• Underlying EBIT of NOK 2 930 million
• Higher realized aluminium prices, somewhat offset by lower realized alumina prices and higher raw material costs
• Weak Rolled Products results primarily due to reduced margins linked to product mix and operational issues
• Record quarterly result in Sapa
• Better program on track for 2017 target of NOK 500 million
• Agreement to acquire Sapa, closing expected in second half 2017
• Karmøy Technology Pilot on time and budget, expected start-up Q4 2017
• 2017 global primary demand growth outlook 4-6%, global market largely balanced

“Higher aluminium prices in the quarter are lifting results, and I am pleased to see Sapa delivering record results, continuing the strong trend,” says President & CEO, Svein Richard Brandtzæg. “Hydro will confirm its position as the world’s leading integrated aluminium company with the agreement to acquire Orkla’s 50 percent interest in world-leading extrusion company Sapa. The transaction reinforces our strategic direction to become better, bigger and greener, with a solid asset base, unique competencies and capabilities along the full value chain,” says Brandtzæg. Closing is expected in the second half of 2017, pending regulatory approvals.

Underlying EBIT for Bauxite & Alumina decreased from the first quarter. Lower realized alumina prices, driven by a weaker alumina index and higher raw material consumption weighed on results, while higher sales volumes contributed positively. The Alunorte alumina refinery and the Paragominas bauxite mine had higher production in the second quarter following planned maintenance in the first quarter. The ongoing ramp-up process of the new press filter operation to remove and recycle caustic soda from bauxite residue caused additional cost at the alumina refinery.

Underlying EBIT for Primary Metal increased in the second quarter due to higher realized all-in metal prices, partly offset by higher raw material costs.

Underlying EBIT for Metal Markets improved significantly in the second quarter, mainly due to positive inventory valuation and currency effects, in addition to better results from sourcing and trading activities. Results from remelters also improved in the second quarter driven by increased sales volumes and contribution margins.

“We see a global primary aluminium deficit in the quarter. This is driven by increasing deficit outside China. For the full year, we are maintaining our 4-6 percent annual aluminium demand growth outlook for 2017 and expect a largely balanced, global aluminium market,” says Brandtzæg.

Underlying EBIT for Rolled Products decreased in the quarter compared to the first quarter of 2017. The decrease was primarily due to reduced average margins driven by product mix, and an accrual for employee compensation mainly relating to previous years. The operational issues in the first quarter were partly resolved, reducing the negative cost effects on the second quarter results. The Neuss aluminium plant benefited from the all-in metal price development and lower alumina cost.

Underlying EBIT for Energy decreased compared to the previous quarter, mainly due to seasonally lower production and prices.

Underlying EBIT for Sapa increased compared to the previous quarter, delivering record quarterly result, in line with general seasonality in the industry but also related to improved performance.

Hydro continued to make progress on its "Better" improvement program. While slightly behind plan, Hydro still expects to reach both the year-end target of NOK 500 million and the 2019 target of NOK 2.9 billion.

Hydro's net cash position increased by NOK 0.1 billion to NOK 6.0 billion at the end of the quarter. Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to NOK 4.3 billion, including dividends received from Sapa of NOK 1.5 billion and operating capital build-up due to seasonality and higher prices. Net cash used in investment activities, excluding short term investments, amounted to NOK 1.1 billion. During the second quarter dividends paid to Norsk Hydro ASA shareholders amounted to NOK 2.6 billion.

Reported earnings before financial items and tax amounted to NOK 2,946 million for the second quarter. In addition to the factors discussed above, reported EBIT included net unrealized derivative losses of NOK 66 million and positive metal effects of NOK 138 million. Reported earnings also included a net loss of NOK 56 million in Sapa (Hydro's share net of tax) relating to unrealized derivative losses and net foreign exchange losses.

Net income amounted to NOK 1,562 million in the second quarter. This includes a net foreign exchange loss, mainly unrealized, of NOK 918 million reflecting a weakening of BRL against USD affecting US dollar debt in Brazil, while the strengthening of EUR forward rates against NOK resulted in an unrealized loss on the embedded derivatives in power contracts denominated in EUR.

NOK million, except per share data	Second quarter 2017	First quarter 2017	Change prior quarter	Second quarter 2016	Change prior year quarter	First half 2017	First half 2016	Year 2016
Key financial information
Revenue	24,591	23,026	7%	20,391	21%	47,617	40,529	81,953
Earnings before financial items and tax (EBIT)	2,946	2,410	22%	1,978	49%	5,356	3,672	7,011
Items excluded from underlying EBIT	(16)	(126)	87%	(360)	96%	(141)	(552)	(586)
Underlying EBIT	2,930	2,284	28%	1,618	81%	5,214	3,119	6,425
Underlying EBIT:
Bauxite & Alumina	662	756	(12)%	174	>100%	1,418	363	1,227
Primary Metal	1,486	900	65%	702	>100%	2,386	1,020	2,258
Metal Markets	244	24	>100%	75	>100%	268	241	510
Rolled Products	84	106	(21)%	242	(65)%	191	491	708
Energy	284	423	(33)%	301	(6)%	707	699	1,343
Other and eliminations	170	74	>100%	125	37%	245	306	380
Underlying EBIT	2,930	2,284	28%	1,618	81%	5,214	3,119	6,425
Earnings before financial items, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)	4,335	3,762	15%	3,222	35%	8,097	6,131	12,485
Underlying EBITDA	4,319	3,637	19%	2,862	51%	7,956	5,578	11,474
Net income (loss)	1,562	1,838	(15)%	2,077	(25)%	3,401	4,459	6,586
Underlying net income (loss)	2,214	1,580	40%	1,126	97%	3,795	1,949	3,875
Earnings per share	0.73	0.86	(16)%	0.95	(24)%	1.59	2.08	3.13
Underlying earnings per share	1.04	0.75	38%	0.52	>100%	1.79	0.91	1.83
Financial data:
Investments	1,420	1,372	4%	1,711	(17)%	2,792	3,681	9,137
Adjusted net cash (debt)	(5,146)	(5,358)	4%	(8,758)	41%	(5,146)	(8,758)	(5,598)
Key Operational information
Bauxite production (kmt)	2,943	2,400	23%	2,609	13%	5,343	5,292	11,132
Alumina production (kmt)	1,576	1,523	3%	1,554	1%	3,099	3,071	6,341
Primary aluminium production (kmt)	523	516	1%	518	1%	1,039	1,032	2,085
Realized aluminium price LME (USD/mt)	1,902	1,757	8%	1,546	23%	1,828	1,522	1,574
Realized aluminium price LME (NOK/mt)	16,265	14,798	10%	12,826	27%	15,517	12,887	13,193
Realized USD/NOK exchange rate	8.55	8.42	2%	8.30	3%	8.49	8.47	8.38
Rolled Products sales volumes to external market (kmt)	239	241	(1)%	238	0%	480	467	911
Sapa sales volumes (kmt)	180	178	1%	183	(2)%	357	358	682
Power production (GWh)	2,369	2,869	(17)%	2,674	(11)%	5,238	5,835	11,332

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.

No assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct.  Hydro disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.