Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. For the quarter, sales was $353.5 million, operating income was $23.6 million, income before income taxes was $23.7 million and net income was $16.2 million or $0.24 per diluted share against sales of $394.6 million, operating income of $41.4 million, income before income taxes of $57.5 million and net income of $38.3 million or $0.56 per diluted share for the same period a year ago. Cash used in operating activities was $16.4 million and capital expenditures were $21.6 million against cash provided by operating activities of $21.1 million and capital expenditures of $13.5 million a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA was $35.0 million against $75.7 million a year ago. Pre-tax income, excluding special was $18.8 million and net income, excluding special items was $12.7 million or $0.18 per diluted share against pre-tax income, excluding special of $35.7 million and net income, excluding special items of $23.8 million or $0.35 per diluted share a year ago. Sales increased $15.0 million, driven primarily by the Flat-Rolled Products segments recovery from seasonally lower fourth quarter shipments. The company announced that its expected annual effective tax rate for 2012 excluding any special items is 32.7%.