Kaiser Aluminum stock gets a credit rating upgrade

Published on 10/05/2026 at 15:31 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Kaiser Aluminum stock was last at USD 152.72 on October 5, 2026, while Moody's moved its corporate rating to Ba3 from B1. Q2 adjusted EBITDA reached USD 166 million.

KALU, US4830077040, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Kaiser Aluminum (ISIN US4830077040) was last at USD 152.72 on Nasdaq on October 5, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. ET, up 0.46 percent in early trading. The immediate backdrop is a credit upgrade: Yahoo Finance reported that Moody's raised Kaiser's corporate family rating to Ba3 from B1 on October 1, 2026.

Credit quality improves on cash flow

The rating action also lifted the speculative-grade liquidity rating to SGL-1 from SGL-2 and changed the outlook from positive to stable, according to Yahoo Finance. Moody's cited stronger cash flow, improved debt metrics and operating efficiency, while its 2026 adjusted EBITDA expectation stands at USD 425 million-USD 450 million.

The credit improvement has a clear operational counterweight. Yahoo Finance said weaker aluminum prices and Midwest premiums could turn the metal price lag into a drag on profitability in the second half of 2026 and into 2027.

Second quarter set a higher bar

Kaiser's second quarter conversion revenue rose 17 percent year over year to USD 437 million, while adjusted EBITDA reached USD 166 million, according to the Benzinga transcript. Management also expects 2026 EBITDA to increase 45 percent to 55 percent year over year, assuming stable aluminum prices and normal seasonal factors.

MarketBeat lists a Hold consensus based on 6 analysts, with an average price target of USD 167.25, a high of USD 184.00 and a low of USD 142.00. The average target lies 9.5 percent above the USD 152.72 Nasdaq price.

October earnings date is scheduled

Kaiser Aluminum said on October 1, 2026 that it will release third-quarter financial and operating results on October 21, 2026, after the market closes, followed by a conference call on October 22 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

KALU stock stays below its yearly high

KALU was last at USD 152.72 on Nasdaq on October 5, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. ET, against a 52-week range of USD 75.51 to USD 199.89. The company has a market capitalization of USD 2.5 billion, leaving the stock 23.6 percent below its 52-week high.