(Photo: ArceorMittal)
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands ArcelorMittal SA, the worlds largest steelmaker, slumped to a first-quarter loss, even as the companys chief executive said restructuring efforts are starting to pay off and the steel market is stabilizing after a big reverse in the middle of last year.
The Luxembourg-based companys business was hit by Europes ongoing economic problems and slowing growth in China. In the same quarter last year, it benefited from a tax windfall.
Overall, it said Friday it made a net loss of $345 million euros (265 million euros) in the first quarter of the year, compared to a profit of $92 million in the equivalent period in 2012.
Sales fell 13 per cent to $19.8 billion, and operating profit fell 50 per cent to $404 million.
RELATED: ArcelorMittal posts near $4 billion fourth quarter loss sees global growth except in Europe
Economic conditions remain challenging but our performance in the quarter reflects the results of the management action we have taken to confront the effects of the financial crisis, the companys Indian-born chief executive Lakshmi Mittal said in a statement.
We have significantly reduced our net debt and the steps we have taken to focus production on our more competitive assets are beginning to yield results.
He cited a focus on high-strength steels used by car manufacturers.
In spite of tough market conditions, the company reiterated its forecast that it will make at least $7.1 billion in core profits for the full year, as measured by EBITDA, or earnings before costs from interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of goodwill. EBITDA, which is commonly used by financial analysts, was $1.57 billion in the first quarter, slightly ahead of analysts expectations.
Investors appeared cheered by the companys updat and Arcelors share price rose 4.4 per cent to 10.28 euros in early European trading.
ArcelorMittal forecasts that global steel consumption will grow by at least 3 per cent this year, and that its own shipments will rise 2 per cent.
The company had no impairments or restructuring costs in the quarter, a stark contrast with the fourth quarter of 2012, when it reported a $3.8 billion loss, mostly due to costs related to closing plants or reducing production in France, Belgium and Spain.
