The company reported an operating loss for the second quarter of 251 million Swedish crowns (22.10 million pounds), from a profit of 1.32 billion crowns a year earlier. However, the loss was lower than the 400 million seen by analysts according to Refinitiv estimates.

"Third quarter demand for steel is expected to be negatively affected by industrial deceleration due to the effects of Covid-19," SSAB said in a statement.

"In Europe in particular, but also to some extent also in North America, this effect is expected to be intensified by normal seasonal slowdown. Underlying demand is expected to improve somewhat toward the end of the third quarter."

(Reporting by Niklas Pollard, Editing by Supantha Mukherjee)