UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007
 
Commission file number 1-3677
 
ALCAN INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
CANADA
 
Inapplicable
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
 
 
1188 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 3G2
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Postal Code)
 
(514) 848-8000
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  Ö   No ___ 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer   Ö     Accelerated filer  ___ Non-accelerated filer  ___  
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ___  No  Ö   
 
At November 1, 2007, the registrant had 376,194,636 shares of common stock (without nominal or par value) outstanding.





PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

In this report, all dollar amounts are stated in US dollars and all quantities in metric tons, or tonnes, unless indicated otherwise. A tonne is 1,000 kilograms, or 2,204.6 pounds. The words "Company" and “Alcan” refer to Alcan Inc. and, where applicable, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries.

Item 1. Financial Statements

ALCAN INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (unaudited)

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

Periods ended September 30

 

 

2007

 

 

2006

 

 

2007

 

 

2006

 

(in millions of US$, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and operating revenues

 

 

6,223

 

 

5,769

 

 

19,248

 

 

17,422

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales and operating expenses, excluding depreciation and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

amortization noted below

 

 

4,926

 

 

4,454

 

 

14,725

 

 

13,228

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

274

 

 

273

 

 

807

 

 

782

 

Selling, administrative and general expenses

 

 

428

 

 

327

 

 

1,255

 

 

1,057

 

Research and development expenses

 

 

59

 

 

50

 

 

174

 

 

157

 

Interest

 

 

61

 

 

63

 

 

182

 

 

208

 

Restructuring charges - net (note 7)

 

 

16

 

 

22

 

 

54

 

 

130

 

Other expenses (income) - net (note 10)

 

 

37

 

 

11

 

 

189

 

 

(18

)

 

 

 

5,801

 

 

5,200

 

 

17,386

 

 

15,544

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

items

 

 

422

 

 

569

 

 

1,862

 

 

1,878

 

Income taxes (note 8)

 

 

211

 

 

146

 

 

657

 

 

610

 

Income from continuing operations before other items

 

 

211

 

 

423

 

 

1,205

 

 

1,268

 

Equity income

 

 

14

 

 

41

 

 

50

 

 

106

 

Minority interests

 

 

-

 

 

(4

)

 

(2

)

 

(6

)

Income from continuing operations

 

 

225

 

 

460

 

 

1,253

 

 

1,368

 

(Loss) Income from discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

 

(4

)

 

1

 

 

-

 

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

225

 

 

456

 

 

1,254

 

 

1,368

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

taxes of $2 in 2006

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(4

)

Net income

 

 

225

 

 

456

 

 

1,254

 

 

1,364

 

Dividends on preference shares

 

 

-

 

 

3

 

 

6

 

 

8

 

Redemption of preference shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in excess of stated value (note 14)

 

 

45

 

 

-

 

 

45

 

 

-

 

Net income attributable to common shareholders

 

 

180

 

 

453

 

 

1,203

 

 

1,356

 

Earnings per share (note 6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.21

 

 

3.25

 

 

3.63

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

 

(0.01

)

 

-

 

 

-

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(0.01

)

Net income per common share - basic

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.20

 

 

3.25

 

 

3.62

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.21

 

 

3.24

 

 

3.62

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

 

(0.01

)

 

-

 

 

-

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(0.01

)

Net income per common share - diluted

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.20

 

 

3.24

 

 

3.61

 

Dividends per common share

 

 

0.20

 

 

0.20

 

 

0.60

 

 

0.50

 

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.
 
 

-2-


 

ALCAN INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2007

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

(in millions of US$)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and time deposits

 

 

499

 

 

229

 

Trade receivables (net of allowances of $72 in 2007 and $58 in 2006)

 

 

2,956

 

 

2,910

 

Other receivables and deferred charges

 

 

1,258

 

 

1,195

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

112

 

 

152

 

Inventories (note 11)

 

 

3,398

 

 

3,186

 

Current assets held for sale

 

 

4

 

 

5

 

Total current assets

 

 

8,227

 

 

7,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred charges and other assets

 

 

1,051

 

 

1,087

 

Investments

 

 

1,421

 

 

1,509

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1,313

 

 

989

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost (excluding construction work in progress)

 

 

20,153

 

 

18,698

 

Construction work in progress

 

 

2,200

 

 

2,294

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(9,232

)

 

(8,592

)

 

 

 

13,121

 

 

12,400

 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $431 in 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and $346 in 2006

 

 

617

 

 

676

 

Goodwill

 

 

4,473

 

 

4,599

 

Long-term assets held for sale

 

 

1

 

 

2

 

Total assets

 

 

30,224

 

 

28,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.

 
-3-

 

ALCAN INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (cont’d) (unaudited) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2007

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

(in millions of US$)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payables and accrued liabilities (note 18)

 

 

5,642

 

 

5,430

 

Short-term borrowings (note 13)

 

 

700

 

 

467

 

Debt maturing within one year

 

 

66

 

 

36

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

-

 

 

46

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

6,408

 

 

5,979

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt not maturing within one year (note 13)

 

 

4,658

 

 

5,476

 

Deferred credits and other liabilities

 

 

1,526

 

 

1,787

 

Post-retirement benefits

 

 

3,369

 

 

3,381

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1,328

 

 

1,151

 

Minority interests

 

 

63

 

 

71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable non-retractable preference shares (note 14)

 

 

-

 

 

160

 

Common shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares

 

 

6,607

 

 

6,235

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

603

 

 

672

 

Retained earnings

 

 

5,237

 

 

4,281

 

Common shares held by a subsidiary

 

 

(31

)

 

(31

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (note 16)

 

 

456

 

 

(223

)

 

 

 

12,872

 

 

10,934

 

 

 

 

12,872

 

 

11,094

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (note 17)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

30,224

 

 

28,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.
 
 

-4-


 

ALCAN INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

Periods ended September 30

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

(in millions of US$)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

225

 

 

456

 

 

1,254

 

 

1,364

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

4

 

Loss (Income) from discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

 

4

 

 

(1

)

 

-

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

225

 

 

460

 

 

1,253

 

 

1,368

 

Adjustments to determine cash from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

274

 

 

273

 

 

807

 

 

782

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

85

 

 

73

 

 

126

 

 

300

 

Equity (income) loss, net of dividends

 

 

(13

)

 

(17

)

 

38

 

 

(35

)

Asset impairment charges

 

 

4

 

 

12

 

 

23

 

 

57

 

Loss (Gain) on disposal of businesses and investments - net

 

 

2

 

 

(4

)

 

48

 

 

(8

)

Stock option expense

 

 

-

 

 

3

 

 

11

 

 

39

 

Change in operating working capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in receivables

 

 

279

 

 

151

 

 

(111

)

 

(605

)

Change in inventories

 

 

(115

)

 

(164

)

 

(180

)

 

(273

)

Change in payables and accrued liabilities

 

 

64

 

 

(4

)

 

5

 

 

126

 

Change in deferred charges and other assets, deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

credits and other liabilities, and post-retirement benefits -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net

 

 

43

 

 

21

 

 

154

 

 

188

 

Other - net

 

 

(5

)

 

(1

)

 

(11

)

 

(3

)

Cash from operating activities in continuing operations

 

 

843

 

 

803

 

 

2,163

 

 

1,936

 

Cash from operating activities in discontinued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

operations

 

 

-

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

9

 

Cash from operating activities 

 

 

843

 

 

804

 

 

2,163

 

 

1,945

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of new debt - net of issuance costs

 

 

26

 

 

9

 

 

48

 

 

380

 

Debt repayments

 

 

(13

)

 

(250

)

 

(773

)

 

(1,086

)

Short-term borrowings - net

 

 

(15

)

 

(13

)

 

87

 

 

(13

)

Common shares issued

 

 

121

 

 

1

 

 

287

 

 

148

 

Preference shares redeemed, including premium

 

 

(205

)

 

-

 

 

(205

)

 

-

 

Dividends  - Alcan shareholders (including preference)

 

 

(77

)

 

(76

)

 

(224

)

 

(191

)

- Minority interests

 

 

(2

)

 

(1

)

 

(3

)

 

(2

)

Cash used for financing activities

 

 

(165

)

 

(330

)

 

(783

)

 

(764

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.
-5-

 


ALCAN INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (cont’d) (unaudited)

 

 

Third Quarter

Nine Months

Periods ended September 30

 

 

2007

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

2006

 

(in millions of US$)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(444

)

 

(576

)

 

(1,177

)

 

(1,471

)

Business acquisitions and purchase of investments, net of cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and time deposits acquired

 

 

(20

)

 

(8

)

 

(34

)

 

(48

)

Net proceeds from disposal of businesses, investments and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

assets

 

 

41

 

 

27

 

 

98

 

 

234

 

Other

 

 

32

 

 

58

 

 

(15

)

 

70

 

Cash used for investment activities in continuing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

operations

 

 

(391

)

 

(499

)

 

(1,128

)

 

(1,215

)

Cash from investment activities in discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

5

 

Cash used for investment activities 

 

 

(391

)

 

(499

)

 

(1,128

)

 

(1,210

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and time deposits

 

 

14

 

 

1

 

 

18

 

 

6

 

Increase (Decrease) in cash and time deposits

 

 

301

 

 

(24

)

 

270

 

 

(23

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and time deposits - beginning of period

 

 

198

 

 

182

 

 

229

 

 

181

 

Cash and time deposits - end of period

 

 

499

 

 

158

 

 

499

 

 

158

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.
 

-6-


 

ALCAN INC.
NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2007
(unaudited)
(in millions of US$, except per share amounts)

 
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Refer to note 22 - Subsequent Events.

 
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are based upon accounting policies and methods of their application consistent with those used and described in the Company's annual consolidated financial statements as contained in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K), except as described below in notes 3 and 5. The 2006 year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited annual consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP). The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the financial statement disclosures included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP and therefore should be read in conjunction with the Company's most recent Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management of the Company, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which consist only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows in accordance with US GAAP. The results reported in these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.
 
3. ACCOUNTING CHANGES
 
FIN 48 - Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). Under FIN 48, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from a tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and expanded income tax disclosures.

On January 1, 2007, the Company recorded a $28 net increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. This net increase in liabilities resulted in a decrease to the January 1, 2007 balance of Retained earnings of $21, a net decrease in Deferred tax liabilities of $8 and a reduction of $1 in equity-accounted investments included in Deferred charges and other assets. See note 8 - Income taxes.

SFAS No. 156 - Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets. This statement, which is an amendment to SFAS No. 140, requires that all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities be initially measured at fair value, if practicable and permits, but does not require, the subsequent measurement of separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities at fair value. The Company will recognize servicing assets or liabilities at fair value at inception but will not remeasure separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities at fair value. The adoption of this standard did not impact the Company’s financial statements.
 
 

-7-


 

4. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

SFAS No. 157 - Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and to expand their disclosures. The new standard includes a definition of fair value as well as a framework for measuring fair value. The standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2007 and should be applied prospectively, except for certain financial instruments where it must be applied retrospectively as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance of opening retained earnings in the year in which this statement is initially applied. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its financial statements.

SFAS No. 159 - The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2007 and should be applied prospectively with the effect of the remeasurement to fair value at adoption recorded as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its financial statements.

5. CHANGE IN FUNCTIONAL CURRENCY OF THE EUROPEAN PRIMARY METAL GROUP

Effective January 1, 2007, the smelting businesses of the European Primary Metal group located in the UK, France, and Cameroon adopted the US dollar as their functional currency. The currency of the primary economic environment for these businesses in these countries became the US dollar. This change was triggered by the acquisition and subsequent integration of Pechiney, the Novelis Spin-off, a European legal reorganization, as well as reorganization of the European Primary Metal group.

6. EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC AND DILUTED

Basic and diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. The treasury stock method for calculating the dilutive impact of stock options is used. The following table outlines the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share on income from continuing operations.

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

Periods ended September 30

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

225

   

460

   

1,253

   

1,368

 

Less: dividends on preference shares

 

 

-

 

 

(3

)

 

(6

)

 

(8

)

Less: redemption of preference shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in excess of stated value

 

 

(45

)

 

-

 

 

(45

)

 

-

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

common shareholders

 

 

180

 

 

457

 

 

1,202

 

 

1,360

 

Denominator (number of common shares in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average of outstanding shares

 

 

373

 

 

376

 

 

370

 

 

375

 

Effect of dilutive stock options

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

Adjusted weighted average of outstanding shares

 

 

374

 

 

377

 

 

371

 

 

376

 

Earnings per common share - basic

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.21

 

 

3.25

 

 

3.63

 

Earnings per common share - diluted

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.21

 

 

3.24

 

 

3.62

 



 -8-


 

6. EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC AND DILUTED (cont’d)

In the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007, there were no options to purchase common shares (2006: 3,214,739 and 402,561 options at a weighted average grant price of CAN$51.88 and CAN$56.34, respectively, per share were outstanding in the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006) that were outstanding during the periods and that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options' exercise price was greater than the average price of the common shares.

As at September 30, 2007, there were 373,579,113 (2006: 376,155,267) common shares outstanding.

7. RESTRUCTURING PROGRAMS

2007 Restructuring Activities

The schedule provided below shows details of the charges by operating segment:

Charges recorded in the statement of income

Quarter ended September 30, 2007

 

Severance Costs

 

Asset Impairment Charges

 

Other

 

Total

 

Bauxite and Alumina

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Primary Metal

 

 

5

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

5

 

Engineered Products

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

Packaging

 

 

5

 

 

-

 

 

4

 

 

9

 

Other

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1

 

Total

 

 

11

 

 

-

 

 

5

 

 

16

 



Nine months ended September 30, 2007

 

Severance Costs

 

Asset Impairment Charges

 

Other

 

Total

 

Bauxite and Alumina

 

 

2

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

2

 

Primary Metal

 

 

16

 

 

-

 

 

1

 

 

17

 

Engineered Products

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

Packaging

 

 

22

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

 

30

 

Other

 

 

2

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

2

 

Total

 

 

42

 

 

4

 

 

8

 

 

54

 


For the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007, $2 and $5 of severance costs and other charges above are excluded from the measurement of the profitability of the Company’s operating segments (Business Group Profit), as they relate to corporate initiatives as discussed in note 20 - Information by Operating Segment.

The significant components of the 2007 restructuring charges were as follows:

Bauxite and Alumina

In 2006, the Company signed a new collective labour agreement with its Quebec employees represented by the Canadian Auto Workers union. As part of this agreement, the Company has offered early retirement incentives to employees and recorded severance charges of $1 in the second quarter of 2007 for employees who have accepted. No further charges are expected to be incurred.

The Company announced in 2005 that its subsidiary, Société Générale de Recherches et d'Exploitations Minières (Sogerem), had begun an information and consultation process with its employee representatives and local partners due to the exhaustion of mining resources in the Tarn region of France. Production at its fluorspar mining operations came to a close during the first half of 2006. The consultation process is now ended. In the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded additional severance costs of $1. No further charges are expected to be incurred.
 
 
-9- 

 
 
7. RESTRUCTURING PROGRAMS (cont’d)

Primary Metal

The Company announced in 2006 that it had begun consultations with unions and employee representatives for a proposed sale of selected assets at the Company’s Affimet aluminum recycling plant in Compiègne (France). The consultation process is now ended. In the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded additional severance costs of $5. The divestiture was completed in the second quarter of 2007, as discussed in note 12 - Sales and Acquisitions of Businesses and Investments.  

In 2005, the Company recorded restructuring charges related to the closure of its aluminum smelter in Lannemezan (France). The closure process for Lannemezan began in June 2006 and is expected to be completed, at the latest, during the course of 2008. In the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded severance costs of $1. In the second quarter of 2007, the Company recorded severance costs and other restructuring charges of $1 each. In the third quarter of 2007, the Company recorded additional severance costs of $1. The Company expects to incur additional charges of $10 related to the closure of the smelter.

The Company recorded additional severance costs of $4 and $8 for other minor restructuring programs pursued in the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 in this operating segment.

Engineered Products

The Company announced in 2006 that it had begun consultations with unions and employee representatives for a proposed closure of the Workington hard alloy extrusion plant. Production from Workington will be consolidated at Alcan’s facilities in Issoire and Montreuil-Juigné (France). In the first and second quarters of 2007, the Company recorded other restructuring charges of $1 and $1, respectively. In the third quarter of 2007, the Company recorded additional other restructuring charges of $1. Workington production ceased in the second quarter of 2007. The Company expects to incur additional charges of $3 related to this activity.

Packaging

In the second quarter of 2007, along with the Company’s continuous effort to manage ongoing costs and margins, certain selected restructuring activities were announced, mainly in its Food Europe and Tobacco Businesses. In relation to these activities, the Company incurred severance costs of $12 in the second quarter of 2007. In the third quarter of 2007, the Company incurred additional other restructuring charges of $1. The Company expects to incur additional charges of $1 related to this activity.

The Company launched in 2006 a restructuring program in the Global Beauty Packaging sector aimed at streamlining processes and reaching an improved competitive position. In the first and second quarters of 2007, the Company recorded severance costs of $2 and $3, respectively. In the third quarter of 2007, the Company recorded additional severance costs of $3 and other restructuring charges of $1. The Company expects to incur additional charges of $1 related to this activity.

The Company announced in 2005 the restructuring of certain businesses, notably Global Beauty Packaging and Food Packaging Europe, as part of the continuing drive to reshape its portfolio, counter increasing competitive pressures in Western countries and improve margins. In the first and second quarters of 2007, the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $1 and $3, respectively. In the third quarter of 2007, the Company reversed $1 of severance charges initially recorded in 2005. No further charges are expected to be incurred.

The Company recorded additional severance costs and other restructuring charges of $3 and $2, respectively, for other minor restructuring programs pursued in the third quarter of 2007 in this operating segment.

 
-10- 

 

7. RESTRUCTURING PROGRAMS (cont’d)

2006 Restructuring Activities

The schedule provided below shows details of the charges by operating segment:

Charges recorded in the statement of income

Quarter ended September 30, 2006

 

Severance Costs

 

Asset Impairment Provisions

 

Other

 

Total

 

Bauxite and Alumina

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1

 

Primary Metal

 

 

5

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

5

 

Engineered Products

 

 

2

 

 

-

 

 

1

 

 

3

 

Packaging

 

 

-

 

 

1

 

 

12

 

 

13

 

Other

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Total

 

 

8

 

 

1

 

 

13

 

 

22

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bauxite and Alumina

 

 

2

 

 

11

 

 

2

 

 

15

 

Primary Metal

 

 

20

 

 

23

 

 

8

 

 

51

 

Engineered Products

 

 

12

 

 

-

 

 

2

 

 

14

 

Packaging

 

 

25

 

 

7

 

 

17

 

 

49

 

Other

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1

 

Total

 

 

60

 

 

41

 

 

29

 

 

130

 


For the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006, $13 and $35, respectively, of severance costs and other charges above are excluded from the measurement of the profitability of the Company’s operating segments (Business Group Profit), as they relate to major corporate initiatives as discussed in note 20 - Information by Operating Segment.

The significant components of the 2006 restructuring charges were as follows:

Bauxite and Alumina

In 2006, the Company announced the reorganization of its global specialty aluminas business entailing the gradual, yet permanent shut-down of the Company’s Specialty-Calcined Alumina plant (UPCA) in Jonquière, Quebec, by the end of the year. In relation to this activity, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $12 comprising $1 of severance costs and $11 of asset impairment charges during the second quarter of 2006. No further charges were incurred.

In relation to the new collective labour agreement with its Quebec employees, described above in the components of the 2007 restructuring charges, the Company recorded severance charges of $1 during the third quarter of 2006 for employees who accepted.

In relation to the proposed closure of mining operations in the Tarn region of France announced in 2005 by Sogerem, the Company recorded additional other restructuring charges of $2 in the first quarter of 2006. Refer to the components of the 2007 restructuring charges discussed above for more details in relation to this activity.

Primary Metal

During the third quarter of 2006, the Company incurred severance charges of $2 due to the restructuring of a trading operation in Switzerland.

In relation to the new collective labour agreement with its Quebec employees, described above in the components of the 2007 restructuring charges, the Company recorded severance charges of $2 during the third quarter of 2006 for employees who accepted.
 
-11- 

 
 
7. RESTRUCTURING PROGRAMS (cont’d)

In relation to the proposed sale of selected assets at the Company’s Affimet aluminum recycling plant in Compiègne (France) announced in 2006, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $44 comprising $14 of severance costs, $7 of other costs and $23 of asset impairment charges during the second quarter of 2006. Refer to the components of the 2007 restructuring charges discussed above for more details in relation to this activity. 

In the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded severance costs of $1 and $2, respectively, and other restructuring charges of $nil and $1, respectively, related to other minor restructuring programs in this operating segment.

Engineered Products

During the third quarter of 2006, the Company incurred charges of $6 relating to early retirement incentives accepted by employees at a research facility in France. These charges are included in severance costs.

In 2005, the Company announced the restructuring of its Engineered Products facilities in Singen, Germany, and Sierre, Switzerland, in order to improve efficiency and ensure their long-term viability. During the third quarter of 2006, the Company reversed $4 of severance charges initially recorded in 2005 in Singen, Germany as certain affected employees were transferred to other businesses, and certain employees took advantage of voluntary severance and early retirement programs.

In relation to the Workington closure announced in 2006, the Company recorded severance costs of $9 during the second quarter of 2006. Refer to the components of the 2007 restructuring charges discussed above for more details in relation to this activity.

In the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded severance costs of $nil and $1, respectively, and other restructuring charges of $1 and $2, respectively, related to other minor restructuring programs in this operating segment.

Packaging 

In 2006, the Company announced that it had begun consultations with unions and employee representatives for a proposed closure of the Midsomer Norton food flexibles packaging plant. The plant had been adversely affected by declining demand in the UK market and high raw material costs. The Company recorded restructuring charges of $17 comprising $16 of severance costs and $1 of asset impairment charges during the second quarter of 2006.

In relation to pursuing plans to restructure certain businesses announced in 2005, notably Global Beauty Packaging and Food Packaging Europe, the Company recorded additional restructuring charges of $9 in the first quarter of 2006. This charge was comprised of severance costs of $2, asset impairment charges of $5 and other charges of $2. In the second quarter of 2006, the Company recorded additional severance costs of $5 and other restructuring charges of $3. In the third quarter of 2006, the Company incurred asset impairment charges of $1 and other restructuring charges of $12. Refer to the components of the 2007 restructuring charges discussed above for more details in relation to this activity.

In addition, the Company also recorded severance costs of $2 during the second quarter of 2006 related to the closure of Alcan Packaging Mohammedia’s cookware activity.
 
 
-12- 

 

7. RESTRUCTURING PROGRAMS (cont’d)

The schedules provided below show details of the provision balances and related cash payments for the significant restructuring activities:

Provision roll-forward

Quarter ended September 30, 2007

 

Severance Costs

 

Asset Impairment Charges*

 

Other

 

Total

 

Provision balance as at June 30, 2007

 

 

159

 

 

-

 

 

52

 

 

211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges recorded in the statement of income

 

 

11

 

 

-

 

 

5

 

 

16

 

Cash payments - net

 

 

(25

)

 

-

 

 

(9

)

 

(34

)

Non-cash items

 

 

8

 

 

-

 

 

4

 

 

12

 

Provision balance as at September 30, 2007

 

 

153

 

 

-

 

 

52

 

 

205

 


Quarter ended September 30, 2006

 

Severance Costs

 

Asset Impairment Charges*

 

Other

 

Total

 

Provision balance as at June 30, 2006

 

 

222

 

 

-

 

 

58

 

 

280

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges recorded in the statement of income

 

 

8

 

 

1

 

 

13

 

 

22

 

Cash payments - net

 

 

(34

)

 

-

 

 

(16

)

 

(50

)

Non-cash items

 

 

1

 

 

(1

)

 

3

 

 

3

 

Provision balance as at September 30, 2006

 

 

197

 

 

-

 

 

58

 

 

255

 


Nine months ended September 30, 2007

 

Severance Costs

 

Asset Impairment Charges*

 

Other

 

Total

 

Provision balance as at December 31, 2006

 

 

199

 

 

-

 

 

61

 

 

260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges recorded in the statement of income

 

 

42

 

 

4

 

 

8

 

 

54

 

Cash payments - net

 

 

(103

)

 

-

 

 

(21

)

 

(124

)

Non-cash items

 

 

15

 

 

(4

)

 

4

 

 

15

 

Provision balance as at September 30, 2007

 

 

153

 

 

-

 

 

52

 

 

205

 


Nine months ended September 30, 2006

 

Severance Costs

 

Asset Impairment Charges*

 

Other

 

Total

 

Provision balance as at December 31, 2005

 

 

243

 

 

-

 

 

57

 

 

300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges recorded in the statement of income

 

 

60

 

 

41

 

 

29

 

 

130

 

Cash payments - net

 

 

(117

)

 

-

 

 

(33

)

 

(150

)

Non-cash items

 

 

11

 

 

(41

)

 

5

 

 

(25

)

Provision balance as at September 30, 2006

 

 

197

 

 

-

 

 

58

 

 

255

 


*Fair value of assets was determined using discounted future cash flows.

 
-13- 

 

8. INCOME TAXES

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

Periods ended September 30

 

 

2007

 

 

2006

 

 

2007

 

 

2006

 

Current

 

 

126

 

 

73

 

 

531

 

 

310

 

Deferred

 

 

85

 

 

73

 

 

126

 

 

300

 

 

 

 

211

 

 

146

 

 

657

 

 

610

 


The composite of the applicable statutory corporate income tax rates in Canada is 33% (2006: 33%).

The Company’s 2007 third quarter and year to date effective tax rate increased due to balance sheet translation losses resulting from the continued strengthening of the Canadian dollar. Partially offsetting this increase in the year to date effective tax rate is the favorable impact related to the recognition in the second quarter of future tax benefits in France. In the second quarter of 2007, the Company reversed $462 of valuation allowance related to deferred income tax assets of French subsidiaries when it became evident that the realization of these assets was more likely than not due to current forecasts of sustained improved operating results. An amount of $144 was recorded as a credit to the income tax provision and $318 was applied to reduce Goodwill as it related to tax benefits acquired in a business combination.

As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2007 is $193 of which $84 would impact the Company’s effective tax rate, if recognized. Also included in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits is $44 that, if recognized, would be allocated to reduce goodwill and $44 for which the Company would obtain an offset in other taxing jurisdictions. There were no material changes in the amounts above during the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

It is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next twelve months; however, we do not expect the change to have a significant impact on the results of operations or the financial position of the Company.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of the income tax provision. As of January 1, 2007, the Company had recorded a net liability of $10 for interest and penalties.

Canadian federal income tax returns are closed through 2001 (except for potential transfer pricing adjustments) and Canadian provincial income tax returns are closed through 1995. The process to obtain corollary adjustments with the US competent authority for the 1996-1999 transfer pricing adjustments to income is underway. The Canadian federal statute of limitations remains open for the year 2002 and onward with years 2002 and 2003 currently under examination by the Canada Revenue Agency. Foreign jurisdictions have statutes of limitations generally ranging from 2 to 5 years. Years still open to examination by foreign tax authorities in major jurisdictions include US (2004 onward), Germany (2001 onward), UK (2004 onward), Switzerland (2004 onward), Australia (2002 onward) and France (1989 onward).


9. SALES OF RECEIVABLES

The Company has entered into programs with certain financial institutions to sell certain trade receivables. Effective April 2, 2007, the Company terminated one such program to sell to a third party an undivided interest up to $125 (€95 million) of selected trade receivables without recourse.

 
-14- 

 

10. OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME) - NET

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

Periods ended September 30

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Asset impairment charges not included in restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

programs

 

 

4

 

 

11

 

 

19

 

 

16

 

Loss (Gain) on disposal of businesses and investments -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net

 

 

2

 

 

(4

)

 

48

 

 

(8

)

Provision for (Recoveries of) legal claims

 

 

-

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

(53

)

Environmental provisions

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

9

 

Interest revenue

 

 

(9

)

 

(12

)

 

(28

)

 

(27

)

Exchange losses (gains) - net

 

 

40

 

 

(9

)

 

111

 

 

74

 

Derivative (gains) losses - net

 

 

(23

)

 

7

 

 

(45

)

 

(37

)

Advisory and legal fees

 

 

30

 

 

-

 

 

51

 

 

-

 

Other

 

 

(7

)

 

17

 

 

33

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

37

 

 

11

 

 

189

 

 

(18

)


Following a hostile takeover offer in May 2007, the Company incurred $30 in the third quarter and $51 in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 for advisory and legal fees in order to develop alternatives. See note 22 - Subsequent Events.

On January 19, 2006, the Company sold claims related to the Enron bankruptcy to a financial institution for combined proceeds of $62, recorded in Provision for (Recoveries of) legal claims.


11. INVENTORIES

 

 

September 30, 2007

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

Aluminum operating segments

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum

 

 

1,038

 

 

1,060

 

Raw materials

 

 

943

 

 

835

 

Other supplies

 

 

569

 

 

495

 

 

 

 

2,550

 

 

2,390

 

Packaging operating segments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials and other supplies

 

 

337

 

 

311

 

Work in progress

 

 

173

 

 

155

 

Finished goods

 

 

338

 

 

330

 

 

 

 

848

 

 

796

 

 

 

 

3,398

 

 

3,186

 



12. SALES AND ACQUISITIONS OF BUSINESSES AND INVESTMENTS

Investment

On April 30, 2007, the Company signed a Heads of Agreement with Saudi Arabian mining company Ma’aden to develop a proposed US$7-billion integrated aluminum “mine-to-metal” project. The Company would hold a 49% stake in the project and recorded an initial investment of $18 in the second quarter of 2007. The Company recorded an additional investment of $2 in the third quarter of 2007.


 
-15-

 

12. SALES AND ACQUISITIONS OF BUSINESSES AND INVESTMENTS (cont’d)

Sales

On April 27, 2007, the Company concluded the sale of selected assets at the Company’s Affimet aluminum recycling plant in Compiègne (France). In relation to this, the Company received proceeds of $26 and recorded a loss on disposal of $12 in the second quarter of 2007.

On May 31, 2007, the Company reached an agreement in principle with UK-based Klesch & Company Limited (Klesch) regarding the sale of its Vlissingen smelter in the Netherlands. Alcan had an 85% interest in the smelter. The Company recorded charges of $42 included as a loss on disposal of businesses and investments within Other expenses (income) - net in the second quarter of 2007. The sale was concluded on July 2, 2007, for net proceeds of $29.

On June 26, 2007, the Company concluded the sale of its Satma subsidiary, located in Goncelin (France), to ALMECO Spa for net proceeds of $4 and the Company recorded a loss on disposal of $1 in the second quarter and $2 in the nine months ended September 30, 2007.


13. LONG-TERM DEBT

Since June 30, 2007, the Company has the intent and ability to repay its commercial paper borrowings and has classified them as Short-term borrowings. As at December 31, 2006, the Company had both the intention and the ability, through its long-term credit facility, to refinance its commercial paper borrowings on a long-term basis and had classified them as Debt not maturing within one year. Furthermore, all commercial paper debt repayments were included in the year 2011 when the multi-currency, five year, committed global credit facility matures. Based on the Company's current intent, using foreign exchange rates in effect at September 30, 2007, debt repayment requirements over the next five years amount to $66 in 2007, $500 in 2008, $26 in 2009, $18 in 2010 and $416 in 2011.

During the first quarter of 2007, the Company entered into an interest rate derivative to swap interest payments on $100 of its long-term debt from fixed to floating rate (relating to the 4.875% Global notes due in 2012). The fair market value of this derivative was $2 as at September 30, 2007. During the second quarter of 2007, the Company entered into interest rate derivatives to swap interest payments on an additional $200 of the same long-term debt. The fair market value of these derivatives was $1 as at September 30, 2007. These derivatives have been designated and are effective as fair value hedges of the underlying fixed rate debt.

Since June 16, 2006, the Company has had in place a two-tranche, multi-currency, committed global credit facility with a syndicate of international banks. This facility is comprised of a $2,000 5-year tranche, maturing in June 2011, and a $1,000 364-day tranche, extendable by two years at the Company’s option. In the second quarter of 2007, the Company extended the $1,000 364-day tranche. The facility is available for general corporate purposes and is primarily used to support the commercial paper programs.


14. PREFERENCE SHARES

On July 26, 2007, the Board of Directors approved the redemption of its series C and its series E non-retractable preference shares. Prior to the redemption, there were 5,699,900 series C and 2,999,000 series E shares outstanding, with stated values of $106 and $54, respectively. The shares were redeemed on September 3, 2007 at the redemption price of CAN$25.00 per share for a total amount of $205 (CAN$218 million). The difference of $45 between the redemption amount and the stated values was recorded directly in retained earnings.

 
-16-

 

15. STOCK OPTIONS AND OTHER STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Total Stock-Based Compensation Cost

Total pre-tax stock based compensation expense (income) is $40 and $133 for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively (2006: ($3) and $58). The amounts include other stock-based compensation expense (income) of $40 and $122 for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 (2006: ($6) and $19) and stock option expense of $nil and $11 for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 (2006: $3 and $39). Total pre-tax stock based compensation expense for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 includes $2 and $7 of compensation expense related to retired and retirement eligible employees (2006: $16 and $27).

As of June 30, 2007, virtually all of the stock options were vested. As such, all related stock option expense has been recognized for all currently outstanding stock options. See note 22 - Subsequent Events.

The three-year period of the Total Shareholder Return Performance Plan that commenced on October 1, 2004 was completed on September 30, 2007. The final rank for this three-year period was a combination of the percentile rankings for the periods before and after the Novelis Spin-off. As such, the employees participating during this three-year period earned a payout of 273.15% of the target. In October 2007, $38 was paid to these employees (2006: $4).

16. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

Periods ended September 30

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net income

 

 

225

 

 

456

 

 

1,254

 

 

1,364

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in deferred translation adjustments

 

 

316

 

 

83

 

 

424

 

 

479

 

Net change in excess of market value over book value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of “available-for-sale” securities

 

 

2

 

 

2

 

 

3

 

 

2

 

Net change in unreleased gains and losses on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

derivatives, net of tax of $(30) and $(85) respectively,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for the quarter and nine months ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2007 (2006: ($46) and $3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change from periodic revaluations

 

 

16

 

 

52

 

 

13

 

 

(136

)

Net amount reclassified to income

 

 

45

 

 

44

 

 

155

 

 

142

 

Net change in minimum pension liability (net of tax of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$4 and $13, respectively, for the quarter and nine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

months ended September 30, 2006)

 

 

-

 

 

(10

)

 

-

 

 

(28

)

Net change in unfunded status of pension and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

post-retirement plans, net of tax of $14 and $(6),

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

respectively for the quarter and nine months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ended September 30, 2007

 

 

42

 

 

-

 

 

84

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

421

 

 

171

 

 

679

 

 

459

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

646

 

 

627

 

 

1,933

 

 

1,823

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2007

 

December 31, 2006

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred translation adjustments

 

 

1,441

 

 

1,017

 

Unrealized gain on “available-for-sale” securities

 

 

8

 

 

5

 

Unfunded status of pensions and other post-retirement plans

 

 

(949

)

 

(1,033

)

Unreleased loss on derivatives

 

 

(44

)

 

(212

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

456

 

 

(223

)



 
-17-

 
 
17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
On January 22, 2007, Alcan filed its leave to appeal application with the British Columbia (BC) Court of Appeal regarding the BC Utilities Commission December 29, 2006 decision to reject the amended and restated Long-Term Energy Purchase Agreement between Alcan and BC Hydro. This appeal was withdrawn on April 2, 2007. BC Hydro and Alcan negotiated a new Electricity Purchase Agreement for which a hearing  has been set for the week of November 19, 2007. On March 28, 2007, the Supreme Court of BC in a judgment concluded that there are no restrictions on the Company's use or sale of Kemano power in the legislation or agreements with the Province of BC. The District of Kitimat appealed that decision. The BC Court of Appeal will hear the appeal on January 22 and 23, 2008.

The Company has guaranteed the repayment of indebtedness by third parties or the indemnification of third parties for a total amount of approximately $436. Alcan believes that none of these guarantees is likely to be invoked. These guarantees relate primarily to debt held by equity-accounted Joint Ventures, employee housing loans, obligations relating to businesses sold and potential environmental remediation at former Alcan sites.

Alcan, in the course of its operations, is subject to environmental and other claims, lawsuits and contingencies. The Company is involved in proceedings arising out of laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or laws seeking to protect the environment, for which it has made accruals, in respect of 24 existing and former Alcan sites and third party sites. Accruals have been made in specific instances where it is probable that liabilities will be incurred and where such liabilities can be reasonably estimated.

According to agreements entered into by the Company as part of the Novelis Spin-off, the Company has transferred to Novelis certain environmental contingencies.

 

Alcan has agreed to indemnify Novelis and each of its Directors, officers and employees against liabilities relating to:

 

·

liabilities of the Company other than those of an entity forming part of Novelis or otherwise assumed by Novelis pursuant to its separation agreement with Novelis;

·

any liability of the Company or its Subsidiaries, other than Novelis, retained by Alcan under the separation agreement; and

·

any breach by the Company of its separation agreement with Novelis or any of its ancillary agreements with Novelis.


Although there is a possibility that liabilities may arise in other instances for which no accruals have been made, the Company does not believe that any losses in excess of accrued amounts would be sufficient to significantly impair its operations, have a material adverse effect on its financial position or liquidity, or materially and adversely affect its results of operations for any particular reporting period, absent unusual circumstances.
 
 
18. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

Periods ended September 30

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Income Statement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on long-term debt

 

 

71

 

 

79

 

 

219

 

 

247

 

Capitalized interest

 

 

(20

)

 

(22

)

 

(67

)

 

(56

)

 

 

 

September 30, 2007

 

December 31, 2006

 

Balance Sheet

 

 

 

 

 

Payables and accrued liabilities include the following:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

 

2,081

 

 

2,163

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

2,039

 

 

1,700

 

Derivatives

 

 

457

 

 

740

 

Income and other taxes

 

 

315

 

 

119

 

Accrued employment costs

 

 

750

 

 

708

 

 

 

 

5,642

 

 

5,430

 




 
-18-

 
 

19. POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS


Alcan and its subsidiaries have established retirement benefit plans in the principal countries where they operate. The pension obligation relates mostly to funded defined benefit pension plans in Canada, UK, US, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Australia and to unfunded defined benefit pension plans mainly in Germany and France, or lump sum retirement indemnities in France. Pension benefits are generally based on the employee's service and highest average eligible compensation before retirement, and are periodically adjusted for cost of living increases, either by collective agreement such as in Canada, statutory requirement such as in UK, France and Germany, or Company practice when there are surpluses determined on a funding basis, such as in Canada, Switzerland and the Netherlands.  

Most funded pension plans are administered by a Pension Committee or Board of Trustees composed of plan members designated by the Company and employees. Each Committee or Board adopts its own investment policy which generally favours diversification and active management of plan assets through selection of specialized managers. Investments are generally limited to publicly-traded stocks and high rated debt securities, excluding securities in Alcan, and include only small amounts in other categories, except for the Swiss plan, whose target allocation is evenly distributed between equity, bonds and real estate.

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Other Benefits

 

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

Periods ended September 30

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Current service cost

 

 

54

 

 

51

 

 

157

 

 

151

 

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

 

12

 

 

12

 

Interest cost

 

 

154

 

 

140

 

 

448

 

 

418

 

 

 

15

 

 

14

 

 

46

 

 

42

 

Expected return on assets

 

 

(176

)

 

(153

)

 

(513

)

 

(457

)

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actuarial losses

 

 

22

 

 

29

 

 

65

 

 

85

 

 

 

3

 

 

4

 

 

11

 

 

12

 

Prior service cost

 

 

19

 

 

18

 

 

54

 

 

54

 

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

2

 

 

-

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

 

73

 

 

85

 

 

211

 

 

251

 

 

 

23

 

 

22

 

 

71

 

 

66

 


The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is 6.9% in 2007 (6.9% in 2006).

Employer Contributions
 
Alcan previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, that it expected to contribute $289 in aggregate to its funded pension plans in 2007. The contributions are expected to be fully comprised of cash. As at September 30, 2007, $203 has been contributed, and the Company expects to contribute an additional $70 over the remainder of the year. The Company expected to pay in 2007 $64 of unfunded pension benefits and lump sum indemnities from operating cash flows. As at September 30, 2007, $49 has been paid, and the Company expects to pay an additional $17 over the remainder of the year.


20. INFORMATION BY OPERATING SEGMENT

The following presents selected information by operating segment, viewed on a stand-alone basis. The operating management structure is comprised of four operating segments or business groups: Bauxite and Alumina; Primary Metal; Engineered Products and Packaging. The Company's measure of the profitability of its operating segments is referred to as business group profit (BGP). BGP comprises earnings before interest, income taxes, minority interests, depreciation and amortization and excludes certain items, such as corporate costs, restructuring costs (relating to major corporate-wide acquisitions or initiatives), impairment and other special charges, pension actuarial gains, losses and other adjustments, and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives that are not under the control of the business groups or are not considered in the measurement of their profitability. These items are generally managed by the Company's corporate head office, which focuses on strategy development and oversees governance, policy, legal, compliance, human resources and finance matters. The unrealized change in fair market value of derivatives is removed from individual BGP and is shown on a separate line in the reconciliation to income from continuing operations. This presentation provides a more accurate portrayal of underlying business group results and is in line with the Company’s portfolio approach to risk management. Transactions between operating segments are conducted on an arm’s-length basis and reflect market prices.
 
 
 
-19-

 
 
 
20. INFORMATION BY OPERATING SEGMENT (cont’d)

Thus, earnings from the Bauxite and Alumina as well as from the Primary Metal groups represent mainly profit on alumina or metal produced by the Company, whether sold to third parties or used in the Company’s fabricating and packaging operations. Earnings from the Engineered Products and Packaging groups represent only the fabricating profit on their respective products.

The accounting principles used to prepare the information by operating segment are the same as those used to prepare the consolidated financial statements of the Company, except for the following two items:

(1)  
The operating segments include the Company’s proportionate share of joint ventures (including joint ventures accounted for using the equity method) and certain other equity-accounted investments as they are managed within each operating segment, with the adjustments for these investments shown on a separate line in the reconciliation to Income from continuing operations; and
 
(2)  
Pension costs for the operating segments are based on the normal current service cost with all actuarial gains, losses and other adjustments being included in Intersegment and other.

The operating segments are described below.

Bauxite and Alumina

Headquartered in Montreal (Canada), this business group comprises Alcan’s worldwide activities related to bauxite mining and refining into smelter-grade and specialty aluminas, owning, operating or having interests in six bauxite mines and deposits in five countries, five smelter-grade alumina plants in four countries and six specialty alumina plants in three countries and providing engineering and technology services.

Primary Metal

Also headquartered in Montreal, this business group comprises smelting operations, power generation, production of primary value-added ingot, manufacturing of smelter anodes, smelter cathode blocks and aluminum fluoride, smelter technology and equipment sales, engineering services and trading operations for aluminum, operating or having interests in 21 smelters in ten countries, 12 power facilities in four countries and 13 technology and equipment sales centers and engineering operations in 11 countries.

Engineered Products

Headquartered in Paris (France), this business group produces engineered and fabricated aluminum products including rolled, extruded and cast aluminum products, engineered shaped products and structures, including cable, wire, rod, as well as composite materials such as aluminum-plastic, fibre reinforced plastic and foam-plastic in 53 plants located in 12 countries. Also included in this business group are 33 service centres in 11 countries and 35 sales offices in 30 countries and regions.

Packaging

Also headquartered in Paris, this business group consists of the Company’s worldwide food, pharmaceutical and medical, beauty and personal care and tobacco packaging businesses, operating 129 plants in 31 countries. This business group produces packaging from a number of different materials, including plastic, aluminum, paper, paper board and glass.


 
-20-

 

20. INFORMATION BY OPERATING SEGMENT (cont’d)

Intersegment and other

This classification includes the deferral or realization of profits on intersegment sales of aluminum and alumina, corporate office costs as well as other non-operating items.

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

Periods ended September 30

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Sales and operating revenues - Intersegment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bauxite and Alumina

 

 

540

 

 

534

 

 

1,692

 

 

1,464

 

Primary Metal

 

 

478

 

 

624

 

 

1,521

 

 

1,851

 

Engineered Products

 

 

22

 

 

65

 

 

68

 

 

159

 

Packaging

 

 

-

 

 

2

 

 

1

 

 

3

 

Other

 

 

(1,040

)

 

(1,225

)

 

(3,282

)

 

(3,477

)

 

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 


 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

Periods ended September 30

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Sales and operating revenues - Third Parties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bauxite and Alumina

 

 

597

 

 

495

 

 

1,618

 

 

1,290

 

Primary Metal

 

 

2,174

 

 

2,060

 

 

6,946

 

 

6,331

 

Engineered Products

 

 

1,917

 

 

1,744

 

 

6,052

 

 

5,291

 

Packaging

 

 

1,554

 

 

1,473

 

 

4,661

 

 

4,485

 

Adjustments for equity-accounted joint ventures and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

certain investments

 

 

(28

)

 

(12

)

 

(80

)

 

(1

)

Other

 

 

9

 

 

9

 

 

51

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

6,223

 

 

5,769

 

 

19,248

 

 

17,422

 


 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

Periods ended September 30

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Business Group Profit (BGP)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bauxite and Alumina

 

 

155

 

 

198

 

 

534

 

 

453

 

Primary Metal

 

 

566

 

 

675

 

 

2,154

 

 

2,207

 

Engineered Products

 

 

101

 

 

101

 

 

424

 

 

399

 

Packaging

 

 

128

 

 

161

 

 

394

 

 

441

 

Adjustments for equity-accounted joint ventures and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

certain investments

 

 

(64

)

 

(87

)

 

(186

)

 

(244

)

Adjustments for mark-to-market of derivatives

 

 

13

 

 

16

 

 

(9

)

 

37

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(274

)

 

(273

)

 

(807

)

 

(782

)

Intersegment, corporate offices and other

 

 

(142

)

 

(159

)

 

(460

)

 

(425

)

Equity income

 

 

14

 

 

41

 

 

50

 

 

106

 

Interest

 

 

(61

)

 

(63

)

 

(182

)

 

(208

)

Income taxes

 

 

(211

)

 

(146

)

 

(657

)

 

(610

)

Minority interests

 

 

-

 

 

(4

)

 

(2

)

 

(6

)

Income from continuing operations

 

 

225

 

 

460

 

 

1,253

 

 

1,368

 


Risk Concentration

The Company's consolidated sales and operating revenues for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 include $638 and $2,010, respectively (2006: $634 and $1,966) arising from transactions with one customer. These sales and operating revenues, principally made by the Primary Metal Group, represent 10% (2006: 11%) of consolidated sales and operating revenues for both the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 
-21-

 

21. PRIOR YEAR AMOUNTS

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.


22. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On July 12, 2007, Alcan entered into a support agreement with Rio Tinto plc (Rio Tinto) and Rio Tinto Canada Holding Inc. (Rio Tinto Canada), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Rio Tinto. Pursuant to the support agreement, Rio Tinto Canada agreed to make a cash tender offer (Rio Tinto Offer) to acquire all of Alcan’s outstanding common shares for $101 per common share. On October 23, 2007, Rio Tinto announced that all of the conditions of the Rio Tinto Offer had been satisfied and that a subsequent offering period extending the offer until November 8, 2007 had commenced. On November 2, 2007, Rio Tinto announced that approximately 90.2% of the outstanding common shares of Alcan had been validly deposited and taken up under the offer. Rio Tinto Canada is now entitled to acquire all remaining Alcan shares by way of compulsory acquisition under the Canada Business Corporations Act. Rio Tinto Canada has announced that it will exercise these rights promptly after the expiry of the offer.
 
Upon the change of control in October 2007, a number of payments under existing obligations of Alcan were triggered, including the obligations set forth below.

The Company has in place change of control agreements and transaction completion bonus arrangements with certain Alcan Executives. Following the change of control, the Company recorded a charge of $24 for expected payments.

In accordance with the agreements entered into with the Company’s investment advisors, the Company recorded a charge of $101 following the change of control.

Immediately prior to the change of control, all stock-based compensation awards were settled as follows:

1.  
All unexercised Alcan Executive Share Options and certain Pechiney Stock Options were exercised in October 2007 using a cashless exercise mechanism. Immediately before the taking up of Alcan common shares under the Rio Tinto Offer, the Company issued a number of Alcan common shares equal to (A) the total in-the-money value of options held by all optionees (using the Rio Tinto Offer price of $101 per share, less the US dollar equivalent of the exercise price for each option), divided by (B) $101 per share. These newly issued shares were then tendered into the Rio Tinto Offer on behalf of the optionees.
 
The other unexercised Pechiney Stock Options were exercised in October 2007 at $101 per share. The Company, as the shareholder of Pechiney (now known as Alcan France SAS), acquired the Pechiney shares against issuance of its Alcan common shares using the ratio set forth in the Liquidity Agreement and those common shares were also tendered into the Rio Tinto Offer on behalf of the optionees.
 
Optionees received the difference between the exercise price and $101 per share.
 
2.  
A total cash payment of $220 was made in October 2007 to employees related to the settlement of the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plans. Payments under the Restricted Share Unit Plan, Stock Price Appreciation Unit Plan, Executive Deferred Share Unit Plan and Non-Executive Directors Deferred Share Unit Plan were based on the Rio Tinto Offer price of $101 per share. All previously unrecognized other stock-based compensation expense was recorded in October 2007.

As a result of certain negative tax consequences for employees in France from the early exercise of certain stock options and Restricted Share Units, the Company agreed to compensate these employees accordingly. As such, the Company accrued an amount of $33 in October 2007.


 
-22-

 

22. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (cont’d)

On July 12, 2007, the Company announced that Rio Tinto and Alcan had agreed to divest Alcan’s packaging business. Upon the change of control in October 2007, Alcan’s packaging business met the criteria for classification as assets held for sale. Rio Tinto plans to divest Alcan’s packaging business in order to retain its focus on mining and metals activities. The sale of the packaging business is expected to be completed in 2008. The carrying amounts of major classes of assets and liabilities included within the disposal group are as follows:

 

 

September 30, 2007

 

Current assets

 

 

2,118

 

Long-term assets

 

 

5,125

 

Total assets

 

 

7,243

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

1,386

 

Long-term liabilities

 

 

1,182

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,568

 


On July 18, 2007 the Company announced it had reached an agreement with Hindalco Industries Limited, India for the sale of its 45% interest in Utkal Alumina International Limited (Utkal). The Company had announced its intention to sell its interest in Utkal on April 12, 2007. The sale was completed on October 5, 2007.

On November 8, 2007, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement to sell the majority of its European Service Centres distribution business. The Company's aerospace distribution business and an operation in Spain will be retained and are not included in the transaction. Works' councils and employee representatives will be informed and consulted in accordance with applicable law. The transaction, which is subject to competition review, is anticipated to close by the end of the first quarter of 2008.


 
-23-

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(In millions of US$, except per common share amounts, aluminum prices and as otherwise stated)

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) includes some measures for which no meaning is prescribed by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Refer to the section “Definitions” for an explanation of these measures.

Overview

The Company reported third quarter income from continuing operations of $225 or $0.48 per common share versus $460 or $1.21 per common share a year earlier and $438 or $1.18 per common share in the second quarter of 2007. The net income of $0.48 per common share for the third quarter of 2007 includes a loss of $0.12 per common share on the redemption of the Company's redeemable non-retractable preference shares. The redemption is further discussed in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of the MD&A on page 29. Income from continuing operations decreased by $235 year-over-year reflecting an unfavourable variance in foreign currency balance sheet translation effects, the negative impact of a weaker US dollar on operating costs, increased energy, raw materials and operating costs as well as an unfavourable variance in Other Specified Items. These effects more than offset better pricing and mix in the Engineered Products and higher aluminum realizations. The decrease of $213 in income from continuing operations from the second quarter of 2007 reflected lower aluminum realizations, seasonally lower volumes across all businesses, an unfavourable variance in Other Specified Items and pricing and mix, partly offset by a favourable variance in foreign currency balance sheet translation effects. The terms “Other Specified Items” (OSIs) and “Foreign Currency Balance Sheet Translation” are defined under “Definitions” at the end of the MD&A.

Income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2007 included a primarily non-cash, after-tax loss of $151 or $0.40 per common share for the effects of foreign currency balance sheet translation, compared to a nil effect in the year-ago quarter and an after-tax loss of $193 or $0.52 per common share in the second quarter. The foreign currency balance sheet translation losses in the third quarter of 2007 were largely due to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar versus the US dollar. The Canadian dollar strengthened to US$1.00 at the end of the third quarter from US$0.94 at the end of the second quarter.
 
Also included in income from continuing operations for the third quarter was an after-tax charge for OSIs of $45 or $0.12 per common share compared to an after-tax charge of $1 or $0.01 per common share in the year-ago quarter and an after-tax gain of $28 or $0.08 per common share in the second quarter of 2007. A detailed OSIs schedule is provided on the next page.
 

  

 

Third Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

Included in income from continuing operations are:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency balance sheet translation

 

 

(151

)

 

-

 

 

(193

)

Other Specified Items (OSIs) 

 

 

(45

)

 

(1

)

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

225

 

 

460

 

 

438

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

 

(4

)

 

-

 

Net income

 

 

225

 

 

456

 

 

438

 

Basic earnings per common share ($ per common share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.21

 

 

1.18

 

Net income

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.20

 

 

1.18

 

Average number of common shares outstanding (millions)

 

 

372.6

 

 

376.1

 

 

369.0

 


 
-24-

 

 
 

Third Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 
   

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 
               

Sales and operating revenues

   

6,223

   

5,769

   

6,605

 

Shipment volumes (kt)

                   

Ingot products *

   

711

   

728

   

760

 

Aluminum used in engineered products & packaging

   

312

   

323

   

342

 

Total aluminum volume 

   

1,023

   

1,051

   

1,102

 

Aluminum pricing data ($ per tonne)

                   

Ingot product realizations *

   

2,720

   

2,598

   

2,866

 

Average LME 3-month price (one-month lag)

   

2,697

   

2,528

   

2,808

 

* The bulk of Alcan's ingot product sales are based on the LME 3-month price with a one-month lag plus a local market premium and any applicable product premium.

 
 
Sales and operating revenues of $6,223 were up $454 compared to the year-ago quarter mainly reflecting higher aluminum prices as well as favourable pricing, product mix and volumes across most businesses. Compared to the second quarter, sales and operating revenues decreased by $382 mainly as a result of lower aluminum prices and market premia, an unfavourable change in the B&A group’s sales mix and lower volumes across most businesses.

Total aluminum volume was down 28kt from the year-ago quarter mainly due to the elimination of metal trading activities in Zurich as well as the impact of the divestitures of the Vlissingen smelter in the Netherlands and the Affimet aluminum recycling plant in France. Volumes were down 79kt sequentially mainly due to the divestiture of the Vlissingen smelter and lower sales out of certain plants in Asia and North America.

The average realized price on sales of ingot products during the third quarter was up $122 per tonne from the year-ago quarter and down $146 per tonne from the second quarter. The increase over the year-ago quarter reflected the impact of higher LME aluminum prices partly offset by lower market premia. The decrease over the prior quarter reflected the impact of lower LME aluminum and market premia.

 
 

Third Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 
   

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 
               

Other Specified Items (after-tax)

                   

Restructuring charges

   

(12

)

 

(17

)

 

(14

)

Asset impairments

   

(1

)

 

(7

)

 

(12

)

Gains (losses) from non-routine sales of assets, businesses and investments

   

1

 
 

7

   

(30

)

Tax adjustments

   

13

   

16

   

150

 

Advisory and legal fees

   

(20

)

 

-

   

(14

)

Share-based compensation

   

(16

)

 

-

   

(27

)

Other

   

(10

)

 

-

 
 

(25

)

Other Specified Items

   

(45

)

 

(1

)

 

28

 

The most significant items included in OSIs in the third quarter of 2007 were advisory and legal fees of $20 as well as share-based compensation expense of $16 resulting from the appreciation in the share price related to the Rio Tinto offer. The most significant items included in OSIs in the third quarter of 2006 were after-tax restructuring charges of $17 principally for certain Packaging businesses largely offset by a favourable tax adjustment resulting from the settlement of a number of open taxation years with various tax authorities. The most significant items included in OSIs in the second quarter of 2007 were favourable tax adjustments of $150 mainly related to the recognition of future tax benefits in France, partially offset by losses on disposals of assets, businesses and investments of $30 primarily in connection with the sale of the Company’s Vlissingen smelter in the Netherlands, share-based compensation expense of $27 resulting from the appreciation in the share price subsequent to the May 7, 2007 offer from Alcoa, other charges of $25 mainly related to a correction of a net working capital overstatement (non-cash) of $18 at a Packaging business in Spain as well as restructuring charges of $14 principally related to the packaging businesses, advisory and legal fees of $14 related to the Company’s efforts following the May 7, 2007 Alcoa offer to develop a full set of highest value alternatives consistent with the best interests of Alcan shareholders.
 
 
-25-

 

Included in income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2007 were non-cash mark-to-market charges on derivatives of $0.01 per common share compared to gains of $0.03 per common share a year earlier and charges of $0.02 per common share in the second quarter.

Also included in income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2007 were non-cash pre-tax expenses of $40 for share-based compensation as compared to income of $3 in the year-ago quarter and expenses of $76 in the second quarter of 2007. The higher amounts expensed in the second and third quarters of 2007 result from the appreciation in the share price related to the Alcoa and Rio Tinto offers. As of June 30, 2007, virtually all of the stock options were vested. As such, all related stock option expense has been recognized for all currently outstanding stock options. For more details, refer to note 22 - Subsequent Events of the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Net Income

Including results from discontinued operations, the Company reported net income of $225 or $0.48 per common share in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $456 or $1.20 per common share a year earlier and $438 or $1.18 per common share in the second quarter of 2007.

Operating Segment Review

The term "Business Group Profit" (BGP) is defined under "Definitions" at the end of the MD&A.

 
 

Third Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 
   

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

Business Group Profit (BGP)

 
 
 
 
     

Bauxite and Alumina

   

155

   

198

   

204

 

Primary Metal 

   

566

   

675

   

744

 

Engineered Products 

   

101

   

101

   

149

 

Packaging 

   

128

   

161

   

126

 

Subtotal

   

950

   

1,135

   

1,223

 

Equity accounted joint venture eliminations

   

(64

)

 

(87

)

 

(75

)

Change in fair market value of derivatives

   

13

 
 

16

   

(7

)

  

   

899

   

1,064

   

1,141

 

Corporate Items 

                   

Intersegment, corporate offices and other

   

(142

)

 

(159

)

 

(229

)

Depreciation & amortization 

   

(274

)

 

(273

)

 

(269

)

Interest 

   

(61

)

 

(63

)

 

(61

)

Income taxes 

   

(211

)

 

(146

)

 

(166

)

Equity income

   

14

   

41

   

24

 

Minority interests 

   

-

 
 

(4

)

 

(2

)

Income from continuing operations

   

225

   

460

   

590

 

 


Bauxite and Alumina: BGP for the third quarter was $155, a decrease of $43 compared to the year-ago quarter. Excluding OSIs and foreign currency balance sheet translation effects, the year-over-year decrease in BGP was $15 or 8%. The decline mainly reflected higher operating costs due to the strengthening Australian and Canadian dollars, higher raw material costs, increased maintenance and labour costs in Australia as well as the residual impact from the national strike in Guinea during the first quarter of 2007. These were partially offset by higher LME-linked contract prices for alumina (given the normal one-quarter lag). On a sequential basis, BGP for the group decreased by $49. Excluding OSIs and foreign currency balance sheet translation effects, BGP decreased by $49 or 21%, primarily reflecting an unfavourable change in sales mix, lower technology-related profits, higher operating costs due to the strengthening Australian and Canadian dollars, partially offset by higher LME-linked contract prices for alumina, lower adverse impact from the Guinean national strike during the first quarter of 2007. For the year to date, the total impact of the national strike in Guinea during the first quarter across B&A was $41, of which $5 impacted in the third quarter.
 
 
-26-

 

Primary Metal: BGP for the third quarter was $566, a decrease of $109 as compared to the year-ago quarter. Excluding OSIs and foreign currency balance sheet translation effects, the year-over-year decrease in BGP was $102 or 15%. The decline mainly reflected the adverse effect of the weaker US dollar, higher input costs (alumina, electricity and carbon-related raw material costs), lower market premia, higher operating costs, as well as the impact of the divestiture of the Vlissingen smelter in the Netherlands, partially offset by higher LME metal prices, contribution from technology and smelter equipment sales and from the cathode producer Carbone Savoie as well as higher volumes. On a sequential quarter basis, BGP decreased by $178. Excluding OSIs and foreign currency balance sheet translation effects, BGP decreased by $193 or 25%, reflecting primarily lower LME prices, market premia and volumes, the adverse effect of the weaker US dollar, higher operating costs, the impact of the divestiture of the Vlissingen smelter in the Netherlands as well as lower contribution from smelter equipment sales.

Engineered Products: BGP for the third quarter was $101. Excluding OSIs and foreign currency balance sheet translation effects, operating results were $110; equal to a year earlier. Results for the third quarter of 2007 included significant adverse metal timing effects, a consequence of the decline in LME prices during the quarter. Adjusting for these non-cash accounting effects, the operating performance of the group improved by approximately 17% year over year due to strong results from the Aerospace, Cable and Extrusion businesses. On a sequential quarter basis, BGP reflected typical seasonal patterns. Excluding OSIs and balance sheet translation effects, operating results were $52 or 32% lower than in the second quarter mainly due to summer business closures in Europe and the adverse impact of metal timing effects. Results were also affected by margin softness in Cable and equipment outages at the Ravenswood aerospace and sheet facility. Adjusting for the non-cash accounting effects, the operating performance of the group was down 19% from the robust pace of the second quarter.

Packaging: BGP for the third quarter was $128, a decrease of $33 or 21% from the prior-year quarter. Excluding OSIs and foreign currency balance sheet translation effects, BGP decreased by $7 or 4%. This year-on-year decline mainly reflected a 2006 LIFO inventory adjustment, operational issues in some segments and higher stock compensation costs, which together offset the favourable effect of the weaker US dollar, and restructuring and volume growth initiatives. On a sequential quarter basis, BGP increased by $2 or 2%. Excluding OSIs and foreign currency balance sheet translation effects, BGP decreased by $10 or 6% as a result of normal seasonal volume weakness and price erosion, partially offset by cost saving measures.

Corporate Items

The Intersegment, corporate offices and other expense category includes corporate head office costs as well as other non-operating items and the elimination of profits on intersegment sales of aluminum and alumina. The third quarter expense of $142 was comparable to the year-ago quarter. Sequentially, the expense decreased by $87 mainly reflecting lower share-based compensation expense as well as the inclusion in the prior quarter of the loss on the sale of the Company’s Vlissingen smelter in the Netherlands.

Depreciation and amortization expense was comparable to both the year-ago and prior quarters.

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, was comparable to both the year-ago and prior quarters.

The Company's effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was 50% in the third quarter and 35% year to date. Balance sheet translation losses due to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar increased the effective tax rate in the third quarter and year-to-date results. Partially offsetting this increase in the year-to-date effective tax rate is the favourable impact related to the recognition in the second quarter of future tax benefits in France.

 
-27-

 


Liquidity and Capital Resources

 
 

Third Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 
   

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 
               

Cash flow from operating activities in continuing operations

   

843

   

803

   

738

 

Dividends

   

(79

)

 

(77

)

 

(73

)

Capital expenditures

   

(444

)

 

(576

)

 

(421

)

Free cash flow from continuing operations

   

320

   

150

   

244

 

Operating Activities
In the third quarter of 2007, cash flow from operating activities in continuing operations of $843 increased by $40 compared to the year-ago quarter and $105 compared to the second quarter. The increase over both the year-ago and prior quarters mainly reflected a more favourable movement in working capital and deferred items, partly offset by lower earnings. After dividends of $79 and capital expenditures of $444, free cash flow from continuing operations was $320 for the third quarter of 2007. In the year-ago quarter, after dividends of $77 and capital expenditures of $576, free cash flow from continuing operations was $150. In the prior quarter, after dividends of $73 and capital expenditures of $421, free cash flow from continuing operations was $244. The term “Free cash flow from continuing operations” is defined under "Definitions" at the end of the MD&A.

Financing Activities
 

 

 

September 30

 

June 30

 

Debt as a Percentage of Invested Capital

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

Short-term borrowings

 

 

700

 

 

346

 

 

704

 

Debt maturing within one year

 

 

66

 

 

40

 

 

69

 

Debt not maturing within one year

 

 

4,658

 

 

5,399

 

 

4,578

 

Total debt

 

 

5,424

 

 

5,785

 

 

5,351

 

Minority interests

 

 

63

 

 

67

 

 

74

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

Redeemable non-retractable preference shares

 

 

-

 

 

160

 

 

160

 

Common shareholders' equity

   

12,872

   

11,293

   

12,223

 

Total invested capital

   

18,359

   

17,305

   

17,808

 

Debt as a percent of invested capital (%)

 

 

30%

 

 

33%

 

 

30%

 

The term “Debt as a percentage of invested capital” is defined under "Definitions" at the end of the MD&A.

Debt as a percentage of invested capital as at September 30, 2007 was 30%, unchanged from the end of the second quarter.

On July 26, 2007, Alcan’s board of directors approved the redemption of the Company’s redeemable non-retractable preference shares at a price of CAN$25.00 per share. The shares were redeemed on September 3, 2007 at the redemption price of CAN$25.00 per share for a total amount of $205 (CAN$218 million). 

Liquidity
Since June 16, 2006, the Company has had in place a two-tranche, multi-currency, committed global credit facility with a syndicate of international banks. This facility is comprised of a $2,000 5-year tranche, maturing in June 2011, and a $1,000 364-day tranche, extendable by two years at the Company’s option. During the second quarter of 2007, the Company extended the $1,000 364-day tranche. The facility is available for general corporate purposes and is primarily used to support the commercial paper programs.

 
-28-

 

In addition to its existing $3-billion commercial paper program in Canada, the Company has two commercial paper programs, one in France of € 1 billion and another in the US of $2 billion. The Company guarantees the commercial paper issued under these two programs. The Company also has a commercial paper program in the US with Alcan Corporation as the issuer. At any point in time, the total combined issuance limit for all three programs cannot exceed $3 billion.

Alcan’s $3,000 two-tranche, multi-currency committed global credit facility will no longer be available 90 days following the consummation of the Rio Tinto acquisition of Alcan on October 25, 2007. Accordingly, alternative liquidity sources will be put in place to finance Alcan’s activities.

Since June 30, 2007, the Company has the intent and ability to repay its commercial paper borrowings and has classified them as Short-term borrowings. As at December 31, 2006, the Company had both the intention and the ability, through its long-term credit facility, to refinance its commercial paper borrowings on a long-term basis and had classified them as Debt not maturing within one year. Furthermore, all commercial paper debt repayments were included in the year 2011 when the multi-currency, five year, committed global credit facility matures. As at November 1, 2007, Alcan had $148 of commercial paper outstanding.

Following the Alcoa announcement on May 7, 2007, both S&P and Moody’s placed Alcan’s credit rating of BBB+/Baa1 under review with negative implications. S&P has maintained the negative outlook while Moody’s revised the outlook and placed Alcan’s rating under review for possible upgrade on July 12, following announcement of the Rio Tinto offer. On October 24, immediately prior to the closing of the Rio Tinto transaction, S&P removed the negative outlook and affirmed Alcan’s BBB+ rating, and Moody’s upgraded Alcan to A3, both agencies equalized the ratings with those of Rio Tinto.

Investment Activities
In the third quarter of 2007, cash used for investment activities in continuing operations was $391 compared to $499 in the year-ago quarter. Both the current and year-ago quarter balances mainly reflected capital expenditures of $444 and $576, respectively. Excluding capital expenditures on the Gove expansion, capital spending was 122% and 101% of depreciation and amortization expense for the third quarter of 2007 and prior-year quarter, respectively.

Divestments

On July 18, 2007, Alcan agreed to sell its 45% interest in Utkal Alumina International Limited (Utkal) to Hindalco Industries Limited, India. The Utkal joint venture was established in 1992 and involves the development of a new bauxite mine and alumina refinery in the Indian state of Orissa (Utkal Project). The Company completed the sale in October 2007.

On November 8, 2007, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement to sell the majority of its European Service Centres distribution business. The Company's aerospace distribution business and an operation in Spain will be retained and are not included in the transaction. Works' councils and employee representatives will be informed and consulted in accordance with applicable law. The transaction, which is subject to competition review, is anticipated to close by the end of the first quarter of 2008.



 
-29-

 


Contractual Obligations

The Company has future obligations under various contracts relating to debt payments including those with associated interest rate swap agreements, capital and operating leases, long-term purchase arrangements, pensions and other post-employment benefits, and guarantees. The table below provides a summary of these contractual obligations (based on undiscounted future cash flows) as at September 30, 2007. There are no material off-balance sheet arrangements.


Contractual Obligations

As at September 30, 2007

Payments due by Period

  

Total

2007

2008-2009

2010-2011

2012 and thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt (1)

4,724

66

526

434

3,698

Interest payments (1)

3,398

74

502

460

2,362

Capital lease obligations

40

2

12

6

20

Operating leases

684

52

232

163

237

Purchase obligations

5,340

787

1,384

956

2,213

Unfunded pension plans (2)

2,462

17

140

142

2,163

Other post-employment benefits (2)

2,820

17

148

163

2,492

Funded pension plans (2),(3)

(3)

70

569

588

(3)

Guarantees (4)

436

51

298

3

84

Total

 

1,136

3,811

2,915

 

           
(1)

Interest payments are calculated using the interest rate in effect, including the impact of interest rate swap agreements on $900 of fixed rate long-term debt and the outstanding debt balance as at September 30, 2007. All commercial paper borrowings and interest payments thereon have been excluded because these borrowings are now classified in short-term borrowings.

(2)

Refer to note 19, Post-Retirement Benefits, of the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

(3)

Pension funding generally includes the contribution required to finance the annual service cost, except where the plan is largely overfunded, and amortization of unfunded liabilities over periods of 15 years, with larger payments made over the initial period where required by pension legislation. Contributions depend on actual returns on pension assets and on deviations from other economic and demographic actuarial assumptions. Based on management's long-term expected return on assets, annual contributions for years after 2011 are projected to be in the same range as in prior years and to grow in relation with payroll.

(4) Refer to note 17, Commitments and Contingencies, of the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
 

Rio Tinto Transaction
 
On July 12, 2007, Alcan entered into a support agreement with Rio Tinto plc (Rio Tinto) and Rio Tinto Canada Holding Inc. (Rio Tinto Canada), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Rio Tinto. Pursuant to the support agreement, Rio Tinto Canada agreed to make a cash tender offer (Rio Tinto Offer) to acquire all of Alcan’s outstanding common shares for $101 per common share. On October 23, 2007, Rio Tinto announced that all of the conditions of the Rio Tinto Offer had been satisfied and that a subsequent offering period extending the offer until November 8, 2007 had commenced. On November 2, 2007, Rio Tinto announced that approximately 90.2% of the outstanding common shares of Alcan had been validly deposited and taken up under the offer. Rio Tinto Canada is now entitled to acquire all remaining Alcan shares by way of compulsory acquisition under the Canada Business Corporations Act. Rio Tinto Canada has announced that it will exercise these rights promptly after the expiry of the offer.
 
Upon the change of control in October 2007, a number of payments under existing obligations of Alcan were triggered. The Company has in place change of control agreements and transaction completion bonus arrangements with certain Alcan Executives. Following the change of control, the Company recorded a charge of $24 for expected payments. In accordance with the agreements entered into with the Company’s investment advisors, the Company recorded a charge of $101 following the change of control.

Immediately prior to the change of control, all stock-based compensation awards were settled. A total cash payment of $220 was made in October 2007 to employees related to the settlement of the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plans. All previously unrecognized other stock-based compensation expense was recorded in October 2007.
 
 
-30-

 
 
As a result of certain negative tax consequences for employees in France from the early exercise of certain stock options and Restricted Share Units, the Company agreed to compensate these employees accordingly. As such, the Company accrued an amount of $33 in October 2007.

For more details, refer to note 22 - Subsequent Events of the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

In order to retain its focus on mining and metals activities, Rio Tinto plans to divest Alcan’s packaging business. The sale of the packaging business is expected to be completed in 2008.

Selected Annual Information

Selected financial data for each of the Company's three most recently completed financial years is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

31 December

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and operating revenues

 

 

23,641

 

 

20,320

 

 

24,948

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

1,786

 

 

155

 

 

243

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

1,786

 

 

129

 

 

258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

28,939

 

 

26,638

 

 

33,341

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

 

 

5,512

 

 

6,067

 

 

6,914

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ per common share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations - basic

 

 

4.75

 

 

0.40

 

 

0.64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations - diluted

 

 

4.74

 

 

0.40

 

 

0.64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income - basic

 

 

4.75

 

 

0.33

 

 

0.69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income - diluted

 

 

4.74

 

 

0.33

 

 

0.69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

 

0.70

 

 

0.60

 

 

0.60

 



 
-31-

 


Selected Quarterly Information

Selected unaudited financial data for each of the Company's eight most recently completed quarters is as follows:

 

 

Q3-07

 

Q2-07

 

Q1-07

 

Q4-06

 

Q3-06

 

Q2-06

 

Q1-06

 

Q4-05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and operating revenues

 

 

6,223

 

 

6,605

 

 

6,420

 

 

6,219

 

 

5,769

 

 

6,103

 

 

5,550

 

 

5,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from continuing operations

 

 

225

 

 

438

 

 

590

 

 

418

 

 

460

 

 

454

 

 

454

 

 

(333

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (Loss)

 

 

225

 

 

438

 

 

591

 

 

422

 

 

456

 

 

455

 

 

453

 

 

(361

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ per common share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from continuing operations - basic

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.18

 

 

1.60

 

 

1.12

 

 

1.21

 

 

1.21

 

 

1.21

 

 

(0.91

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from continuing operations - diluted

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.17

 

 

1.59

 

 

1.12

 

 

1.21

 

 

1.20

 

 

1.20

 

 

(0.91

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (Loss) - basic

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.18

 

 

1.60

 

 

1.13

 

 

1.20

 

 

1.21

 

 

1.21

 

 

(0.98

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (Loss) - diluted

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.17

 

 

1.59

 

 

1.13

 

 

1.20

 

 

1.20

 

 

1.20

 

 

(0.98

)

 
Commitments and Contingencies

The Company's commitments and contingencies are described in note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies, of the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Related Party Transactions

The only related party transactions are those with the joint ventures accounted for under the equity method. These transactions are undertaken on an arm’s length, negotiated basis. For more details, refer to note 11 - Related Party Transactions, of the consolidated financial statements in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The most significant estimates are associated with the critical accounting policies relating to post-retirement benefits; environmental liabilities; property, plant and equipment; goodwill; income taxes; and business combinations. These critical accounting policies are those that are both most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

The Company's critical accounting policies are more fully described in note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the audited consolidated financial statements and in the MD&A, contained in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). The adoption of this standard resulted in the Company recording a $28 net increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits on January 1, 2007. This net increase in liabilities resulted in a decrease to the January 1, 2007 balance of Retained earnings of $21, a net decrease in Deferred tax liabilities of $8 and a reduction of $1 in equity-accounted investments included in Deferred charges and other assets. For more details, refer to note 3 - Accounting Changes and note 8 - Income Taxes, of the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
 
 
-32-

 

Cautionary Statement
 
Statements made in this Form 10-Q which describe the Company's or management's objectives, projections, estimates, expectations or predictions of the future may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of securities laws which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "estimates," “plans,” "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon. All statements that address the Company's expectations or projections about the future including statements about the Company's growth, cost reduction goals, operations, reorganization plans, expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Such statements may be based on the Company’s own research and analysis. The Company cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty and that the Company's actual actions or results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements or could affect the extent to which a particular projection is realized.  Reference should be made to the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for a list of factors that could cause such differences.
 
Important factors which could cause such differences include: changes in global supply and demand conditions for aluminum and other products; cyclical demand and pricing within the principal markets for the Company's products; changes in the relative value of various currencies; fluctuations in the supply of and prices for power in the areas in which the Company maintains production facilities; changes in aluminum ingot prices and changes in raw material costs and availability; competition in highly competitive markets; changes in prevailing interest rates and equity market returns related to pension plan investments; economic, regulatory and political factors within the countries in which the Company operates or sells its products; the risk of significant losses from trading operations, including losses due to market and credit risks associated with derivatives; changes in government regulations, particularly those affecting environmental, health or safety compliance; risks related to the use of hazardous materials in manufacturing processes; delay and cost risks related to significant capital projects; the consequences of transferring most of the aluminum rolled products businesses operated by the Company to Novelis Inc.; relationships with, and financial and operating conditions of, customers and suppliers; willingness of customers to accept substitution by competing products; major changes in technology that affect the Company’s competitiveness; potential catastrophic damage, increased insurance and security costs and general uncertainties associated with the increased threat of terrorism or war; the effect of international trade disputes on the Company’s ability to import materials, export its products and compete internationally; the effect of integrating acquired businesses and the ability to attain expected benefits; potential discovery of unanticipated commitments or other liabilities associated with the acquisition and integration or disposition of businesses; and other factors affecting the Company's operations including, but not limited to, litigation, labour relations and negotiations and fiscal regimes.
 
The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any future revisions it may make to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this quarterly report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation, in relation to future quarterly earnings disclosures, to release publicly any information on an interim basis prior to the final earnings disclosure.
 

Definitions

“$” all amounts are in US dollars.

“Business Group Profit” (BGP) comprises earnings before interest, income taxes, minority interests, depreciation and amortization and excludes certain items, such as corporate costs, restructuring costs (relating to major corporate-wide acquisitions or initiatives), impairment and other special charges, pension actuarial gains, losses and other adjustments, and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives, that are not under the control of the Business Groups or are not considered in the measurement of their profitability. These items are generally managed by the Company's corporate head office, which focuses on strategy development and oversees governance, policy, legal, compliance, human resources and finance matters. Financial information for individual business groups includes the results of certain joint ventures and other investments accounted for using the equity method on a proportionately consolidated basis, which is consistent with the way the business groups are managed. However, the BGP of these joint ventures and equity-accounted investments is removed from total BGP for the Company and the net after-tax results are reported as equity income. The unrealized change in the fair market value of derivatives has been removed from individual business group results and is shown on a separate line within total BGP. This presentation provides a more accurate portrayal of underlying business group results and is in line with the Company’s portfolio approach to risk management.
 
 
-33-

 

“Debt as a percentage of invested capital” does not have a uniform definition. Because other issuers may calculate debt as a percentage of invested capital differently, Alcan’s calculation may not be comparable to other companies’ calculations. The figure is calculated by dividing borrowings by total invested capital. Total invested capital is equal to the sum of borrowings and equity, including minority interests. The Company believes that debt as a percentage of invested capital can be a useful measure of its financial leverage as it indicates the extent to which it is financed by debt holders. The measure is widely used by the investment community and credit rating agencies to assess the relative amounts of capital put at risk by debt holders and equity investors.

“Derivatives” including forward contracts, swaps and options are financial instruments used by the Company to manage the specific risks arising from fluctuations in exchange rates, interest rates, aluminum prices and other commodity prices. Mark-to-market gains and losses on derivatives will be offset over time by gains and losses on the underlying exposures.

“Foreign currency balance sheet translation” effects largely arise from translating monetary items (principally deferred income taxes and long-term liabilities) denominated in Canadian and Australian dollars into US dollars for reporting purposes. Although these effects are primarily non-cash in nature, they can have a significant impact on the Company’s net income.

“Free cash flow from continuing operations” consists of cash from operating activities in continuing operations less capital expenditures and dividends. Management believes that free cash flow, for which there is no comparable GAAP measure, is relevant to investors as it provides an indication of the cash generated internally that is available for investment opportunities and debt service.

“GAAP” refers to United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

“LME” refers to the London Metal Exchange.

“Other Specified Items” (OSIs) include, for example: restructuring and synergy charges; asset impairment charges; gains and losses on non-routine sales of assets, businesses or investments; unusual gains and losses from legal claims and environmental matters; gains and losses on the redemption of debt; income tax reassessments related to prior years and the effects of changes in income tax rates; and other items that, in Alcan’s view, do not typify normal operating activities.

All tonnages are stated in metric tonnes, equivalent to 2,204.6 pounds.

All figures are unaudited.

Additional information on Alcan is available on the Company's website at www.alcan.com and the Company's regulatory filings can be viewed on the Canadian Securities Administrators' site at www.sedar.com and on the US Securities and Exchange Commission's site at www.sec.gov. All website addresses contained in this report are textual references and information from referenced websites is not incorporated by reference into this report. The number of common shares outstanding as at November 1, 2007 is 376,194,636.

 
-34-

 

 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
(in millions of US$, except LME prices and average contract rates)

Changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and the market price of aluminum are among the factors that can impact the Company’s cash flow. See risk factors described in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
Interest Rates

The impact of a 10% increase in interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt outstanding and on the fixed rate debt that has been converted to variable rate debt through interest rate swaps at September 30, 2007 and 2006, net of its cash and time deposits, would be to reduce annual net income by $5 and $6, respectively, for the variable rate debt including $3 and $1, respectively, for the fixed rate debt converted to variable rate debt through interest rate swaps. The fixed rate debt is expected to be outstanding until maturity as the Company does not intend to refinance its fixed rate debt prior to maturity. Transactions in interest rate financial instruments for which there is no underlying interest rate exposure to the Company are prohibited. For accounting policies for interest rate swaps used to hedge interest costs on certain debt, see note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Currency Legend

AUD
Australian Dollar
ISK
Iceland Kronur
BRL
Brazilian Real
JPY
Japanese Yen
CAD
Canadian Dollar
MXN
Mexican Peso
CHF
Swiss Franc
NZD
New Zealand Dollar
CZK
Czech Koruna
PLN
Polish Zloty
DKK
Denmark Kroner
SKK
Slovak Koruna
EUR
Euros
USD
US Dollar
GBP
UK Pound
   
 

Currency Derivatives

The schedule below presents fair value information and contract terms relevant to determining future cash flows categorized by expected maturity dates of the Company’s currency derivatives (principally forward contracts) outstanding as at September 30, 2007.

 

2007

2008

Thereafter

Total Nominal Amount

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

FORWARD CONTRACTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To buy USD against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GBP

Nominal amount

10

-

-

10

-

 

Average contract rate

0.494

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAD

Nominal amount

2

-

-

2

-

 

Average contract rate

1.164

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

Nominal amount

-

-

1a

1

-

 

Average contract rate

-

-

1.166 a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MXN

Nominal amount

1

1

-

2

-

 

Average contract rate

11.202

11.290

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JPY

Nominal amount

21

17

-

38

-

 

Average contract rate

115.678

115.732

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NZD

Nominal amount

1

-

-

1

-

 

Average contract rate

1.306

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
-35-

 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

2008

Thereafter

Total Nominal Amount

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FORWARD CONTRACTS (cont’d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SKK

Nominal amount

4

-

-

4

-

 

Average contract rate

26.583

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sell USD against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRL

Nominal amount

10

-

-

10

3

 

Average contract rate

2.755

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

Nominal amount

20

9

-

29

-

 

Average contract rate

1.172

1.197

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CZK

Nominal amount

5

-

-

5

-

 

Average contract rate

20.220

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAD

Nominal amount

3

-

-

3

-

 

Average contract rate

1.163

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To buy EUR against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

USD

Nominal amount

92

4

-

96

3

 

Average contract rate

1.377

1.401

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GBP

Nominal amount

1

-

-

1

-

 

Average contract rate

0.683

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JPY

Nominal amount

12

-

-

12

-

 

Average contract rate

159.260

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sell EUR against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

USD

Nominal amount

87

15

5 b

107

(3)

 

Average contract rate

1.414

1.147

1.358 b

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

Nominal amount

15

5

-

20

(1)

 

Average contract rate

1.646

1.506

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAD

Nominal amount

4

-

-

4

-

 

Average contract rate

1.416

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CZK

Nominal amount

1

-

-

1

-

 

Average contract rate

27.480

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sell GBP against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

Nominal amount

1

-

-

1

-

 

Average contract rate

2.349

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUD

Nominal amount

1

-

-

1

-

 

Average contract rate

2.336

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAD

Nominal amount

1

-

-

1

-

 

Average contract rate

2.021

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
-36-

 
 

 

2007

2008

Thereafter

Total Nominal Amount

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

FORWARD CONTRACTS (cont’d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sell JPY against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

Nominal amount

2

-

-

2

-

 

Average contract rate

0.010

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sell DKK against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

Nominal amount

1

-

-

1

-

 

Average contract rate

0.221

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2009

2010

2011

Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

To buy USD against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a CHF

Nominal amount

1

-

-

-

 

Average contract rate

1.166

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sell EUR against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b USD

Nominal amount

1

1

1

2

 

Average contract rate

1.333

1.349

1.360

1.381

 

 

 

 

 

 




 
-37-
 

The schedule below presents fair value information and contract terms relevant to determining future cash flows categorized by expected maturity dates of the Company’s currency derivatives (principally forward contracts) outstanding as at September 30, 2006.

 

2006

2007

Thereafter

Total Nominal Amount

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

FORWARD CONTRACTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To buy USD against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GBP

Nominal amount

5

-

-

5

-

 

Average contract rate

0.536

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

Nominal amount

29

2

1c

32

1

 

Average contract rate

1.219

1.237

1.166 c

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JPY

Nominal amount

25

1

-

26

1

 

Average contract rate

112.2

113.6

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MXN

Nominal amount

6

4

1d

11

-

 

Average contract rate

11.01

10.97

11.29 d

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DKK

Nominal amount

3

1

-

4

-

 

Average contract rate

5.883

5.788

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

Nominal amount

3

1

-

4

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sell USD against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GBP

Nominal amount

23

-

-

23

-

 

Average contract rate

0.529

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUD

Nominal amount

21

-

-

21

1

 

Average contract rate

1.378

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRL

Nominal amount

12

45

-

57

8

 

Average contract rate

2.54

2.669

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

Nominal amount

7

3

-

10

-

 

Average contract rate

1.217

1.207

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISK

Nominal amount

6

-

-

6

-

 

Average contract rate

70.92

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

Nominal amount

1

-

-

1

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To buy EUR against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

USD

Nominal amount

644

23

-

667

34

 

Average contract rate

1.211

1.204

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GBP

Nominal amount

12

2

-

14

-

 

Average contract rate

0.684

0.687

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JPY

Nominal amount

4

3

-

7

-

 

Average contract rate

148.7

147.1

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAD

Nominal amount

2

2

-

4

-

 

Average contract rate

1.509

1.525

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLN

Nominal amount

-

3

-

3

-

 

Average contract rate

-

3.977

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
 

-38-


 


 

2006

2007

Thereafter

Total Nominal Amount

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FORWARD CONTRACTS (cont’d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sell EUR against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

USD

Nominal amount

592

26

16 e

634

(31)

 

Average contract rate

1.213

1.224

1.174 e

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GBP

Nominal amount

1

-

-

1

-

 

Average contract rate

0.681

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

Nominal amount

25

15

4 f

44

(1)

 

Average contract rate

1.555

1.545

1.506 f

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CZK

Nominal amount

8

3

-

11

-

 

Average contract rate

28.37

28.32

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To buy GBP against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JPY

Nominal amount

-

2

-

2

-

 

Average contract rate

-

206.7

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sell GBP against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

Nominal amount

7

-

-

7

-

 

Average contract rate

2.336

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sell CHF against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MXN

Nominal amount

2

-

-

2

-

 

Average contract rate

8.921

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       
 

 

2008

2009

2010

 Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

To buy USD against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c CHF

Nominal amount

-

1

-

-

 

Average contract rate

-

1.166

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

d MXN

Nominal amount

1

-

-

-

 

Average contract rate

11.29

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sell EUR against the foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

e USD

Nominal amount

12

1

1

2

 

Average contract rate

1.113

1.333

1.349

1.373

 

 

 

 

 

 

f CHF

Nominal amount

4

-

-

-

 

Average contract rate

1.506

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
 

-39-


 

Any negative impact of currency movements on the currency contracts that the Company has taken out to hedge identifiable foreign currency commitments to buy or sell goods and services would be offset by an equal and opposite favourable exchange impact on the commitments being hedged. Transactions in currency-related financial instruments for which there is no underlying foreign currency exchange rate exposure to the Company are prohibited, except for a small trading portfolio not exceeding $50. For accounting policies relating to currency contracts, see note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Financial Statements of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Derivative Commodity Contracts

The effect of a reduction of 10% in aluminum prices on the Company’s aluminum forward and option contracts outstanding at September 30, 2007 would be to increase net income over the period ending December 31, 2009 by approximately $49 ($19 in 2007, $29 in 2008 and $1 in 2009). The $49 increase reflects a 10% reduction from the September 30, 2007, three-month LME aluminum closing price of $2,520 per tonne and assumes an equal 10% drop has occurred throughout the aluminum forward price curve existing as at September 30, 2007. As of September 30, 2006, such sensitivity would have increased net income over the period ending December 31, 2007 by approximately $95 ($28 in 2006 and $67 in 2007).

The Company’s aluminum forward contract positions, producing the above results, are entered into to hedge anticipated future sales of metal. Consequently, any negative impact of movements in the price of aluminum on the forward contracts would be offset by an equal and opposite impact on the sales being hedged. The effect of a reduction of 10% in aluminum prices on the Company’s anticipated sales and purchases of aluminum is excluded from the sensitivity analysis above.

Transactions in metal-related financial instruments for which there is no underlying metal price exposure to the Company are prohibited, except for a small trading portfolio of metal forwards not exceeding 25,000 tonnes.



 
-40-

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

a)  
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As at September 30, 2007, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (respectively, the Company’s principal executive and financial officers), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Alcan’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, Alcan’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2007.

b)  
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


 
-41-

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Items 1., 1A., 3., 4. and 5.

The registrant has nothing to report under these items.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

In the third quarter of 2007, the Company issued 611,217 Common Shares to former holders of Pechiney options that resided outside the United States and Canada upon the exercise of such options. The aggregate proceeds of the exercise of the options were approximately $28.7 million. These proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. These Common Shares were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended in reliance on regulation S. The dates of sale and amounts of Common Shares are set forth below:

Dates

Number of Shares

 

Dates

Number of Shares

 

Dates

Number of Shares

3 July 2007

19,775

 

2 August 2007

195

 

4 September 2007

58,444

4 July 2007

60,630

 

8 August 2007

7,342

 

5 September 2007

9,611

6 July 2007

1,539

 

9 August 2007

1,274

 

6 September 2007

2,992

7 July 2007

3,243

 

10 August 2007

797

 

10 September 2007

27,003

11 July 2007

41,454

 

13 August 2007

23,882

 

11 September 2007

16,071

13 July 2007

16,172

 

15 August 2007

6,529

 

12 September 2007

1,601

16 July 2007

14,241

 

17 August 2007

23,882

 

13 September 2007

6,147

17 July 2007

7,539

 

21 August 2007

10,806

 

17 September 2007

29,314

20 July 2007

812

 

22 August 2007

24,634

 

18 September 2007

6,335

23 July 2007

7,420

 

23 August 2007

15,117

 

20 September 2007

14,242

25 July 2007

12,753

 

28 August 2007

20,988

 

21 September 2007

4,871

26 July 2007

797

 

29 August 2007

14,953

 

25 September 2007

11,646

31 July 2007

10,685

 

30 August 2007

3,184

 

26 September 2007

12,649

1 August 2007

44,326

 

31 August 2007

13,281

 

 

 



 
-42-

 

Item 6.  

Exhibits
   

(31.1)  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(31.2)  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(32.1)  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(32.2)  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 

 
-43-

 


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: November 9, 2007
    ALCAN INC.  
       
       
       
       
       
  By: /s/ Cesidio Ricci  
    Cesidio Ricci  
    Vice President and Controller  
    (A Duly Authorized Officer)  

 

 
   

 
-44-

 

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit

Number  Description


(31.1)  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(31.2)  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(32.1)  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(32.2)  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


 
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