Why You Should (and Shouldn't) Buy Alcoa Corporation

2016 has turned out to be a remarkable year for Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA), with the stock gaining a staggering 40% since it spun off Arconic Inc. (NYSE: ARNC) in November. The new Alcoa is now a pure-play bauxite and aluminum manufacturer while Arconic has taken over the specialty parts segment that caters to the high-potential aerospace and automotive industries. The spinoff now makes Alcoa a purely commodity-centric company, which could turn risk-averse investors away. On the flip side, the recent rebound in aluminum prices makes Alcoa an interesting turnaround play.

An aluminum alloy bridge. Image source: Getty Images.

So should you buy Alcoa stock now or avoid it? Two of our Foolish contributors take sides.

Defying global expectations

Rich Duprey: Now a pure play on bauxite, alumina, and aluminum, Alcoa has gained 38% since it completed the spinoff of its value-added business Arconicin October 2016. That's a lot of ground to have covered in so short of time, and it underscores why analysts are sounding cautious notes about the company. Citigroup downgraded it to neutral while Deutsche Bank rated it a sell. The prospects of industry oversupply weigh too heavily to sustain the heights it's already reached.

There is a case to be made for that. London Metals Exchange (LME) aluminum prices are trading near 16-month highs as stocks of aluminum in LME-approved warehouses tumbled more than 60% from the record highs they hit in early 2014. But Reuters says that's a result of distortions created in the market by rule changes the LME made in 2013 that cap rents charged on metal stored for more than 30 days. At the risk of warehousing aluminum for free, the stocks are being drawn down quickly, masking the surplus of the metal. Moreover, it's possible global competitors will simply bring their idled production capabilities back on line, exacerbating an already tenuous supply situation.

Those are reasonable concerns, but China and President-elect Donald Trump may be bigger factors for a bullish case for Alcoa.

Aluminum prices, despite their increase, have largely been kept from running away too far as we've seen with coal and iron ore because of concerns about Chinese exports. Alcoa has blamed high Chinese exports for depressing prices, but November exports of unwrought aluminum were said to be sharply lower than the year before. And those higher coal prices have also served as a ceiling on supply due to its use in alumina refining. Rising energy prices are going to make life even more difficult for Chinese smelters, and coupled with better-than-expected demand from within China for infrastructure and construction projects, the Chinese oversupply case just might be neutered.

Then there's Trump's campaign promise of a $1 trillion infrastructure spending spree. While even some Senate Republicans are balking at the audacity over the size of the proposal, even a more modest-sized program will provide a boost to domestic demand.

Considering the run-up Alcoa's stock has already experienced, no one is saying the aluminum pure play is a screaming buy, but there is enough at play in the global market that can work in Alcoa's favor to allow it to reach even greater heights.

Show me the profits

Neha Chamaria: My colleague Rich has presented a fairly strong argument for Alcoa, especially the China angle that could push aluminum prices higher. However, the concerns and challenges seem to outweigh the opportunities for the company right now.

Investors are primarily betting on Alcoa for two reasons: its spinoff and anticipation of higher infrastructure spending in the U.S. under Donald Trump's upcoming presidency. I'm wary on both counts. First, there'slimited visibility about Alcoa as a stand-alone company. Its value-add business, which is now Arconic, traditionally earned higher margins for the company. While high leverage was a burden that Alcoa has gotten rid of having transferred its debt to Arconic, it remains to be seen how quickly and effectively Alcoa's upstream operations can return the company to profitability.

Alcoa bauxite mine. Image source: Alcoa

Meanwhile, no one really knows how a Trump presidency will affect Alcoa. Of course, higher infrastructure spending should boost demand, but Trump's protectionist stand might affect trade adversely and spill over to a company like Alcoa, which does all of its bauxite mining outside the U.S. In fact, Alcoa's surprisingly strong recent run-up indicates that much of the optimism might have already been baked into the stock price, especially considering that the company hasn't turned a profit since 2012. Don't forget that aluminum prices were substantially higher between 2012 and 2015, which means it might take a lot for Alcoa to break even.

At the end of the day, Alcoa's earnings remain tied to commodity prices, which can be volatile and unpredictable. Its weak profit record doesn't help its case, either. Bauxite and aluminum prices need to stabilize at higher levels for Alcoa to be profitable, but the industry is still grappling with oversupply concerns. A cleaner balance sheet and aggressive restructuring has undoubtedly set Alcoa on the right track, but unless the company's numbers reflect a turnaround, the stock remains a risky bet -- especially after its recent rally.

10 stocks we like better than Alcoa When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Alcoa wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

Click here to learn about these picks!

*Stock Advisor returns as of Nov. 7, 2016

Neha Chamaria has no position in any stocks mentioned. Rich Duprey has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.