• Underlying EBIT of NOK 2 676 million
• Alunorte, Paragominas and Albras producing at 50%, affecting results negatively. Technical and social agreements signed with Brazilian authorities
• Higher realized all-in aluminium and alumina prices
• Increased raw material and fixed costs
• Higher power prices lift result in Energy
• Stable downstream results
• Better improvement program hit by Alunorte situation, will not reach 2018 target
• 2018 global primary market expected in deficit
• Continued market uncertainty on US tariffs, Rusal sanctions and Alunorte situation

"The third quarter reflected our continued challenges at Alunorte and increased raw material costs, while higher aluminium and alumina prices, as well as strong Energy results, contributed positively. The market for aluminium is tightening, and we expect the 2018 global primary market in deficit," says President and CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg.

Underlying EBIT for Bauxite & Alumina increased compared to the third quarter of last year. Higher realized alumina sales prices and positive currency effects were partly offset by higher raw material prices and the effects of reduced production at both Alunorte and Paragominas.

An expense of NOK 519 million relating to the technical and social agreements was recognized as items excluded from underlying EBIT in Bauxite & Alumina in the third quarter.

"Signing the technical and social agreements in Brazil in September was a step in the right direction towards normalized production. We continue the dialogue with the authorities with the aim to resume full production at Alunorte, but the timing remains uncertain," says Brandtzæg.

Underlying EBIT for Primary Metal declined compared to the third quarter last year due to higher raw material and fixed costs, partly offset by higher all-in metal prices. In addition, there was a positive contribution from the sale of excess power following the production curtailment of the Albras smelter in Brazil.

Underlying EBIT for Metal Markets decreased compared to the third quarter of last year. Negative currency effects and a lower contribution from sourcing and trading activities were somewhat offset by improved results from the remelters.

Underlying EBIT for Rolled Products decreased slightly compared to the third quarter of 2017. Increasing margins and improved performance from automotive line 3 were offset by cost increases. Results for the Neuss smelter decreased, the positive effects of the new power contract, the UBC line and all-in metal price development were more than offset by increasing raw material prices.

Underlying EBIT for Extruded Solutions remained stable compared to the pro forma underlying EBIT for the third quarter 2017. The positive effect of higher margins and sales volumes were offset by increased production costs in connection with the ramp-up of new product lines in Europe, in addition to negative effects from a lower Midwest Premium and section 232 tariffs in North America. Additional costs due to the integration and restructuring of the two recently acquired Brazilian extrusion plants also had a negative effect on the quarter.

Underlying EBIT for Energy increased significantly compared to the same quarter in the previous year. The increase was mainly due to significantly higher prices and higher production, partly offset by negative effects from the repricing of an internal power contract with the Neuss smelter.  

Due to the situation in Alunorte, Hydro's "Better" improvement program will not reach the 2018 target of NOK 500 million.

Hydro's net debt position decreased from NOK 7.5 billion to NOK 6.5 billion at the end of the quarter. Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to NOK 2.6 billion. Net cash used in investment activities, excluding short term investments, amounted to NOK 1.5 billion.

In addition to the factors discussed above, reported earnings before financial items and tax (EBIT) and net income include effects that are disclosed in the below table. Items excluded from underlying EBIT and underlying net income (loss) are defined and described as part of the APM section in the quarterly report.

Cautionary note 

Certain statements included in this announcement contain forward-looking information, including, without limitation, information relating to (a) forecasts, projections and estimates, (b) statements of Hydro management concerning plans, objectives and strategies, such as planned expansions, investments, divestments, curtailments or other projects, (c) targeted production volumes and costs, capacities or rates, start-up costs, cost reductions and profit objectives, (d) various expectations about future developments in Hydro’s markets, particularly prices, supply and demand and competition, (e) results of operations, (f) margins, (g) growth rates, (h) risk management, and (i) qualified statements such as “expected”, “scheduled”, “targeted”, “planned”, “proposed”, “intended” or similar. 

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and forecasts that, by their nature, involve risk and uncertainty. Various factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in a forward-looking statement or affect the extent to which a particular projection is realized. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to: our continued ability to reposition and restructure our upstream and downstream businesses; changes in availability and cost of energy and raw materials; global supply and demand for aluminium and aluminium products; world economic growth, including rates of inflation and industrial production; changes in the relative value of currencies and the value of commodity contracts; trends in Hydro’s key markets and competition; and legislative, regulatory and political factors.