Steel Mills
ArcelorMittal Does Not Announce TK USA Purchase During Earnings Call
Written by Sandy Williams
November 7, 2013
ArcelorMittal reported a net loss of $193 million in the third quarter. Sales of $19.6 billion were down from $19.7 in the second quarter and $20.2 billion in the third quarter of 2012. EBITDA of $1.7 billion was reported for the quarter, 24 percent higher than the same quarter in 2012 and well above analyst expectations.
“We believe that the bottom of the cycle is behind us,” said Lakshimi Mittal, Chairman and CEO. “Although operating conditions remain challenging, as economic indicators are improving we are cautiously optimistic about the prospects for 2014.”
Third quarter steel shipments totaled 21.1 million metric tonnes, up 6 percent from Q2 2012. Ore production increased 4.5 percent year over year to 14.9 million tonnes with 9.4 million tonnes shipped at market price.
Crude steel production in the Flat Carbon Americas (FCA) sector increased to 6.3 million tonnes from 5.6 million tonnes in the second quarter. Labor issues at Burns Harbor and operational incidents at Indiana Harbor East and West impacted production output the in the second quarter. Lower volume of FCA steel shipments (6.6 million tonnes) and a 3.3 percent drop in average selling prices reduced sales to $6.3 billion compared to $6.9 billion in the previous quarter.
ArcelorMittal expects profitability to improve in the 2013 due to a 1-2 percent increase in steel shipments, a 20 percent increase in marketable iron ore shipments and asset optimization and management gains. Net debt is expected to decrease to $17 billion in the fourth quarter from $17.8 billion in the third quarter. EBITDA is expected for 2013 is forecast to be greater than $6.5 billion.
In its industry outlook ArcelorMittal said it expects global steel consumption to increase about 3.5 percent in 2013 with an increase of 6.5-7.5 percent in China and -1 to 0 percent in the US. Steel inventories are down globally with the U.S. beginning to show a slow increase in stocks.
In its conference call, ArcelorMittal would not comment on negotiations with ThyssenKrupp other than to say it is a good asset that would complement its other US assets and to reiterate its continued interest in possible purchase. When asked if they are interested in buying CSA they said they are not short of steel slab and are focused on achieving their net debt target and having a strong balance sheet.
Commenting on the spread between US and Chinese prices, ArcelorMittal said the there are a lot factors that would drive prices but they consider the US market stable and supported by key raw materials. The margin spread between North American and other countries is higher than usual and probably unsustainable but how it is resolved is up for question.
Sandy Williams
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