our shipments and value added revenue for general engineering and automotive applications have shown steady improvement since early last year, and that trend accelerated in the first quarter 2010. As service center inventories for general engineering products have stabilized and automotive build rates are improving, we anticipate shipments and value-added revenue for these applications in the second quarter to also be similar to the first quarter 2010," continued Mr. Hockema.

"Longer term, the fundamentals for our business remain strong. The full benefit of our capital investment in Trentwood has yet to be realized, and the Kalamazoo investment represents the next significant step to enhance long-term profitability. The new Kalamazoo facility, along with other significant capital investments we have made the past few years at many of our other facilities, rounds out our platform of focused facilities to position Kaiser Aluminum as a low-cost producer and supplier of choice for aerospace and defense, general engineering and automotive applications. With attractive market opportunities and a strong operational and financial platform, we are well-positioned to capitalize on new opportunities for profitable growth," concluded Mr. Hockema.

Conference Call

Kaiser Aluminum Corporation will host a conference call on April 29, 2010, at 10:00am (Pacific Time); 12:00pm (Central Time); 1:00pm (Eastern Time), to discuss first quarter 2010 results. To participate, the conference call can be directly accessed from the U.S. and Canada at (877) 341-5663, and accessed internationally at (678) 224-7866. A link to the simultaneous web cast can be accessed on the Company's website at http://investors.kaiseraluminum.com/events.cfm. A copy of a presentation will be available to be downloaded prior to the start of the call. An audio archive will be available on the Company's website following the call.

Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, headquartered in Foothill Ranch, Calif., is a leading producer of semi-fabricated specialty aluminum products, serving customers worldwide with highly-engineered solutions for aerospace and high-strength, general engineering, and custom automotive and industrial applications. The Company's North American facilities produce value-added sheet, plate, extrusions, forgings, rod, bar and tube products, adhering to traditions of quality, innovation and service that have been key components of our culture since the Company was founded in 1946. The Company's stock is included in the Russell 2000(R) index. For more information, please visit www.kaiseraluminum.com.

The Kaiser Aluminum Corporation logo is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6081

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. A "non-GAAP financial measure" is defined as a numerical measure of a company's financial performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flow of the company. Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G, the Company has provided a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measure in the accompanying tables.

The non-GAAP financial measures used within this earnings release are operating profit, net income and earnings per diluted share, excluding non-run-rate, non-operating gains and losses, and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization or EBITDA. These measures are presented because management uses this information to monitor and evaluate financial results and trends and believes this information to also be useful for investors.

This press release contains statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied. Kaiser Aluminum cautions that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve significant risks and uncertainties and actual events may vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These factors include: (a) changes in the demand in the market segments served by the Company, including aerospace, defense, general engineering, automotive, distribution and other market segments, including changes impacting the volume, price or mix of products sold by the Company and the Company's ability to flex production consistent with changing demand levels; (b) pressure to reduce defense spending and demand for the Company's products used in defense applications as the U.S. and other governments are faced with competing national priorities; (c) the Company's ability to continue to realize manufacturing efficiencies and remain a low cost producer, (d) the Company's ability to successfully identify and execute its long term strategic growth initiatives and internal and external growth opportunities; (e) the Company's ability to efficiently deploy assets to collateralize existing and future financing requirements; (f) the Company's ability to meet contractual commitments and obligations to supply products meeting required specifications; (g) changes in competitive factors in the markets served by the Company, including developments in technology used by the Company, its competitors or its customers and changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements which negatively impact the Company's competitive position; (h) the Company's ability to lower energy costs, realize manufacturing efficiencies and complete its expansion and organic growth projects, equipment and facility upgrades to improve manufacturing and cost efficiencies and product expansions as planned and by targeted completion dates, including the start-up and operation of the Company's new rod and bar extrusion facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan; and (i) other risk factors summarized in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2010. As more fully described in these reports, "non-run-rate" items are items that, while they may occur from period to period, are particularly material to results, impact costs primarily as a result of external market factors and may not occur in future periods if the same level of underlying performance were to occur. All information in this release is as of the date of the release. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.

    KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
         STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (1) (2)
                         (Unaudited)
     (In millions of dollars except share and per share
                          amounts)


                                       Quarter Ended March
                                               31,
                                      --------------------

                                         2010       2009
                                      ----------  --------

  Net sales                               $267.5    $265.9
  Costs and expenses:
   Cost of products sold:
    Cost of products sold, excluding
     depreciation, amortization and
     other items                           232.0     225.6
    Lower of cost or market
     inventory write-down                     --       9.3
    Impairment of investment in
     Anglesey                                 --        .6
    Restructuring costs and other
     (benefits) charges                     (.6)       1.2
   Depreciation and amortization             4.0       4.1
   Selling, administrative, research
    and development, and general            17.3      17.9
                                      ----------  --------

    Total costs and expenses               252.7     258.7
                                      ----------  --------
  Operating income                          14.8       7.2
  Other income (expense):
   Interest expense                           --      (.2)

   Other income (expense), net                .2      (.1)
                                      ----------  --------
  Income before income taxes                15.0       6.9

  Income tax provision                     (6.2)     (3.1)
                                      ----------  --------

   Net income                               $8.8      $3.8
                                      ==========  ========
  Earnings per share, Basic (3)

   Net income per share                     $.44      $.19
                                      ==========  ========
  Earnings per share, Diluted (3)

   Net income per share                     $.44      $.19
                                      ==========  ========
  Weighted-average number of common
   shares outstanding (000):

   Basic                                  20,020    19,492
                                      ==========  ========

   Diluted                                20,020    19,492
                                      ==========  ========


  (1)  The consolidated financial statements include the
   statements of the Company and its wholly owned
   subsidiaries and a 49% interest in Anglesey Aluminium
   Limited ("Anglesey"), which operated as an aluminum
   smelter until September 30, 2009 and, following that
   date, remelts and casts secondary aluminum.

  (2)  Please refer to the Company's Quarterly Report on
   Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, for
   additional detail regarding the items in the table.

  (3)  All of the Company's unvested share-based payment
   awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends
   or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are
   treated as participating securities and affect the
   computation of net income (loss) available to common
   stockholders and earnings per share pursuant to the
   two-class method in accordance with accounting
   requirements that became effective in 2009.
   KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                    COMPANIES
       SELECTED OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL
               INFORMATION (1) (2)
                   (Unaudited)
  (In millions of dollars except shipments and
    average realized third-party sales price)


                                Quarter Ended

                                  March 31,
                               ---------------

                                2010     2009
                               -------  ------
  Shipments (millions of
   pounds):
   Fabricated Products           128.0   109.0

   All Other (3)                    .4    36.2
                               -------  ------
                                 128.4   145.2

  Average Realized Third
   Party Sales Price (per
   pound):
   Fabricated Products(4)        $2.09   $2.21
   All Other (5)                  $.92    $.69
  Net Sales:
   Fabricated Products          $267.2  $240.8

   All Other                        .3    25.1
                               -------  ------
  Total Net Sales               $267.5  $265.9
  Segment Operating Income
   (Loss):
   Fabricated Products(6)(7)     $23.0   $14.0
   All Other (8)                 (8.2)   (6.8)
  Total Operating Income
   (Loss)                        $14.8    $7.2
                               -------  ------

  Income tax provision          $(6.2)  $(3.1)
                               =======  ======

  Net Income (Loss)               $8.8    $3.8
                               =======  ======

  Capital Expenditures, net
   of change in accounts
   payable                       $13.9   $22.2

 (1)  The consolidated financial statements include the statements of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries and a 49%
  interest in Anglesey Aluminium Limited ("Anglesey"), which operated as an aluminum smelter until September 30, 2009 and, following
  that date, remelts and casts secondary aluminum.

 (2)  Please refer to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, for additional detail
  regarding the items in the table.

 (3)  For the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, shipments in All Other represented shipments of primary aluminum
  products produced by Anglesey.

 (4)  Average realized prices for our Fabricated Products segment are subject to changes in product mix as well as underlying primary
  aluminum prices and are not necessarily indicative of changes in underlying profitability.

 (5)  Average realized prices for All Other represent average realized prices on sales of primary aluminum product and is subject to
  fluctuations in the London Metal Exchange ("LME") price of metal.

 (6)  Fabricated Products segment operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 include a non-cash last-in, first-out
  ("LIFO") inventory charge of $9.2 million, and metal gains of approximately $8.2 million. Fabricated Products segment operating
  results for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 include a non-cash LIFO inventory benefit of $11.2 million, and metal losses of
  approximately $15.5 million. Also included in the Fabricated Products segment operating results for the quarter ended March 31,
  2009 were $9.3 million of non-cash lower of cost or market inventory write-downs and $1.2 million of restructuring charges relating
  to the December 2008 restructuring plan involving our Tulsa, Oklahoma and Bellwood, Virginia facilities.

 (7)  Fabricated Products segment includes non-cash mark-to-market (losses) gains on natural gas and foreign currency hedging
  activities totaling $(3.2) million and $.5 million in the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, respectively. For
  further discussion regarding mark-to-market matters, please refer to Note 13 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
  31, 2010.

 (8)  With respect to operating income in All Other, hedging business unit operating results for the quarters ended March 31, 2010
  and March 31, 2009, include non-cash mark-to-market gains (losses) on primary aluminum hedging activities totaling $3.4 million and
  $(9.0) million, respectively, and on foreign currency derivatives totaling $4.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. For
  further discussion regarding mark-to-market matters, please refer to Note 13 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
  31, 2010.
   KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
            CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (1) (2)
                        (Unaudited)
    (In millions of dollars, except share and per share
                          amount)


                                    March 31,   December
                                      2010      31, 2009
                                   ----------  ----------
  ASSETS
  Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents            $135.5       $30.3
  Receivables:
   Trade, less allowance for
    doubtful receivables of $.6
    and $.8 at March 31, 2010 and
    December 31, 2009,
    respectively                         96.0        83.7
   Due from affiliate                      --          .2
   Other                                  4.0         2.2
  Inventories                           131.4       125.2
  Prepaid expenses and other
   current assets                        62.5        59.1
                                   ----------  ----------
   Total current assets                 429.4       300.7
  Property, plant, and equipment
   -- net                               350.3       338.9
  Net asset in respect of VEBA          145.1       127.5
  Deferred tax assets -- net            265.6       277.2

  Other assets                           81.0        41.2
                                   ----------  ----------

   Total                             $1,271.4    $1,085.5
                                   ==========  ==========

  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
   EQUITY
  Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                     $58.1       $49.0
   Accrued salaries, wages, and
    related expenses                     28.6        33.1
   Other accrued liabilities             27.7        32.1

   Payable to affiliate                  16.7         9.0
                                   ----------  ----------
   Total current liabilities            131.1       123.2
  Net liability in respect of
   VEBA                                    .6          .3
  Long-term liabilities                 108.2        53.7
  Cash convertible senior notes         136.9          --

  Other long-term debt                    7.1         7.1
                                   ----------  ----------
                                        383.9       184.3
  Commitments and contingencies
  Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, par value $.01,
   90,000,000 shares authorized
   at March 31, 2010 and at
   December 31, 2009; 19,208,061
   shares issued and outstanding
   at March 31, 2010 and
   20,276,571 shares issued and
   outstanding at December 31,
   2009                                    .2          .2
  Additional capital                    983.7       967.8
  Retained earnings                      88.9        85.0
  Common stock owned by Union
   VEBA subject to transfer
   restrictions, at
   reorganization value,
   4,392,265 shares at March 31,
   2010 and 4,845,465 shares at
   December 31, 2009                  (105.5)     (116.4)
  Treasury stock, at cost,
   1,724,606 shares at March 31,
   2010 and 572,706 shares at
   December 31, 2009                   (72.3)      (28.1)
  Accumulated other comprehensive
   loss                                 (7.5)       (7.3)
                                   ----------  ----------

   Total stockholders' equity           887.5       901.2
                                   ----------  ----------

   Total                             $1,271.4    $1,085.5
                                   ==========  ==========


  -------------------------------
  (1)  The consolidated financial statements include the
   statements of the Company and its wholly owned
   subsidiaries and a 49% interest in Anglesey Aluminium
   Limited ("Anglesey"), which operated as an aluminum
   smelter until September 30, 2009 and, following that
   date, remelts and casts secondary aluminum.

  (2)  Please refer to the Company's Quarterly Report on
   Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 for
   additional detail regarding the items in the table.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

The following table presents a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures presented in the earnings release for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 (in millions of dollars except share and per share amounts):

                                               Fabricated    All
                                                Products    Other   Consolidated
                                               ----------  -------  ------------
  GAAP operating income (loss)                      $23.0   $(8.2)         $14.8
  Mark-to-market gains (losses)                     (3.2)      3.4            .2
  Restructuring costs and other charges                .6       --            .6

  Other non-run-rate items (1)                      (1.4)    (0.4)         (1.8)
                                               ----------  -------  ------------
  Total non-run-rate adjustments                    (4.0)      3.0         (1.0)
  Operating income (loss), excluding
   non-run-rate items                               $27.0  $(11.2)         $15.8
                                               ==========  =======  ============

  GAAP net income                                                           $8.8

  Total non-run-rate adjustments (net of tax)                               (.6)
                                                                    ------------
  Net income, excluding non-run-rate
   adjustments (net of tax)                                                 $9.4
                                                                    ============

  Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)                                         $.44
                                                                    ============
  Diluted earnings per share, excluding
   non-run-rate items                                                       $.47
                                                                    ============

  (1)  Other non-run-rate items represent non-cash LIFO charges and metal gains
   for the Fabricated Products segment and primarily non-cash net periodic
   benefit costs related to the VEBAs for All Other.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

The following table presents a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures presented in the earnings release for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 (in millions of dollars except share and per share amounts):

                                                    Fabricated   All
                                                     Products    Other  Consolidated
                                                    ----------  ------  ------------
  GAAP operating income (loss)                           $14.0  $(6.8)          $7.2
  Mark-to-market gains (losses)                             .5   (4.8)         (4.3)
  Lower of cost or market inventory write-down           (9.3)                 (9.3)
  Restructuring costs and other charges                  (1.2)                 (1.2)

  Other non-run-rate items (1)                           (4.3)   (1.3)         (5.6)
                                                    ----------  ------  ------------
  Total non-run-rate adjustments                        (14.3)   (6.1)        (20.4)
  Operating income (loss), excluding non-run-rate
   items                                                 $28.3   $(.7)         $27.6
                                                    ==========  ======  ============

  GAAP net income                                                               $3.8

  Total non-run-rate adjustments (net of tax)                                 (12.5)
                                                                        ------------
  Net income, excluding non-run-rate adjustments
   (net of tax)                                                                $16.3
                                                                        ============

  Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)                                             $.19
                                                                        ============
  Diluted earnings per share, excluding
   non-run-rate items                                                           $.81
                                                                        ============

  (1) Other non-run-rate items represent non-cash LIFO charges, metal gains, lower
   of cost or market inventory write-down, and pre-emergence related environmental
   costs for the Fabricated Products segment and primarily non-cash net periodic
   benefit costs related to the VEBAs for All Other.
CONTACT:  Kaiser Aluminum Corporation
          Investor Relations Contacts:
          Melinda C. Ellsworth
          (949) 614-1757

          FD
          Public Relations Contact:
          Dave Quast
          (646) 421-5341