Alba reports soaring profits in second-quarter, half-year results

A summary of second-quarter and first-half results posted by Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) for the period ending June 30, 2022

  • Top-line driven by higher London Metal Exchange prices, despite flat sales volumes
  • Results affected by higher costs and rising distribution expenses
  • Weak economic activity, higher inflation and rising interest rates have had a negative impact on consumer demand
  • Macro-economic factors continue to pressure markets, resulting in unclear direction and price trends
  • Company aims to exceed 2022 production target of 1,560,000 tonnes.
  • Value-added sales averaged 67% of total shipments in the first half of 2022, compared with 64% in the same period of 2021.

Second quarter (April-June) 2022

(year-on-year change)

Profit
$483.9 million, up by 97% year-on-year from $246.2 million.

Total comprehensive Income
$536.9 million, up 123% year on year from $241.1 million.

Gross profit
$553.2 million, up by 68% year on year from $328.9 million.

Revenue
$1.38 billion, up by 41% year on year from $984 million.

First half (January-June) 2022

(year-on-year change)

Profit
$874.3 million, up by 127% year on year from $385.1 million.

Total comprehensive income
$951.8 million, up by 140% year on year, from $396.5 million.

Gross profit
$1.03 billion, up 89% year on year from 543.0 million.

Revenue
$2.59 billion, up by 45% year on year from $1.78 billion.

First-half production
787,592 tonnes, up by 1.7% year on year.

First-half sales volumes
742,658 metric tonnes, flat year on year.

Register for the International Aluminium Conference today

Hear from Alba’s CEO, Ali Al Baqali and other notable industry leaders as they share news and insights at this year’s International Aluminium Conference taking place in Barcelona, Spain 13-15 September.

Register now or view the agenda

What to read next
The US trade roller coaster ride seems to be flattening, with signs of potential moderation and stability. It appears increasingly likely that our original expectation that the US Trump administration would primarily use the threat of tariffs as a negotiating strategy will be correct. While we do not expect to the US tariff position return to pre-2025 levels, we believe the overall US tariff burden is more likely to settle at around 10-30% globally rather than the elevated rates of 50-100% that seemed possible in recent weeks.
The Mexico Metals Outlook 2025 conference explored challenges and opportunities in the steel, aluminum and scrap markets, focusing on tariffs, nearshoring, capacity growth and global trends.
China has launched a coordinated crackdown on the illegal export of strategic minerals under export control, such as antimony, gallium, germanium, tungsten and rare earths, the country’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday May 9.
Fastmarkets proposes to amend the frequency of Taiwan base metals prices from biweekly to monthly, and the delivery timing for the tin 99.99% ingot premium from two weeks to four weeks.
The US-China trade truce announced on May 12 has brought cautious optimism to China’s non-ferrous metals markets, signaling a possible shift in global trade. Starting May 14, the removal of additional tariffs has impacted sectors like battery raw materials, minor metals and base metals such as zinc and nickel, with mixed reactions. While the improved sentiment has lifted futures prices and trade activity, the long-term effects remain unclear due to challenges like supply-demand pressures and export controls.
The US-UK trade deal removes Section 232 tariffs on British steel and aluminium, reduces automotive tariffs and sets a framework for addressing global trade issues.