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Century Aluminum Co (CENX)
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Century Aluminum (CENX) AI Stock Analysis

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CENX

Century Aluminum

(NASDAQ:CENX)

Rating:70Outperform
Price Target:
$24.50
▲(6.48% Upside)
Century Aluminum's overall score reflects strong earnings call results and positive technical indicators, showing potential momentum. However, financial performance is tempered by leverage and cash flow challenges, and valuation remains moderate. The significant earnings improvements and guidance provide optimism, but high leverage and cash conversion inefficiencies warrant caution.
Positive Factors
Debt Management
Net debt declined to $442mm from $497mm last quarter, while available liquidity increased significantly.
Financial Performance
Free cash flow generation is expected to remain strong and translate to further strengthening of the balance sheet.
Market Position
Century is the largest producer of primary aluminum in the U.S., producing ~378kt, which positions it well to benefit from the 25% Section 232 aluminum tariffs.
Profitability
Century's profitability profile has improved with the acquisition of a majority stake in the Jamalco refinery and benefits from tariffs.
Negative Factors
Cost Management
Higher costs associated with major planned maintenance and seasonal labor costs are considered one-time but impact the current outlook.
Earnings Outlook
The 2Q'25 EBITDA guided range of $80–90mm is disappointing and below prior estimates.

Century Aluminum (CENX) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Century Aluminum Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCentury Aluminum Company, together with its subsidiaries, produces standard-grade and value-added primary aluminum products in the United States and Iceland. It also owns and operates a carbon anode production facility in the Netherlands. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
How the Company Makes MoneyCentury Aluminum makes money primarily through the production and sale of primary aluminum. The company's revenue model is driven by the demand for aluminum in various sectors, including transportation, packaging, and construction. Century Aluminum operates several smelters that convert raw materials into aluminum products, which are then sold to manufacturers and other end-users. Key revenue streams include sales contracts with industrial customers and partnerships with other companies to provide specialized aluminum products. Additionally, the company may engage in strategic partnerships or joint ventures to enhance its production capabilities and market reach.

Century Aluminum Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 07, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 1.63%|
Next Earnings Date:Nov 10, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a balanced view with significant achievements in financial performance, liquidity, and operational recovery, particularly in alumina production and tariff benefits. However, challenges such as increased energy costs due to weather events, operational issues at Mt. Holly, and European market weakness were noted.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Performance and Liquidity Improvement
Century generated $78 million of adjusted EBITDA in Q1, reducing net debt by $55 million and increasing liquidity by $94 million.
Record Alumina Production
Jamalco achieved its highest quarterly volume in Q1 since its acquisition in 2023, with ongoing investments in capital improvement programs.
Positive Impact of Section 232 Tariffs
Midwest premium doubled post-tariff announcement, benefiting Q1 results by $16 million, with further benefits expected in Q2.
Full Production Recovery at Grundartangi
Grundartangi returned to full production in March after power curtailments were lifted, with a new power supply agreement extending to 2032.
Operational Improvements at Sebree
Sebree achieved higher volumes and lower costs, allowing for advanced maintenance to improve reliability.
Negative Updates
Impact of Polar Vortex on Energy Costs
Cold temperatures increased energy prices at U.S. operations, impacting Q1 adjusted EBITDA by $18 million.
Operational Instability at Mt. Holly
Mt. Holly faced operational instability, increasing costs and reducing production, with recovery efforts ongoing.
European Market Weakness
European billet orders were lower than expected, with demand weakness continuing, although showing slight improvement entering Q2.
Increased Raw Material Costs
Coke, pitch, and caustic soda prices rose in Q1, contributing to a $27 million headwind quarter-over-quarter.
Company Guidance
In the Century Aluminum Company's First Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the executives provided detailed guidance on their financial and operational outlook. The company reported a strong financial performance with an adjusted EBITDA of $78 million, a reduction in net debt by $55 million, and an increase in liquidity by $94 million. Realized LME prices averaged $2,553 per ton in Q1, with Midwest and European premiums at $602 and $336, respectively. For Q2, they project an adjusted EBITDA between $80 million and $90 million, with anticipated benefits from a rise in the U.S. Midwest premium to $866 per ton. Operationally, they highlighted significant improvements in safety outcomes and production levels, especially at their Icelandic and Jamalco facilities, and detailed ongoing capital improvement projects like the installation of a new steam turbine at Jamalco. The company anticipates these measures will contribute to future cost reductions and operational efficiencies.

Century Aluminum Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Century Aluminum's financials indicate recovery with profitability improvements and revenue growth. However, challenges persist with high leverage and cash flow inefficiencies. The income statement shows strong profitability recovery, but the balance sheet reflects leverage risks and the cash flow statement highlights conversion inefficiencies.
Income Statement
72
Positive
The income statement shows a strong recovery in profitability with a significant improvement in net income from a loss of $43.1 million in 2023 to a profit of $119.7 million in TTM 2025. The gross profit margin improved to 9.69% in TTM 2025 from 4.21% in 2022. Revenue growth is steady, with a TTM revenue of $2.36 billion, up from $2.22 billion in 2024. The EBIT margin has also improved to 7.00% in TTM 2025. However, the EBITDA margin decreased due to reduced EBITDA compared to 2024.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The balance sheet indicates a moderate level of financial stability. The debt-to-equity ratio is relatively high at 0.65 in TTM 2025, suggesting potential leverage risk. The equity ratio is stable at 37.2%, showing a balanced asset funding by equity. Return on equity has improved significantly, reflecting better utilization of equity for generating net income. However, the high total liabilities relative to equity might pose financial risks.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
Cash flow analysis reveals challenges with negative free cash flow of $11.3 million in TTM 2025, though an improvement from the previous year. Operating cash flow has improved to $62.5 million but remains relatively low compared to net income, with an operating cash flow to net income ratio of 0.52. The free cash flow to net income ratio is negative, indicating inefficiencies in converting income into free cash flow.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.22B2.19B2.78B2.21B1.61B
Gross Profit185.00M91.90M46.70M124.20M-36.50M
EBITDA448.70M43.40M82.60M-84.60M-11.70M
Net Income336.80M-43.10M-14.00M-167.00M-123.20M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.94B1.85B1.47B1.57B1.40B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments32.90M88.80M54.30M29.00M81.60M
Total Debt519.20M473.70M548.60M474.10M340.20M
Total Liabilities1.28B1.50B1.07B1.15B853.50M
Stockholders Equity694.40M355.60M399.30M421.00M546.10M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-106.90M10.60M-60.40M-147.70M29.50M
Operating Cash Flow-24.60M105.60M25.90M-64.70M42.90M
Investing Cash Flow-67.30M-57.80M-85.50M-82.60M-11.80M
Financing Cash Flow37.30M-13.00M74.40M103.70M13.50M

Century Aluminum Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price23.01
Price Trends
50DMA
19.68
Positive
100DMA
18.26
Positive
200DMA
19.06
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.73
Positive
RSI
66.50
Neutral
STOCH
62.47
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CENX, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 23.01 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 21.50, above the 50-day MA of 19.68, and above the 200-day MA of 19.06, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.73 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 66.50 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 62.47 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CENX.

Century Aluminum Risk Analysis

Century Aluminum disclosed 76 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Century Aluminum reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Century Aluminum Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$2.21B139.101.79%0.51%5.55%-79.38%
70
Outperform
$2.15B20.7017.74%11.42%-49.21%
69
Neutral
$7.81B7.7420.01%1.33%21.32%
65
Neutral
$1.20B18.998.89%4.17%4.62%56.04%
61
Neutral
$9.73B6.73-0.14%3.11%2.72%-42.86%
61
Neutral
$1.88B70.103.02%2.52%-83.35%
50
Neutral
$1.80B-15.57%16.63%-10.77%-191.87%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CENX
Century Aluminum
23.01
9.06
64.95%
AA
Alcoa
30.17
-0.74
-2.39%
MTRN
Materion
106.47
-2.98
-2.72%
KALU
Kaiser Aluminum
73.93
8.93
13.74%
SID
Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional
1.38
-0.66
-32.35%
CSTM
Constellium
13.48
-1.79
-11.72%

Century Aluminum Corporate Events

Private Placements and Financing
Century Aluminum Completes $400 Million Notes Offering
Neutral
Jul 24, 2025

On July 22, 2025, Century Aluminum Company completed its offering of $400 million in 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2032. The proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt, repay borrowings, and cover related expenses, impacting the company’s financial structure and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (CENX) stock is a Buy with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Century Aluminum stock, see the CENX Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
Century Aluminum Announces $400M Senior Notes Offering
Neutral
Jul 17, 2025

On July 16, 2025, Century Aluminum Company announced a proposed private offering of $400 million in senior secured notes due in 2032. The proceeds from this offering are intended to refinance the company’s 7.50% senior secured notes due in 2028, repay borrowings under its credit facilities, and cover related fees and expenses. This strategic financial move is aimed at optimizing Century’s debt structure and enhancing its financial flexibility.

The most recent analyst rating on (CENX) stock is a Hold with a $18.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Century Aluminum stock, see the CENX Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 22, 2025