(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

Or

For the transition period from            to            

Commission file number: 001-32312

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Telephone: (404) 760-4000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   ¨     No   ý

The Registrant is a voluntary filer and is not subject to the filing requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. However, the Registrant has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files).     Yes   ý     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company", and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   ý

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ¨

As of November 1, 2018 , the Registrant had 1,000 shares of common stock, no par value, outstanding. All of the Registrant's outstanding shares were held indirectly by Hindalco Industries Ltd., the Registrant's parent company.

Novelis Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements (unaudited)

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

(in millions)

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)

(in millions)

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(in millions)

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Novelis Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDER'S (DEFICIT) EQUITY (unaudited)

(in millions, except number of shares)

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

1.    BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

References herein to "Novelis," the "Company," "we," "our," or "us" refer to Novelis Inc. and its subsidiaries unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. References herein to "Hindalco" refer to Hindalco Industries Limited. Hindalco acquired Novelis in May 2007. All of the common shares of Novelis are owned directly by AV Metals Inc. and indirectly by Hindalco.

Organization and Description of Business

Novelis is the leading producer of flat-rolled aluminum products and the world's largest recycler of aluminum. We work alongside our customers to provide innovative solutions to the beverage can, automotive and high-end specialty markets. Operating an integrated network of technically advanced rolling and recycling facilities across North America, South America, Europe and Asia, Novelis leverages its global manufacturing and recycling footprint to deliver consistent, high-quality products around the world. As of September 30, 2018 , we had manufacturing operations in ten countries on four continents: North America, South America, Asia and Europe, through 24 operating facilities, including recycling operations in eleven of these plants.

The March 31, 2018 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended March 31, 2018 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 8, 2018 . Management believes that all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of results, consisting of normally recurring items, have been included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the interim periods presented.

Consolidation Policy

Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of all wholly-owned subsidiaries, majority-owned subsidiaries over which we exercise control and entities in which we have a controlling financial interest or are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. We eliminate all significant intercompany accounts and transactions from our condensed consolidated financial statements.

We use the equity method to account for our investments in entities that we do not control, but where we have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Consolidated "Net income attributable to our common shareholder" includes our share of net income (loss) of these entities. The difference between consolidation and the equity method impacts certain of our financial ratios because of the presentation of the detailed line items reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements for consolidated entities, compared to a two-line presentation of "Investment in and advances to non-consolidated affiliates" and "Equity in net (income) loss of non-consolidated affiliates."

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The principal areas of judgment relate to (1) the fair value of derivative financial instruments; (2) impairment of goodwill; (3) impairment of long lived assets and other intangible assets; (4) impairment and assessment of consolidation of equity investments; (5) actuarial assumptions related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans; (6) tax uncertainties and valuation allowances; and (7) assessment of loss contingencies, including environmental and litigation liabilities. Future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty, and accordingly, our accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment.

The accounting estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. We evaluate and update our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may employ outside experts to assist in our evaluations. Actual results could differ from the estimates we have used.

Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements

As of September 30, 2018 , we identified a misclassification in previously reported " Deferred income tax assets " and " Other long-term liabilities " as of March 31, 2018 in the amount of $12 million , such that each of these balances was

understated by equal and offsetting amounts in our previous filings. The March 31, 2018 consolidated balance sheet amounts and relevant disclosures reported in this 10-Q for the above referenced financial statement line items reflect the revised amounts. This misclassification also impacted previously reported fiscal 2018 financial statement line items contained within "Net cash provided by operating activities", although no cash flow statement subtotal was impacted; current and deferred income tax expense and balances, as disclosed in Note 18 - Income Taxes of our Form 10-K; and relevant amounts disclosed in Note 20 - Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information of our Form 10-K. Revisions to the fiscal 2018 consolidated statement of cash flows, and Note 18 and 20 disclosures, will be made in connection with the issuance of our Form 10-K as of and for the year ended March 31, 2019 .

We assessed the materiality of the misstatement and concluded that it was not material to the Company's previously issued financial statements and that amendments of previously filed reports were therefore not required. However, we elected to revise the previously reported amounts as described above. 

Reclassification

Certain prior period amounts have been adjusted as a result of the adoption of new accounting standards.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Effective for the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we early adopted ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework - Change to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modified the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820 including the consideration of costs and benefits. The amendments relate to changes in disclosures on unrealized gains and losses, the disclosure of the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty were applied prospectively, where applicable. Due to the immateriality of the electricity swap which is our only Level 3 derivative contract, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and all the related amendments which supersedes the standard in former ASC 605, Revenue Recognition . The new standard requires entities to recognize revenue based on the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for these goods or services. We adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective transition approach. We determined that our existing revenue recognition practices were in compliance with Topic 606. Accordingly, there was no cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the condensed consolidated balance sheet in the first quarter of 2018, as the adoption did not result in a change to our timing of revenue recognition. See Note 2 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers for additional disclosures related to the adoption of this standard. The adoption of this standard does not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we adopted ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income . This standard provides an option to reclassify stranded tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) to retained earnings due to the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate change in the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Act"). This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted.  Additionally, the ASU requires new disclosures by all companies. Other than those effects related to the Act, the Company releases the income tax effect from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") in the period when the underlying transaction impacts earnings. We early adopted this accounting standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and reclassified $16 million into retained earnings of our common shareholder from AOCI. This reclassification consists of deferred taxes originally recorded in AOCI at rates that exceed the newly enacted U.S. federal corporate tax rate. There was no impact to net income.

Effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we adopted ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This update was issued primarily to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The new standard requires entities to (1) disaggregate the current service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost (the "other components") and present the other components within non-operating income and (2) present the other components elsewhere in the results of operations and outside of income from operations if that subtotal is presented. In addition, the new standard requires entities to disclose the results of operations line items that contain the other components if they are not presented on appropriately described separate lines. We adopted this standard on a retrospective basis and utilized the practical expedient. As a result, we reclassified the net periodic benefit cost, exclusive of service cost, to " Other (income) expenses, net " for the comparative periods. We reclassified, with no impact to net income, net periodic benefit cost totaling $13 million ( $7 million from "Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)" and $6 million from "Selling, general and administrative expenses") for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and $23 million ( $12 million from "Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization") and $11 million from "Selling, general and administrative expenses") for the six months ended September 30, 2017 into " Other (income) expenses, net ".

Effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we adopted ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) -Restricted Cash. The new standard requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Transfers between restricted cash and cash and cash equivalents will no longer be presented in the operating section of the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. We adopted this standard on a retrospective basis and disclose the nature of the restrictions for material balances of restricted cash.

Amounts included in restricted cash largely represent those required to be set aside for employee benefits. The following table reconciles cash and cash equivalents as reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheet to cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Prior period amounts have been adjusted to conform to the current period presentation.

Effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we adopted ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Intra-Entity Asset Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory . The new standard eliminates the exception for all intra-entity sales of assets other than inventory. It requires the tax effect of intra-entity sales of assets other than inventory to be recognized currently which will impact Novelis' effective tax rate.  The changes require the current and deferred income tax consequences of the intra-entity transfer to be recorded when the transaction occurs. We have adopted this standard on a modified retrospective basis and the cumulative effect of the change on retained earnings is $36 million with a corresponding impact to deferred tax balances.

Effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we adopted ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new standard applies to all entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows under Topic 230 and addresses eight specific cash flow items to provide clarification and reduce the diversity in presentation of these items. We adopted this standard on a retrospective basis and we reclassified the cash received related to beneficial interest in certain factored accounts receivables from operating activities to investing activities.  For the six months ended September 30, 2017 , we reclassified $6 million from accounts receivable within operating activities into the line item "Other" within investing activities on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software (Topic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that Is a Service Contract, which requires capitalization of implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract. This change will better align with requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected. These changes become effective for Novelis on April 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, which amends ASC 715 to add, remove and clarify requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The ASU added requirements for new disclosures such as now requiring a narrative description of the reasons for significant gains and losses affecting the benefit obligation for the period and also an explanation of any other significant changes in the benefit obligation or plan assets that are not otherwise apparent in the other disclosures required by ASC 715. Further, the ASU removes some currently required disclosures such as (a) the requirement (for public entities) to disclose the effects of a one-percentage-point change on the assumed health care costs and the effect of this change in rates on service cost, interest cost, and the benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits and (b) the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income "OCI" expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs over the next fiscal year. These changes become effective for Novelis for fiscal year ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which removes Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. As amended, the goodwill impairment test will consist of one step comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. Under the simplified model, a goodwill impairment is calculated as the difference between the carrying amount of the reporting unit and its fair value, but not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Early adoption is permitted. These changes become effective for Novelis on April 1, 2020. This standard will need to be considered each time Novelis performs an assessment of goodwill for impairment under the quantitative test. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard and does not expect that adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which when effective, will require organizations that lease assets to recognize assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by the leases on balance sheet. A lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with terms that exceed twelve months. The standard will also require disclosures to help investors and financial statement users better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements, providing additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. Novelis has established a cross-functional project team to lead the implementation effort including the implementation of an enterprise-wise lease management system and evaluation of additional changes to our processes and internal controls. In addition, Novelis is evaluating certain practical expedients. These changes become effective for Novelis on April 1, 2019 for the annual reporting period (including interim periods therein). The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard.

2.    REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

The Company's contracts with customers are comprised of purchase orders along with standard terms and conditions. These contracts with customers typically consist of the manufacture of products which represent single performance obligations that are satisfied upon transfer of control of the product to the customer at a point in time. Transfer of control is assessed based on alternative use of the products we produce and our enforceable right to payment for performance to date under the contract terms. Transfer of control and revenue recognition generally occur upon shipment or delivery of the product, which is when title, ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer and is based on the applicable shipping terms. The shipping terms vary across all businesses and depend on the product, the country of origin, and the type of transportation (truck, train, or vessel). The length of payment terms can vary per contract but none extend beyond one year. Revenue is recognized net of any volume rebates or other incentives.

We disaggregate revenue from contracts with customers on a geographic basis based on our segment view. This disaggregation also achieves the disclosure objective to depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. We manage our activities on the basis of geographical regions and are organized under four operating segments: North America, South America, Asia and Europe. See Note 16 - Segment, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information for further information about our segment revenue.

3.    INVENTORIES

"Inventories" consist of the following (in millions).

4.    CONSOLIDATION

Variable Interest Entities (VIE)

We have a joint interest in Logan Aluminum Inc. (Logan) with Tri-Arrows Aluminum Inc. (Tri-Arrows). Logan processes metal received from Novelis and Tri-Arrows and charges the respective partner a fee to cover expenses. Logan is a thinly capitalized variable interest entity ("VIE") that relies on the regular reimbursement of costs and expenses from its investors, Novelis and Tri-Arrows, to fund its operations. Novelis is considered the primary beneficiary and consolidates Logan since it has the power to direct the production operations and other activities that most significantly impact Logan's economic performance, an obligation to absorb expected losses and the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant.

Other than the contractually required reimbursements, we do not provide other material support to Logan. Logan's creditors do not have recourse to our general credit. There are significant other assets used in the operations of Logan that are not part of the joint venture, as they are directly owned and consolidated by Novelis or Tri-Arrows.

The following table summarizes the carrying value and classification of assets and liabilities owned by the Logan joint venture and consolidated in our condensed consolidated balance sheets (in millions).

Included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are transactions and balances arising from business we conducted with our equity method non-consolidated affiliates, which we classify as related party transactions and balances. We account for these affiliates using the equity method as the risk of loss is limited to the carrying value of each investment.

Alunorf

Aluminum Norf GmbH (Alunorf) is a joint venture investment between Novelis Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of Novelis, and Hydro Aluminum Deutschland GmbH (Hydro). Each of the parties to the joint venture hold a 50% interest in the equity, profits and losses, shareholder voting, management control and rights to use the production capacity of the facility. Alunorf purchases aluminum from Novelis and Hydro, tolls the aluminum, and charges the respective partner a fee to cover the associated expenses.

UAL

Ulsan Aluminum, Ltd. (UAL) is a joint venture investment between Novelis Korea Ltd., a subsidiary of Novelis, and Kobe Steel Ltd. (Kobe). UAL is a thinly capitalized VIE that relies on the regular reimbursement of costs and expenses from its investors, Novelis and Kobe. UAL is ultimately controlled by the Board of Directors and neither entity has the ability to take the majority share of production and associated costs, therefore, it is accounted for as an equity method investment and Novelis is not considered the primary beneficiary. UAL produces flat rolled aluminum products exclusively for Novelis and Kobe. As of September 30, 2018, Novelis and Kobe both hold 50% interests in UAL.

AluInfra

In July 2018, Novelis Switzerland SA (Novelis Switzerland), a subsidiary of Novelis, entered into definitive agreements with Constellium Valais SA (Constellium), an unrelated party, under which Novelis Switzerland and Constellium will jointly own and operate AluInfra Services SA (AluInfra), the joint venture investment. Each of the parties to the joint venture hold a 50% interest in the equity, profits and losses, shareholder voting, management control and rights to use the production capacity of the facility.

The following table summarizes the results of operations of our equity method affiliates, and the nature and amounts of significant transactions we have with our non-consolidated affiliates (in millions). The amounts in the table below are disclosed at 100% of the operating results of these affiliates.

The following table describes the period-end account balances that we had with these non-consolidated affiliates, shown as related party balances in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets (in millions). We had no other material related party balances with these affiliates.

As of March 31, 2018 , we earned less than $1 million of interest income on this loan receivable. We believed collection of the full receivable from Alunorf was probable; thus no allowance for loan loss was recorded as of March 31, 2018 .

We have guaranteed the indebtedness for a credit facility on behalf of Alunorf. The guarantee is limited to 50% of the outstanding debt, not to exceed 6 million euros (EUR). As of September 30, 2018 , there were no amounts outstanding under our guarantee with Alunorf as there were no outstanding borrowings. We have also guaranteed the payment of early retirement benefits on behalf of Alunorf. As of September 30, 2018 , this guarantee totaled $2 million .

Transactions with Hindalco

We occasionally have related party transactions with our indirect parent company, Hindalco. During the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , "Net sales" were less than $1 million , respectively, between Novelis and Hindalco. As of September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018 , there were less than $1 million in "Accounts receivable, net - related parties", respectively, outstanding related to transactions with Hindalco. During the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , Novelis purchased less than $1 million of raw materials from Hindalco.

6.    DEBT

_________________________

Principal repayment requirements for our total debt over the next five years and thereafter using exchange rates as of September 30, 2018 (for our debt denominated in foreign currencies) are as follows (in millions).

Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended March 31, 2018 for details on the issuances and respective covenants of our senior notes and senior secured credit facilities, which includes the Term Loan Facility and ABL Revolver facility.

Senior Notes

As of September 30, 2018 , we were in compliance with the covenants for our Senior Notes.

Term Loan Facility

In September 2017, we amended our Term Loan Credit Agreement (the "Term Loan Amendment"). The facility (Term Loan Facility) consists of a $1.8 billion five -year secured term loan. As of September 30, 2018 , $18 million of the Term Loan Facility is due within one year. As of September 30, 2018 , we were in compliance with the covenants for our term loan.

Short-Term Borrowings

In September 2017, we amended and extended the ABL Revolver. The facility (ABL Revolver) consists of a $1 billion asset based loan. As of September 30, 2018 , there were $105 million in Novelis AG ABL borrowings (EUR 90 million ). Additionally, as of September 30, 2018 , $8 million of the ABL Revolver was utilized for letters of credit, and we had $793 million in remaining availability under the ABL Revolver. As of September 30, 2018 , we were in compliance with the covenants for our ABL Revolver.     

As of September 30, 2018 , our short-term borrowings were $147 million consisting of $105 million in ABL borrowings (EUR 90 million ), $41 million in Novelis China loans (CNY 284 million ) and $1 million in other short-term borrowings.

As of September 30, 2018 , we had availability under our Novelis Korea and Novelis China revolving credit facilities and credit lines of $107 million (KRW 120 billion ) and $6 million (CNY 41 million ), respectively.

Korean Bank Loans

All of the Korean Bank Loans have variable interest rates with base rates generally tied to Korea's 91-day CD rate plus an applicable spread ranging from 0.99% to 1.21% .

Interest Rate Swaps

We use interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to changes in benchmark interest rates which impact our variable-rate debt. See Note 10 - Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts for further information about these interest rate swaps.

7.    SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

During the six months ended September 30, 2018 , we granted 2,249,762 RSUs and 2,359,601 Hindalco stock appreciation rights (Hindalco SARs). Total compensation expense related to all plans for the respective periods was $12 million and $14 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. As of September 30, 2018 , the outstanding liability related to share-based compensation was $18 million .    

The cash payments made to settle all SAR liabilities were $4 million and $7 million in the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 periods, respectively. Total cash payments made to settle Hindalco phantom restricted stock units (RSUs) were $14 million and $8 million in the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense related to the non-vested Hindalco SARs (assuming all future performance criteria are met) was $7 million , which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.1 years . Unrecognized compensation expense related to the RSUs was $9 million , which will be recognized over the remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.2 years .

For a further description of authorized long term incentive plans (LTIPs), including Hindalco SARs, RSUs, and Novelis Performance Units, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2018.

8.    POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

Components of net periodic benefit cost for all of our postretirement benefit plans are shown in the table below (in millions).

_________________________

(A) Service cost is included within " Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) " and " Selling, general and administrative expenses " and all other cost components are recorded within " Other (income) expenses, net ".

The average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is 5.2% in fiscal 2019 .

Employer Contributions to Plans

For pension plans, our policy is to fund an amount required to provide for contractual benefits attributed to service to date, and amortize unfunded actuarial liabilities typically over periods of 15 years or less. We also participate in savings plans in Canada and the U.S., as well as defined contribution pension plans in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Brazil. We contributed the following amounts (in millions) to all plans.

During the remainder of fiscal 2019 , we expect to contribute an additional $10 million to our funded pension plans, $8 million to our unfunded pension plans and $12 million to our savings and defined contribution pension plans.

9.    CURRENCY GAINS

The following currency (gains) losses are included in " Other (income) expenses, net " in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions).

The following currency gains (losses) are included in " Accumulated other comprehensive loss ," net of tax and "Noncontrolling interests" in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets (in millions).

10.    FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND COMMODITY CONTRACTS

The following tables summarize the gross fair values of our financial instruments and commodity contracts as of September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018 (in millions).

_________________________

Metal

We use derivative instruments to preserve our conversion margins and manage the timing differences associated with metal price lag. We use over-the-counter derivatives indexed to the London Metals Exchange ("LME") (referred to as our "aluminum derivative forward contracts") to reduce our exposure to fluctuating metal prices associated with the period of time between the pricing of our purchases of inventory and the pricing of the sale of that inventory to our customers, which is known as metal price lag. We also purchase forward LME aluminum contracts simultaneously with our sales contracts with customers that contain fixed metal prices. These LME aluminum forward contracts directly hedge the economic risk of future metal price fluctuations to better match the selling price of the metal with the purchase price of the metal. The volatility in local market premiums also results in metal price lag.

Price risk exposure arises from commitments to sell aluminum in future periods at fixed prices. We identify and designate certain LME aluminum forward contracts as fair value hedges of the metal price risk associated with fixed price sales commitments that qualify as firm commitments. We did not have any outstanding aluminum forward purchase contracts designated as fair value hedges as of September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018 .

Price risk arises due to fluctuating aluminum prices between the time the sales order is committed and the time the order is shipped. We identify and designate certain LME aluminum forward purchase contracts as cash flow hedges of the metal price risk associated with our future metal purchases that vary based on changes in the price of aluminum. We did not have any outstanding aluminum forward purchase contracts designated as cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018 .

Price risk exposure arises due to the timing lag between the LME based pricing of raw material aluminum purchases and the LME based pricing of finished product sales. We identify and designate certain LME aluminum forward sales contracts as cash flow hedges of the metal price risk associated with our future metal sales that vary based on changes in the price of aluminum. Generally, such exposures do not extend beyond two years in length. The average duration of undesignated contracts is less than one year .

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, we entered into LME copper forward contracts. As of September 30, 2018 , the fair value of these contracts was an asset of less than $1 million . These contracts are undesignated with an average duration of less than one year .

The following table summarizes our metal notional amounts (in kt).

Foreign Currency

We use foreign exchange forward contracts, cross-currency swaps and options to manage our exposure to changes in exchange rates. These exposures arise from recorded assets and liabilities, firm commitments and forecasted cash flows denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of certain operations.

We use foreign currency contracts to hedge expected future foreign currency transactions, which include capital expenditures. These contracts cover the same periods as known or expected exposures. We had total notional amounts of $691 million and $499 million in outstanding foreign currency forwards designated as cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018 , respectively.

We use foreign currency contracts to hedge our foreign currency exposure to our net investment in foreign subsidiaries. We did no t have any outstanding foreign currency forwards designated as net investment hedges as of September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018 .