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Century Aluminum (CENX)
NASDAQ:CENX
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Century Aluminum (CENX) AI Stock Analysis

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CENX

Century Aluminum

(NASDAQ:CENX)

Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
$24.00
▲(7.48% Upside)
Century Aluminum's overall stock score is driven by a positive technical outlook and optimistic earnings call guidance. While financial performance shows moderate health, challenges in cash flow management and a lack of dividend yield slightly weigh on the score. The company's strategic initiatives and favorable market conditions are expected to support future growth.
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 (CENX) is a leading producer of primary aluminum, primarily operating in the United States. The company focuses on the production of high-quality aluminum products for various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and construction. With facilities located in strategic locations, Century Aluminum is committed to sustainable practices and optimizing the efficiency of its operations while meeting the growing demand for aluminum across multiple sectors.
How the Company Makes MoneyCentury Aluminum generates revenue primarily through the sale of primary aluminum products. The company sells its aluminum to a diverse customer base, including manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, and construction industries. Key revenue streams include the production of aluminum ingots, billets, and other value-added products. Additionally, the company benefits from its strategic partnerships with suppliers and customers, which help secure long-term contracts and stabilize pricing. The fluctuations in aluminum prices on the global market also significantly impact the company's earnings, as they directly influence the revenue generated from its product sales. Furthermore, Century Aluminum's focus on operational efficiency and sustainability initiatives contributes to reduced production costs, enhancing profitability.

Century Aluminum Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 07, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 10, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong financial performance driven by strategic initiatives and tariff benefits, despite some operational challenges and a net loss. Positive market conditions and strategic expansions like Mt. Holly are expected to drive future growth.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Performance
Century generated $74 million of adjusted EBITDA in Q2, reflecting strong operational performance and strategic initiatives.
Positive Impact of Section 232 Tariffs
The reinstatement and increase of Section 232 tariffs by President Trump have significantly boosted Midwest premiums, contributing to improved financial results.
Mt. Holly Expansion
Century announced the restart of 50,000 metric tonnes of additional production at Mt. Holly, which will increase production to over 220,000 metric tonnes per year and add nearly 100 full-time jobs.
Successful Refinancing
Century completed the refinancing of its 7.5% senior secured notes with new $400 million 6.875% notes, simplifying debt structure and reducing interest costs.
Strong Domestic Demand
There is increased demand for Century's domestically produced billets, with shipments up 8% year-over-year in the first half of 2025.
Negative Updates
Net Loss in Q2
Century reported a net loss of $5 million or $0.05 per share for the quarter.
Production Challenges at Grundartangi
Grundartangi experienced a slight production volume headwind due to a failure in one of its electrical transformers.
Higher Energy Costs
Unusually warm summer temperatures led to higher-than-expected energy costs, slightly impacting anticipated benefits.
Currency Headwinds
Currency headwinds impacted Q2 by $4 million, primarily from wages denominated in local currencies due to a weaker dollar.
Company Guidance
During the Century Aluminum Company's second quarter 2025 earnings call, guidance was provided for an optimistic outlook based on favorable market conditions. The company reported a $74 million adjusted EBITDA for Q2, with expectations for Q3 adjusted EBITDA to be between $115 million and $125 million. Realized LME prices averaged $2,540 per tonne, with U.S. Midwest and European premiums at $850 and $220 per tonne, respectively. The restart of 50,000 metric tonnes at Mt. Holly is expected to add nearly 100 jobs and requires a $50 million investment. Furthermore, Century successfully refinanced $400 million in senior secured notes, reducing interest costs. The company foresees continued earnings growth into Q4, driven by spot LME prices exceeding $2,600 per tonne and Midwest premiums reaching $1,600 per tonne. The call also highlighted strategic initiatives, including the Mt. Holly expansion and progress at Jamalco to enhance production capacity and cost efficiency.

Century Aluminum Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Century Aluminum demonstrates moderate financial health with stable revenue growth and profitability. However, the company faces challenges in cash flow management, which could impact its ability to invest in growth opportunities. The balance sheet reflects a manageable debt level, but improvements in operational efficiency and cash flow generation are needed to strengthen its financial position.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Century Aluminum shows a modest revenue growth rate of 2.85% in the TTM, with a gross profit margin of 10.07% and a net profit margin of 4.84%. While these margins indicate profitability, they are relatively low compared to industry leaders. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are also moderate at 6.23% and 9.58%, respectively, suggesting room for operational efficiency improvements.
Balance Sheet
58
Neutral
The company's debt-to-equity ratio stands at 0.66, indicating a balanced leverage position. However, the return on equity (ROE) is 16.82%, which is decent but could be improved to enhance shareholder value. The equity ratio is not explicitly calculated, but the company's equity position appears stable relative to its assets.
Cash Flow
45
Neutral
Century Aluminum's cash flow situation is challenging, with a negative free cash flow and a free cash flow to net income ratio of -0.37. Although there is a significant free cash flow growth rate of 92.92%, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is low at 0.13, indicating potential liquidity issues.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.43B2.22B2.19B2.78B2.21B1.61B
Gross Profit244.90M185.00M91.90M46.70M124.20M-36.50M
EBITDA232.90M448.70M43.40M136.10M-84.60M-11.70M
Net Income117.60M318.90M-43.10M-14.10M-167.00M-123.20M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.95B1.94B1.85B1.47B1.57B1.40B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments40.70M32.90M88.80M54.30M29.00M81.60M
Total Debt479.80M519.20M473.70M548.60M474.10M340.20M
Total Liabilities1.26B1.28B1.50B1.07B1.15B853.50M
Stockholders Equity724.40M694.40M355.60M399.30M421.00M546.10M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-21.80M-106.90M10.60M-60.40M-147.70M29.50M
Operating Cash Flow58.90M-24.60M105.60M25.90M-64.70M42.90M
Investing Cash Flow-56.60M-67.30M-57.80M-85.50M-82.60M-11.80M
Financing Cash Flow-1.60M37.30M-13.00M74.40M103.70M13.50M

Century Aluminum Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price22.33
Price Trends
50DMA
20.97
Positive
100DMA
18.97
Positive
200DMA
19.36
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.27
Positive
RSI
47.20
Neutral
STOCH
48.71
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CENX, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 22.33 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 22.45, above the 50-day MA of 20.97, and above the 200-day MA of 19.36, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.27 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 47.20 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 48.71 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral 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
78
Outperform
$2.30B144.761.79%0.50%5.55%-79.38%
72
Outperform
$8.33B8.2620.01%1.29%21.32%
69
Neutral
$1.26B20.008.89%3.96%4.62%56.04%
67
Neutral
$2.02B75.353.02%2.52%-83.35%
66
Neutral
$2.08B20.0917.74%15.39%-47.91%
61
Neutral
$10.24B6.180.71%2.90%3.45%-36.02%
50
Neutral
$1.84B-15.57%16.39%-10.77%-191.87%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CENX
Century Aluminum
21.69
8.69
66.85%
AA
Alcoa
30.94
0.84
2.79%
MTRN
Materion
110.40
3.73
3.50%
KALU
Kaiser Aluminum
76.51
10.19
15.36%
SID
Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional
1.40
-0.55
-28.21%
CSTM
Constellium
13.92
-2.01
-12.62%

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.

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.

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: Aug 19, 2025