ArcelorMittal (referred to as 'ArcelorMittal' or the 'Company' or the 'Group') (MT (New York, Amsterdam, Paris, Luxembourg), MTS (Madrid)), the world's leading integrated steel and mining company, today announced results1 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024.
Analyst & investor call replay - link
Earnings Release - EN - PDF
Analysts slides - EN - PDF
Analyst model - XLS 1Q 2024 key highlights: Health and safety focus: Protecting employee health and wellbeing remains the overarching priority of the Company; the Company-wide audit of safety by dss+ is progressing and will support our pathway to zero serious injuries and fatalities; LTIF2 rate of 0.61x in 1Q 2024
Recovering volumes and higher steel spreads supporting improved results: Scope adjusted steel shipments17 increased +5.0% in 1Q 2024 vs. 4Q 2023; 1Q 2024 EBITDA14 of $2.0bn (vs. $1.5bn in 4Q 2023) with EBITDA/t of $145/t in 1Q 2024 (vs. $110/t in 4Q 2023). Net income of $0.9bn in 1Q 2024 vs. net loss of $3.0bn (adjusted net income of $1.0bn8) in 4Q 2023
Free cash flow impacted by seasonal working capital needs: a seasonal working capital investment ($1.7bn)22 together with capex ($1.2bn) in support of strategic growth projects19 led to a free cash outflow during the quarter of $1.4bn
Financial strength: Net debt of $4.8bn at the end of the quarter (gross debt of $10.2bn and cash and cash equivalents of $5.4bn)12 compares to a net debt of $2.9bn at December 31, 2023. Over the past 12 months net debt has declined by $0.4bn despite strategic growth capex investments of $1.6bn and returns to shareholders totaling $1.7bn25. This highlights the strong underlying cash generating capacity of the business
Key developments towards strategic objectives:
Organic growth: Capex in 1Q 2024 includes $0.4bn on strategic growth projects21, which are estimated to add approximately $1.8bn to the Company's EBITDA13 potential by the end of 2026; strategic projects to commence operations in 1H 2024 include Vega CMC (Brazil) and the 1GW renewables project in India; 2H 2024 projects include Calvert EAF (US), Serra Azul and Barra Mansa in Brazil, electrical steel in Europe and mine expansion in Liberia
Asset portfolio: The Company has agreed to acquire a 28% stake in Vallourec for $1.1bn, increasing its exposure to the downstream value-added tubular market; targeting premium segments in the America's market, including a focus on energy transition solutions (CCS and hydrogen); transaction closing is subject to regulatory approvals and currently expected in 2H 2024
Consistent shareholder returns: The Company has repurchased a further 22.5m shares10 in 1Q 2024, bringing the total reduction in diluted shares to 35% since September 30, 20207. This has contributed to an increase in the book value per share to $67/sh4 at the end of the quarter. The Company will continue to return a minimum 50% of post-dividend FCF to shareholders through its share buyback programs. The $0.50/sh base dividend for 2023 will be paid in 2 equal installments in June 2024 and December 2024
Commenting, Aditya Mittal, ArcelorMittal Chief Executive Officer, said:
'Across the Company our people are galvanized to improve safety performance. The 3rd party safety audit, which started at the end of December, is now well underway and on target to be completed in September. We expect this to make valuable recommendations that, combined with the considerable efforts already underway, will enable us to deliver the safety results we are striving for.
'On financial performance, the improved pricing environment combined with recovering volumes resulted in sequentially stronger quarterly results, which also now reflect the value contributed by our joint ventures.
'We have an exciting pipeline of growth projects underway, including the 1GW renewables project in India and Vega CMC in Brazil, both of which are expected to commence operations in the first half. Meanwhile the strategic stake in Vallourec will enhance our exposure to the attractive North American market in the value-added tubular market. We continue to progress with our decarbonization projects, conscious of the need to ensure these investments create value as well as reduce emissions.
'Maintaining our position as the lead supplier of low carbon steels is a clear priority and the planned ramp-up at Sestao, along with the new EAF in Gijon which will break ground imminently, will both have an important role to play. Meanwhile our XCarb recycled and renewably produced steel will be on show to the world during the Paris Olympics, in both the Olympic and Paralympic torches and also the Spectacular which will be erected on the Eiffel Tower.
'Although overall economic sentiment remains subdued, we expect apparent steel demand ex-China to grow between +3% and +4% this year and are well positioned to benefit from this improvement.'
Forward-Looking Statements
This document may contain forward-looking information and statements about ArcelorMittal and its subsidiaries. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words 'believe', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'target' or similar expressions. Although ArcelorMittal's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of ArcelorMittal's securities are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of ArcelorMittal, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the filings with the Luxembourg Stock Market Authority for the Financial Markets (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier) and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') made or to be made by ArcelorMittal, including ArcelorMittal's latest Annual Report on Form 20-F on file with the SEC. ArcelorMittal undertakes no obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Contact:
Tel: +44 207 543 1128
About ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal is one of the world's leading integrated steel and mining companies with a presence in 60 countries and primary steelmaking operations in 15 countries. It is the largest steel producer in Europe, among the largest in the Americas, and has a growing presence in Asia through its joint venture AM/NS India. ArcelorMittal sells its products to a diverse range of customers including the automotive, engineering, construction and machinery industries, and in 2023 generated revenues of $68.3 billion, produced 58.1 million metric tonnes of crude steel and, 42.0 million tonnes of iron ore. Our purpose is to produce smarter steels for people and planet. Steels made using innovative processes which use less energy, emit significantly less carbon and reduce costs. Steels that are cleaner, stronger and reusable. Steels for the renewable energy infrastructure that will support societies as they transform through this century. With steel at our core, our inventive people and an entrepreneurial culture at heart, we will support the world in making that change. ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).
VALLOUREC 
