Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") provides information that management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Century Aluminum Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Century," the "Company," "our" and "we") and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto. This MD&A contains "forward-looking statements" - see "Forward-Looking Statements" above.
Overview
We are a global producer of alumina and primary aluminum with production facilities in the United States, Iceland and Jamaica. Our primary aluminum smelters are concentrated in the U.S. and Iceland, while in Jamaica we maintain a 55% joint venture interest in the Jamalco alumina refinery, from which we off-take a proportionate amount of alumina production. The majority of our Jamalco off-take is consumed internally at our primary aluminum smelters in a vertical integration model. We also own a carbon anode production facility located in the Netherlands ("Vlissingen"). Carbon anodes are consumed in the production of primary aluminum. Vlissingen supplies carbon anodes to our aluminum smelter in Iceland. Each of our aluminum smelters in the United States produces anodes at on-site facilities.
The key determinants of our results of operations and cash flows from operations are as follows:
• the price of primary aluminum, which is based on the London Metal Exchange ("LME") and other exchanges, plus any regional premiums and value-added product premiums;
• the cost of goods sold, the principal components of which are electrical power, alumina, carbon products, labor and other controllable costs, which in aggregate represent more than 88% of our cost of goods sold; and
• our production volume and product mix.
Recent Developments
Section 232 Aluminum Tariffs
In March 2018, the U.S. implemented a 10% tariff on imported primary aluminum products into the U.S. These tariffs are intended to protect U.S. national security and incentivize primary aluminum production in the U.S., reducing reliance on imports and ensuring that domestic producers, like Century, can supply all the aluminum necessary for critical industries and national defense. In addition to primary aluminum products, the tariffs also cover certain other semi-finished products. All imports that directly compete with our products are covered by the tariff.
In February 2025, President Trump issued a new Presidential Proclamation directing the tariff rate on imported primary aluminum to be increased from 10% to 25% and for all existing country exemptions or product exclusion to be ended, in each case effective March 12, 2025. Then, in May 2025, President Trump again increased tariffs on primary aluminum from 25% to 50%, effective June 4, 2025. Since the implementation of these changes to the Section 232 tariff program, the Midwest Premium has increased, which we expect will have a material positive impact on our financial position and results of operations.
U.S. Department of Energy Award
On January 10, 2025, the Company entered into a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy's ("DOE") Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations for up to $500 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act funding to build a new aluminum smelter as part of the Industrial Demonstrations Program ("IDP"). With the help of this funding, we plan to build the first new U.S. primary aluminum smelter in 45 years at a site within the Ohio/Mississippi River Basins. Since that time, the issuance of certain Executive Orders, including the Unleashing American Energy Executive Order on January 20, 2025, has required an immediate pause in the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act pending an ongoing review period. The Company is currently evaluating this Executive Order and other related memoranda to determine what, if any, impact they might have on our previously announced DOE funding.
Section 45X of the Inflation Reduction Act
On October 24, 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations implementing Section 45X of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provide guidance on rules taxpayers must satisfy to qualify for the tax credit. The government has incentivized the production of aluminum by offering a tax credit equal to 10% of eligible
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domestic production costs. Based on the final regulations, we have recognized a receivable and corresponding offset to cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses. Any changes to the final regulations could result in a subsequent adjustment to the estimated credit as of June 30, 2025.
President Trump signed Public Law No: 119-21, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the "Act") into law on July 4, 2025, which marks the date of enactment for the tax provisions included in the Act. The Act removed the exemption for critical minerals related to the phase out of the advanced manufacturing production tax credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 45X of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and final regulations issued in October of 2024. Under the Act, beginning in 2031, the amount of the tax credit will be reduced by 25% each year and reduced to 0% in 2034.
Acquisition of 55% interest in Jamalco
On May 2, 2023, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Century Aluminum Jamaica Holdings, Inc. ("CAJH"), completed the acquisition of all the outstanding share capital of General Alumina Holdings Limited ("GAHL"), the holder of a 55% interest in Jamalco, an unincorporated joint venture with the Government of Jamaica through its controlled entity Clarendon Alumina Production Limited ("CAP"). Jamalco is engaged in bauxite mining and alumina refining in Jamaica. The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, General Alumina Jamaica Limited ("GAJL"), is the managing partner of the Jamalco joint venture. Jamalco has alumina production capacity of approximately 1.4 million tonnes. We recognized a bargain purchase gain of $245.9 million in connection to the acquisition within the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Jamalco Equipment Failure
In June 2023, Jamalco experienced a power disruption caused by damage to its power generation unit. The equipment failure resulted in a loss of production at Jamalco of approximately 84,000 tonnes for the year ended December 31, 2023. The impact of the equipment failure on gross margin was approximately $30.4 million. Despite returning the equipment to full capacity as of the end of October 2023, we continued to see some inefficiencies into the first quarter of 2024. We are engaged with our insurance carriers in connection with the equipment failure to determine the specific amount of coverage available to us, including any applicable deductibles.
Pricing of Aluminum
The overall price of primary aluminum consists of three components: (i) the base commodity price, which is based on quoted prices on the LME and other exchanges; plus (ii) any regional premium (e.g., the Midwest premium for metal sold in the United States ("MWP") and the European Duty Paid premium for metal sold into Europe ("EDPP")); plus (iii) any value-added product premium. Each of these price components has its own drivers and variability.
The price of aluminum is influenced by a number of factors, including global supply-demand balance, inventory levels, speculative activities by market participants, production activities by producers, geopolitical and economic conditions, including tariffs, as well as production costs in major production regions. These factors can be highly variable and difficult to predict, which can lead to significant volatility in the price of aluminum. Increases or decreases in primary aluminum prices result in variability in our revenues (assuming all other factors are unchanged). From time to time, we may seek to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the LME price of primary aluminum and/or associated regional premiums through financial instruments designed to limit our downside price risk. Information regarding financial contracts is included in Note 10. Derivatives and risks associated with such financial contracts are disclosed specifically in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
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We saw an increase in the pricing of aluminum through the second quarter of 2025 attributable to MWP. The average MWP continued to increase due to the additional increase in Section 232 tariff rate for imported primary aluminum from 25% to 50% effective June 4, 2025. The MWP price has recently been at historically high levels and may change rapidly based on factors beyond our control, including changes in tariff policies, changes in supply in the U.S market, and other factors. The following table summarizes the average price for primary aluminum per tonne for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025 and for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.
Three months ended Six months ended
($ per tonne) June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 June 30, 2025 June 30, 2024
Average LME $ 2,447 $ 2,631 $ 2,538 $ 2,360
Average MWP 993 729 855 417
Average EDPP 195 289 241 285
Results of Operations
The following discussion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 reflects no change in production capacities.
Our net sales are impacted primarily by the LME price for aluminum, regional and value-added premiums, and the volume and product mix of aluminum we ship during the period. In general, our results reflect the LME and regional premium pricing on an approximately one to three month lag basis reflecting contractual terms with our customers.
Electrical power, alumina, carbon products, labor, and other controllable costs are the principal components of our cost of goods sold. Power costs can be volatile as a result of a number of factors beyond our control. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors — Increases in energy costs may adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Power costs at our Sebree plant is impacted by capacity demand charges, which are determined based on available power generating capacity in MISO, from which we purchase energy. The price of such capacity is set by auction annually in the spring. Our expected capacity demand costs for power were approximately $3.1 million for the twelve months ending May 31, 2025, in addition to the market price of power used. We anticipate the capacity demand power costs resulting from the spring 2025 auction for the twelve months ending May 31, 2026 to be approximately $6.2 million.
In 2025, energy prices in the US and Europe have been slightly elevated, primarily driven by cold temperatures and the resulting increase in heating demand. European energy markets impact our Vlissingen facility in the Netherlands, which utilizes natural gas to produce anodes used in our Grundartangi operations. The energy market in Europe has historically been dependent upon imported natural gas from Russia, and the significant reduction in Russian gas supply to Europe has resulted in increased uncertainty with respect to the price and availability of natural gas. Adverse changes to European natural gas prices or availability could adversely affect operations at Vlissingen, and in turn operations at Grundartangi, if we are not able to source an alternative supply of anodes.
The pricing under our alumina supply contracts varies from contract to contract. A major portion of our alumina requirements is indexed to the price of primary aluminum, which provides a natural hedge to one of our largest production costs. We also purchase alumina based on a published alumina index and at fixed prices. The alumina price is influenced by a number of factors, including global supply-demand balance, natural disasters and weather events, and other factors outside of our control. Additionally, with our acquisition of a 55% interest in Jamalco, we secured a long-term supply of alumina and achieved increased transparency and control of our supply chain. In general, our results reflect the market cost of alumina on an approximately three-month lag reflecting the terms of our alumina contracts and inventory levels.
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Quarter ended Six months ended
Sequential Year-to-date
June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 June 30, 2025 June 30, 2024
Net sales
Related parties $ 367.6 $ 378.7 $ 746.3 $ 639.2
Other customers 260.5 255.2 515.7 411.1
Total net sales 628.1 633.9 1,262.0 1,050.3
Gross profit 36.2 60.6 96.8 36.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses 14.0 12.5 26.5 26.4
Net (loss) gain on forward and derivative contracts - nonaffiliates (15.6) (5.4) (21.0) 0.9
Net (loss) gain on forward and derivative contracts - affiliates — — — 2.5
Bargain purchase gain — — — 245.9
Income tax benefit (expense) 1.3 (1.6) (0.3) (1.0)
Net (loss) income (9.1) 25.7 16.6 238.0
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (4.5) (4.0) (8.5) (6.3)
Net (loss) income attributable to Century stockholders (4.6) 29.7 25.1 244.3
SHIPMENTS - PRIMARY ALUMINUM (1)
United States Iceland Total
Tonnes Sales $
(in millions)
Tonnes Sales $
(in millions)
Tonnes Sales $
(in millions)
2025
2 nd Quarter
94,519 $ 324.4 81,222 $ 233.7 175,741 $ 558.1
1 st Quarter
94,601 $ 306.6 74,071 $ 217.3 168,672 $ 523.9
2024
2 nd Quarter
93,805 $ 266.5 74,103 $ 185.8 167,908 $ 452.3
1 st Quarter
97,602 258.1 77,025 189.5 174,627 447.6
(1) Excludes scrap aluminum sales, purchased aluminum and alumina sales.
Net sales
Net sales decreased by $5.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily driven by a decrease in third-party alumina sales of $38.6 million, partially offset by favorable volume and sales mix of $21.1 million and realized LME and regional price premiums of $11.1 million.
Net sales increased by $211.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily driven by favorable realized LME and regional price premiums of $174.5 million, favorable volume and sales mix of $26.4 million and an increase in third-party alumina sales of $11.6 million.
Gross profit
Gross profit decreased by $24.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily attributable to unfavorable raw material price realization of $23.9 million and unfavorable other costs of $12.1 million including increased maintenance costs and potlining expenses, partially offset by favorable realized LME and regional price premiums of $11.1 million and favorable power price realization of $5.8 million.
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Gross profit increased by $59.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to favorable metal price realization of $174.5 million and $17.3 million attributable to the IRA Section 45X credit, partially offset by higher power price realization of $44.2 million, unfavorable raw material price realization of $43.4 million and higher other costs of $41.5 million including labor costs associated with higher headcounts, increased maintenance costs, and ramp up expenses for the completed Grundartangi casthouse.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily driven by increased share-based compensation costs and professional services.
Selling, general and administrative expenses remained relatively consistent for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Net (loss) gain on forward and derivative contracts - nonaffiliates
Net (loss) gain on forward and derivative contracts - nonaffiliates decreased by $10.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. The difference was primarily driven by fluctuations in the forward prices.
Net (loss) gain on forward and derivative contracts - nonaffiliates decreased by $21.9 million to a loss of $21.0 million f or the six months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to a gain of $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The difference was primarily driven by fluctuations in the forward prices.
Net (loss) gain on forward and derivative contracts - affiliates
Net (loss) gain on forward and derivative contracts - affiliates was zero for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025,.as there were no related party contracts executed during either period. We realized a net gain of $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily driven by unrealized gains on LME hedges.
Bargain purchase gain
We finalized the purchase accounting as of March 31, 2024 related to the acquisition of General Alumina Holdings Limited and subsidiaries, which was acquired on May 2, 2023. We recognized a bargain purchase gain of $245.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Income tax benefit (expense)
Income tax changed to a $1.3 million benefit for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $1.6 million expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily driven by changes in the jurisdictional mix of earnings on a quarter-over-quarter basis.
Income tax expense decreased to $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily driven by changes in the jurisdictional mix of earnings on a year-over-year basis. See Note 4. Income Taxes to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Our principal sources of liquidity are available cash and cash flows from operations. We also have access to our existing U.S. and Iceland revolving credit facilities (collectively, the "revolving credit facilities") and have raised capital in the past through public equity and debt markets. We regularly explore various other financing alternatives. Our principal uses of cash include the funding of operating costs (including post-retirement benefits), debt service requirements, capital expenditures, investments in our growth activities and in related businesses, working capital and other general corporate requirements.
We believe that cash provided from operations and financing activities will be adequate to cover our operations and business needs over the next twelve months. As of June 30, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $40.7
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million and unused availability under our revolving credit facilities of $321.8 million , after consideration of our outstanding borrowings and letters of credit. Our cash and cash equivalents and unused availability under our revolving credit facilities comprise our liquidity position, which was $362.5 million as of June 30, 2025. We may borrow and make repayments under our revolving credit facilities in the ordinary course based on a number of factors, including the timing of payments from our customers and payments to our suppliers.
The availability of funds under our credit facilities is limited by a specified borrowing base consisting of certain accounts receivable, inventory and qualified cash deposits which meet the lenders' eligibility criteria. Increases in the price of aluminum and/or restarts of previously curtailed operations, for example, increase our borrowing base by increasing our accounts receivable and inventory balances; decreases in the price of aluminum and/or curtailments of production capacity would decrease our borrowing base by reducing our accounts receivable and inventory balances.
Our credit facilities contain customary covenants, including restrictions on mergers and acquisitions, indebtedness, affiliate transactions, liens, dividends and distributions, dispositions of collateral, investments and prepayments of indebtedness, including in the U.S. revolving credit facility, a springing financial covenant that requires us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0 any time availability under the U.S. revolving credit facility is less than or equal to $25.0 million, or 10% of the borrowing base but not less than $17.9 million. We intend to maintain availability to comply with these levels any time we would not meet the ratio, which could limit our ability to access the full amount of our availability under our U.S revolving credit facility. Our Iceland revolving credit facility contains covenants that require Grundartangi to maintain a minimum equity ratio. The dividend and distribution limitations are applicable to certain of our subsidiaries only in the case of an event of default or failure to comply with certain financial covenants. As of June 30, 2025, we and our subsidiaries were in compliance with all such covenants or maintained availability above such covenant triggers.
On July 22, 2025, we completed the issuance of $400 million of Senior Secured Notes due 2032 (the "2032 Notes"). We also amended our U.S. Credit Facility to, among other things, extend the maturity date to July 22, 2030. With proceeds of the 2032 Notes, we redeemed the 2028 Notes at a redemption price of 101.875% and intend to use the balance of the proceeds from the 2032 Notes issuance to pay down our existing credit facilities.
See Note 11. Debt and Note 16. Subse q uent Events to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information on our debt.
Available Cash
Our available cash and cash equivalents balance at June 30, 2025 was $40.7 million compared to $32.9 million at December 31, 2024.
Sources and Uses of Cash
Our statements of cash flows are summarized below:
Six months ended June 30,
(in millions) 2025 2024
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 80.2 $ (3.3)
Net cash used in investing activities (33.6) (44.3)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (38.8) 0.1
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 7.8 $ (47.5)
The change in net cash provided by operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily due to lower cash outflows from accounts payable associated with the timing of payments for alumina and higher cash inflows from inventories attributable to higher shipments in the current period, partially offset by lower cash inflows from accounts receivable associated with higher realized prices of outstanding receipts from sales of aluminum and alumina.
The decrease in net cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily due to higher proceeds from our joint venture partner to fund the construction of co-tenancy assets.
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The change in net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to net cash provided by financing activities in the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily due to net repayments on our revolving credit facilities and repayments on our Grundartangi Casthouse Facility.
Share Repurchase Program
In 2011, our Board of Directors approved a $60.0 million common stock repurchase program and subsequently increased this program by $70.0 million in the first quarter of 2015. Under the program, Century is authorized to repurchase up to $130.0 million of our outstanding shares of common stock, from time to time, on the open market at prevailing market prices, in block trades or otherwise. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by our management based on its evaluation of market conditions, the trading price of our common stock and other factors. We made no repurchases during the three months ended June 30, 2025 or during the years ended 2024, 2023, and 2022. As of June 30, 2025, we had $43.7 million remaining under the repurchase program authorization. The repurchase program may be expanded, suspended or discontinued by our Board, in its sole discretion, at any time.
Capital Resources and Commitments
We intend to finance our future capital expenditures from available cash, cash flows from operations and if necessary, borrowing under our existing revolving credit facilities. For major investment projects we would likely seek financing from various capital and loan markets and may potentially pursue the formation of strategic alliances. We may be unable, however, to issue additional debt or equity securities, or enter into other financing arrangements on attractive terms, or at all, due to a number of factors including a lack of demand, unfavorable pricing, poor economic conditions, unfavorable interest rates, or our financial condition or credit rating at the time. Future uncertainty in the U.S. and international markets and economies may adversely affect our liquidity, our ability to access the debt or capital markets and our financial condition.
On January 10, 2025, the Company entered into a Cooperative Agreement with the DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations for up to $500 million in IRA funding. With the help of this funding, we plan to build the first new U.S. primary aluminum smelter in 50 years at a site within the Ohio/Mississippi River Basins.
Capital expenditures paid for the six months ended June 30, 2025 were $45.0 million. We estimate our total capital spending in 2025 will be approximat ely $70 to $80 million, related to our ongoing investment and sustainability projects at our plants. This amount includes $40 million, representing investments in our Jamalco facility.
We have certain legal commitments, including obligations related to retiree medical benefits, pension contributions, power supply contracts, and labor agreements. These include a settlement agreement for retiree medical benefits requiring annual payments, a pension contribution commitment through 2025, and power supply arrangements with terms extending through 2028. Additionally, we have contingent obligations based on the LME price of primary aluminum and the level of Hawesville's operations, which are currently offset by a derivative asset. We are also a defendant in several actions relating to various aspects of our business. While it is impossible to predict the ultimate disposition of any litigation, we do not believe that any of these lawsuits, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. See Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information.
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information
The Company has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Universal Shelf Registration Statement") with the SEC pursuant to which the Company may, from time to time, offer an indeterminate amount of securities, which may include securities that are guaranteed by certain of the Company's subsidiaries. As of June 30, 2025, we have not issued any debt securities pursuant to the Universal Shelf Registration Statement. However, any securities that we may issue in the future may limit our ability, and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries, to pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock.
"Guarantor Subsidiaries" refers to all of our material domestic subsidiaries except for Nordural US LLC, Century Aluminum Development LLC, Century Aluminum of West Virginia, Inc. and Century Aluminum Jamaica Holdings, Inc. The Guarantor Subsidiaries are 100% owned by Century. All guarantees will be full and unconditional; all guarantees will be joint and several. Our foreign subsidiaries, together with Nordural US LLC, Century Aluminum Development LLC, Century Aluminum of West Virginia, Inc. and Century Aluminum Jamaica Holdings, Inc. are collectively referred to as the "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries." We allocate corporate expenses or income to our subsidiaries and charge interest on certain intercompany balances.
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The following summarized financial information of both the Company and the Guarantor Subsidiaries ("Guarantors") is presented on a combined basis. Intercompany balances and transactions between the Company and the Guarantors have been eliminated and the summarized financial information does not reflect investments of the Company or the Guarantors in the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries. The Company’s or Guarantors’ amounts due from, amounts due to, and transactions with the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries s are disclosed below:
June 30, 2025 December 31, 2024
Current assets $ 452.1 $ 414.0
Non-current assets 730.5 698.4
Current liabilities 246.0 247.1
Non-current liabilities 506.9 490.4
Six months ended June 30, 2025
Net sales $ 992.5
Gross profit 95.7
Income before income taxes 49.7
Net income 25.1
As of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, an intercompany receivable due to the Company and Guarantors from the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries totaled $33.6 million and $40.4 million, respectively, and an intercompany non-current loan due to the Company from the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries totaled $372.6 million and $358.1 million, respectively.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of Market Risks" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. As of June 30, 2025, there have been no material changes in this information.
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