Q2 2026 Century Aluminum Co Earnings Call

August 6, 2026

Speaker #1: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to the CENTURY ALUMINUM CO Q4 2026 earnings conference call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question-and-answer session.

Operator: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to the Century Aluminum Company Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star 1 again. I will now hand the conference over to Chad Rigg, Vice President, Finance and Treasurer. Please go ahead.

Operator: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to the Century Aluminum Company Q2 2026 Earnings Conference Call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. I will now hand the conference over to Chad Rigg, Vice President, Finance and Treasurer. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: question, please press star, end one, to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star, one again. I will now hand the conference over to Chad Rigg, Vice President, Finance and Treasurer.

Speaker #1: Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Operator. Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the second quarter conference call. I'm joined here today by Jesse Gary, CENTURY's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Chad Rigg: Thank you, operator. Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the second quarter conference call. I am joined here today by Jesse Gary, Century's President and Chief Executive Officer, and Peter Trpkovski, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. After our prepared comments, we will take your questions. As a reminder, today's presentation is available on our website at www.centuryaluminum.com. We use our website as a means of disclosing material information about the company and for complying with Regulation FD. Turning to slide two, please take a moment to review the cautionary statements with respect to forward-looking statements and non-GAAP financial measures in today's discussion. With that, I will hand the call to Jesse.

Chad Rigg: Thank you, operator. Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the Q2 conference call. I am joined here today by Jesse Gary, Century's President and Chief Executive Officer, and Peter Trpkovski, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. After our prepared comments, we will take your questions. As a reminder, today's presentation is available on our website at www.centuryaluminum.com. We use our website as a means of disclosing material information about the company and for complying with Regulation FD.

Speaker #2: And Peter Trpkovski, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. After our prepared comments, we will take your questions. As a reminder, today's presentation is available on our website at www.centuryaluminum.com.

Speaker #2: We use our website as a means of disclosing material information about the company and for complying with regulation FD. Turning to slide 2, please take a moment to review the cautionary statements with respect to forward-looking statements and non-GAAP financial measures in today's discussion.

Chad Rigg: Turning to slide two, please take a moment to review the cautionary statements with respect to forward-looking statements and non-GAAP financial measures in today's discussion. With that, I will hand the call to Jesse.

Speaker #2: And with that, I'll hand the call to Jesse.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Chad, and thanks to everyone for joining. I'll start today by reviewing our second quarter operational performance, including the completion of the Mount Holly expansion and the restart of hotline 2 at Gundertongi, before turning to the continued strong market conditions we are operating in today.

Jesse Gary: Thank you, Chad, and thanks to everyone for joining. I will start today by reviewing our second quarter operational performance, including the completion of the Mount Holly expansion and the restart of Potline 2 at Grundartangi, before turning to the continued strong market conditions we are operating in today. Pete will then walk you through our Q2 results and Q3 outlook before I conclude the call with the latest on our new Oklahoma smelter project and on President Trump's important new executive order incentivizing companies like Century that are building new American aluminum capacity. Before we get into the quarter, I want to thank the Century team across all of our sites for another strong quarter of safety performance. Over the last 6 months, our teams have executed two major capital projects on two continents, all while welcoming hundreds of new employees into our plants, and they did it safely.

Jesse Gary: Thank you, Chad, and thanks to everyone for joining. I will start today by reviewing our Q2 operational performance, including the completion of the Mount Holly expansion and the restart of Potline two at Grundartangi, before turning to the continued strong market conditions we are operating in today. Peter will then walk you through our Q2 results and Q3 outlook before I conclude the call with the latest on our new Oklahoma smelter project and on President Trump's important new executive order incentivizing companies like Century that are building new American aluminum capacity.

Speaker #3: People then walk you through our Q2 results and Q3 outlook, before I conclude the call with the latest on our new Oklahoma smelter project and on President Trump's important new executive order incentivizing companies like CENTURY that are building new American aluminum capacity.

Speaker #3: Before we get into the quarter, I want to thank the CENTURY team across all of our sites for another strong quarter of safety performance.

Jesse Gary: Before we get into the quarter, I want to thank the Century team across all of our sites for another strong quarter of safety performance. Over the last six months, our teams have executed two major capital projects on two continents, all while welcoming hundreds of new employees into our plants, and they did it safely.

Speaker #3: Over the last 6 months, our teams have executed 2 major capital projects on 2 continents. All while welcoming hundreds of new employees into our plants.

Speaker #3: And they did it safely. That is not luck. It is the product of planning, discipline, and a workforce that looks out for one another.

Jesse Gary: That is not luck. It is a product of planning, discipline, and a workforce that looks out for one another. Thank you to each of you. Turning to page four, when we spoke with you in May, I told you that by the end of July, for the first time in over a decade, all Century assets should be operating at full capacity. I am very proud to report today that our team has delivered on that commitment. At Mount Holly, we completed the restart of the final 90 pots in late June, on time and on budget, returning the plant to full capacity. This project increases total US primary aluminum production by nearly 10% and has added over 150 full-time American manufacturing jobs to the plant.

Speaker #3: Thank you to each of you.

Speaker #2: Turning to page 4, when we spoke with you in May, I told you that by the end of July, for the first time in over a decade, all CENTURY assets should be operating at full capacity.

Speaker #2: I'm very proud to report today that our team has delivered on that commitment. At Mount Holly, we completed the restart of the final 90 pots in late June, on time and on budget, returning the plant to full capacity.

Jesse Gary: At Mount Holly, we completed the restart of the final 90 pots in late June, on time and on budget, returning the plant to full capacity. This project increases total US primary aluminum production by nearly 10% and has added over 150 full-time American manufacturing jobs to the plant.

Speaker #2: This project increases total U.S. primary aluminum production by nearly 10% and has added over 150 full-time American manufacturing jobs at the plant. We were proud to host U.S.

Jesse Gary: We were proud to host United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson to the plant last week to celebrate this major achievement. At Grundartangi, we completed the restart of Potline 2 at the end of July, roughly 6 months ahead of the timeline we first shared with you last October. It is worth taking a step back for a moment. 10 months ago, we had just lost a pot line in Iceland following an unprecedented transformer failure, and Mount Holly was running at only 75% capacity. Today, both plants are producing at full capacity into a market that needs every unit we can produce. That turnaround was accomplished by our operations and technical teams working across time zones in parallel on two of the most complex projects this company has undertaken. Congratulations to all of you.

Speaker #2: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson to the plant last week to celebrate this major achievement. At Gundertongi, we completed the restart of line 2 at the end of July, roughly 6 months ahead of the timeline we first shared with you last October.

Speaker #2: It is worth taking a step back for a moment. Ten months ago, we had just lost the pot line in Iceland following an unprecedented transformer failure, and Mount Holly was running at only 75% capacity.

Jesse Gary: 10 months ago, we had just lost a pot line in Iceland following an unprecedented transformer failure, and Mount Holly was running at only 75% capacity. Today, both plants are producing at full capacity into a market that needs every unit we can produce. That turnaround was accomplished by our operations and technical teams working across time zones in parallel on two of the most complex projects this company has undertaken. Congratulations to all of you.

Speaker #2: Today, both plants are producing at full capacity, into a market that needs every unit we can produce. That turnaround was accomplished by our operations and technical teams working across time zones in parallel on two of the most complex projects this company has undertaken.

Speaker #2: Congratulations to all of you. This is a remarkable achievement, and you should be proud of it. Staying with page 4 in operations, we saw strong performance across the portfolio in the second quarter while executing this level of major project work.

Jesse Gary: This is a remarkable achievement, and you should be proud of it. Staying with page four in operations, we saw strong performance across the portfolio in Q2 while executing this level of major project work. At Mount Holly, the ramp-up progressed on schedule throughout the quarter, with the plant reaching full production at the end of June. As a reminder, because of the incremental nature of the restart, Q2 reflects only a partial quarter of the expanded run rate. We will see the full benefit of these tons for the first time in Q3. Note that we have seen some instability at the plant following the restart. This is not unusual following a restart of this size. The team is working through it, and the impact is included in your outlook.

Speaker #2: At Mount Holly, the ramp-up progressed on schedule throughout the quarter, with the plant reaching full production at the end of June. As a reminder, because of the incremental nature of the restart, Q2 reflects only a partial quarter of the expanded run rate.

Speaker #2: We will see the full benefit of these tons for the first time in Q3. Note that we have seen some instability at the plant following the restart.

Speaker #2: This is not unusual following a restart of this size. The team is working through it, and the impact is included in your outlook. Note that we do not expect any impact beyond Q3, and the project remains fully on track to repay its capital costs by the end of 2026.

Jesse Gary: Note that we do not expect any impact beyond Q3, and the project remains fully on track to repay its capital costs by the end of 2026. At Grundartangi, the Potline 2 restart went smoothly, and the plant is now at close to full production. As we discussed last quarter, we are running Potline 2 at slightly reduced amperage until our new replacement transformers arrive and are installed in Q4. We are being deliberately conservative here to avoid putting undue stress on the repaired units, and the team has managed that balance well. At Jamalco, we brought our new power generation turbine, known as TG4, online at the beginning of August. This is an important milestone. TG4 allows us to run Jamalco on entirely self-generated energy, eliminating expensive, and as we learned last winter, sometimes unreliable purchases from the Jamaica's electricity grid.

Speaker #2: At Gundertongi, the line 2 restart went smoothly, and the plant is now at close to full production. As we discussed last quarter, we are running line 2 at slightly reduced amperage until our new replacement transformers arrive and are installed in the fourth quarter.

Speaker #2: We are being deliberately conservative here to avoid putting undue stress on the repaired units, and the team has managed that balance well. After Malco, we brought our new power generation turbine known as TG4 online at the beginning of August.

Speaker #2: This is an important milestone. TG4 allows us to run Jamalco on entirely self-generated energy, eliminating expensive and, as we learned last winter, sometimes unreliable purchases from the Jamaican grid.

Speaker #2: The full benefit will phase in over the balance of the year, and is a significant step change in the Jamalco cost structure. Nice work by the Jamalco team in getting this one across the line.

Jesse Gary: The full benefit will phase in over the balance of the year and is a significant step change in the Jamalco cost structure. Nice work by the Jamalco team in getting this one across the line. As we discussed last quarter, the refinery does continue to see lower-quality bauxite from certain of its mining areas. The team has a revised mining plan in place and is working through it, but we expect this will take another couple of quarters to fully implement. In the meantime, it remains a modest headwind to Jamalco's costs and volumes, and Pete has reflected that in our outlook. Finally, Sebree delivered another excellent quarter. This plant has now strung together quarter after quarter of top-tier operating and financial performance, and it continues to set the standard for the rest of the portfolio. Great work again by the entire Sebree team.

Speaker #2: As we discussed last quarter, the refinery does continue to see lower quality bauxite from certain of its mining areas. The team is a revised mining plan in place, and is working through it, but we expect this will take another couple of quarters to fully implement.

Speaker #2: In the meantime, it remains a modest headwind to Jamalco's costs and volumes, and Pete has reflected that in our outlook. Finally, CBRE delivered another excellent quarter.

Speaker #2: This plant has now strung together quarter after quarter of top-tier operating and financial performance, and it continues to set the standard for the rest of the portfolio.

Speaker #2: Great work again by the entire CBRE team. Before I hand things to Pete, let's spend a few minutes on the market, starting on page 5.

Jesse Gary: Before I hand things to Pete, let's spend a few minutes on the market, starting on page five. The short version is that we are bringing these additional tons from Mount Holly and Grundartangi into as strong a market as this industry has seen in a very long time. Following the limited reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, prices have now returned to pre-conflict levels. LME is approximately $3,250 per ton today, the U.S. Midwest Premium is approximately $1.11 per pound, the European duty-paid premium is approximately $500 per ton. The market continues to evaluate what is happening in the Gulf. Restarts have only been announced at EGA, that is a welcome development for our friends there.

Speaker #2: The short version is that we are bringing these additional tons from Mount Holly and Gundertongi into as strong a market as this industry has seen in a very long time.

Speaker #2: Following the limited reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, prices have now returned to pre-conflict levels. LME is approximately 3,250 dollars per ton today, the U.S.

Speaker #2: Midwest premium is approximately 1 dollar and 11 cents per pound, and the European duty paid premium is approximately 500 dollars per ton. The market continues to evaluate what is happening in the Gulf.

Speaker #2: Research have only been announced at EGA, and that is a welcome development for our friends there. But we have not yet seen restart announcements in Bahrain or Qatar, and I would be careful about assuming that the production levels in the Gulf as a whole will come back quickly.

Jesse Gary: We have not yet seen restart announcements in Bahrain or Qatar, I would be careful about assuming that the production levels in the Gulf as a whole will come back quickly. Restarting curtailed pot lines is slow and difficult work. We know that better than most, having just done it twice ourselves, these plants are doing it while their raw material supply chains are still not fully normalized. We do not have good visibility into how long it will take, nor can any of us say with confidence what further disruption to transit through the Strait would do to those timelines. On the demand side, the U.S. picture is as strong as we have seen it in years. Monday's ISM Manufacturing report for July came in well above expectations, the seventh consecutive month of expansion and the strongest reading since May 2022.

Speaker #2: Restarting curtailed hotlines is slow and difficult work. We know that better than most, having just done it twice ourselves. And these plants are doing it while their raw material supply chains are still not fully normalized.

Speaker #2: We do not have good visibility into how long it will take, nor can any of us say with confidence what further disruption to transit through the Strait would do to those timelines.

Speaker #2: On the demand side, the U.S. picture is as strong as we have seen it in years. Monday's ISM manufacturing report for July came in well above expectations, the seventh consecutive month of expansion, and the strongest reading since May of 2022.

Speaker #2: That is a strong environment our customers are operating in, and we are seeing it directly when we speak with them. Aluminum demand is being driven by the power and data infrastructure build-out, by commercial aerospace, and by defense and rearmament programs, as well as the continued reshoring of extrusion and downstream fabrication following President Trump's April action closing the valuation loopholes in the Section 232 program.

Jesse Gary: That is a strong environment our customers are operating in, we are seeing it directly when we speak with them. Aluminum demand is being driven by the power and data infrastructure build-out, by commercial aerospace, by defense and rearmament programs, as well as the continued reshoring of extrusion and downstream fabrication following President Trump's April action closing the valuation loopholes in the Section 232 program. You take the supply and demand picture together, we continue to expect a global deficit of around 1 million tons this year, we would expect deficit conditions to continue in 2027. With Middle Eastern smelters producing material less metal in 2026 than they otherwise would have, a large portion of that shortfall is now locked in, no matter how the restarts go from here. You cannot make up lost tons in a market that was already short.

Speaker #2: When you take the supply and demand picture together, we continue to expect a global deficit of around 1 million tons this year. And we would expect deficit conditions to continue in 2027.

Speaker #2: With Middle Eastern smelters producing material less metal in 2026 than they otherwise would have, a large portion of that shortfall is now locked in, no matter how the restarts go from here.

Speaker #2: You cannot make up lost tons in a market that was already short. The result is visible in inventories. Global days of consumption is held in inventory have now fallen through the post-financial crisis blows we have referenced on prior calls, and are approaching all-time lows.

Jesse Gary: The result is visible in the inventories. Global days of consumptions held in inventory have now fallen through the post-financial crisis lows we have referenced on prior calls and are approaching all-time lows. With deficits persisting through the balance of this year and into next, we expect that drawdown to continue. There is very little cushion left anywhere in the system. In a market with no slack, the value of secure domestic units goes up. With the completion of both restarts, Century now has more of them to sell in both the U.S. and EU markets. Pete will now take you through our Q2 financial performance and Q3 outlook.

Speaker #2: With deficits persisting through the balance of this year and into next, we expect that drawdown to continue. There is very little cushion left anywhere in the system.

Speaker #2: In a market with no slack, the value of secure domestic units goes up. And with the completion of both restarts, Century now has more of them to sell in both the U.S.

Speaker #2: and EU markets. Pete will now take you through our second quarter financial performance in Q3 outlook.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Jesse. I will begin with the review of our Q2 financial performance and provide an update on the Mont Holly expansion and restart of Gundertongi line 2.

Peter Trpkovski: Thank you, Jesse. I will begin with the review of our Q2 financial performance and provide an update on the Mount Holly expansion and restart of Grundartangi Line 2, along with an update on cash flow for the business. Lastly, I'll share our Q3 outlook. Turning to slide eight. On a consolidated basis, Q2 shipments totaled approximately 131,000 tons, a 6% increase from the prior Q due to an additional production from the restart of Line 2 in Iceland and the Mount Holly expansion. Net sales for the Q were $752 million, a $103 million increase sequentially, primarily due to higher realized LME and regional premiums, as well as higher shipments. For the Q, we report a net income of $249 million, or $2.39 per share. Our adjusted net income was $257 million, or $2.46 per share, excluding exceptional items.

Speaker #1: Along with an update on cash flow for the business. Lastly, I'll share our Q3 outlook. Turning to slide 8, on a consolidated basis, second quarter shipments totaled approximately 131,000 tons, a 6 percent increase from the prior quarter, due to an additional production from the restart of line 2 in Iceland and the Mont Holly expansion.

Speaker #1: Net sales for the quarter were 752 million, a 103 million increase sequentially primarily due to higher realized LME and regional premiums as well as higher shipments.

Speaker #1: For the quarter, we reported net income of 249 million, or 2 dollars and 39 cents per share. Our adjusted net income was 257 million, or 2 dollars and 46 cents per share.

Speaker #1: Excluding exceptional items. Exceptional items included the unrealized gains on our derivative contracts, business interruption losses in Iceland, and restart expenses at Mt. Holly. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $327 million.

Peter Trpkovski: Exceptional items included the unrealized gains on our derivative contracts, business interruption losses in Iceland, and restart expenses at Mount Holly. Adjusted EBITDA for the Q was $327 million, primarily attributable to higher LME and regional premiums and increased volume resulting from expanded output at Mount Holly. During the Q, we continued our efforts to enhance the balance sheet. Our cash balance stood at $388 million at the end of June. We continue to prioritize debt reduction with $66 million in debt repayments in the Q, resulting in no outstanding borrowings on our credit facilities at the end of the Q. Net debt was reduced to $98 million. As of the end of July, our cash position exceeded our total debt. More on that in a couple of minutes. Turning to page nine, adjusted EBITDA for the Q2 increased $96 million to $327 million.

Speaker #1: Primarily attributable to higher LME and regional premiums, an increased volume resulting from expanded output at Mont Holly. During the quarter, we continued our efforts to enhance the balance sheet, our cash balance stood at 388 million, at the end of June.

Speaker #1: We continue to prioritize debt reduction, with 66 million dollars in debt repayments in the quarter, resulting in no outstanding borrowings on our credit facilities at the end of the quarter.

Speaker #1: Net debt was reduced to $98 million, and as of the end of July, our cash position exceeded our total debt. More on that in a couple of minutes.

Speaker #1: Turning to page 9, adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter increased 96 million dollars to 327 million. Realized LME was 3,250 dollars per ton, up 350 dollars versus prior quarter, our realized U.S.

Peter Trpkovski: Realized LME was $3,250 per ton, up $350 versus prior Q. Our realized U.S. Midwest Premium was $2,480 per ton, up $280. Higher European premium of $450 per ton was up $140. Taken together, LME and regional premiums pricing contributed an incremental $95 million compared with the prior Q. Energy costs returned to normalized levels after winter, raw material costs were higher, as anticipated. Volume and sales mix were up $8 million over prior Q. This increased production volume was expected from our expansion at Mount Holly. However, shipments at Q end were affected by cutoff timing, which resulted in a sequential increase in finished goods inventory related to the Mount Holly expansion. We expect that inventory to ship in Q3, I'll cover that in more detail shortly.

Speaker #1: Midwest premium was $2,480 per ton, up $280, and the higher European premium of $450 per ton was up $140. Taken together, LME and regional premium pricing contributed an incremental $95 million compared with the prior quarter.

Speaker #1: Energy costs returned to normalized levels after winter, and raw material costs were higher, as anticipated. Volume and sales mix were up 8 million dollars over prior quarter, this increased production volume was expected from our expansion at Mont Holly, however, shipments at quarter end were affected by cut-off timing, which resulted in a sequential increase in finished goods inventory related to the Mont Holly expansion.

Speaker #1: We expect that inventory to ship in Q3, and I'll cover that in more detail shortly. As anticipated on our last call, operating expenses increased over prior quarter driven by the Mont Holly expansion reflecting the 100 percent capacity run rate.

Peter Trpkovski: As anticipated on our last call, operating expenses increased over prior Q, driven by the Mount Holly expansion, reflecting the 100% capacity run rate. Now let's turn to slide 10 for a look at cash flow. We began the Q with $332 million in cash. We generated strong cash from operations during the Q. We continue to accrue 45X tax credits quarterly, with cash receipts following the filing of our annual tax return. In Iceland, we continue to have a cash impact as the insurance recoveries on the Line 2 loss profits lag on a quarterly basis. In the Q, we received $46 million related to previous loss profit margin. Quarterly CapEx totaled $59 million, of which $37 million was related to the investment for the Mount Holly expansion and our new power generation unit, TG4, at Jamalco. We had $30 million in hedge settlements during the Q.

Speaker #1: Now, let's turn to slide 10 for a look at cash flow. We began the quarter with 332 million dollars in cash. We generated strong cash from operations during the quarter, we continue to accrue 45x tax credits quarterly, with cash receipts following the filing of our annual tax return.

Speaker #1: In Iceland, we continue to have a cash impact as the insurance recoveries on the line 2 loss profits lag on a quarterly basis. In the quarter, we received 46 million dollars related to previous loss profit margin.

Speaker #1: Quarterly capex totaled 59 million dollars, of which 37 million was related to the investment for the Mont Holly expansion, and our new power generation unit TG4 at Jamalco.

Speaker #1: We had 30 million in hedge settlements during the quarter. Cash interest in the quarter was roughly 5 million dollars. We had a working capital build this quarter as the expansion at Mont Holly increased our working capital back to 100 percent capacity, as well as increased finished good inventory that I mentioned earlier as a result of shipment timing.

Peter Trpkovski: Cash interest in the quarter was roughly $5 million. We had a working capital build this quarter as the expansion at Mount Holly increased our working capital back to 100% capacity, as well as increased finished good inventory that I mentioned earlier as a result of shipment timing. We expect to recoup cash from some of this finished goods inventory into Q3. We paid down $66 million related to our Icelandic revolver in Q2 and ended the quarter with no borrowings on our revolving credit facilities. We ended Q2 with $388 million in cash and strong liquidity in place. As discussed, many of these items will convert to cash in future quarters. For example, at the end of July, we received $94 million in cash for 45X tax credits outstanding related to fiscal year 2025. We also received an additional $19 million in July for the Grundartangi insurance recoveries.

Speaker #1: We expect to recoup cash from some of this finished goods inventory into Q3. We paid down 66 million dollars related to our Icelandic revolver in Q2, and ended the quarter with no borrowings on our revolving credit facilities.

Speaker #1: We ended Q2 with $388 million in cash and strong liquidity in place. As discussed, many of these items will convert to cash in future quarters.

Speaker #1: For example, at the end of July, we received 94 million dollars in cash for 45x tax credits outstanding related to fiscal year '25. We also received an additional 19 million dollars in July for the Grundartungi insurance recoveries.

Speaker #1: All told, Century's balance sheet has never been stronger. With all short-term debt repaid, and as of today, Century's cash on hand exceeds its total debt.

Peter Trpkovski: All told, Century's balance sheet has never been stronger with all short-term debt repaid, and as of today, Century's cash on hand exceeds its total debt. Going forward, we are expecting even stronger cash flow conversion as investment CapEx related to the Mount Holly and Grundartangi restarts are now complete, just leaving primarily sustaining CapEx over the H2. Now let's turn to slide 11, and I'll look ahead to the next 90 days. For Q3, lagged LME of $3,325 per ton is expected to be up about $75 versus Q2 realized prices. The Q3 lagged U.S. Midwest Premium is expected to be $1.09 per pound, down $0.03 versus Q2 realized prices. The European Duty-Paid Premium is expected to be approximately $520 per ton in Q3 or up about $70 per ton.

Speaker #1: Going forward, we are expecting even stronger cash flow conversion, as investment capex related to the Mont Holly and Grundartungi restarts are now complete, just leaving primarily sustaining capex over the second half of the year.

Speaker #1: Now, let's turn to slide 11, and I'll look ahead to the next 90 days. For Q3, lagged LME of 3,325 dollars per ton is expected to be up about 75 dollars versus Q2 realized prices.

Speaker #1: The Q3 lagged U.S. Midwest premium is expected to be 1 dollar and 9 cents per pound, down 3 cents versus Q2 realized prices. The European duty-paid premium is expected to be approximately 520 dollars per ton in Q3, or up about 70 dollars per ton.

Speaker #1: Taken together, the lagged LME and delivery premium changes are expected to have a 5 to 10 million increase to Q3 adjusted EBITDA when compared with Q2 levels.

Peter Trpkovski: Taken together, the lagged LME and delivery premium changes are expected to have a $5 to $10 million increase to Q3 adjusted EBITDA when compared with Q2 levels. We expect energy headwinds of $10 to $15 million as we typically see due to warmer summer weather. Looking at our other raw materials, we continue to see moderate increases in our input costs. We see a small headwind of $5 million sequentially. We expect OpEx to be flat in Q3. Volume and sales mix is expected to improve $15 to $25 million with increased production and shipments at Mount Holly. All told, at expected realized prices, we expect Q3 adjusted EBITDA in the range of $325 to $345 million. Consistent with prior practice, we also include the estimated hedge and tax impacts to help model our business at the bottom of the page.

Speaker #1: We expect energy headwinds of 10 to 15 million dollars as we typically see due to warmer summer weather. Looking at our other raw materials, we continue to see moderate increases in our input costs.

Speaker #1: We see a small headwind of 5 million, sequentially. We expect opex to be flat in the third quarter. Volume and sales mix is expected to improve 15 to 25 million dollars with increased production and shipments at Mont Holly.

Speaker #1: All told, at expected realized prices, we expect Q3 adjusted EBITDA in the range of 325 to 345 million dollars. Consistent with prior practice, we also include the estimated hedge and tax impacts to help model our business at the bottom of the page.

Speaker #1: We expect a $20 to $25 million headwind from realized hedge settlements and a $10 to $15 million tax expense, both flowing through our Q3 P&L and impacting adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share.

Peter Trpkovski: We expect a $20 to $25 million headwind from realized hedge settlements and $10 to $15 million tax expense, both flowing through our Q3 P&L and impacting adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share. With that, I'll hand the call back to Jesse.

Speaker #1: And with that, I'll hand the call back to Jesse.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Pete. Before I turn to Oklahoma to finish the call, a brief word on Hosville, which you can see on page 21. When we sold the site in February, we received 200 million dollars in cash and retained a 6.8 percent non-dilutive interest in the completed data center.

Jesse Gary: Thank you, Pete. Before I turn to Oklahoma to finish the call, a brief word on Hawesville, which you can see on page 21. When we sold the site in February, we received $200 million in cash and retained a 6.8% non-dilutive interest in the completed data center. Since then, the project has taken a significant step forward. Our partner, TeraWulf, has signed Anthropic as the data center tenant to a 20-year lease that is expected to generate lease revenue of approximately $19 billion in total over its initial term. Energization is still expected in H2 2027, and our right to put our share in the data center back to TeraWulf becomes exercisable one year after that. We told you in February that we believed the stake would be worth well in excess of our initial cash proceeds.

Speaker #2: Since then, the project has taken a significant step forward. Our partner, Tara Wolfe, has signed Anthropic as the data center tenant to a 20-year lease that is expected to generate lease revenue of approximately 19 billion dollars in total over its initial term.

Speaker #2: Energization is still expected in the second half of 2027, and our right to put our share in the data center back to Tara Wolfe becomes exercisable one year after that.

Speaker #2: We told you in February that we believe the stake would be worth well in excess of our initial cash proceeds. A signed 20-year lease with two 5-year extensions and a high-quality tenant goes a long way towards proving that out, and Century has no obligation to fund any part of the development costs.

Jesse Gary: A signed 20-year lease with two five-year extensions and a high-quality tenant goes a long way towards proving that out. Century has no obligation to fund any part of the development cost. The anticipated monetization timeline of our 6.8% stake lines up reasonably well with the construction in Oklahoma, making it a further potential source of capital to help fund Century's share of that project if needed. Turning finally to our new Oklahoma smelter project with our joint venture partner, Emirates Global Aluminium. We made further progress in Q2. Bechtel continues its detailed engineering work. We advanced negotiations toward a final energy contract, we made significant progress on the financing for the smelter.

Speaker #2: The anticipated monetization timeline of our 6.8 percent stake lines up reasonably well with the construction in Oklahoma, making it a further potential source of capital to help fund Century's share of that project if needed.

Speaker #2: Okay, turning finally to our new Oklahoma smelter project with our joint venture partner, Emirates Global Aluminum. We made further progress in the second quarter.

Speaker #2: Vectel continues its detailed engineering work. We advanced negotiations toward a final energy contract, and we made significant progress on the financing for the smelter.

Speaker #2: Those three items, the final energy contract, detailed engineering, and financing, are the near-term milestones we are focused on, and we continue to expect FID and groundbreaking by the end of this year.

Jesse Gary: Those three items, the final energy contract, detail engineering, and financing, are the near-term milestones we are focused on. We continue to expect FID and groundbreaking by the end of this year, with first hot metal by the end of 2029. That brings me to page 12 and to what I think is the most important policy development of the quarter. On 20 July, President Trump issued a new executive order establishing an incentive for companies that build or expand primary aluminum production here in the United States. Under the program, approved companies will be able to annually import primary aluminum up to the amount of the new production they are building at a reduced tariff rate of 25%, versus the 50% rate that would otherwise apply to imports. I want to underline what this represents.

Speaker #2: With first hot metal by the end of 2029. That brings me to page 12, and to what I think is the most important policy development of the quarter.

Speaker #2: On July 20th, President Trump issued a new executive order establishing an incentive for companies that build or expand primary aluminum production here in the United States.

Speaker #2: Under the program, approved companies will be able to annually import primary aluminum up to the amount of the new production they are building at a reduced tariff rate of 25 percent, versus the 50 percent rate that would otherwise apply to imports.

Speaker #2: I want to underline what this represents. Section 232 program first leveled the playing field for American producers and workers. In April, the loopholes that importers had been using to get around it.

Jesse Gary: The Section 232 program first leveled the playing field for American producers and workers. In April, the Trump administration closed evaluation loopholes that importers have been using to get around it. Now, with this order, the program goes a step further and actually incentivizes the companies that are putting capital in the ground to build new American capacity. Each step has built on the last, each has been enforced with no exceptions and no exemptions. For Century, the effect is direct. We expect the Oklahoma project to be approved under the program to import up to 750,000 metric tons at the reduced 25% rate beginning in 2027. That will be split 60% to EGA and 40% to Century.

Speaker #2: And now, with this order, the program goes a step further and actually incentivizes the companies that are putting capital in the ground to build new American capacity.

Speaker #2: Each step has built on the last, and each has been enforced with no exceptions and no exemptions. For Century, the effect is direct. We expect the Oklahoma project to be approved under the program to import up to 750,000 metric tons at the reduced 25 percent rate beginning in 2027.

Speaker #2: That will be split 60 percent to EGA and 40 percent to Century. That means Century could begin importing up to 300,000 metric tons per year at the reduced rate, starting in 2027.

Jesse Gary: That means Century could begin importing up to 300,000 metric tons per year at the reduced rate starting in 2027. We intend to apply that benefit to help fund Century's share of the Oklahoma project. This is another well-designed piece of policy. We are grateful to President Trump and his team for their support and commitment to restoring production of American aluminum. Taken together, a balance sheet where our cash now exceeds our total debt, the tariff benefit under the new executive order, and the value we have created at Hawesville, Century has real and growing balance sheet capacity to fund its share of the Oklahoma project, as well as to pursue other opportunities and priorities to create best-in-class value for our shareholders.

Speaker #2: And we intend to apply that benefit to help fund Century's share of the Oklahoma project. This is another well-designed piece of policy and we are grateful to President Trump and his team for their support and commitment to restoring production of American aluminum.

Speaker #2: Taken together, a balance sheet where our cash now exceeds our total debt, the tariff benefit under the new executive order, and the value we have created at Hosville, Century has real and growing balance sheet capacity to fund its share of the Oklahoma project as well as to pursue other opportunities and priorities to create best-in-class value for our shareholders.

Speaker #2: To wrap up, earlier this year, we said we would have every asset running full by the end of July and we did it. Next, we intend to bring the first new American smelter in nearly 50 years out of the ground.

Jesse Gary: To wrap up, earlier this year, we said we would have every asset running full by the end of July. We did it. Next, we intend to bring the first new American smelter in nearly 50 years out of the ground. No company is investing more to restore American primary aluminum production than Century. We are already the largest producer of aluminum in the United States. We employ more American primary aluminum workers than any other company. Thanks to President Trump's leadership and the Section 232 program, we are investing billions more in new and expanded production in Mount Holly and in Oklahoma. We are laser-focused on execution. We thank you for your time. We look forward to taking your questions today.

Speaker #2: No company is investing more to restore American primary aluminum production than Century. We are already the largest producer of aluminum in the United States.

Speaker #2: We employ more American primary aluminum workers than any other company. And thanks to President Trump's leadership and the Section 232 program, we are investing billions more in new and expanded production in Mount Holly and in Oklahoma.

Speaker #2: We are laser-focused on execution. We thank you for your time and we look forward to taking your questions today.

Speaker #3: We will now begin the question and answer session. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 to raise your hand.

Operator: We will now begin the question and answer session. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question to allow for optimum sound quality. If you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. The first question comes from the line of Nick Giles with B. Riley Securities. Your line is now open.

Speaker #3: To withdraw your question, press star 1 again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question to allow for optimum sound quality.

Speaker #3: If you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. The first question comes from the line of Nick Giles, with B.

Speaker #3: Reilly Securities. Your line is now open.

Speaker #4: Yeah, thanks, operator. Good afternoon, guys. Just first wanted to ask about the executive order kind of where you'll ultimately source the metal and just how you value this benefit in terms of EBITDA and cash flow.

Nick Giles: Yeah. Thanks, operator. Good afternoon, guys. Just first wanted to ask about the executive order, kind of where you'll ultimately source the metal and just how you value this benefit in terms of EBITDA and cash flow. Thanks.

Speaker #4: Thanks.

Speaker #5: Hey, Nick. Yeah. As I mentioned, the executive order is very important and provides a nice opportunity for Century and, of course, anyone else who's investing in new US aluminum production.

Jesse Gary: Hey, Nick. Yeah. As I mentioned, the executive order is very important and provides a nice opportunity for Century and of course, anyone else who is investing in new US aluminum production. For us, there will be a number of different sources that we believe we will be able to source the metal from. Obviously, our own resources in Iceland, but we anticipate also other sources. What we will do is Commerce will ultimately promulgate some rules for the EO, and we will wait for those to come out, and then we will give you the final analysis there. Just to scope the opportunity for us, again, we will wait for the final opportunities to give hard numbers here.

Speaker #5: For us, there'll be a number of different sources that we believe we'll be able to source the metal from. Obviously, our own resources in Iceland, but we anticipate also other sources.

Speaker #5: But what we'll do is commerce will ultimately promulgate some rules for the EO and we'll wait for those to come out and then we'll give you the final analysis there.

Speaker #5: Just to scope the opportunity for us, again, we'll wait for the final opportunities to get hard numbers here. But you can just simply take that reduced tariff level.

Jesse Gary: You can just simply take that reduced tariff level, so if we are paying 25% versus the 50% kind of quick rule of thumb, you just take that, choose your LME, so today we are at 3,250. Apply that. That will give you a sense of the benefit per ton. Then Century should be able to import our share of the new production, which is 300,000 tons. You just multiply those together and you can see it would be quite material, the benefit. Should be the same on both the EBITDA and cash flow side there.

Speaker #5: So if we're paying 25 percent versus the 50 percent, kind of quick rule of thumb, you just take that, choose your LME, so today we're at 3,250, apply that, that'll give you a sense of the benefit per ton.

Speaker #5: And then Century will be should be able to import our share of the new production which is 300,000 tons. And just multiply those together and you can see it would be quite material, the benefit.

Speaker #5: Should be the same on both the EBITDA and cash flow side there.

Speaker #4: Got it. No, thanks, Jesse. That's very helpful. Maybe just on the project itself, I mean, would be good to get an update on the DOE grant, you know, when you would expect for us to have more information there.

Nick Giles: Got it. No, thanks, Jesse. That is very helpful. Maybe just on the project itself, would be good to get an update on the DOE grant, when you would expect for us to have more information there. Then maybe just on financing sources more broadly, what kind of work is ongoing today in terms of project financing and you mentioned the stake as well at Hawesville. Curious for your thoughts there. Thanks.

Speaker #4: And then maybe just on financing sources more broadly, you know, what kind of work is ongoing today in terms of project financing and, you know, you mentioned the stake as well at Hosville.

Speaker #4: Curious for your thoughts there. Thanks.

Speaker #5: Sure. Just a reminder on the DOE grant. So that is secured. Of course, there are a number of milestones that we need to work through for the project.

Jesse Gary: Sure. Just a reminder on the DOE grant. That is secured. Of course, there are a number of milestones that we need to work through for the project and DOE to release that grant. The grant pays out basically dollar for dollar for investments that we make into the project to release that $500 million. Really no change from what we have told you before. Everything remains in place there. All looks good. On the broader financing picture, we are working on a number of different potential sources. Once those are secure, we will obviously come out to you with the details. We are talking with a number of parties, and that includes some potential government sources of financing.

Speaker #5: And DOE, to release that grant. But the grant pays out basically dollar for dollar for investments that we make into the project, to release that 500 million dollars.

Speaker #5: So really no change from what we've told you before. Everything remains in place there, all looks good. On the broader financing picture, we're working on a number of different potential sources.

Speaker #5: One source we secure will obviously come out to you with the details. But we're talking with a number of parties and that includes some potential government sources of financing.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from the line of Katya Yanchik, with BMO Capital Markets. Your line is now open.

Operator: The next question comes from the line of Katja Jancic with BMO Capital Markets. Your line is now open.

Katja Jancic: Hi. Thank you for taking my question. Jesse, you mentioned there are multiple sources of potential cash to finance the smelter, your free cash flow conversion is expected to improve from here. Can you talk a bit about how you're thinking about shareholder returns at this point, especially with your balance sheet being in a very good place?

Speaker #6: Hi. Thank you for taking my question. Jesse, you mentioned multiple there are multiple sources of potential cash to finance the smelter. And your free cash flow conversion is expected to improve from here.

Speaker #6: Can you talk about a bit about how you're thinking about shareholder returns at this point, especially with your balance sheet being in a very good place?

Speaker #5: Absolutely. So if you just look at slide 22, you can as you mentioned, we've had some very strong cash flow generation already. As Pete mentioned, we after the quarter, we did receive our 94 million dollar, 45x refund, as well as another nearly 20 million dollars in insurance recoveries, which puts us in a position where our cash exceeds our total outstanding debt as of the end of July.

Jesse Gary: Absolutely. If you just look at slide 22, as you mentioned, we've had some very strong cash flow generation already. As Pete mentioned, after the quarter, we did receive our $94 million 45X refund, as well as another nearly $20 million in insurance recoveries, which puts us in a position where our cash exceeds our total outstanding debt as of the end of July. You can see also our liquidity at $785 million significantly exceeds our target. The balance sheet is in a good position, and we anticipate keeping it in a very good position. We've got a lot of opportunity with a lot of cash flow coming in to do so. We did tell you we would come back to you on capital returns once we clear these targets, and we will.

Speaker #5: And you can see also our liquidity at $785 million significantly exceeds our target. So the balance sheet is in a good position, and we anticipate keeping it in a very good position. We've got a lot of opportunity with a lot of cash flow coming in to do so.

Speaker #5: We did tell you we would come back to you on capital returns once we clear these targets and we will. But what we've also said is we had a clear priority for capital allocation.

Jesse Gary: What we've also said is we had a clear priority for capital allocation. Of course, that's to maintain the liquidity through the cycle, to ensure we have enough sustaining capital, we would look first organic growth opportunities. Obviously, the new smelter in Oklahoma falls into that category. What we just asked is as we're proving out the final details there, as we're working through the final engineering numbers and CapEx numbers and getting to FID, people remain patient with us. We do fully anticipate that we will find ourselves in a position where we have plenty of cash to finance the smelter, including our equity piece, and also to pursue our other priorities, whatever those may be, and of course, including capital returns.

Speaker #5: Of course, that's to maintain the liquidity through the cycle, then to ensure we have enough sustaining capital, and then we would look first at organic growth opportunities.

Speaker #5: Obviously, the new smelter in Oklahoma falls into that category. And what we just asked is as we're proving out the final details there, so we're working through the final engineering numbers and capex numbers and getting the FID, people remain patient with us.

Speaker #5: But we do fully anticipate that we will find ourselves in a position where we have plenty of cash to finance the smelter. Including our equity priorities.

Speaker #5: Whatever those may be, and of course, including capital returns.

Katja Jancic: Maybe shifting gears a little bit to Iceland. In Q4, you're going to install the new transformers. Will that impact production volumes, or how should we think about that?

Speaker #6: And maybe shifting gears a little bit to Iceland, in 4Q, you're going to install the new transformers. Will that impact production volumes or how should we think about that?

Katja Jancic: Maybe shifting gears a little bit to Iceland. In Q4, you're going to install the new transformers. Will that impact production volumes, or how should we think about that?

Speaker #5: Yeah. So as I said on the call, we're now back to close to full production, but we are being a little bit conservative with the amount of amperage that we're running through the repaired transformers.

Jesse Gary: Yeah. As I said on the call, we're now back to close to full production, but we are being a little bit conservative with the amount of amperage that we're running through the repaired transformers. We're not talking huge amounts. We're pretty close to full production. Once we do get those new transformers installed in Q4, you should see us increase the amperage, which will further increase the volume coming out of Grundartangi, and you'll see it return back to that normalized run rate that you saw before the interruption, that full normalized run rate.

Speaker #5: This is not we're not talking huge amounts. We're pretty close to full production. But once we do get those new transformers installed in Q4, you should see us increase the amperage, which will further increase the volume coming out of Grindertongi.

Speaker #5: And you'll see it return back to that normalized run rate that you saw before the interruption. That full normalized run rate.

Speaker #2: And I can add that I just add, Katya, I think maybe your question was when we start installing them and putting those into service, will we have any interruption of production?

Peter Trpkovski: I can, if I just add, Katja, I think maybe your question was when we start installing them and putting those into service, will we have any interruption of production? Because of the redundancy we'll have with the repaired transformers, we'll come back to you in three months and give you our Q4 outlook, but I wouldn't expect sitting here today any interruption to production.

Speaker #2: And because of the redundancy we'll have with the repair transformers, we'll come back to you in three months and give you our Q4 outlook.

Speaker #2: But I wouldn't expect sitting here today any interruption to production.

Speaker #5: No, no, there shouldn't be any interruption to production.

Jesse Gary: No, there shouldn't be any interruption to production.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from the line of Timna Tanners, with Wells Fargo. Your line is now open.

Operator: The next question comes from the line of Timna Tanners with Wells Fargo. Your line is now open.

Speaker #6: Yeah, hey, good afternoon. I wanted to ask about Mount Holly first off. You didn't mention them as a potential beneficiary of the new executive order with the 50,000-ton restart.

Timna Tanners: Yeah. Hey, good afternoon. I wanted to ask about Mount Holly first off. You didn't mention them as a potential beneficiary of the new executive order with the 50,000-ton restart. Is that not potentially eligible or is it? And then also regarding Mount Holly, can you quantify the instability and the impact into Q3?

Speaker #6: So is that not potentially eligible or is it? And then also regarding Mount Holly, can you quantify the instability and the impact into Q3?

Jesse Gary: Thanks, Timna. No, because we are now complete with Mount Holly and that new production is coming out, we don't anticipate now that being eligible. The program is designed to allow, as we understand it at least today, Timna, it's designed to allow imports during the pendency of investment while new production is coming online. Once it's online, you can't bring in additional imports. Mount Holly, given that it's done, we don't anticipate it being eligible today. The instability, as I said, this is something that sometimes happens during restarts. Of course, a plant is sort of used to operating at a lower level of production and some of the corollary areas of the plant suddenly need to operate at a higher level of production.

Speaker #5: Thanks, Timna. No, because we are now complete with Mount Holly and that new production is coming out, we don't anticipate now that being eligible.

Speaker #5: The program is designed to allow as we understand it at least today, Timna, is allowed it's designed to allow imports during the pendency of investment while new production is coming online.

Speaker #5: But then once it's online, you can't bring in additional imports. So Mount Holly, given that it's done, we don't anticipate it being eligible today.

Speaker #5: The instability as I said, that's this is something that sometimes happens during restarts. Of course, a plant is sort of used to operating at a lower level of production.

Speaker #5: And some of the corollary areas of the plant suddenly need to operate at a higher level of production. You have more metal going through the cast house.

Jesse Gary: You have more metal going through the cast house, you have more anodes being produced in the carbon area, and sometimes you get a little instability there. This is nothing material. It's in our Q2 guide. It does have some impact on Q3, Timna, we do think we'll get it fully resolved in Q3, you should actually get a little bit more volume coming back in Q4 than what you're seeing already in Q3.

Speaker #5: You have more anodes being produced in the carbon area, and sometimes you get a little instability there. This is nothing material—it's in our Q2 guide.

Speaker #5: It does have some impact on Q3, Timna. But we do think we'll get it fully resolved in Q3. So then you should actually get a little bit more volume coming back in Q4 than what you're seeing already in Q3.

Speaker #6: Okay, helpful. Thank you. And my second question, if you could help us understand the dynamics in the new Oklahoma smelter, you know, being far away from the situation we just see the headlines and some of the pushback and debates in the local level, can you help us understand what's happening there in your conviction?

Timna Tanners: Okay. Helpful. Thank you. My second question, if you could help us understand the dynamics in the new Oklahoma smelter. Being far away from the situation, we just see the headlines and some of the pushback and debates from the local level. Can you help us understand what's happening there and your conviction? It sounds like it's pretty clear for it moving forward, but we'd just like to understand it from your perspective better, please.

Speaker #6: It sounds like it's pretty clear for it, moving forward, but we'd just like to understand it from your perspective better, please.

Speaker #5: Sure. And of course, you can understand, you know, the communities want to understand what's going on when the major project gets announced. In their area.

Jesse Gary: Sure. Of course, you can understand the communities want to understand what's going on when a major project gets announced in their area. I think we're working very closely with the community in Inola and elsewhere in Oklahoma to better understand what their concerns are and to make sure that they have all the facts about our technology and process. In the end, we're very confident that the smelter will pose no harm to anyone, and that everyone will be comfortable with what's going on and get to see the benefits to the state and to the local community of all the investment and jobs that are created. I mean, we're talking very substantial benefits to everybody. We're working closely to understand their concerns and to make sure that they get comfortable.

Speaker #5: And I think we're working very closely with the community and I know and elsewhere in Oklahoma, to better understand what their concerns are and to make sure that they have all the facts about our technology and process.

Speaker #5: And then we're very confident that the smelter will pose no harm to anyone. And that everyone will be comfortable with what's going on and get to see the benefits to the state and to the local community of all of the investment and jobs that are created.

Speaker #5: I mean, we're talking very, very substantial benefits to everybody. But we're working closely to understand their concerns and to make sure that they get comfortable.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from the line of Matthew Key with Texas Capital. Your line is now open.

Operator: The next question comes from the line of Matthew Key with Texas Capital. Your line is now open.

Speaker #4: Good afternoon and thanks for taking my question. You mentioned that you'd be completing some power capacity at Jamalco in August. I was wondering if you could maybe help quantify the potential financial benefit there.

Matthew Key: Good afternoon, thanks for taking my question. You mentioned that you'd be completing some power capacity at Jamalco in August. I was wondering if you could maybe help quantify the potential financial benefit there. Would you only experience cost benefits during times of an energy outage, or would this be a more sustainable benefit long term?

Speaker #4: Would you only experience cost benefits during times of like an energy outage, or would this be a more sustainable benefit long-term?

Jesse Gary: It's really twofold, Matt. One, as I mentioned, we will have the ability to be fully self-sufficient in our energy generation within our four walls. In other words, we'll be able to operate as an island within the island, if you will. Of course, under normal circumstances, we will remain connected to the grid for stability reasons. If there are problems in the grid, then we will be able to operate as an island. The other part of it is the cost savings. Energy is expensive in the Caribbean, of course, and we will be able to generate energy ourselves through TG4 that fully meets our energy needs. We'll be able to stop those grid purchases going forward from the beginning of August. You'll see savings. Of course, it depends on where market prices are in Jamaica, what those savings are.

Speaker #5: It's really twofold, Matt. So one, as I mentioned, we will have the ability to be fully self-sufficient in our energy generation within our foreign walls.

Speaker #5: In other words, we'll be able to operate as an island within the island, if you will. But of course, under normal circumstances, we will remain connected to the grid.

Speaker #5: For stability reasons. But if there are problems in the grid, then we will be able to operate as an island. The other part of it is the cost savings.

Speaker #5: So energy is expensive in the Caribbean, of course. And we will be able to generate energy ourselves through TG4 that's fully meets our energy needs.

Speaker #5: So we'll be able to stop those grid purchases going forward from the beginning of August, and you'll see savings. Of course, it depends on where market prices are in Jamaica, what those savings are.

Speaker #5: But if you kind of think about a $20 per ton benefit there, that would get you close.

Jesse Gary: If you think of about a $20 per ton benefit there, that would get you close.

Speaker #2: And I would just add, Matt, I already reflected that in the outlook for you on the Q3.

Peter Trpkovski: I would just add, Matt.

Jesse Gary: Go.

Peter Trpkovski: I already reflected that in the outlook for you on the Q3.

Speaker #4: Got it. Okay, that's it for me. Best of luck moving forward.

Matthew Key: Got it. Okay. That's it for me. Best of luck moving forward.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Matt.

Jesse Gary: Thanks, Matt.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from the line of Nick Giles, with B. Riley Security. Your line is now open.

Operator: The next question comes from the line of Nick Giles with B. Riley Securities. Your line is now open.

Speaker #7: Yeah, thanks for taking my follow-up. I just was curious and sorry if I missed this. If you could just kind of outline some of the working capital unwind and just cash flow considerations in the second half, whether it be on the insurance or other side.

Nick Giles: Yeah. Thanks for taking my follow-up. I just was curious, and sorry if I missed this, if you could just outline some of the working capital unwind and just cash flow considerations in the H2, whether it be on the insurance or other side. Thanks.

Speaker #7: Thanks.

Speaker #2: Yeah, sure, Nick. I can take that to start. So I talked a little bit about the working capital bill this quarter. In the second quarter, you know, I didn't quantify the breakdown, but you can just think of it as two buckets.

Peter Trpkovski: Sure, Nick. I can take that to start. I talked a little bit about the working capital build this quarter, in Q2. I didn't quantify the breakdown, you just think of it as two buckets. One, we brought back Mount Holly and the expansion to 100% capacity, you got supplies and inventory growth there and receivables to reflect that. You also had, because of the production increase, we had the conversion to shipments and quarter end is a snapshot in time, we had some cutoff timing of those shipments. That was the working capital build in Q2.

Speaker #2: One, we brought back Mount Holly and the expansion, 200% capacity. So you kind of got supplies and inventory. Growth there and receivables to sort of reflect that.

Speaker #2: And then you also had, because of the production increase, we had the conversion of shipments, and, you know, quarter-end is a snapshot in time.

Speaker #2: So we had some cut-off timing of those shipments. So that was the working capital building Q2. And I would say going forward, obviously, you're not going to get back the working capital you need to operate Mount Holly at 100%.

Peter Trpkovski: I would say going forward, obviously, you are not going to get back the working capital you need to operate Mount Holly at 100%, certainly you will get back a good portion of those finished goods inventory sitting on the balance sheet at the end of Q2 in Q3. That should be a good tailwind of cash. Really just going forward on cash flow conversion, like I said in my remarks, expecting that to convert even stronger than what we have been thus far as we continue. Like I already said, we have the $94 million from 45X credit. We got additional $20 million on the insurance recovery, continue to work on that. The growth CapEx really falls off. We are complete on the Mount Holly expansion.

Speaker #2: But certainly, you'll get back a good portion of that finished goods inventory sitting on the balance sheet at the end of Q2 in Q3.

Speaker #2: So that should be a good tailwind of cash. And then really just going forward on cash flow conversion, like I said in my remarks, expecting that to convert even stronger than what we have been thus far.

Speaker #2: As we continue, like I already said, we have the 94 million from 45X credit. We got additional 20 million on the insurance recovery. Continue to work on that.

Speaker #2: And then the growth capex really falls off. You know, we're complete on the Mount Holly expansion. We're complete on bringing line two back on in Iceland.

Peter Trpkovski: We are complete on bringing Potline 2 back on in Iceland, we should only really have the same CapEx going forward. Just given where we are on the balance sheet, I think you will see that strong cash flow conversion going forward.

Speaker #2: And we should only really have the same capex going forward. So, just given where we are on the balance sheet, I think you'll see that strong cash flow conversion going forward.

Speaker #7: Got it. No, that's really helpful, Pete. Maybe just back to Oklahoma's—curious for any update that you might have on the power contract negotiations.

Nick Giles: Got it. That is really helpful, Pete. Maybe just back to Oklahoma. I was curious for any update that you might have on just the power contract negotiations. Are there any gating items that you could call out, or when should we expect to see that finalized ahead of the ultimate FID and groundbreaking later this year?

Speaker #7: Are there any gating items that you could call out or when should we expect to see that finalized ahead of the ultimate FID and groundbreaking later this year?

Speaker #5: Yeah, Nick. We continue to work really well with our counterparty there. Both with our partners, EGA, but also with the utility counterparty. And progressing that work.

Jesse Gary: Nick. We continue to work really well with our counterparty there, both with our partner at EGA, but also with the utility counterparty in progressing that work. We are making progress. These are complex contracts. They do take some time to get fully negotiated through the lawyers and all of that. I would just say things continue to move forward well and make good progress. Of course, we'll have that done before we make FID, I don't really want to handicap it further for now. Just know that we're working hard and continue to make progress.

Speaker #5: We are making progress. These are complex contracts. They do take some time. To get fully negotiated through the lawyers and all of that. But I would just say things continue to move forward well.

Speaker #5: And make good progress. Of course, we'll have that done before we make FID, but I don't really want to handicap it further for now.

Speaker #5: Just know that we're working hard and continuing to make progress.

Speaker #3: There are no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call back to Jesse Gary for closing remarks.

Operator: There are no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call back to Jesse Gary for closing remarks.

Speaker #5: Thank you, everyone, for joining the call today. We're proud of the quarter. We look forward to Q3 and what's next to come for Century.

Jesse Gary: Thank you everyone for joining the call today. We're proud of the quarter. We look forward to Q3 and what's next to come for Century. Thanks a lot.

Speaker #5: Thanks a lot.

Operator: This concludes today's call. Thank you for attending. You may now disconnect.

Q2 2026 Century Aluminum Co Earnings Call

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Century Aluminum

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