• Record high quarterly underlying EBIT of NOK 2,886 million
• Proposed 2014 dividend NOK 1 per share
• Revised dividend policy: 40 % of net income over the cycle
• Higher realized all-in metal and alumina prices, supported by currency movements
• Improved operating performance at Alunorte and Paragominas
• Karmøy technology pilot investment decision made

Higher realized aluminium prices, product premiums and realized alumina prices had significant positive impact on the quarter together with the substantial strengthening of the US dollar compared to the NOK and BRL.

Underlying EBIT for Bauxite and Alumina improved significantly in the fourth quarter reflecting higher realized alumina prices, higher sales volumes and lower operating costs at Alunorte together with positive currency developments. Bauxite production increased in the quarter reaching 10.2 million mt on an annualized basis.

"I am pleased to see the highest quarterly results we have reported since we became a pure play aluminium company in 2007. For the second quarter in a row, we also see a solid improvement in operating costs at Alunorte and Paragominas, as well as increased production levels, reflecting robust operations," says President and CEO, Svein Richard Brandtzæg. "In line with our commitment to return cash to our shareholders, the Board of Directors proposed to raise the annual dividend from NOK 0.75 per share to NOK 1 per share, and at the same time revised the dividend policy from 30% to 40% of net income over the cycle” Brandtzæg continues.

Underlying EBIT for Primary Metal improved substantially in the fourth quarter influenced by a further increase in realized aluminium prices and product premiums. The strengthening USD compared to the NOK and BRL also had a significant positive impact on underlying results for the quarter.

"I am very pleased that we have decided to go ahead with the Karmøy technology pilot project, following the approval from ESA last week. The technology pilot will demonstrate Hydro's next generation technology aiming to produce aluminium at the world's lowest energy consumption and CO2 footprint per tonne of metal," says Brandtzæg.

"We will continue our improvement efforts in 2015, both on the commercial and operational side. As earnings outlook has improved, now is the time to really show the strength of our improvement culture," says Brandtzæg.

Metal Markets delivered higher underlying EBIT compared to the previous quarter influenced by positive currency effects and improved results from remelt operations, partly offset by lower results from sourcing and trading activities.

Underlying EBIT for Rolled Products declined compared with the third quarter of 2014 mainly due to seasonally lower sales volumes. Margin pressure continued, however, this was mostly offset by currency gains on export sales. Positive contributions from the Rheinwerk smelter due to higher all-in metal1) prices had a positive effect on underlying results for the quarter.

Compared to the third quarter, underlying EBIT for Energy increased due to higher production.

Underlying EBIT for Sapa declined compared to the third quarter, mainly due to seasonally lower demand.

Operating cash flow amounted to NOK 4.4 billion for the fourth quarter. Cash used for investment activities amounted to NOK 0.8 billion net of sales proceeds. Hydro's net debt position amounted to NOK 0.1 billion at the end of the fourth quarter also influenced by unrealized currency losses, payment of dividends to minority interests and a payment to Vale representing the first of two tranches for the remaining Paragominas shares.

For the full year, underlying EBIT more than doubled to NOK 5,692 million compared with NOK 2,725 million in 2013 influenced by the significant increase in all-in metal prices1) together with the strengthening US dollar compared to the NOK and BRL. Following several years of challenging market conditions, the global aluminium market has improved with substantially higher all-in metal prices together with a better demand and supply balance for primary aluminium with a market deficit of around one million mt in the world outside China. Significant operational and commercial improvements implemented throughout the value chain have strengthened Hydro's ability to create value in an environment of improving market fundamentals.

Hydro's Board of Directors proposes to pay a dividend of NOK 1 per share for 2014 reflecting the company's commitment to provide a cash return to its shareholders. The dividend reflects our operational performance for 2014, strong financial position and improved earnings outlook for 2015. Hydro’s Board of Directors has revised the company’s dividend policy from an average of 30 percent to 40 percent of net income over the cycle to our shareholders.

Reported earnings before financial items and tax amounted to NOK 2,295 million in the fourth quarter. In addition to the factors discussed above, reported EBIT included net unrealized derivative losses and positive metal effects of negative NOK 72 million in total. Reported earnings also included impairment charges of NOK 145 million related to the rolling mill in Slim, Italy. In addition, reported EBIT included NOK 337 million (Hydro's share) relating to Sapa mainly for impairment and restructuring charges, and net other charges of NOK 36 million.

In the previous quarter reported earnings before financial items and tax amounted to NOK 1,937 million including net unrealized derivative gains and positive metal effects of NOK 476 million in total. Reported earnings also included other charges of NOK 30 million.

Loss from continuing operations amounted to NOK 168 million in the fourth quarter including a net foreign exchange loss of NOK 2,252 million. In the previous quarter, income from continuing operations amounted to NOK 665 million including a net foreign exchange loss of NOK 1,001 million.

1) The all-in metal price refers to the LME aluminium price plus premiums.