Novelis Inc. has reported results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2024.

In the fourth quarter, net sales decreased 7% versus the prior year period to $4.1 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, driven by lower average aluminium prices, partially offset by higher total shipments. 

Total flat rolled product shipments increased 2% to 951 kilotonnes in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 versus the prior year period, due primarily to increased demand for beverage packaging sheet.

Net income attributable to our common shareholder was up 6% versus the prior year to $166 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, due primarily to higher Adjusted EBITDA, partially offset by higher taxes and unfavourable timing of unrealized derivative losses. 

Adjusted EBITDA increased 28% versus the prior year to $514 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024. This significant improvement was primarily driven by favorable metal benefit from recycling and lower operating costs than the prior year period.

In its full year figures, net sales decreased 12% to $16.2 billion in fiscal year 2024, primarily driven by lower average aluminium prices and a 3% decrease in total flat rolled product shipments to 3,673 kilotonnes. The decrease in shipments is mainly due to lower beverage packaging shipments driven by customer inventory reductions in the first half of the fiscal year as well as softer demand for specialties products in a weaker macro-economic environment, partially offset by higher automotive shipments on strong demand. 

With customer inventory reductions complete, beverage packaging shipments increased sequentially each quarter of fiscal 2024 and demand continues to strengthen.

Fiscal 2024 net income attributable to our common shareholder decreased 9% versus the prior year to $600 million. The decrease is mainly driven by higher income tax provision and interest expense, as well as unfavourable timing of unrealised derivative losses in the current year compared to a gain in the prior year, partially offset by higher Adjusted EBITDA and improvement in metal price lag.

“Novelis delivered strong improvements in key financial metrics in the fourth quarter driven by lower operating costs, improved market demand and higher benefit from recycling,” said Steve Fisher, president and CEO, Novelis Inc. 

“In doing so, we once again demonstrated the strength and resiliency of our business model, which is aided by our global presence and diverse product portfolio. We are building on our existing strengths with a number of expansion investments underway to capture sustainability-driven demand for lightweight and infinitely recyclable aluminium material, while enhancing profitability and shareholder returns.”