OREANDA-NEWS. November 06, 2012. ArcelorMittal (referred to as “ArcelorMittal” or the “Company”) (MT (New York, Amsterdam, Paris, Luxembourg), MTS (Madrid)), the world’s leading integrated steel and mining company, announced results for the three and nine- month periods ended September 30, 2012, reported the press-centre of ArcelorMittal. 

Highlights:
Health and safety performance: LTIF rate of 1.0x in 3Q 2012 as compared to 0.8x in 2Q 2012 and 1.5x in 3Q 2011

EBITDA of USD 1.3 billion in 3Q 2012 (including negative USD 0.1 billion from employee benefit charges) as compared to USD 2.4 billion in 2Q 2012 (which included positive USD 0.3 billion of gains on subsidiary divestments)

Steel shipments of 19.9 Mt in 3Q 2012, a decrease of 8.3% as compared to 2Q 2012 and 5.7% below 3Q 2011

14.3Mt iron ore produced in 3Q 2012, up +1.3% YoY; 7.1Mt shipped and reported at market price , up +6.7% YoY

Net debt increased by USD 1.2 billion during 3Q 2012 to USD 23.2 billion, driven by negative operating cash flow (including a USD 0.3 billion investment in working capital) and negative foreign exchange impacts partially offset by proceeds from asset disposal and an issuance of perpetual securities

Liquidity of \\$13.4 billion at end 3Q 2012, with an average debt maturity of 6.2 years

Asset optimization plan progressing: Closure of liquid phase at Liege, Belgium[8] agreed; announced intention to launch a project to permanently close the liquid phase of Florange in France

Management gains plan completed with USD 4.8 billion savings achieved ahead of schedule

Outlook and guidance:
The Q3 2012 fall in the iron ore price and the weaker global economic backdrop adversely impacted steel prices and steel volumes as well as the profitability of our mining operations, affecting our previous expectations for group profitability in 2H 2012

The Company now expects to achieve FY 2012 EBITDA of approximately USD 7 billion

Iron ore shipments remain on track to increase by approximately 10% in FY 2012 compared to FY 2011

Excluding any proceeds from future asset sales, net debt is expected to be approximately USD 22 billion by year end; deleveraging is a priority as the Company continues to target an investment grade credit rating

Considering the challenging global economic conditions, and the Company’s priority to deleverage, ArcelorMittal’s Board of Directors proposes reducing the annual dividend payment to USD 0.20/share from 2013 (from USD 0.75/share in 2012)

2012 capex is expected to be approximately USD 4.5 billion; ArcelorMittal Mines Canada expansion to 24mtpa on track for ramp up during 1H 2013

Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal, Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, commented:
The already fragile global economy was further impacted in the third quarter of 2012 by the slowdown in China. This resulted in very challenging operating conditions for ArcelorMittal, which are expected to continue in the fourth quarter. Against this backdrop, the Company is focussed on delivering its plan of asset optimization, net debt reduction and productivity and efficiency improvements.