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Alcoa Rating Cut by S&P to Lowest Investment Grade (Update2)
By Rob Delaney
Feb. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Alcoa Inc., the largest U.S. aluminum producer, had its long-term debt ratings cut two levels by Standard & Poor’s to BBB-, the lowest investment grade, as falling metal prices make it more difficult to renew loans.
Alcoa hasn’t taken enough measures to conserve cash to justify its previous rating of BBB+, S&P said in a statement. Given global credit conditions, the company also may not be able to extend a $1.9 billion revolving credit facility expiring in October at similar terms and size, S&P said.
Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld, who is reducing production, firing workers and selling units, said he may make deeper cuts this year if demand continues to wane. Last month, Alcoa announced its first quarterly net loss in six years, citing “historic” price declines. Aluminum prices have plunged 48 percent in the past year.
“At current aluminum prices, it’s difficult for most sector participants to make any cash, including Alcoa,” Tony Robson, a Toronto-based analyst at BMO Capital Markets, said in a telephone interview. “Alcoa needs to do more to reduce capital expenditures and eliminate its dividend.”
Alcoa fell 58 cents, or 6.8 percent, to $7.92 at 1:14 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares dropped 25 percent this year through yesterday.
Six-Year Lows
Aluminum for delivery in three months on the London Metal Exchange has fallen in 2009 to six-year lows as the global economic slowdown has caused inventories to rise despite production cuts.
Aluminum may underperform other base, or industrial, metals for “several years,” Barclays Capital analyst Kevin Norrish said at a conference in Cape Town today. Norrish estimated that about 15 percent of aluminum capacity has been shut since the slowdown started.
Alcoa’s total debts will remain high relative to revenue even if aluminum prices recover to about 85 cent a pound in 2010 from the current level of about 65 cents a pound, S&P said today.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. said in a Jan. 29 research note it raised its 2009 loss estimate for Alcoa to $1.90 a share from $1 because the metal’s price isn’t likely to rebound.
The company’s 6 percent notes maturing in July 2013 fell 3 cents on the dollar to 81 cents on the dollar, according to Trace, the bond-price service of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The yield rose to 11.6 percent from 10.6 percent.
By Rob Delaney
Feb. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Alcoa Inc., the largest U.S. aluminum producer, had its long-term debt ratings cut two levels by Standard & Poor’s to BBB-, the lowest investment grade, as falling metal prices make it more difficult to renew loans.
Alcoa hasn’t taken enough measures to conserve cash to justify its previous rating of BBB+, S&P said in a statement. Given global credit conditions, the company also may not be able to extend a $1.9 billion revolving credit facility expiring in October at similar terms and size, S&P said.
Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld, who is reducing production, firing workers and selling units, said he may make deeper cuts this year if demand continues to wane. Last month, Alcoa announced its first quarterly net loss in six years, citing “historic” price declines. Aluminum prices have plunged 48 percent in the past year.
“At current aluminum prices, it’s difficult for most sector participants to make any cash, including Alcoa,” Tony Robson, a Toronto-based analyst at BMO Capital Markets, said in a telephone interview. “Alcoa needs to do more to reduce capital expenditures and eliminate its dividend.”
Alcoa fell 58 cents, or 6.8 percent, to $7.92 at 1:14 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares dropped 25 percent this year through yesterday.
Six-Year Lows
Aluminum for delivery in three months on the London Metal Exchange has fallen in 2009 to six-year lows as the global economic slowdown has caused inventories to rise despite production cuts.
Aluminum may underperform other base, or industrial, metals for “several years,” Barclays Capital analyst Kevin Norrish said at a conference in Cape Town today. Norrish estimated that about 15 percent of aluminum capacity has been shut since the slowdown started.
Alcoa’s total debts will remain high relative to revenue even if aluminum prices recover to about 85 cent a pound in 2010 from the current level of about 65 cents a pound, S&P said today.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. said in a Jan. 29 research note it raised its 2009 loss estimate for Alcoa to $1.90 a share from $1 because the metal’s price isn’t likely to rebound.
The company’s 6 percent notes maturing in July 2013 fell 3 cents on the dollar to 81 cents on the dollar, according to Trace, the bond-price service of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The yield rose to 11.6 percent from 10.6 percent.