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• Adjusted earnings of NOK 1,133 million
• Lower metal prices and volumes
• Weaker product demand in seasonally weak quarter
• Record production in Paragominas and Qatalum
• Solid earnings in the Energy business area
• Increased repositioning measures
• Expected growth in demand of 3 to 5% outside of China
• Proposed dividend for 2011: NOK 0.75 per share

“Thanks to the ambitious and effective improvement measures in 2011, the year 2012 started for Hydro with a robust financial and operational position. Fourth quarter results reflect weaker markets and declining demand for aluminum and aluminum products, particularly in Europe. We clearly have to continue the restructuring there, ”says Hydro Svein CEO Richard Brandtzæg.
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“ We quickly took measures to improve operations, and we are prepared for more corrective measures may be necessary. Outside of China, we continue to expect aluminum demand to grow by three to five percent in 2012, despite the weak macroeconomic situation and short-term challenges. The basic conditions in the aluminum industry are still positive in the long term, ”says Brandtzæg.
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Due to weaker market conditions and cost pressures, Hydro wrote down NOK 1.3 billion in fixed assets in the quarter. These depreciations are not included in the adjusted results.
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Adjusted EBIT for the Bauxite & amp; Alumina declined compared to the third quarter due to the lower LME-linked prices for alumina. Bauxite mining reached record levels thanks to improved operational stability.
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In the Primary Metal business unit, lower aluminum prices, lower margins and lower sales influenced adjusted EBIT in the fourth quarter. Production increased, primarily due to higher Qatalum production.
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Hydro's midstream business was in the red in the quarter, driven by significant negative currency effects. Adjusted earnings, excluding currency effects, declined somewhat due to weaker trading results.
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Hydro's adjusted EBIT was lower than the third quarter result, which was caused due to the seasonal decline and weak market development, especially for the European part of the extrusion business.
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The Energy business unit delivered a solid adjusted result in the quarter and continued to have high production, even if compared declined slightly in the third quarter.
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In response to market developments, Hydro reduced production in the remelting plants and intensified the improvement programs and financial discipline. Cost savings and other improvements to Primary Metal in 2011 were approximately NOK one billion compared to operating costs in 2009. In January 2012, Hydro decided to shutdown 60,000 tons of its annual production capacity at the Kurri Kurri smelter in Australia. Low aluminum prices, increased raw material costs and the strong Australian dollar had a negative impact there. Several measures have been taken to increase production efficiency and cut costs across Hydro's processing operations. These include measures that are to bring about a U-turn at Building Systems, the targeted cost reductions compared to 2010 are estimated at 40 million euros by the end of 2012.
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Around one billion NOK of the above-mentioned depreciation is due the facility in Kurri Kurri knotted. About NOK 230 million of the remaining amount is linked to Hydro's construction systems business in Southern Europe. Hydro has also written off approximately NOK 300 million of the deferred tax assets related to operations in Australia and Southern Europe.
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In the fourth quarter, Hydro closed the sale of its ownership interest in the Alpart alumina refinery in Jamaica from. After-tax profit was NOK 465 million.
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Cash flow from operating activities was NOK 3.5 billion in the quarter. Cash flow for investing activities was NOK 1.3 billion. Hydro's net cash position at the end of 2011 was NOK 1.7 billion.
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For 2011 as a whole, adjusted EBIT was NOK 6,133 million, an increase compared to 2010 when it 3.351 million NOK. Higher prices for alumina and aluminum and higher production volumes due to the takeover of Vale and the completion of Qatalum had a positive effect on the development in the financial year.
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There is still considerable uncertainty regarding the global economic situation Development and its impact on the aluminum industry. A weak market development is expected in Southern Europe in particular.
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Hydro's Board of Directors proposes a dividend of CZK 0.75 per share for 2011. This reflects the company's goal of paying its shareholders a return. The dividend reflects the 2011 operating results and the company's strong financial position, but also takes into account the uncertain market outlook.

More information in English:

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Key financial information
NOK million, except per share data Fourth
quarter 2011
Third
quarter 2011
% change prior quarter Fourth quarter 2010 % change prior year quarter Year
2011
Year
2010
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Revenue 21,749 23,829 (9)% 19.406 12% 91,444 75,754
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Earnings before financial items and tax (EBIT) (362) 2,222 & gt; (100)% 768 & gt; (100)% 9,827 3,184
Items excluded from underlying EBIT 1,494 (576) & gt; 100% (180) & gt; 100% (3,694) 167
Underlying EBIT 1,133 1,646 (31)% 588 93% 6.133 3,351
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Underlying EBIT:
bauxite & amp; Alumina 159 302 (47)% 113 41% 887 633
Primary Metal 484 653 (26)% 86 & gt; 100% 2,486 617
Metal Markets (39) 93 & gt; (100)% 62 & gt; (100)% 441 321
Rolled Products 86 124 (31)% 105 (18)% 673 864
Extruded Products (90) 40 & gt; (100)% 24 & gt; (100)% 151 444
Energy 441 506 (13)% 482 (9)% 1,883 1,416
Other and eliminations 92 (73) & gt; 100% (284) & gt; 100% (389) (945)
Underlying EBIT 1,133 1,646 (31)% 588 93% 6.133 3,351
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Underlying EBITDA 2,524 2,985 (15)% 1,383 82% 11,152 6.420
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Net income (loss) (749) 797 & gt; (100)% 658 & gt; (100)% 6,749 2,118
Underlying net income (loss) 876 1,071 (18)% 376 & gt; 100% 3,947 1,852
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Earnings per share (0.36) 0.49 & gt; (100)% 0.39 & gt; (100)% 3.41 1.33
Underlying earnings per share 0.42 0.50 (16)% 0.21 97% 1.89 1.14
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Financial data: & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp;
Investments 4,190 1.125 & gt; 100% 1,613 & gt; 100% 48,025 6,231
Adjusted net interest-bearing debt (19,895) (18,389) (8)% (6,427) & gt; (100)% (19,895) (6,427)
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Key Operational information
Alumina production (kmt) 1,490 1,553 (4)% 493 & gt; 100% 5,264 1,976
Primary aluminum production (kmt) 539 522 3% 360 50% 1,982 1.415
Realized aluminum price LME (USD / mt) 2,439 2,592 (6)% 2,074 18% 2,480 2,113
Realized aluminum price LME (NOK / mt) 13,834 14,225 (3)% 12,436 11% 13,884 12,674
Realized NOK / USD exchange rate 5.67 5.49 3% 6.00 (6)% 5.60 6.00
Metal Markets sales volumes to external market (kmt) 564 527 7% 417 35% 2,091 1,717
Rolled Products sales volumes to external market (kmt) 215 228 (6)% 234 (8)% 929 945
Extruded Products sales volumes to external market (kmt) 121 137 (11)% 127 (4)% 536 529
Power production (GWh) 2,706 2,737 (1)% 2,263 20% 9,582 8,144

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Pro forma underlying financial and operating results

There are no differences between Hydro's actual and proforma underlying financial and operating results for the fourth and third quarter comparative periods in 2011. Please see the Profoma information section later in this report for a discussion on developments compared to earlier periods.

Key financial information
NOK million Fourth
quarter
2011
Third
quarter
2011
% change prior quarter Fourth
quarter
2010
% change prior year quarter Year
2011
Year
2010
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Revenue 21,749 23,829 (9)% 22,590 (4)% 93,121 87,272
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Earnings before financial items and tax (EBIT) (362) 2,222 & gt; (100)% 960 & gt; (100)% 5,576 3,696
Items excluded from underlying EBIT 1,494 (576) - (119) - 647 445
Underlying EBIT 1,133 1,646 (31)% 842 35% 6,223 4,141
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Underlying EBITDA 2,524 2,985 (15)% 2,213 14% 11.618 9,450
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Net income (loss) attributable to Hydro shareholders (739) 997 & gt; (100)% 745 & gt; (100)% 2,444 2,220
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Key operational information
Alumina production (kmt) 1,490 1,553 (4)% 1,448 3% 5,827 5,805
Primary aluminum production (kmt) 539 522 3% 475 13% 2,056 1,867

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About Hydro's reporting

Underlying EBIT

To provide a better understanding of Hydro's underlying performance, the following discussion of operating performance excludes certain items from EBIT (earnings before financial items and tax) and net income. See "Items excluded from underlying EBIT and net income" later in this report for more information on these items.

Acquisition of Vale's aluminum business

On February 28, 2011 Hydro completed the take-over of the majority of Vale's aluminum business in Brazil. Effective from the first quarter of 2011, we have included a new operating segment, Bauxite & amp; Alumina, in our reporting structure in addition to our other five operating segments. In addition to the assets acquired from Vale, Hydro's bauxite and alumina activities previously included in the Primary Metal segment have been transferred to the new Bauxite & amp; Alumina segment and prior periods have been restated. Primary Metal includes the Albras aluminum plant in addition to Hydro's pre-transaction primary aluminum production activities. Effective from the first quarter of 2011, elimination of internal gains and losses on alumina previously included in the Primary Metal segment is included in Other and Eliminations, and prior periods have been restated.
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The following discussion on reported and underlying operating results includes the acquired bauxite and alumina activities from Vale from March 1, 2011. Amounts relating to previous periods have not been restated to reflect the reported and underlying results of the acquired assets.

Pro forma information related to acquisition of Vale's aluminum business

To provide a presentation of Hydro's performance on comparable basis, certain pro forma financial and operating information is also presented in this report based on including the results of the acquired Vale assets for the full calendar quarter and for all previous periods presented in this report. See "Fourth quarter report 2011" for more information on the acquisition and the pro forma information included in our second quarter report.

Reported EBIT and net income

Hydro incurred a reported loss before financial items and tax of NOK 362 million in the fourth quarter including net unrealized derivative losses of NOK 379 million, negative metal effects of NOK 134 million, rationalization and closure costs of NOK 121 million, impairment charges of NOK 1,326 million and gains on divestments of NOK 465 million.
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In the previous quarter, reported EBIT for Hydro amounts to NOK 2,222 million including net unrealized derivative gains of NOK 6 million, negative metal effects of NOK 77 million, rationalization and closure costs of NOK 28 million and gains on divestments of NOK 674 million.
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Hydro incurred a net loss for the fourth quarter amounting to NOK 749 million including net foreign exchange losses of NOK 28 million. In the third quarter net income total to NOK 797 million including net foreign exchange losses of NOK 1,248 million.

Market developments and outlook

Bauxite and alumina

Global demand for alumina outside China was slightly higher in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter mainly due to the ramp-up of new primary metal production capacity. Annualized alumina production outside China total to about 56 million mt.
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Alumina demand in China was stable compared with the third quarter while production declined.
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Platts alumina spot prices fell during the fourth quarter from around USD 360 per mt in the start of the quarter to USD 305 per mt in the end of the quarter. Spot prices have ranged between 15 -17 percent of LME during the period.

We expect a fairly stable alumina market for the first quarter of 2012.

Primary aluminum

LME prices declined further in the final quarter of 2011 from a level around USD 2,200 per mt at the beginning of the quarter, ending around USD 2,000 per mt. Prices measured in NOK and EUR declined to a lesser extent due to a strengthening of the USD during the quarter. LME prices increased in January 2012 to levels between USD 2,200 - USD 2,300 per mt.
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Global demand for primary aluminum (excluding China) was seasonally lower during the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, and also impacted by weak markets. Annualized consumption total to 24.7 million mt. Corresponding global supply increased somewhat in the fourth quarter, with annualized production amounting to 26.6 million mt. Recent announcements concerning smelter closures and limited new capacity coming on stream is expected to improve the supply-demand balance in 2012. We estimate a demand growth of about 3-5 percent in 2012 in the world outside China. However, market sentiment continues to be influenced by significant economic uncertainty.
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In China annualized consumption comes to 19.3 million mt in the fourth quarter, a decline compared to the third quarter and the historically high levels in the second quarter. The primary aluminum market in China is believed to have been largely balanced for 2011 and is expected to remain so in 2012.
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LME stocks increased from 4.6 million mt in the third quarter to 5.0 million mt in the fourth quarter. A large portion of the metal in warehouses continues to be owned by several large financial investors.
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The negative trend in demand for metal products (extrusion ingot, sheet ingot, primary foundry alloys and wire rod) in Europe has continued during the last quarter of 2011. Demand in Germany and the Benelux countries continues to be stronger than most countries in Southern Europe.

Rolled products

European demand for rolled products decreased in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the previous quarter due to seasonality and a weakening in underlying demand.

Demand in the automotive segment declined in the fourth quarter influenced by lower vehicle production rates in Europe. However, demand for European cars continues to grow in China providing support for the market. Building and construction demand was seasonally lower in the fourth quarter with no signs of recovery in Southern Europe and a high level of caution in general. Consumption of aluminum foil declined due to a weaker packaging segment. Demand in the beverage can segment was seasonally lower, however, underlying demand remained healthy. A sharp drop in demand in the general engineering segment was mainly driven by destocking activities at distributors and slightly weaker industrial demand.

Demand for rolled products is expected to be seasonally higher in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the previous quarter however most markets are expected to remain weak.

Extruded products

Compared to the third quarter, European demand for extruded aluminum products weakened in the fourth quarter on top of seasonal declines, and was also lower than the same quarter of 2010. Demand remained weak within the building and construction sector and in Southern Europe in particular. Margins continued to be under pressure in Europe in general.
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Demand for extruded products in North America was seasonally lower compared with the third quarter of 2011, but somewhat higher than the fourth quarter of 2010, supported by improved demand within the transport and automotive segments. Imports into the US have fallen significantly compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 as a result of duties on Chinese products. Demand in South America was stable compared to the previous quarter, but increased compared to the fourth quarter of last year, with positive developments for all segments.
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Demand in the precision tubing market segment continued to be strong compared to the third quarter of 2011, driven by demand for premium cars, however demand weakened in Europe and Brazil compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.
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A further decline in demand is expected in the European extrusion and building systems markets in the first quarter of 2012, driven by the weak economic developments, especially in Southern Europe. In North America, extrusion demand is expected to increase slightly. The outlook for South America remains positive for all major market segments, with growth forecasted for 2012. Automotive production in Europe is expected to decline in the first quarter due to reduced demand for cars in Europe, while outlook is more positive in North America and China .

Energy

Nordic electricity spot prices starts the quarter at very low levels due to high inflows into reservoirs at close to full capacity. Prices increased somewhat as water levels stabilized, however, the significantly improved hydrological balance, declining coal and CO2 prices combined with mild weather put pressure on prices towards the end of the quarter.
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Water reservoir levels in Norway were 80 percent of full capacity by the end of 2011, which is 11 percentage point above normal and at the highest level experienced since 1990. Snow accumulations were estimated at 20 percent above normal. In southern Norway, snow accumulation is estimated at 50 percent above normal, resulting in further pressure on NO2 and NO5 spot prices.
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The strong hydrological situation is expected to limit the potential upside in Nordic spot prices during the winter season.

Additional factors impacting Hydro

Hydro has sold forward around 85 percent of its expected primary aluminum production for the first quarter of 2012 at a price level of around USD 2,150 per mt. This excludes expected volumes from Qatalum. Hydro's hedge of aluminum price exposure within its bauxite & amp; Alumina operations expired at the end of 2011.
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Hydro's water reservoirs remain well above normal in the fourth quarter even with high production, and snow reservoirs increased significantly. As a result, production is expected to be high through the first quarter of 2012.
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There continues to be significant uncertainty regarding global economic developments impacting the aluminum industry in general. Market developments in Southern Europe in particular are expected to remain weak.

bauxite & amp; Alumina

Underlying EBIT for Bauxite & amp; Alumina decreased compared to the third quarter primarily due to lower realized alumina prices.
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Please also see the section on Pro forma information - Bauxite & amp; Alumina later in this report.

Primary Metal

Underlying EBIT for Primary Metal declined compared to the third quarter, impacted by lower prices and lower sales volumes.
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Lower realized aluminum prices, lower premiums and lower sales volumes had a negative effect on underlying results totaling about NOK 300 million for the quarter. Lower alumina and power costs together with certain non-recurring items made a positive contribution. Our USD 300 per mt cost improvement program was on track delivering cumulative savings of USD 200 per mt by the end of 2011.
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Production volumes increased compared to the third quarter mainly due to additional volumes from Qatalum which reached full production capacity on September 21.
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Underlying results for Qatalum declined mainly due to lower realized aluminum prices.
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Please also see the section on Proforma information - Primary Metal later in this report.

Metal Markets

Metal Markets incurred an underlying loss in the fourth quarter due to significant negative currency effects. Underlying EBIT excluding currency effects, declined somewhat, mainly influenced by lower results from sourcing and trading activities.
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Total metal product sales excluding ingot trading was seasonally lower in the fourth quarter and also impacted by weaker demand . Sales of third party products increased mainly due to increased production volumes from Qatalum.

Rolled Products

Underlying EBIT for Rolled Products fell during the quarter compared with the third quarter mainly due to seasonally lower sales volumes and weakening market demand. Operating costs declined in absolute terms due to lower personnel and maintenance costs, however, cost per mt increased due to the lower sales volumes.
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General engineering volumes declined significantly impacted mainly by customer destocking as well as somewhat lower industrial demand. Weaker packaging demand impacted volume developments for foil.

Extruded Products

Extruded Products incurred an underlying loss in the fourth quarter, a significant decline compared with the third quarter, due to lower sales volumes and reduced margins partly offset by a decline in operating costs.
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Seasonally lower sales volumes for our European extrusion operations were further impacted by weaker demand in general. Demand remained weak for building systems with no improvement compared to the third quarter which was impacted by seasonal declines. Volumes were seasonally lower in North America and stable in South America. Developments for precision tubing were impacted by lower demand in China, Brazil and Europe.
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Operating costs declined during the quarter as production shifts were taken out in line with declining volumes, however cost per mt increased due to the lower volumes. Savings relating to ongoing initiatives to reduce costs and restructure operations for our building systems operations were more than offset by effects of the continuing market decline. Further rationalization measures were implemented in the fourth quarter and we have targeted EUR 40 million of total annual cost improvements within our building systems operations by the end of 2012.

Energy

Underlying results for Energy declined in the fourth quarter compared to the previous quarter due to reduced net spot volumes, resulting from slightly lower production, seasonally higher concession power sales and lower off-take from external sourcing contracts in Norway.

Other and eliminations

Eliminations comprises mainly unrealized gains and losses on inventories purchased from group companies which fluctuates with product flows, volumes and margin developments throughout Hydro's value chain.

Items excluded from underlying EBIT and net income

To provide a better understanding of Hydro's underlying performance, the items in the table below have been excluded from EBIT and net income.
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Items excluded from underlying EBIT are comprised mainly of unrealized gains and losses on certain derivatives, impairment and rationalization charges, effects of disposals of businesses and operating assets, as well as other items that are of a special nature or are not expected to be incurred on an ongoing basis.

Items excluded from underlying net income
NOK million Fourth
quarter
2011
Third
quarter
2011
Fourth quarter
2010
Year
2011
Year
2010
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Unrealized derivative effects on LME related contracts 337 50 (162) 431 489
Derivative effects on LME related contracts (Vale Aluminum) 5 (32) 55 (74) (166)
Unrealized derivative effects on power contracts 31 (25) 151 (195) 609
Unrealized derivative effects on currency contracts - - (20) (1) (50)
Unrealized derivative effects on raw material contracts 6 1 (156) 43 (156)
Metal effect, Rolled Products 134 77 (92) 7 (560)
Significant rationalization charges and closure costs 121 28 131 225 130
Impairment charges (PP&E and equity accounted investments) 1,326 - 12 1,382 187
Pension - - - - (151)
Insurance compensation - - (91) - (91)
(Gains) / losses on divestments (465) (674) (7) (1,184) (74)
Transaction related effects (Vale Aluminum) - & nbsp; - - (4,328) & nbsp; -
Items excluded from underlying EBIT 1,494 (576) (180) (3,694) 167
Net foreign exchange (gain) / loss 28 1,248 (232) 971 (513)
Calculated income tax effect 103 (399) 129 (78) 80
Items excluded from underlying net income 1,625 274 (282) (2,802) (266)

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Finance

Net financial income (expense) total to a negative NOK 26 million in the fourth quarter compared with a negative NOK 1,363 million in the previous quarter.
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The net currency loss of NOK 28 million for the fourth quarter was influenced by developments in the exchange rate between the US dollar compared with the Norwegian krone, Brazilian real and Euro which were largely offsetting. Net currency gains related to intercompany financial balances total NOK 130 million in the fourth quarter.

Tax

For the full year 2011 income tax expense was 21 percent of pre-tax income. The low tax rate results from tax-free gains on the sales of the shareholding in SKS Produksjon and Alpart, and the tax-free gain from the revaluation of Hydro's previous ownership interests in Alunorte and the CAP recognized in the first quarter. The effect was somewhat offset by impairment charges having no tax effect and the write down of deferred tax assets recognized in the fourth quarter.

Underlying EBIT and EBITDA
Per business area Fourth quarter 2011 Third quarter 2011 Fourth quarter 2010 Year 2011 Year & nbsp; 2010
& nbsp; EBIT EBITDA EBIT EBITDA EBIT EBITDA EBIT EBITDA EBIT EBITDA
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bauxite & amp; Alumina 159 609 302 775 223 693 969 & nbsp; 2,865 & nbsp; 1,225 & nbsp; 3,061
Primary Metal 484 1,097 653 1.206 230 808 2,495 & nbsp; 4,753 & nbsp; 816 & nbsp; 3.006
Metal Markets (39) (13) 93 118 62 88 441 & nbsp; 542 & nbsp; 321 & nbsp; 428
Rolled Products 86 211 124 235 105 226 673 & nbsp; 1,126 & nbsp; 864 & nbsp; 1,318
Extruded Products (90) 31 40 165 24 162 151 & nbsp; 655 & nbsp; 444 & nbsp; 987
Energy 441 484 506 543 482 502 1,883 & nbsp; 2,018 & nbsp; 1,416 & nbsp; 1,540
Other and eliminations 92 106 (73) (57) (284) (266) (389) & nbsp; (341) & nbsp; (945) & nbsp; (889)
Underlying EBIT / EBITDA 1,133 2,524 1,646 2,985 842 2,213 6.223 & nbsp; 11,619 & nbsp; 4,141 & nbsp; 9,450

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bauxite & amp; Alumina

Underlying EBIT for Bauxite & amp; Alumina decreased compared to the third quarter primarily due to lower alumina prices driven by the fall in LME.
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Bauxite production reached record volumes in the fourth quarter due to improved operational stability, while alumina production at Alunorte declined slightly, impacted by operational issues affecting plant availability.
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Realized alumina prices declined having a negative impact on underlying EBIT for the quarter.
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Underlying results from our Commercial operations improved compared to third quarter, mainly as a result of good margins on our contract portfolio.

Primary Metal

Underlying EBIT improved substantially compared to pro forma underlying EBIT for the fourth quarter of 2010 impacted by higher realized aluminum prices and higher volumes.

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