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Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K. For a detailed discussion of items impacting the year ended December 31, 2021, as well as a year‐to‐year comparison of our financial position and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, refer to Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022 and February 23, 2023, respectively.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This information contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with US GAAP in the statements of income (loss), balance sheets, or statements of cash flows of the company. We have provided a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measure in the accompanying tables. We have also provided a discussion of the reasons we believe that presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors, as well as any additional ways in which we use the non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures used in the following discussions are Conversion Revenue (defined as Net Sales less the Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal, see below in “Metal Pricing Policies” discussion), Adjusted EBITDA and ratios related thereto. These measures are presented because management uses this information to monitor and evaluate financial results and trends and believes this information to also be useful for investors.

In the discussion of operating results below, we refer to certain items as “non-run-rate items.” For purposes of such discussion, non-run-rate items are items that, while they may recur from period-to-period: (i) are particularly material to results; (ii) affect costs primarily as a result of external market factors; and (iii) may not recur in future periods if the same level of underlying performance were to occur. Non-run-rate items are part of our business and operating environment but are worthy of being highlighted for the benefit of readers of our financial statements. Our intent is to allow users of the financial statements to consider our results both in light of and separately from such items. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net income (loss), see below in “Results of Operations - Selected Operational and Financial Information.” Reconciliations of certain forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP measures are not provided because certain items required for such reconciliations are outside of our control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted or provided without unreasonable effort.

Metal Pricing Policies

Our pricing policies and hedging program are intended to significantly reduce or eliminate the impact on our profitability of fluctuations in the underlying price of primary and scrap, or recycled, aluminum, our main raw material, and certain alloys so that our earnings are predominantly associated with the conversion of aluminum to semi‐fabricated mill products. To allow users of our financial statements to consider the impact of aluminum and alloy cost on our Net sales, we disclose Net sales as well as Conversion Revenue, which is Net sales less the Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal. As used in this discussion, “Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal” is the cost of aluminum at the average MWTP plus the cost of alloying elements and any realized gains and/or losses on settled hedges related to the metal sold in the referenced period. The average MWTP of aluminum reflects the primary aluminum supply/demand dynamics in North America. For a reconciliation of Conversion Revenue to Net sales, see below in “Results of Operations - Selected Operational and Financial Information.”

Molten Metal and Magnesium Supply Chain Issues

In September 2021, Warrick faced specific challenges with the force majeure declaration of its primary magnesium supplier, US Magnesium, LLC (“US Mag”), which resulted in a significant reduction in deliveries while we were also being impacted by the operational challenges Alcoa was experiencing at its adjacent smelter, which supplies molten metal to Warrick. In June 2022, US Mag deliveries unexpectedly stopped while performance of the smelter also rapidly deteriorated, negatively impacting Warrick’s operating efficiency and financial performance. As a result of the abrupt and unexpected decline in magnesium supply, on July 7, 2022, we declared force majeure at Warrick due to the limited availability of magnesium utilized in the production of our beverage and food packaging products, reducing our ability to produce those products at the time. After successfully securing and qualifying magnesium from additional sources, on September 6, 2022, we announced that we had lifted our force majeure declaration. We believe our supply base is now well diversified, as it is not reliant on any one single supplier or geographical region, including with respect to the supply of molten metal to our Warrick operation.

Management Review of 2023 and Outlook for the Future

Review

Despite its challenges, 2023 was a foundational year for Kaiser as we laid the groundwork we believe to be necessary to capture the vast growth opportunities ahead. Our focused execution led us to end the year in a solid position with full year Net income of $47.2 million and adjusted EBITDA increasing 48% over 2022 to approximately $210 million. Our marketing organization was successful working with our customers on pricing initiatives in response to higher inflationary costs impacting our performance as we exited 2022 and the first half of 2023. In addition, we led the industry in securing contain metal pass through to address the volatility of alloy costs. Aero/HS Products demand remained strong with Net sales and conversion revenue each setting a new record high. While reduced demand for general engineering plate products persisted, our unique ability to flex our capacity at our Trentwood facility to support strengthening aerospace demand further contributed to our performance. After five consecutive quarters, destocking activity for general engineering long products stabilized during the fourth quarter of 2023. In our Packaging operations, we continue to stabilize operations following the prior years impact of supply chain disruptions and the start of a beverage product destocking cycle that continued through the first half of 2023. While destocking stabilized for beverage products in the second half of 2023, the fourth quarter of 2023 was further impacted by destocking for food related products. Our new roll coat installation, to convert approximately 25% of our existing packaging capacity to higher valued coated products, is progressing well and is on time for completion and customer qualifications by the end of 2024. We believe we have ample financial resources, including $599.1 million in liquidity as of December 31, 2023, and a strong capital expenditures budget, to implement our growth initiatives as we strive to drive sustainable long-term growth.

Outlook

We believe Kaiser remains well positioned in the current demand environment as a key supplier in diverse end markets with multi-year contracts with strategic partners and expects demand will continue to improve across key markets throughout 2024. In Aero/HS Products, the strong momentum from 2023 is expected to continue, supported by customer declarations for commercial jets and strong demand for defense, space, and business jets. In Packaging applications, shipments and conversion revenue are expected to improve modestly as destocking ends in coated food products, along with anticipated steady demand improvements for both beverage and food products as the year progresses. GE Products destocking is expected to continue to abate in the first half of 2024 with improving shipments in the second half of the year. Automotive Extrusions demand is expected to continue its modest recovery with steady shipments and conversion revenue.

As a result, conversion revenue for the full year 2024 is expected to improve 2% - 3% with adjusted EBITDA margins to improve 70 - 170 basis points over 2023. The Company believes its adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin will continue to improve as we implement cost reduction measures in our operations, increase manufacturing efficiencies, and pursue our strategic growth initiatives in Aero/HS Products and Packing applications.

Results of Operations

Fiscal 2023 Summary

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Increasing demand for our Aero/HS Products within commercial aerospace and space applications, while defense and business jet applications demand remained strong;

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Continued destocking in our Packaging and GE Products end markets;

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Negotiated more efficient contained metal pass throughs and commodity price adjustments in our customer contracts to help mitigate the impact of higher material and other inflationary costs on our business;

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Capital investment was $143.2 million for the year, driven by the fourth roll coat line investment at our Warrick facility;

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As of December 31, 2023, we had $599.1 million of combined cash and cash equivalents and net borrowing availability under our Revolving Credit Facility;

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We paid a total of approximately $50.4 million, or $3.08 per common share, in cash dividends to stockholders, including holders of restricted stock, and dividend equivalents to holders of certain restricted stock units during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Consolidated Selected Operational and Financial Information

The following data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K.

Net Sales. We reported Net sales for 2023 of $3,087.0 million, compared to $3,427.9 million for 2022. The decrease in Net sales reflected a 57.8 million pound (5%) decrease in shipment volume and a $0.15/lb (5%) decrease in average realized sales price per pound. The shipment volume decrease reflected: (i) a 88.3 million pound (29%) decrease in GE Products primarily due to destocking at service centers for our plate and extruded rod and bar products; (ii) a 42.9 million pound (7%) decrease in Packaging reflecting destocking in the beverage and food cans market; and (iii) a 2.4 million pound (20%) decrease in our Other products, partially offset by: (i) a 67.8 million pound (36%) increase in Aero/HS Products reflecting strengthening demand for commercial aerospace applications and (ii) a 8.0 million pound (8%) increase in Automotive Extrusions reflecting increased North American automotive build rates. The decrease in average realized sales price per pound reflected a $0.28/lb (17%) decrease in average Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal prices per pound offset by a $0.13/lb (12%) increase in Conversion Revenueper pound reflecting higher pricing and surcharges to offset higher inflationary and commodity related costs. See the table in “Selected Operational and Financial Information” below for further details.

COGS. COGS for 2023 totaled $2,754.9 million, or 89% of Net sales, compared to $3,180.2 million, or 93% of Net sales, in 2022. The decrease during 2023 compared to 2022 of $425.3 million reflected: (i) a $424.1 million decrease in Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal and (ii) a $1.2 million decrease in net manufacturing conversion and other costs. Of the $424.1 million decrease in Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal, $329.7 million was due to lower hedged metal cost and $94.4 million was due to lower shipment volume, as discussed above in “Net Sales.” The $1.2 million decrease in net manufacturing conversion and other costs was primarily due to: (i) a $19.8 million decrease related to lower shipments; (ii) a $10.9 million decrease in other costs, primarily due to lower freight costs; and (iii) a $3.2 million decrease in environmental costs, partially offset by: (i) a net $25.3 million increase in manufacturing costs primarily due to higher labor and material costs and (ii) a $7.4 million increase in major maintenance. See “Selected Operational and Financial Information” below for a further discussion of the comparative results of operations for 2023 and 2022.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization for 2023 was $108.6 million compared to $106.9 million for 2022. The increase of $1.7 million was primarily attributable to various construction-in-progress projects being placed in service related to manufacturing cost efficiency initiatives.

Selling, General, Administrative, Research and Development (“SG&A and R&D”). SG&A and R&D expense totaled $122.7 million in 2023 compared to $110.9 million in 2022. The $11.8 million increase in 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily due to: (i) an $11.2 million increase in salaries, benefits, and incentive compensation and (ii) a $2.7 million increase in legal fees, partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in consulting and outsourced services.

Goodwill Impairment. See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for further details.

Restructuring Costs. Restructuring costs reflect the impacts of our restructuring plans initiated in 2022 and 2020. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for further information regarding the restructuring plans.

Other Operating Charges, Net. Other operating charges, net, of $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to the impairment of our favorable commodity contract intangible asset. See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for further details.

Interest Expense. Interest expense represents cash and non-cash interest expense incurred on our Senior Notes and our Revolving Credit Facility, net of capitalized interest. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for further information regarding interest expense, capitalized interest expense and a discussion of our debt and credit facilities that were in effect during each of the years 2023 and 2022.

Other Income (Expense), Net. See Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for details.

Income Tax (Provision) Benefit. The income tax provision for 2023 was $9.1 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 16.2%. The difference between the effective tax rate and the projected blended statutory tax rate for 2023 was primarily due to: (i) a decrease of 6% related to a federal Research and Development credit and (ii) a decrease of 3% related to state taxes, partially offset by an increase of 3% related to non-deductible compensation expense.

The income tax benefit for 2022 was $8.3 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 21.9%. The difference between the effective tax rate and the projected blended statutory tax rate for 2022 was primarily due to: (i) an increase of 3% due to various permanent items not deductible for tax purposes; (ii) an increase of 2% related to non-deductible compensation expense; and (iii) an increase of 1% related to state taxes, partially offset by a decrease of 6% related to a federal Research and Development credit.

Selected Operational and Financial Information

The following data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K.

The following table provides selected operational and financial information (in millions of dollars):

Year Ended December 31,

Net income (loss) $ 47.2 $ (29.6 )

Other income, net (7.4 ) (6.4 )

Income tax provision (benefit) 9.1 (8.3 )

Depreciation and amortization 108.6 106.9

Non-run-rate items:

Restructuring cost 5.0 2.2

Mark-to-market loss on derivative instruments1 — 1.4

Goodwill impairment2 — 20.5

Non-cash asset impairment charge — 3.2

Net periodic postretirement service cost relating to Salaried VEBA — 0.1

Environmental expenses3 0.2 3.2

Acquisition costs4 — 0.4

Total non-run-rate items 5.2 31.0

Mark-to-market loss on derivative instruments for 2022 represents loss on non-designated commodity hedges. Adjusted EBITDA reflects the realized loss of such settlements.

See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for additional information relating to the impairment of goodwill in 2022.

Non-run-rate environmental expenses are related to legacy contingencies from activities at operating facilities prior to July 6, 2006. See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for additional information relating to environmental expenses.

Acquisition costs are non-run-rate acquisition-related transaction costs, which include professional fees, as well as non‐cash hedging charges recorded in connection with our Warrick acquisition.

Adjusted EBITDA for 2023 was $67.7 million higher than Adjusted EBITDA for 2022. Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2023 was impacted by: (i) improved pricing and surcharges to offset higher inflationary and commodity related costs; (ii) a decrease in freight costs due to lower shipment volumes; and (iii) lower energy costs, partially offset by: (i) an increase in material and overhead costs; (ii) higher personnel costs; and (ii) an increase in major maintenance. See above in “Consolidated Results of Operations” for further details.

The following table provides our shipment and Conversion Revenue information (in millions of dollars, except shipments and Conversion Revenue per pound) by end market applications:

Year Ended December 31,

Aero/HS Products:

$ $ / lb $ $ / lb

Packaging:

$ $ / lb $ $ / lb

GE Products:

$ $ / lb $ $ / lb

Automotive Extrusions:

$ $ / lb $ $ / lb

Other Products:

Shipments (mmlbs) 9.6 12.0

$ $ / lb $ $ / lb

Less: Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal (12.6 ) (1.31 ) (18.6 ) (1.55 )

Total:

$ $ / lb $ $ / lb

Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal for 2023 and 2022 was comprised of $1,599.7 million and $2,028.2 million, respectively, reflecting the cost of aluminum at the average MWTP and the cost of certain alloys used in the production process, as well as metal price exposure on shipments that we hedged with realized losses upon settlement of $21.4 million and $17.0 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively, all of which were included within both Net sales and COGS in our Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss). See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for the total realized loss (gain) on aluminum hedges for which we hedged the metal price exposure externally.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Summary

The following table summarizes our liquidity (in millions of dollars):

As of December 31,

Available cash and cash equivalents $ 82.4 $ 57.4

In April 2022, we executed Amendment No. 3 to our Revolving Credit Facility to, among other things: (i) increase the commitment to $575.0 million; (ii) extend the maturity date; (iii) update our borrowing base; and (iv) update relevant benchmark provisions from LIBOR to Term SOFR. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for further details. Borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was determined by a borrowing base calculated as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

We place our cash in bank deposits and money market funds with high credit quality financial institutions. Cash equivalents primarily consist of money market funds, which are highly liquid. As of December 31, 2023, we had no cash in money market funds. As of December 31, 2022, we had $10.3 million in money market funds.

See Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for information regarding restricted cash at December 31, 2023.

We had no outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2023 under our Revolving Credit Facility, after repaying borrowings of $215.1 million incurred during the year ended December 31, 2023. We had no borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility during the year ended December 31, 2022. See “Sources of Liquidity” below for a further discussion of subsequent borrowing activity.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities (in millions of dollars):

Year Ended December 31,

Total cash provided by (used in):

Operating activities $ 211.9 $ (63.1 )

Investing activities $ (128.2 ) $ (125.8 )

Financing activities $ (54.3 ) $ (56.8 )

Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 reflected results of business activity described within “Consolidated Selected Operational and Financial Information” above, as well as the following working capital changes: (i) a decrease in inventory of $48.2 million, primarily driven by improved inventory management and lower metal costs; (ii) a decrease in trade and other receivables of $33.1 million, primarily due to a decrease in metal costs in addition to the timing of collections; and (iii) a decrease in accounts payable of $43.0 million due to the timing of payments, in addition to a decrease in metal prices.

Cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 reflected results of business activity described within “Consolidated Selected Operational and Financial Information” above, as well as the following working capital changes: (i) an increase in inventory of $120.8 million, primarily driven by higher inventory pounds built at our Warrick facility to mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions related to magnesium and hot metal supply and at our Trentwood facility to prepare for the planned outages associated with our large stretcher refurbishment, as well as higher per pound inventory cost due to higher metal prices in ending inventory; (ii) a decrease in accounts payable of $61.2 million, primarily due to timing of purchases and a decrease in period ending metal prices; and (iii) a decrease in accounts receivable of $15.0 million due to the timing and mix of sales, as well as a decrease in period ending metal prices.

See Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows included in this Form 10-K for further details on our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Sources of Liquidity

Our most significant sources of liquidity include available cash and cash equivalents, available credit under the Revolving Credit Facility, and funds generated from operations. We believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund our operations and meet our short-term and long-term obligations.

Our Revolving Credit Facility and Senior Notes have covenants that, we believe, allow us to operate our business with limited restrictions and significant flexibility for the foreseeable future. We do not believe that covenants contained in the Revolving Credit Facility are reasonably likely to limit our ability to raise additional debt or equity should we choose to do so during the next 12 months, nor do we believe it is likely that during the next 12 months, we will trigger the availability threshold that would require measuring and maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio.

At February 19, 2024, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for a description of our Revolving Credit Facility.

We engage in certain customer-based supply chain financing programs to accelerate the receipt of payment for outstanding accounts receivable from certain customers. The costs of these programs are typically reimbursed to us by the customer. Receivables transferred under these customer-based supply chain financing programs generally meet the requirements to be accounted for as sales resulting in the derecognition of such receivables from our consolidated balance sheets. Receivables involved with these customer‐based supply chain finance programs for the year ended December 31, 2023 constituted approximately 41% of our Net sales. See Note 1 and Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for further details with respect to these supply chain financing programs.

Material Cash Requirements

The discussion below summarizes our material cash requirements from significant contractual obligations, commercial commitments and off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2023.

Debt.As of December 31, 2023, we have outstanding fixed-rate notes with varying maturities for an aggregate principal amount of $1.05 billion. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for further details with respect to the 4.50% Senior Notes maturing in 2031 (“4.50% Senior Notes”) and 4.625% Senior Notes maturing in 2028 (“4.625% Senior Notes”). At December 31, 2023, future interest payments associated with our outstanding notes total $289.7 million, with $47.9 million payable within 12 months. We do not believe that covenants in the indenture governing the 4.50% Senior Notes and 4.625% Senior Notes are reasonably likely to limit our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing should we choose to do so during the next 12 months.

Purchase Obligations. Cash outlays for purchase obligations consist primarily of commitments to purchase primary aluminum, recycled scrap aluminum, other alloys, energy, and equipment. We have various contracts with suppliers of metals that require us to purchase minimum quantities of these metals in future years based primarily at the associated metal price at the time of payment. However, we believe the minimum required purchase quantities are lower than our current requirements for these metals. Physical delivery commitments with energy companies are in place to cover our exposure to fluctuations in electricity and natural gas prices and are based on fixed contractual rates and quantities. Equipment purchase obligations are based on scheduled payments to equipment manufacturers.

Leases. We have operating and finance leases for certain manufacturing facilities, warehouses, office space, equipment, and non-cancelable capital commitments. See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for the maturity of our lease liabilities.

Deferred Compensation Plan Liability. As of December 31, 2023, we had deferred compensation plan liabilities for certain key employees, which were contingent upon investment performance, vesting and other eligibility requirements, including retirement dates. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for further information, including the total expense related to all benefit plans.

Revolving Credit Facility. We are required to pay a monthly commitment fee equal to 0.25% per annum of the unused commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility. No borrowings were outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2023. Additionally, under our Revolving Credit Facility, we issue standby letters of credit to provide financial assurance of our payment of obligations, primarily related to workers’ compensation claims. The specific timing of payments with respect to such matters is uncertain. The letters of credit generally automatically renew every 12 months and terminate when the underlying obligations no longer require assurance or upon the maturity of our Revolving Credit Facility in April 2027. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for additional information.

Uncertain Tax Liabilities. At December 31, 2023, we had uncertain tax positions which ultimately could result in tax payments. See Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for further information.

Pension, OPEB, and Salaried VEBA. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for additional information regarding the future net benefits we expect to pay with respect to our pension plans, OPEB, and our variable cash contributions to the Salaried VEBA. Additionally, we are required to pay $0.3 million in annual administrative fees related to the hourly VEBA that provides benefits for eligible retirees represented by certain unions and their surviving spouses and eligible dependents through September 2025.

While we believe our available cash on hand, anticipated available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility, and funds generated from operations will be sufficient to finance our working capital requirements, planned capital expenditures, investments, debt service obligations and other cash requirements for at least the next 12 months, and while we also believe that alternative sources of liquidity will remain available in the event we seek to add liquidity for opportunistic or other reasons in the future, our ability to fund such cash requirements will depend upon our future operating performance (which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions) and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.

Capital Expenditures and Investments

We strive to strengthen our competitive position across our end markets through strategic capital investment. Significant investments over the past decade have positioned us well with increased capacity and expanded manufacturing capabilities while more recent capital projects have focused on further enhancing manufacturing cost efficiency, improving product quality and promoting operational security, which we believe are critical to maintaining and strengthening our position in an increasingly competitive market environment. A significant portion of our capital spending over the past several years related to the modernization project at our Trentwood rolling mill, which focused on equipment upgrades throughout the process flow to reduce conversion costs, increase efficiency and further improve our competitive cost position on all products produced at our Trentwood facility. In addition, a significant portion of the investment also focused on modernizing legacy equipment and the process flow for thin gauge plate to achieve KaiserSelect® quality enhancements for these Aero/HS Products and GE Products. These improvements have allowed us to gain incremental manufacturing capacity to enable future sales growth. In 2023, we continued spending on our previously announced capital project to add a fourth roll coat line at our Warrick facility to increase our capacity for higher margin coated packaging products. Total capital expenditures were $143.2 million in 2023, of which $66.0 million related to the new roll coat line and $77.2 million primarily related to critical sustaining capital projects, and $142.5 million in 2022, of which $74.7 million related to the new roll coat line and $67.8 million primarily related to critical sustaining capital projects. During 2023, we reassessed the remaining capital requirements for the fourth roll coat line, resulting in an increase to the total cost of the project from its original estimate of $150 million to approximately $250 million. The increase was primarily driven by higher labor and material costs, in addition to certain scope changes.

Our capital investment plans remain focused on supporting demand growth through capacity expansion, sustaining our operations, enhancing product quality and increasing operating efficiencies. We anticipate total capital spending in 2024 of $170.0 million to $190.0 million, of which approximately 65% will be focused on growth initiatives, primarily reflecting continued investment in the new roll coat line at Warrick, which we anticipate will be approximately $100 million. In addition, approximately $10 million is attributable to our Phase VII growth project at our Trentwood facility. We expect to continue to deploy capital thoughtfully so that investment decisions align with demand expectations in order to maximize the earnings potential of the business and maintain financial strength and flexibility.

Capital investments will be funded using cash generated from operations, available cash and cash equivalents, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and/or other third-party financing arrangements. The level of anticipated capital expenditures may be adjusted from time to time depending on our business plans, our price outlook for fabricated aluminum products, our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and other factors. No assurance can be provided as to the timing of any such expenditures or the operational benefits expected therefrom.

Dividends

We have consistently paid a quarterly cash dividend since the second quarter of 2007 to holders of our common stock, including holders of restricted stock. Nevertheless, as in the past, the future declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on a number of factors, including our financial, including the availability of surplus and/or net profits, and operating results, financial position and anticipated cash requirements and contractual restrictions under our Revolving Credit Facility, the indentures for our Senior Notes or other indebtedness we may incur in the future. We can give no assurance that dividends will be declared and paid in the future.

We also pay quarterly dividend equivalents to the holders of certain restricted stock units. Holders of performance shares are not paid a quarterly dividend equivalent, but instead are entitled to receive, in connection with the issuance of underlying shares of common stock for performance shares that ultimately vest, a one-time payment equal to the dividends such holder would have received if the number of such shares of common stock so issued had been held of record by such holder from the date of grant of such performance shares through the date of such issuance.

See our Statements of Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity and Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for information regarding dividends declared during 2023 and 2022 and subsequent to December 31, 2023.

Repurchases of Common Stock

We are not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares under our stock repurchase program. We suspended share repurchases as of March 2020. We will continue to assess share repurchases as a part of our capital allocation priorities and strategic investment opportunities identified to support further growth in our business. At December 31, 2023, $93.1 million remained authorized and available for future repurchases of common stock under our stock repurchase program. See our Statements of Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity included in this Form 10-K for information regarding minimum statutory tax withholding obligations arising during 2023 and 2022 in connection with the vesting of non-vested shares, restricted stock units, and performance shares.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. In connection with the preparation of our financial statements, we are required to make assumptions and estimates about future events and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and the related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material.

In addition to the accounting estimates we discuss in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K, management believes that the following accounting estimates are critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. Management has reviewed these critical accounting estimates and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

Revenue Recognition

We decide at the outset of entering into contracts with customers whether our performance obligations as specified in these contracts are satisfied over time or at a point in time. To recognize revenue over time means that we will need to synchronize revenue recognition with progress toward completion of the performance obligation. If we have determined that revenue will be recognized over time for a specific customer order, the earliest point in our production process that we will recognize revenue will be the point that the product cannot be directed to another customer. In most cases, this happens at the time we begin to mold the ingot or billet, either by flat rolling the ingot or by extruding the billet through a die. For custom alloys, we would begin recognizing revenue over time at the point the custom alloy billet is cast. Approximately 78% of our business is recognized at a point in time with the remaining 22% recognized over time.

We follow the input method of recognizing revenue over time. Under this approach, revenue is recognized for products in production based on the cost incurred to date plus a reasonable margin. Cost incurred to date is based on resources consumed, labor hours expended, and other costs incurred relative to the total inputs expected in order to satisfy a performance obligation. Reasonable margins are estimated using an average margin of the respective production facility producing the product. For purposes of recognizing revenue over time on products that are in work‐in-process (“WIP”) as of the period end, we make the assumption that the average margins at the respective production facilities are reasonably close to the individual product margins that are in WIP.

Although we believe that the judgments and estimates around recognizing revenue over time discussed herein are reasonable, actual results could differ and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material. A change in our estimated average margins by 5% would have had an impact of approximately $0.2 million to Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Income Tax

We have tax attributes available to offset the impact of future income taxes. We have a process for determining the need for a valuation allowance with respect to these attributes. The process includes an extensive review of both positive and negative evidence including our earnings history, future earnings, adverse recent occurrences, carryforward periods, an assessment of the industry, and the impact of the timing differences. We expect to record a full statutory tax provision in future periods and, therefore, the benefit of any tax attributes realized will only affect future balance sheets and statements of cash flows. Financial statements for interim periods include an income tax provision based on the effective tax rate expected to be incurred in the current year.

Inherent within the completion of our assessment of the need for a valuation allowance, we make significant judgments and estimates with respect to future operating results, timing of the reversal of deferred tax assets and current market and industry factors.

In order to determine the effective tax rate to apply to interim periods, estimates and judgments are made (by taxable jurisdiction) as to the amount of taxable income that may be generated, the availability of deductions and credits expected and the availability of net operating loss carryforwards or other tax attributes to offset taxable income.

Making such estimates and judgments is subject to inherent uncertainties given the difficulty of predicting future tax rates, market conditions, customer requirements, the cost for key inputs such as energy and primary aluminum, overall operating efficiency and other factors. However, if, among other things: (i) actual results vary from our forecasts due to one or more of the factors cited above or elsewhere in this Form 10-K; (ii) income is distributed differently than expected among tax jurisdictions; (iii) one or more material events or transactions occur which were not contemplated; or (iv) certain expected deductions, credits, or carryforwards are not available, it is possible that the effective tax rate for a year could vary materially from the assessments used to prepare the interim consolidated financial statements. See Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for additional discussion of these matters.

Although we believe that the judgments and estimates discussed herein are reasonable, actual results could differ and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material. A change in our effective tax rate by 1% would have had an impact of approximately $0.6 million to Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We account for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires the assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective estimated fair values. We recognize goodwill as of the acquisition date as the excess over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis as well as on an interim basis as events and changes in circumstances occur.

Definite-lived intangible assets acquired are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, to reflect the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed. In the event the pattern cannot be reliably determined, we use a straight-line amortization method. Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible assets may not be recoverable, the intangible assets will be reviewed for impairment.

The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can significantly impact our results of operations. Fair values and useful lives of intangible assets are determined using the income approach valuation methodology, which is based on, among other factors, the expected future period of benefit of the asset, the various characteristics of the asset, long‐term forecasts of the business, projected cash flows and the rate used in discounting those cash flows. As the determination of an asset’s fair value and useful life involves management making certain estimates and because these estimates form the basis for the determination of whether or not an impairment charge should be recorded, these estimates are considered to be critical accounting estimates.

We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions we use to estimate the fair value of goodwill and intangible assets. Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, we do not believe any of our reporting units are at risk of failing the goodwill impairment test. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and fair values assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, we may be exposed to losses from impairment charges that could be material. For further details on goodwill and intangible assets, see Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.

Environmental Commitments and Contingencies

We are subject to a number of environmental laws and regulations, to potential fines or penalties assessed for alleged breaches of such laws and regulations and to potential claims and litigation based upon such laws and regulations. Based on our evaluation of environmental matters, we have established environmental accruals, primarily related to solid waste disposal and soil and groundwater remediation matters. These environmental accruals represent our estimate of costs reasonably expected to be incurred in the ordinary course of business based on presently enacted laws and regulations, currently available facts, existing technology and our assessment of the likely remediation action to be taken.

Making estimates of possible incremental environmental remediation costs is subject to inherent uncertainties. In estimating the amount of any loss, in many instances a single estimation of the loss may not be possible. Rather, we may only be able to estimate a range for possible losses. In such an event, ASC 450, Contingencies ("ASC 450"), requires that a liability be established for at least the minimum end of the range assuming that there is no other amount which is more likely to occur. As additional facts are developed and definitive remediation plans and necessary regulatory approvals for implementation of remediation are established or alternative technologies are developed, changes in these and other factors may result in actual costs exceeding the current environmental accruals.

Although we believe that the judgments and estimates discussed herein are reasonable, actual results could differ and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be materially different than those reflected in our accruals. To the extent we prevail in matters for which accruals have been established or are required to pay amounts in excess of our accruals, our future results from operations could

be materially affected. We believe at this time that it is reasonably possible that undiscounted costs associated with these environmental matters may exceed current accruals by amounts that could be, in the aggregate, up to an estimated $11.6 million over the remediation period. See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for additional discussion of these matters.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Liabilities and expenses for pension and other postretirement benefits are determined using actuarial methodologies and incorporate significant assumptions, including the interest rate used to discount the future estimated liability, the expected long-term rate of return (“LTRR”) on plan assets and several assumptions relating to the employee workforce (salary increases, health care cost trend rates, retirement age and mortality). The most significant assumptions used in determining the estimated year-end obligations include the assumed discount rate and the LTRR.

In addition to the above assumptions used in the actuarial valuations, changes in plan provisions could also have a material impact on the net funded status of our pensions and other postretirement benefits. Additionally, our obligation to the Salaried VEBA is to pay an annual variable contribution amount based on the level of our cash flow. The funding status of the Salaried VEBA has no impact on our annual variable contribution amount. We have no control over any aspect of the Salaried VEBA plan. We rely on information provided to us by the Salaried VEBA administrator with respect to specific plan provisions such as annual benefits expected to be paid. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for additional information on our benefit plans.

Since the recorded obligation represents the present value of expected postretirement benefit payments over the life of the plans, decreases in the discount rate (used to compute the present value of the payments) would cause the estimated obligation to increase. Conversely, an increase in the discount rate would cause the estimated present value of the obligation to decline.

The LTRR on plan assets reflects an assumption regarding what the amount of earnings would be on existing plan assets (before considering any future contributions to the plan). Increases in the assumed LTRR would cause the projected value of plan assets available to satisfy postretirement obligations to increase, yielding a reduced net expense of these obligations in future years. A reduction in the LTRR would reduce the amount of projected net assets available to satisfy postretirement obligations and, thus, cause the net expense of these obligations to increase in future years. A change in plan provisions could cause the estimated obligations to change. An increase in annual benefits expected to be paid would increase the estimated present value of the obligations and conversely, a decrease in annual benefits expected to be paid would decrease the estimated present value of the obligations.

The impact on the combined pension and other postretirement liabilities of a change in the weighted average discount rate of 0.25% would be approximately $3.5 million as of December 31, 2023, and would impact pretax earnings in 2024 by approximately $0.3 million. A change in the assumption for the weighted average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of 0.25% would impact pretax earnings by approximately $0.2 million for 2024.

New Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of all recently adopted and recently issued but not yet adopted accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.

Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The following quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk should be read in conjunction with Note 8 and Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K. Our operating results are sensitive to changes in the prices of primary aluminum, certain alloying metals, natural gas, electricity and foreign currency, and also depend to a significant degree upon the volume and mix of products sold to customers. We have historically utilized hedging transactions to lock in a specified price or range of prices for certain products which we sell or consume in our production process, and to mitigate our exposure to changes in energy prices.

Aluminum

In 2023 and 2022, settlements of derivative contracts were for 207.5 million pounds and 271.9 million pounds, respectively, of hedged shipments sold on pricing terms that created aluminum price risk for us. At December 31, 2023, we had derivative contracts with respect to approximately 56.4 million pounds and 7.1 million pounds to hedge sales to be made in 2024 and 2025, respectively, on pricing terms that create aluminum price risk for us.

Based on the aluminum derivative positions held by us to hedge firm-price customer sales agreements, we estimate that a $0.10/lb decrease in the LME market price of aluminum as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, with all other variables held constant, would have resulted in an unrealized mark-to-market loss of $6.3 million in both periods, with corresponding changes to the net fair value of our aluminum derivative positions. In addition, we estimate that a $0.05/lb decrease in the Midwest premium for aluminum as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, with all other variables held constant, would have resulted in an unrealized mark-to-market loss of $1.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively, with corresponding changes to the net fair value of our aluminum derivative positions.

Alloying Metals

We are exposed to the risk of fluctuating prices of certain alloying metals, especially copper, zinc, and magnesium, to the extent that changes in their prices do not highly correlate with price changes for aluminum. Copper, zinc, magnesium, and certain other metals are used in our remelt operations to cast rolling ingot and extrusion billet with the proper chemistry for our products. From time to time, we enter into forward contract swaps and/or physical delivery commitments with third parties to mitigate our risk from fluctuations in the prices of these alloys. As of December 31, 2023, we had forward swap contracts with settlement dates designed to align with the timing of scheduled purchases of zinc and copper by our manufacturing facilities. We estimate that a $0.10/lb decrease in the market price of zinc and copper as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, with all other variables held constant, would have resulted in an unrealized mark-to-market loss of $0.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively, with corresponding changes to the net fair value of our zinc and copper derivative positions.

Energy

We are exposed to the risk of fluctuating prices for natural gas and electricity. We, from time to time, in the ordinary course of business, enter into hedging transactions and/or physical delivery commitments with firm prices with third parties to mitigate our risk from fluctuations in natural gas and electricity prices. We estimate that a $1.00 per mmbtu decrease in natural gas prices would have resulted in an unrealized mark-to-market loss of $3.4 million and $3.5 million as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, with corresponding changes to the net fair value of our natural gas derivative positions. We estimate that a $5.00 per Mwh decrease in electricity prices would have resulted in an unrealized mark‐to‐market loss of $0.3 million as of December 31, 2023, with corresponding changes to the net fair value of our electricity derivative positions. As of December 31, 2022, we had no outstanding electricity derivative positions.

Foreign Currency

As of December 31, 2023, we hedged certain lease transactions and equipment purchases denominated in Euros and British Pounds using forward swap contracts with settlement dates through January 2026. We estimate that a 10% decrease in the exchange rate of our hedged foreign currencies to U.S. dollars would have resulted in an unrealized mark-to-market loss of $1.9 million and $0.1 million as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, with corresponding changes to the net fair value of our foreign currency derivative positions.

Our primary foreign exchange exposure is the operating costs of our London, Ontario facility. We estimate that a 10% change in the Canadian dollar exchange rate as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 would have resulted in an annual operating cost impact of $2.7 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID:34) 45

Consolidated Balance Sheets 48

Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) 49

Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) 50

Statements of Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity 51

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows 52

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 53

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of

Kaiser Aluminum Corporation

Franklin, Tennessee

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Kaiser Aluminum Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures to respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (CONTINUED)

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Revenue Recognition — Refer to Notes 1 and 17 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company recognizes revenue as it fulfills its performance obligations and transfers control of products to its customers. For products that have no alternative use and for which the Company has an enforceable right to payment (including a reasonable profit) throughout the production process, revenue is recognized over time. In general, revenue recognized over time primarily relates to the Company’s Aero/HS products and Automotive Extrusions, with the revenue for the remainder of its products recognized at a point in time. For contracts recognized over time, control transfer occurs incrementally during the Company’s production process as progress is made on fulfilling the performance obligation. The Company uses the input method of determining the progress, capturing direct costs beginning at the point that billet or cast ingot is introduced into production at either the extrusion phase or the rolling phase, respectively. For products in production, the Company recognizes revenue using the cost incurred to date plus an estimate of reasonable margin.

Contract assets primarily relate to the Company’s enforceable right to consideration for work completed but not billed at the reporting date on contracts for products recognized over time. Contract assets also include amounts related to the Company’s contractual right to consideration for finished goods recognized over time that were in transit as of period end.

Given the volume of contracts that are recognized over time and the complexity of the determination of over time revenue, we identified revenue for over time contracts as a critical audit matter.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to revenue recognized over time included the following, among others:

•

We tested management’s controls over revenue recognized over time, including those over cost incurred to date and estimates of reasonable margin.

•

We tested the mathematical accuracy of management’s calculation of revenue recognized over time and the related contract asset.

•

We selected a sample of invoices with customers and performed the following:

We evaluated whether revenue was properly recognized as over time according to the contract terms with the customer.

We tested that the revenue associated with work-in-process and finished goods inventory was properly recognized at December 31, 2023.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (CONTINUED)

Nashville, Tennessee

February 22, 2024

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31,

(In millions of dollars, except shareand per share amounts)

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents $ 82.4 $ 57.4

Receivables:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 34.5 30.5

Operating lease assets 32.6 39.1

Deferred tax assets, net 6.0 7.5

Intangible assets, net 50.0 55.3

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accrued salaries, wages and related expenses 53.0 45.2

Other accrued liabilities 64.3 68.4

Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities 29.2 35.4

Pension and other postretirement benefits 76.8 69.3

Net liabilities of Salaried VEBA 3.8 16.5

Deferred tax liabilities 13.9 4.9

Long-term liabilities 81.7 74.7

Commitments and contingencies – Note 10

Stockholders’ equity:

Accumulated other comprehensive income 13.1 3.2

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,267.4 $ 2,288.8

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (LOSS)

Year Ended December 31,

(In millions of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

Costs and expenses:

Selling, general, administrative, research and development 122.7 110.9 118.8

Goodwill impairment — 20.5 —

Restructuring costs (benefit) 5.0 2.2 (0.8 )

Other operating charges, net — 3.2 —

Other (expense) income:

Other income (expense), net – Note 13 7.4 6.4 (38.9 )

Income (loss) before income taxes 56.3 (37.9 ) (24.0 )

Income tax (provision) benefit (9.1 ) 8.3 5.5

Net income (loss) per common share:

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Year Ended December 31,

(In millions of dollars)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax – Note 11:

Defined benefit plans 8.2 24.2 (1.6 )

Other comprehensive income, net of tax 9.9 6.9 15.0

Comprehensive income (loss) $ 57.1 $ (22.7 ) $ (3.5 )

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In millions of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

Net loss — — — (18.5 ) — — (18.5 )

Other comprehensive income, net of tax — — — — — 15.0 15.0

Cash dividends declared1 — — — (46.7 ) — — (46.7 )

Amortization of unearned equity compensation — — 12.6 — — — 12.6

Net loss — — — (29.6 ) — — (29.6 )

Other comprehensive income, net of tax — — — — — 6.9 6.9

Cash dividends declared1 — — — (50.1 ) — — (50.1 )

Amortization of unearned equity compensation — — 13.7 — — — 13.7

Other comprehensive income, net of tax — — — — — 9.9 9.9

Cash dividends declared1 — — — (50.4 ) — — (50.4 )

Amortization of unearned equity compensation — — 15.4 — — — 15.4

Dividends declared per common share were $3.08, $3.08 and $2.88 during 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

Year Ended December 31,

(In millions of dollars)

Cash flows from operating activities1:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 103.3 97.6 82.5

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets 5.3 9.3 9.0

Amortization of debt premium and debt issuance costs 2.2 2.3 2.1

Deferred income taxes 7.5 (12.0 ) (11.4 )

Non-cash asset impairment charges — 23.7 —

Loss on extinguishment of debt — — 35.9

Gain on disposition of property, plant and equipment (13.8 ) (6.0 ) (0.5 )

Gain on reimbursement on certain machinery and equipment – Note 13 — (6.0 ) —

Non-cash defined benefit net periodic postretirement benefit cost 13.4 13.1 9.4

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2.8 ) (1.5 ) (0.9 )

Annual variable cash contributions to Salaried VEBA — — (1.7 )

Long-term assets and liabilities, net (11.5 ) (10.3 ) (8.3 )

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 211.9 (63.1 ) 79.4

Cash flows from investing activities1:

Purchase of equity securities (0.3 ) (0.3 ) (0.4 )

Proceeds from sale of equity securities 0.1 — —

Proceeds from reimbursement on certain machinery and equipment – Note 13 — 6.0 —

Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment 15.2 11.0 1.8

Net cash used in investing activities (128.2 ) (125.8 ) (665.8 )

Cash flows from financing activities1:

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility 215.1 — —

Repayment of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (215.1 ) — —

Repayment of principal and redemption premium of 6.50% Senior Notes — — (380.9 )

Issuance of 4.50% Senior Notes — — 550.0

Cash paid for debt issuance costs — (1.8 ) (8.6 )

Repayment of finance lease (2.1 ) (2.1 ) (2.1 )

Cash dividends and dividend equivalents paid (50.4 ) (50.1 ) (46.7 )

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (54.3 ) (56.8 ) 109.1

See Note 16 for supplemental disclosure of cash flow information.

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

Notes Index

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES INDEX

Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 54

Note 2 Supplemental Balance Sheet Information 60

Note 3 Leases 61

Note 4 Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets 62

Note 5 Employee Benefits 63

Note 6 Multiemployer Pension Plans 68

Note 7 Employee Incentive Plans 69

Note 8 Derivatives, Hedging Programs and Other Financial Instruments 71

Note 9 Debt and Credit Facility 75

Note 10 Commitments and Contingencies 76

Note 11 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 78

Note 12 Restructuring 78

Note 13 Other Income (Expense), Net 79

Note 14 Income Tax Matters 80

Note 15 Net Income (Loss) Per Share 83

Note 16 Supplemental Cash Flow Information 84

Note 18 Subsequent Events 85

Notes Index

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

In this Form 10-K, unless the context otherwise requires, references in these notes to consolidated financial statements to “Kaiser Aluminum Corporation,” “Kaiser,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” and “our Company” refer collectively to Kaiser Aluminum Corporation and its subsidiaries.

Organization and Nature of Operations. Kaiser Aluminum Corporation specializes in the production of semi-fabricated specialty aluminum mill products, such as aluminum plate and sheet, bare and coated coil and extruded and drawn products, for the following end market applications: (i) Aero/HS products; (ii) Packaging; (iii) GE products; (iv) Automotive Extrusions; and (v) Other products. Our business is organized into one operating segment. See Note 17 for additional information regarding our business, product and geographical area information and concentration of risk.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries and are prepared in accordance with GAAP and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities known to exist as of the date the financial statements are published and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements; accordingly, it is possible that the actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions, which could have a material effect on the reported amounts of our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Supply Chain Financing. Upon our acquisition of Warrick (see Note 4), we became party to several supply chain financing arrangements, in which we may sell certain of our customers’ trade accounts receivable to such customers’ financial institutions without recourse. We sell our undivided interests in certain of these receivables at our discretion when we determine that the cost of these arrangements is less than the cost of servicing our receivables with existing debt. Under the terms of the agreements, we retain no rights or interest, have no obligations with respect to the sold receivables and do not service the receivables after the sale. As such, we account for these transactions as a sale (see Note 13).

Fair Value Measurements. We apply the fair value hierarchy established by GAAP for the recognition and measurement of certain financial assets and liabilities. An asset or liability’s fair value classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. In determining fair value, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible and consider counterparty risk in our assessment of fair value. We also review the underlying inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement of financial instruments to determine if a transfer among hierarchy levels is appropriate.

Financial assets and liabilities that we measure at fair value each period include our derivative instruments and equity investments related to our deferred compensation plan (see Note 5 and Note 8). Additionally, we measure at fair value once each year at December 31 the plan assets of our defined benefit pension and postretirement plans including the Salaried VEBA (see Note 5). In determining the fair value of the plan assets at an annual period end, we utilize primarily the results of valuations supplied by the investment advisors responsible for managing the assets of each plan, which we independently review for reasonableness. We record our remaining financial assets and liabilities at carrying value.

Goodwill is tested for impairment during the fourth quarter on an annual basis, as well as on an interim basis, as warranted, at the time of relevant events and changes in circumstances. Our evaluation of goodwill for impairment involves the comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. We estimate the fair value of a reporting unit using a combination of an income approach and a market-based approach. Intangible asset fair values and useful lives are determined using the income approach valuation methodology. The income approach incorporates the use of cash flow projections and a discount rate that are developed using market participant-based assumptions. The cash flow projections are based on, among other factors, the expected future period of benefit of the asset, the various characteristics of the asset, long‐term forecasts of the business, market prices, projected cash flows and the rate used in discounting those cash flows. Intangible assets with definite lives are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently amortized over the estimated useful lives to reflect the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed. In the event the pattern cannot be reliably determined, we use a straight-line amortization method. Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible assets may not be recoverable, the intangible assets are reviewed for impairment. See Note 4 for discussion on business combinations, goodwill and intangible assets.

Notes Index

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For a majority of our remaining non-financial assets and liabilities, which include inventories, debt issuance costs and property, plant and equipment, we are not required to measure their fair value on a recurring basis. However, if certain triggering events occur, an evaluation of the affected non-financial asset or liability will be required, which could result in a reduction to the carrying amount of such asset or liability. See “Property, Plant and Equipment, Net” below for a discussion of impairment charges on long-lived physical assets. See Note 9 for the fair value of our Long-term debt, net.

Government Grants. From time to time, we receive grants from certain governmental agencies such as states and municipalities. We recognize government grants when we have reasonable assurance that we will comply with any conditions attached to the grant and the grant will be received. Government grants related to property, plant and equipment are presented as a reduction to the related asset’s carrying amount. Grants related to compensation for expenses already incurred or for immediate financial support with no future related costs are recognized as income in the period in which they are receivable. The following table presents the total government assistance recognized during the year ended December 31, 2023 (in millions of dollars):

Grantor Grant Amount Duration Classification

Total $ 1.6

To be eligible to receive and keep the full amount of the IN EDGE Tax Credit, we must achieve: (i) minimum cumulative expenditures towards capital expenditures and (ii) a minimum number of full-time employees.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. We consider only those short-term, highly liquid investments which, when purchased, have maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents consist primarily of funds in money market funds, which are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Restricted Cash. We are required to keep on deposit certain amounts that are pledged or held as collateral relating to workers’ compensation and other agreements. We account for such deposits as restricted cash (see Note 16). From time to time, such restricted funds could be returned to us or we could be required to pledge additional cash.

Trade Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses. Trade receivables primarily consist of amounts billed to customers for products sold. Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 to 90 days. For the majority of our receivables, we establish an allowance for credit losses based upon collection experience and other factors including, but not limited to, customer credit ratings, bankruptcy filings, published or estimated credit default rates, age of receivables, expected loss rates and collateral exposures. On certain other receivables where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability or reluctance to pay, an allowance for credit losses is established against amounts due, to reduce the net receivable balance to the amount we reasonably expect to collect. However, if circumstances change, our estimate of the recoverability of accounts receivable could be different. Circumstances that could affect our estimates include, but are not limited to, customer credit issues and general economic conditions. Accounts are written off once deemed to be uncollectible. Any subsequent cash collections relating to accounts that have been previously written off are typically recorded as a reduction to total bad debt expense in the period of payment. Write-offs for 2023, 2022, and 2021 were immaterial to our consolidated financial statements.

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Finished products, work-in-process, and raw material inventories are stated on the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the cost of our inventory on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis, which approximates the current replacement cost, exceeded its stated LIFO value by $56.0 million and $84.6 million, respectively. Other inventories are stated on the FIFO basis and consist of operating supplies, which are materials and supplies to be consumed during the production process. Inventory costs consist of material, labor and manufacturing overhead, including depreciation. Abnormal costs, such as idle facility expenses, freight, handling costs and spoilage, are accounted for as current period charges. See Note 2 for the components of inventories.

Replacement Parts. Replacement parts consist of preventative maintenance and capital spare parts, which are stated on the FIFO basis. Replacement parts are recorded within Prepaid expenses and other current assets or Other assets depending on whether or not the expected utilization of the replacement parts is to occur within the next 12 months.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net. Property, plant and equipment, net, is recorded at cost and includes construction in progress (see Note 2). Property, plant and equipment acquired in the Warrick acquisition was recorded at fair value as of the date of acquisition (see Note 4). Interest related to the construction of qualifying assets is capitalized as part of the construction costs (see Note 9).

Notes Index

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method at rates based on the estimated useful lives of the various classes of assets. Depreciable finance lease assets and leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Range(in years)

Land improvements 1-25

Buildings and leasehold improvements 2-45

Machinery and equipment 1-22

Depreciable finance lease assets 2-120

Depreciation expense is included in Depreciation and amortization within our Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss).

Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. We regularly assess whether events and circumstances with the potential to trigger impairment have occurred and rely on a number of factors, including operating results, business plans, economic projections, and anticipated future cash flow, to make such assessments. We use an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows of the related asset or asset group over the estimated remaining life of such asset or asset group in measuring whether the asset or asset group is recoverable.

There were no impairment charges in 2023, 2022, and 2021. Asset impairment charges are included in Other operating charges, net, in our Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss).

We classify assets as held for sale only when an asset is being actively marketed and expected to sell within 12 months. Assets held for sale are initially measured at the lesser of the assets’ carrying amount and the fair value less costs to sell.

Cloud Computing Implementation Costs. We defer implementation costs associated with a software hosting arrangement that meets the definition of a service contract. We recognize these deferred costs within Prepaid expenses and other current assets and within Other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. When the project is placed into service, we amortize the deferred implementation costs over the term of the hosting arrangement inclusive of expected renewal periods to the same line item in the Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) as the underlying arrangement. The following table summarizes the total deferred implementation costs and accumulated amortization related to the hosted cloud computing software for our enterprise resource planning system refresh project (in millions of dollars):

As of December 31, Average

Deferred implementation costs1 $ 11.7 $ 10.4 $ 7.8 9 years

Accumulated amortization $ (2.2 ) $ (1.1 ) $ (0.1 ) n/a

We began amortizing deferred implementation costs in December 2021 and will amortize such costs within Selling, general, administrative, research and development over a nine-year period.

We recorded amortization expense of $1.1 million, $1.0 million, and $0.1 million in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

Leases. We determine whether an agreement is a lease at inception. We have operating and finance leases for equipment and real estate that primarily have fixed lease payments. For purposes of calculating lease liabilities, options to extend or terminate a lease are included within the lease term when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such options. Short-term leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use information available at the lease commencement date in determining an incremental borrowing rate when calculating our right-of-use lease assets and liabilities. In determining the inputs to the incremental borrowing rate calculation, we make judgments about the value of the leased asset, our credit rating, and the lease term, including the probability of our exercising options to extend or terminate the underlying lease. Additionally, we make judgments around contractual asset substitution rights in determining whether a contract contains a lease.

We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. These non-lease components include items such as common area maintenance, taxes, and insurance for our real estate leases, as well as maintenance charges

Notes Index

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

related to our equipment leases. We have, however, applied the practical expedient within ASC No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC 2016-02”), to not separate lease and non-lease components to our embedded supply system equipment leases and have therefore accounted for both lease and non‐lease components in determining the lease assets and liabilities.

Many of our equipment leases contain clauses that require us to return the equipment with certain functionality intact. We account for these costs as residual value guarantees when the guarantee becomes probable of being owed. Our lease agreements do not contain any material restrictive covenants.

Derivative Financial Instruments. Consistent with guidelines established by management and approved by our Board of Directors, we use derivative financial instruments to mitigate our exposure to changes in the market price of aluminum, certain alloying metals, energy and, to a lesser extent, foreign currency exchange rates. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. Hedging transactions are executed centrally on behalf of all of our operations to minimize transaction costs, monitor consolidated net exposures, and allow for increased responsiveness to changes in market factors.

We reflect the fair value of all of our derivative instruments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of hedges settling within one year is included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets or Other accrued liabilities. The fair value of hedges settling beyond one year is included in Other assets or Long-term liabilities. Cash flows related to all of our derivative instruments are reported in our Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows within the same category as the items being hedged. See Note 8 for additional information on our derivative financial instruments.

Self-Insurance of Workers’ Compensation and Employee Healthcare Liabilities. We self-insure the majority of the costs of workers’ compensation benefits and employee healthcare benefits and rely on insurance coverage to protect us from large losses on individual claims. Workers’ compensation liabilities are based on a combination of estimates for: (i) incurred-but-not-reported claims and (ii) the ultimate expense of incurred claims. Such estimates are based on judgment, using our historical claims data and information and analysis provided by actuarial and claims advisors, our insurance carriers and other professionals. Accrued liabilities for employee healthcare benefits, which are estimates of unpaid incurred medical and prescription drug costs as provided by our healthcare administrators, were $7.7 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Debt Issuance Costs. Costs incurred in connection with debt financing are deferred and amortized over the estimated term of the related borrowing. Such amortization is included in Interest expense in our Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss). Unamortized issuance costs are presented within Long-term debt, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 9).

Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations (“CAROs”). We have CAROs at several of our manufacturing facilities. Our CAROs can be separated into two primary categories: (i) legal obligations related to the removal and disposal of asbestos and (ii) CAROs related to future lease terminations. The majority of our CAROs relate to the first category and consist of incremental costs that would be associated with the removal and disposal of asbestos (all of which is believed to be fully contained and encapsulated within walls, floors, roof, piping, or equipment insulation) of certain of our older facilities if such facilities were to undergo major renovation or be demolished. We estimate incremental costs for special handling, removal and disposal costs of materials that may or will give rise to CAROs and then discount the expected costs back to the current year using a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate. When it is unclear when or if CAROs will be triggered, we use probability weighting for possible timing scenarios to determine the probability-weighted liability amounts that should be recognized in our consolidated financial statements (see Note 10).

Environmental Contingencies. With respect to environmental loss contingencies, we record a loss contingency whenever a contingency is probable and reasonably estimable (see Note 10). Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations are generally recognized no later than the completion of the remedial feasibility study. Such accruals are adjusted as information develops or circumstances change. Costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations are not discounted to their present value. Accruals for expected environmental costs are included in Other accrued liabilities or Long-term liabilities, as appropriate (see Note 2). Environmental expense relating to continuing operations is included in COGS in our Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss). Environmental expense relating to non-operating locations is included in Selling, general, administrative, research and development (“SG&A and R&D”) in our Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss).

Notes Index

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue as we fulfill our performance obligations and transfer control of products to our customers. For products that have an alternative use and/or for which we do not have an enforceable right to payment (including a reasonable profit) during the production process, we recognize revenue at a point in time. For products that have no alternative use and for which we have an enforceable right to payment (including a reasonable profit) throughout the production process, we recognize revenue over time. In general, revenue recognized over time primarily relates to our Aero/HS products and our Automotive Extrusions with the remainder of our products recognized at a point in time. In limited circumstances, we have concluded that we are an agent in certain Packaging end market arrangements. For these transactions, revenue has been recognized on a net basis.

For the majority of our business, contracts with customers begin when we acknowledge a purchase order for a specific customer order of product to be delivered in the near term. These purchase orders are short term in nature, although they may reference a longer term “blanket purchase order” or a “terms and conditions” agreement, both of which may span multiple years. For revenue recognized at a point in time, transfer of control usually occurs upon shipment or upon customer receipt of the product, depending on shipping terms. For contracts recognized over time, control transfer occurs incrementally during our production process as progress is made on fulfilling the performance obligation. We use the input method of determining our progress, capturing direct costs beginning at the point that billet or cast ingot is introduced into production at either the extrusion phase or the rolling phase, respectively. We believe the input method more accurately reflects the transfer of control as it represents the best information available of work completed to date for which we have an enforceable right to payment. For products in production, we recognize revenue using estimates of the cost incurred to date plus a reasonable margin. As the duration of our contracts for accounting purposes is typically less than one year, we do not present quantitative information about the aggregate transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of the reporting period.

We adjust the amount of revenue recognized on all products, regardless of timing of revenue recognition, for variable price consideration, which could include metal market price adjustments, volume rebates and sales discounts. We estimate rebate and discount values based on forecasted order data and historical payment trends for specific customers, adjusted as necessary at each reporting period. Accounts receivable is recorded when our right to consideration becomes unconditional. Payment terms for a majority of our customers is 30 to 90 days, with the longer terms generally to accommodate customers with deliveries to overseas locations. As such, we do not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component as we do not expect the period between the transfer of control of products to our customers and receipt of payment will be greater than one year.

Contract assets primarily relate to our enforceable right to consideration for work completed but not billed at the reporting date on contracts for products recognized over time. Contract assets also include amounts related to our contractual right to consideration for finished goods recognized over time that were in transit as of period end.

Incremental Costs of Obtaining a Contract. We expense the costs of obtaining a contract as incurred as the amortization period of the asset that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less.

Shipping and Handling Activities. We account for shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control of a product as fulfillment activities (i.e., an expense) rather than as a promised service (i.e., a revenue element).

Advertising Costs. Advertising costs, which are included in SG&A and R&D, are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs for 2023 and 2021 were $0.1 million. We had no advertising costs in 2022.

Research and Development Costs. Research and development costs, which are included in SG&A and R&D, are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs for 2023, 2022, and 2021 were $11.1 million, $9.3 million and $9.3 million, respectively.

Major Maintenance Activities. All major maintenance costs are accounted for using the direct expensing method.

Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation in the form of service-based awards is provided to executive officers, certain employees and non-employee directors and is accounted for at fair value. We measure the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award and the number of awards expected to ultimately vest. The grant-date fair value is determined based on the stock price on the date of grant, adjusted for expected dividends or dividend equivalents to be paid during the vesting period.

Notes Index

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We also grant performance-based awards to executive officers and other key employees. The methodology used to value these performance-based awards is based on the nature of the performance conditions within those awards. Awards that are subject to performance conditions pertaining to total shareholder return (market-based awards) are valued on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo valuation model. The key assumptions in applying this model are an expected volatility and a risk-free interest rate. Awards with certain other performance conditions (non-market-based awards) are valued based on our stock price at the date of grant. Our non‐market-based awards have performance conditions pertaining to our cost performance and adjusted EBITDA margin performance, which is measured by our Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Conversion Revenue, which is Net sales less the Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal. As used in this discussion, “Hedged Cost of Alloyed Metal” is the cost of aluminum at the average MWTP plus the cost of alloying elements and any realized gains and/or losses on settled hedges related to the metal sold in the referenced period. Holders of performance-based awards receive a one-time payment at the time of issuance of vested shares based on the total dividends they would have received if the vested shares had been held of record from the date of grant through the date of issuance. See Note 7 for more information on our stock-based compensation.

The cost of service-based awards, including time-vested restricted stock and performance shares, is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period of the award on a straight-line basis. Adjustments to expense related to forfeitures are recorded in the period in which they occur. We recognize stock-based compensation expense for market-based awards if the requisite service period is rendered, even if the market condition is never satisfied. For performance shares with performance conditions pertaining to our cost performance and Adjusted EBITDA margin performance, the related expense is updated quarterly by adjusting the estimated number of shares expected to vest based on the most probable outcome of the performance condition (see Note 7).

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

There have been no new accounting pronouncements adopted since the filing of the 2022 Form 10-K.

Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

Disclosure Improvements. In October 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2023-06 (“ASU 2023-06”), Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative. The guidance amends GAAP to reflect updates and simplifications to certain disclosure requirements referred to the FASB by the SEC. The amendments in ASU 2023-06 will become effective on the date which the SEC’s removal of the related disclosure becomes effective. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC does not remove the related disclosure, the pending amendment will be removed from ASC 2023-06 and it will not be effective. We do not expect this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Segment Reporting. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07 (“ASU 2023-07”), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The guidance primarily will require enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. All disclosure requirements under ASU 2023-07 and existing segment disclosures in ASC 280, Segment Reporting are also required for public entities with a single reportable segment. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and are to be applied on a retrospective basis. We are evaluating the impact of the standard on our reporting disclosures.

Income Taxes. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09 (“ASU 2023-09”), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The guidance is intended to improve income tax disclosure requirements by requiring (i) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (ii) the disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The guidance makes several other changes to the income tax disclosure requirements. The amendments in ASU 2023-09 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and is required to be applied prospectively with the option of retrospective application. We are evaluating the impact of the standard on our income tax disclosures.

Notes Index

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Supplemental Balance Sheet Information

As of December 31,

(In millions of dollars)

Trade Receivables, Net

Allowance for doubtful receivables (0.6 ) (0.5 )

Inventories

Finished products $ 89.3 $ 98.0

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

Land and improvements $ 38.0 $ 28.4

Buildings and leasehold improvements 238.4 185.5

Property, plant and equipment, gross 1,715.4 1,587.9

Accumulated depreciation and amortization (663.7 ) (574.9 )

Land held for sale 0.4 0.2

Property, plant and equipment, net $ 1,052.1 $ 1,013.2

Other Assets

Assets to be conveyed associated with Warrick acquisition $ 56.8 $ 56.8

Long-term replacement parts 16.7 15.5

Other Accrued Liabilities

Uncleared cash disbursements $ 15.7 $ 13.6

Accrued income taxes and other taxes payable 9.5 8.9

Accrued annual contribution to Salaried VEBA – Note 5 1.1 —

Accrued interest 9.9 9.9

Short-term environmental accrual – Note 10 2.8 1.1

Current operating lease liabilities – Note 3 8.0 9.1

Current finance lease liabilities – Note 3 2.1 2.1

Other accrued liabilities $ 64.3 $ 68.4

Long-Term Liabilities

Workers' compensation accrual $ 29.9 $ 30.9

Long-term environmental accrual – Note 10 14.2 16.6

Other long-term liabilities 37.6 27.2

Long-term liabilities $ 81.7 $ 74.7

Notes Index

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3. Leases

The following table presents lease terms and discount rates:

As of December 31,

Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):

Operating leases 8.9 7.0

Weighted-average discount rate:

The following table summarizes the classification of lease assets and lease liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions of dollars):

As of December 31,

Operating lease assets Operating lease assets $ 32.6 $ 39.1

Finance lease assets Property, plant and equipment, net $ 14.3 $ 6.7

Current operating lease liabilities Other accrued liabilities $ 8.0 $ 9.1

Total operating lease liabilities $ 37.2 $ 44.5

Current finance lease liabilities Other accrued liabilities $ 2.1 $ 2.1

Non-current finance lease liabilities Long-term liabilities $ 12.9 $ 5.0

Total finance lease liabilities $ 15.0 $ 7.1

The following table summarizes the components of lease cost in our Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (in millions of dollars):

Year Ended December 31,

Short-term lease cost 4.3 4.3 3.2

Finance lease cost:

Amortization of leased assets 2.4 2.5 2.1

Interest on lease liabilities 0.7 0.3 0.3

The following table presents the maturity of our lease liabilities as of December 31, 2023 (in millions of dollars):

Finance Leases Operating Leases

Total minimum lease payments $ 35.1 $ 46.9

Less: interest (20.1 ) (9.7 )

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KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4. Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Business Combinations. On March 31, 2021, we acquired Warrick for a final aggregate purchase consideration, after giving effect to working capital adjustments and indebtedness related to postretirement benefits, of $609.2 million. Warrick is a leading producer of bare and coated aluminum coil used for can stock applications in the beverage and food packaging industry in North America. The transaction provided us with non-cyclical end market diversification and re-entry into the packaging end market.

Goodwill. In conjunction with our acquisition of Warrick, we added $20.5 million of goodwill after allocating the consideration paid, net of cash received to all other identifiable assets. The goodwill reflected the value we expected from our re-entry into the Packaging end market and our assembled workforce. In conjunction with our annual testing and due to downward revisions in forecasted operating margins as a result of supply chain challenges, inflationary cost pressures and manufacturing inefficiencies, we determined that the carrying value of Warrick exceeded its fair value, and we recognized an impairment charge of $20.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 within Operating income in the Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss). We estimated the fair value of Warrick using a combination of an income approach and a market-based approach. The income approach incorporated the use of cash flow projections and a discount rate that is developed using market participant-based assumptions. The cash flow projections are based on our best estimates of the long-term forecasts of the business, market prices, projected cash flows, and the rate used in the discounting of those cash flows. As goodwill is deductible for tax purposes, the deferred tax effects were included in the impairment charge and income tax provision. The following table presents the changes in the carrying value of our goodwill (in millions of dollars):

As of December 31,

Gross carrying value1:

Beginning balance $ 57.7 $ 57.7

Warrick impairment — (20.5 )

Accumulated impairment loss1 (38.9 ) (18.4 )

Net carrying value $ 18.8 $ 18.8

The gross carrying value and accumulated impairment loss excludes $25.2 million of goodwill recorded in conjunction with our acquisition of IMT.

Intangible Assets. The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization by major intangible asset class (in millions of dollars, except amortization periods):

Non-compete agreement 5 5.4 (5.4 ) —

Non-compete agreement 5 5.4 (4.6 ) 0.8

During the year ended December 31, 2022, we impaired the remaining book value of our favorable commodity contracts intangible asset as the supplier associated with the intangible asset ceased all deliveries of magnesium to us and provided no indication of when or if deliveries would resume over the remainder of the contract. The impairment charge of $3.1 million was included within Other operating charges, net, in our Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss). We identified no indicators of impairment associated with our intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2021.

Notes Index

KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Amortization expense relating to definite-lived intangible assets was $5.3 million, $9.3 million and $9.0 million for 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The following table presents the expected amortization of intangible assets for each of the next five calendar years and thereafter as of December 31, 2023 (in millions of dollars):

5. Employee Benefits

Defined Contribution Plans

We sponsor defined contribution 401(k) savings plans for certain hourly and salaried employees. Employees may contribute a portion of their compensation to the plans, and we match a specified percentage of these contributions in equivalent form of the investments elected by the employee. In addition, we make fixed annual contributions for certain hourly and salaried employees in varying amounts depending on hire date.

Deferred Compensation Plan

We sponsor a non-qualified, unfunded, unsecured plan of deferred compensation for certain employees who would otherwise suffer a loss of benefits under our defined contribution plan as a result of the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Despite the plan being an unfunded plan, we make an annual contribution to a rabbi trust to fulfill future funding obligations, as contemplated by the terms of the plan. The assets in the trust are held in various investment funds at certain registered investment companies (see discussion below in “Fair Value of Plan Assets”) and are at all times subject to the claims of our general creditors. No participant has a claim to any assets of the trust; however, participants are eligible to receive distributions from the trust subject to vesting and other eligibility requirements. Offsetting liabilities relating to the deferred compensation plan are included within Other accrued liabilities and Long-term liabilities. Assets in the trust are accounted for as equity investments with changes in fair value recorded within Other income (expense), net (see Note 13).

Other Benefits

We provide other benefits for certain members of senior management, including certain of our named executive officers, related to terminations of employment in specified circumstances, including in connection with a change in control, by us without cause and by the executive officer with good reason.

Defined Benefit Plans

Pension. We sponsor defined benefit pension plans for certain hourly bargaining unit employees and salaried employees. Pension benefits generally depend on length of service, job grade, and remuneration. Substantially all benefits are paid through pension trusts that are sufficiently funded to ensure that all plans can pay benefits to retirees as they become due. We use a December 31 measurement date for our pension plans.

OPEB. We sponsor an OPEB plan covering certain eligible retirees. Generally, the medical plans are unfunded and pay a percentage of medical expenses, reduced by deductibles and other coverage. Life insurance benefits are generally provided by insurance contracts. We use a December 31 measurement date for our OPEB plan.

Salaried VEBA Postretirement Obligation. Certain retirees who retired prior to 2004 and certain employees who were hired prior to February 2002 and have subsequently retired or will retire with the requisite age and service, along with their surviving spouses and eligible dependents, are eligible to participate in a Salaried VEBA. The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (“APBO”) for the Salaried VEBA was computed based on the level of benefits being provided. Since the Salaried VEBA pays out a fixed annual amount to its participants, no future cost trend rate increase was assumed in computing the APBO for the Salaried VEBA.

Notes Index

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have an ongoing obligation with no express termination date to make variable cash contributions up to a maximum of $2.9 million annually to the Salaried VEBA. The Salaried VEBA assets were invested in various managed funds based on information we received from the trustee of the Salaried VEBA. Our variable payment, if any, is treated as a funding/contribution policy and not counted as a Salaried VEBA asset at the accrual date for actuarial purposes. We determined that in the first quarter of 2024, we will pay approximately $1.1 million with respect to 2023. Such amount was recorded within Other accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2023 (see Note 2). There was no payment made with respect to 2022 during the first quarter of 2023. We account for the Salaried VEBA as a defined benefit plan in our financial statements using a December 31 measurement date.

Key Assumptions. The following table presents the weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:

Pension Plans1 OPEB Salaried VEBA

As of December 31, As of December 31, As of December 31,

Rate of compensation increase 2.63 % 2.69 % — % — % — % — %

Assumptions for our pension plans are weighted based on the total benefit obligations of each.

The following table presents the weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic postretirement benefit cost:

Pension Plans1 OPEB Salaried VEBA

Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,

Rate of compensation increase 2.63 % 2.69 % 2.74 % — % — % — % — % — % — %

Assumptions for our pension plans are weighted based on the total benefit obligations of each.

The expected long-term rate of return assumption for the Salaried VEBA is based on the targeted investment portfolios provided to us by the trustee of the Salaried VEBA.

Notes Index

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In measuring the expected cost of benefits covered by our OPEB plan, we estimate a healthcare cost trend rate representing the annual rates of change in the costs of the healthcare benefits currently provided by the OPEB plan. The 2023 actuarial valuation assumed a 6.9% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare claims with the rate decreasing until reaching 4.0% in 2036.

Benefit Obligations and Funded Status. The following table presents the benefit obligations and funded status of our pension plans, OPEB, and the Salaried VEBA and the corresponding amounts that are included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions of dollars):

Pension Plans OPEB Salaried VEBA

As of December 31, As of December 31, As of December 31,

Change in benefit obligation:

Foreign currency translation adjustment 0.2 (0.5 ) — — — —

Prior service cost (credit)1 6.6 — — — (8.8 ) —

Plan participants contributions 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 — —

Change in plan assets:

Fair market value of plan assets at beginning of year 14.9 9.8 — — 42.4 59.2

Foreign currency translation adjustment 0.2 (0.5 ) — — — —

Actual return on assets 1.4 (2.6 ) — — 6.1 (10.2 )

Plan participants contributions 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 — —

Fair market value of plan assets at end of year 20.5 14.9 — — 43.1 42.4

Cumulative gain (loss) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income:

Prior service cost (6.1 ) — — — (16.0 ) (29.7 )

The prior service cost relating to our pension plans in 2023 resulted from a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with the USW Local 104. In connection with the agreement, we amended the Kaiser Aluminum Warrick pension plan to increase certain pension benefits for covered plan participants, resulting in a $6.6 million pre-tax prior service cost, which we recorded in AOCI and amortize on a straight-line basis over approximately 10 years. The prior service credit relating to the Salaried VEBA in 2023 resulted from a decrease in the annual healthcare reimbursement benefit for plan participants.

KALU US Equity

KALU · 10-K · period ended 2023-12-31

Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

KALU US Equity☆

KALU · 10-K · period ended 2023-12-31

Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

KALU US Equity