Friday, 1 August 2014

Steelmaker ArcelorMittal sees US, Europe improving


ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, says it swung to a profit in the second quarter on higher steel shipments and better margins, and it sees improving markets in the United States and Europe.


The Luxembourg-based company reported net profit of $52 million, from a loss of $205 million in the same period a year ago. Revenues rose 4.5 percent to $20.7 billion.


The company's founder and CEO, Lakshmi Mittal, said in a statement Friday that iron ore prices were not as strong as hoped, and he cut operating profit forecasts to $7 billion from $8 billion.


However, Mittal says indicators in both Europe and the U.S., which account for two-thirds of the company's business, "continue to be positive."


"We have increased our steel demand forecasts for both markets," he said.



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