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A swing to profit in fourth quarter - Rautaruukki's full year in the red (unaudited)
February 5, 2003 08:00 CET

A swing to profit in fourth quarter - Rautaruukki's full year in the red (unaudited)

Rautaruukki Oyj Stock Exchange Release 5 February 2003 at 9 am
 
Rautaruukki's consolidated turnover in 2002 was EUR 2,884 million (2,906).
The result before taxes was a loss of EUR 46 million (+41). The result in
Rautaruukki Steel deteriorated and Fundia Wire again recorded a
significant loss. The profit before taxes for the final quarter was EUR 2
million (-22). Excluding non-recurring costs, the final quarter profit was
EUR 22 million. The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General
Meeting that no dividend be distributed for 2002.
 
Non-recurring costs for the whole year totalled EUR 27 million, of which
the most significant was a provision of EUR 20 million arising from the
personnel downsizing which it has been decided to carry out at Rautaruukki
Steel and Metform.
 
Contributions to the Rautaruukki Pension Fund were EUR 12 million higher
than last year, mainly as a result of the slide in share prices.
 
Business environment and market
During 2002 economic growth continued to be very slow in Western Europe,
North America and Japan. In China, Southeast Asia and the countries of
Eastern Europe, economic growth was faster than in the rest of the world.
Demand for steel products in Europe was slightly lower than in 2001, while
demand in the United States remained at the same level. Demand for steel
products grew in China, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.
 
In March the United States imposed 8-30 per cent import tariffs on
imported steel products. Since then the United States has exempted some
steel products from the import tariffs, but the tariffs still apply to the
bulk of steel products imported into the United States.
 
At the end of March the European Union imposed protective measures that
were in force for six months against the import of steel products into the
EU countries. According to these measures, imports can exceed by a maximum
of 10 per cent the average volume of imports during 1999-2001, the amount
in excess of this being subject to a 15-26 per cent tariff. At the end of
September the EU decided to continue the protective measures for another
2.5 years. Excluded from the protective measures so far are, among other
products, bar steels and heavy plates, for which any protective measures
will be decided by the end of February 2003.
 
Due to the protective measures, imports of steel products into the EU were
lower than in 2001. The export and import of steel products were balanced
in the EU area. Stocks of steel products in Europe were at normal levels
at the end of the year.
 
In Europe prices of steel products were very low at the beginning of the
year but they began to strengthen as supply and demand reached a balance
from the second quarter onwards. Average prices for the year were,
however, lower than the previous year.

In the United States the prices of steel products, which rose sharply at
the beginning of the year due the contraction of the supply, declined
significantly as supply increased in the second half of the year. Average
prices for the year were, however, higher than the previous year. In the
countries of Southeast Asia the prices of steel products strengthened.
World steel output grew by 6 per cent compared with 2001, of which a
significant contribution came from increased production in China. Steel
output in European Union countries was at the previous year's level, and
in the rest of Europe it grew by 3 per cent.
 
Rautaruukki in the market
Rautaruukki Steel's output was 2,562,000 tonnes (2,565,000). Because of
operating disturbances and interim repairs made to Rautaruukki Steel's
Blast Furnace No.1 in July, steel production fell more than 200,000 tonnes
short of the target level. Since the interim repair of the blast furnace,
steel production has been at the target level of 2.8 million tonnes per
year.
 
Fundia's steel output was 1,688,000 tonnes (1,604,000). Interim repairs to
the Fundia Koverhar blast furnace were carried out in August.
        
The Group's deliveries of flat and tubular products were 3 per cent
greater than in 2001. The average price of deliveries was 3 per cent lower
than the previous year. In the final quarter of the year, the average
price of deliveries was 1 per cent higher than in the previous quarter.
 
Deliveries of long steel products fell by 2 per cent. Deliveries of rebar
steels and bar products grew. Deliveries of wire products and hot-rolled
profiles declined. The average price of long steel products was 1 per cent
higher than in 2001. In the final quarter of the year, the average price
of deliveries was 1 per cent lower than in the previous quarter.
 
The average price of deliveries is influenced by product mix and market
area changes as well as by the general trend in prices.
 
TURNOVER AND FINANCIAL RESULT
Consolidated turnover was EUR 2,884 million (2,906).
 
Prices of iron raw materials were on average 6 per cent lower and the
price of coking coal was 1 per cent higher than in 2001. The price of
electricity was 9 per cent higher and the price of scrap used by Fundia
was 8 per cent higher than in 2001.
 
Operating profit was EUR 6 million (93). The lower prices of Rautaruukki
Steel's deliveries and the loss on operations at Fundia Wire contributed
to the weakening of the operating profit. Fundia Wire's financial
performance was influenced by production problems and higher costs
resulting from the implementation of the restructuring and development
programme as well as the low prices for wire rods.
 
Non-recurring costs totalled EUR 27 million, of which the most significant
was a provision of EUR 20 million arising from the personnel downsizing
which it has been decided to carry out at Rautaruukki Steel and Metform.
Another EUR 7 million in non-recurring costs resulted from write-downs on
Fundia's fixed assets and provisions made for certain restructuring
measures.
 
Contributions to the Rautaruukki Pension Fund were EUR 12 million higher
than last year, mainly as a result of the slide in share prices.
 
Operating profit for the final quarter of 2002 was EUR 17 million (-12),
which includes non-recurring costs of EUR 20 million and capital gains
amounting to EUR 7 million.
 
The Group's other operating income was EUR 15 million (17). The loss
before extraordinary items and taxes was EUR 46 million (+41). Return on
net assets was 0.6 per cent (5.0).
 
The loss before taxes and minority interest was EUR 46 million (+41). The
loss for the financial year was EUR 35 million (+30).
 
Improving profitability
In 2002 an action programme was initiated in Rautaruukki's integrated flat
product operations (Rautaruukki Steel, Metform and Steel Service Division)
to improve the material margin and to lower fixed costs. The material
margin means the difference between the sales income and the material,
energy and transport costs of production.
 
To improve the sales income, the customer structure will be enhanced and
the proportion of high-margin special products within sales will be
increased. The introduction of a new control system will improve control
over the product stream of flat products to the market along the most
profitable processing and sales route.
 
Production costs will be cut by improving the utilisation rate of
production lines and by reducing specific energy costs, procurement costs
and quality costs.
 
Fixed costs will be lowered by the end of 2003 by a total of EUR 50
million, of which personnel costs will account for three quarters. In
accordance to the codetermination negotiations conducted with personnel
the Group's workforce will be reduced by around 700 employees, mostly
during 2003.
 
The extensive restructuring programme initiated in Fundia at the end of
2000 was completed with the conclusion of the Fundia Wire restructuring
programme at the end of 2002. The restructuring programmes in Fundia's
other subdivisions were completed earlier and the full benefits of them
were obtained during 2002. Except for Fundia Wire, Fundia's subdivisions
recorded a clearly positive result.
 
Financing
Rautaruukki's gearing ratio was 138 per cent (129) and equity ratio was
31.1 per cent (33.3). Equity per share at the end of the year was EUR 5.81
(6.21). Total assets were EUR 2,561 million (2,559).
 
Working capital declined by EUR 3 million. Cash flow from operations was
EUR 152 million (141) and cash flow before financing EUR 23 million (-9).
The Group's interest-bearing net debt stood at EUR 1,092 million (1,087).
The short-term position of interest-bearing loans was EUR 205 million
(216) and the long-term position EUR 943 million (912).
 
On 25 September 2002 Rautaruukki issued two callable subordinated notes
with a total nominal value of EUR 104 million.
 
The Group's liquidity was good throughout the year. The ratio of financial
assets and inventories to short-term liabilities at the end of the year
was 1.9 (1.8). At the end of 2002 the Group had uncommitted revolving
credit facilities with banks totalling EUR 284 million.
 
Net interest expenses were EUR 50 million (49) and their proportion of net
sales was 1.7 per cent (1.7). Net financial expenses totalled EUR 52
million (52). Financial expenses include a gain on foreign exchange of EUR
1 million (-1). The operating result includes a loss on foreign exchange
of EUR 12 million (+6). The average interest on the Group's net debt at
the end of the year was 4.9 per cent (4.6).
 
Share capital and shares
The share capital did not change during the year. The share capital as at
31 December 2002 was EUR 236,106,956.50. Rautaruukki Oyj's Board of
Directors has no valid authorisation to increase the share capital.
                 
The company has purchased a total of 3,270,000 of its own shares, which is
2.35 per cent of the 138,886,445 shares outstanding. The company has paid
a total of EUR 14,737,093 for these shares.
 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
Gross expenditure on fixed assets totalled EUR 142 million (162) and net
capital expenditure EUR 129 million (150).
 
Interim repairs to the Raahe Steel Works' Blast Furnace No. 1 and the
Koverhar Works' blast furnace were carried out in July-August. At Fundia
Nedstaal, a modernised rolling line was brought into service in November,
replacing the previous two lines. At the beginning of 2002, Fundia Cromax
acquired the Italian company Fluid S.p.A, which manufactures hard chromed
bars. The Steel Structure Division opened new plants in Kazakhstan and in
central Russia. Other capital expenditures consisted of normal development
and replacement investments.
 
Personnel
The Group's payroll at the close of the year consisted of 12,804 people
(12,975) and the parent company employed 5,472 people (5,599). During the
year the Group employed an average of 13,325 (13 678) people and the
parent company 5,794 (5,990). An expansion of operations increased the
payroll in the Steel Structure Division. Personnel numbers decreased,
however, in all of the other divisions.
 
The payroll will be further cut to achieve improvements in cost-
effectiveness. Decisions made will lead to a decrease in personnel numbers
of around 700. As a result of the reduction in personnel, there were more
internal transfers than normal and posts have been reorganised.
 
Outlook for 2003
Economic forecasts for 2003 contain many uncertainties. Forecasts indicate
that world economic growth will improve slightly during 2003, but will
continue to be sluggish. Economic growth is forecast to occur mainly in
the second half of the year.
 
In Western Europe economic growth is expected to continue at roughly the
same level as in 2002. In the countries of eastern Central Europe and
Eastern Europe economic growth is expected to be faster than in the rest
of Europe. Economic growth is also expected to pick up in the United
States and the countries of Southeast Asia.
 
In the EU countries demand for steel products is forecast to grow
slightly. The prices of strip products and certain long steel products
have strengthened in the first quarter of 2003. During the latter part of
the year, the price development of steel products will be influenced
substantially by the level of the EU countries' own production and the
level of imports into the EU.
 
In the United States demand for steel products is expected to grow
slightly. Prices of steel products may weaken due to growth in the United
States' own production and higher exports. In the countries of Southeast
Asia, demand for steel products is expected to increase.
 
Prices of raw materials for steel production will be agreed at the
beginning of 2003. Prices of raw materials in euros are not expected to
change substantially. The price of electricity, however, is expected to be
higher than in 2002.
 
Rautaruukki's financial performance will be improved by an increase in its
own steel output and by measures already implemented and under way to
improve profitability.
 
Rautaruukki Steel's output is expected to rise to the target level of 2.8
million tonnes. As a result, the use of purchased slabs will decline,
which will in turn reduce the manufacturing costs of rolled products.
Profitability will be improved by the completed Fundia Wire restructuring
programme and by the action programme under way in integrated flat product
operations.
 
To improve cash flow, the level of capital expenditure will be kept below
the level of depreciation and measures to accelerate capital turnover will
be enhanced.
 
Consolidated turnover is forecast to be around EUR 3 billion in 2003. The
development of steel product prices will have a substantial impact on
financial performance. The operating environment for the steel industry in
Europe is expected to be slightly more favourable.
 
Helsinki 5 February 2003
Rautaruukki Oyj
Board of Directors
 

Individual figures and sums have been rounded off from the exact figures.
This may lead to minor discrepancies upon addition or subtraction.

Profit and loss account            2002    2001    2002    2001
EUR million                       10-12   10-12    1-12    1-12
Turnover                            753     697    2884    2906
Other operating income               10       3      15      17
Operating expenses                 -701    -667   -2716   -2658
Depreciation                        -45     -45    -177    -172
Operating profit/loss                17     -12       6      93
Financing income and expenses       -15     -10     -52     -52
Profit/loss before extraord. items    2     -22     -46      41
Extraordinary items                   0       0       0       0
Profit/loss before taxes              2     -22     -46      41
Taxes*                                1      17      -1       1
Change in deferred tax                0     -11      12     -13
Minority interests                    0       0       0       0
Profit/loss of the period             3     -16     -35      30
 * proportion of the estimated taxes for the year weighted by report
period's profit/loss


Balance sheet, EUR million         2002    2001
Assets                           31.12.  31.12.
Non-current assets                 1453    1490
Inventories                         511     507
Debtors                             597     561
                                   2561    2559
Liabilities
Capital and reserves                799     856
Minority interests                    3       3
Provisions                           58      23
Non-current creditors              1120    1092
Current creditors                   580     585
                                   2561    2559


Cash flow statement                2002    2001
EUR million                        1-12    1-12
Cash flow before
working capital changes             196     261
Change in working capital             3     -26
Financing items and taxes           -44     -71
Cash flow from extraordinary items   -3     -22
Cash flow from operations           152     141

Cash flow from investing activities-129    -150
Cash flow before financing           23      -9


Key figures                        2002    2001
                                   1-12    1-12
Operating profit, % of turnover     0.2     3.2
Return on net assets*, %            0.6     5.0
Return on equity*, %               -4.3     3.4
Equity ratio, %                    31.1    33.3
Gearing ratio, %                    138     129
Interest bearing net debt, Me     1,092   1,087
Earnings per share, e             -0.26    0.22
Equity per share, e                5.81    6.21
Personnel on average             13,325  13,678
* based on previous 12 months

Turnover by division               2002    2001
EUR million                        1-12    1-12
Rautaruukki Steel                  1308    1316
Metform                             367     351
Steel Structure Division            321     311
Fundia                              731     724
Steel Service                       646     702
Other units                         171     150
less internal invoicing            -660    -648
Consolidated turnover              2884    2906

Operating profit/loss by division  2002    2001
EUR million                        1-12    1-12
Rautaruukki Steel                     9      83
Metform                              17      12
Steel Structure Division             12      10
Fundia                              -17      -4
Steel Service                        23       9
Other units and internal items      -36     -16
Consolidated operating profit         6      93

Contingent liabilities              Group     Rautaruukki Oyj
EUR million                   12/02 12/01         12/01 12/01
For own debts                    86    71            79    69
External contingent liabilities
  for Group companies                               128   128
  for associated companies        2     2             2     2
  for others                      5     8             4     7
Leasing liabilities             176   179            80    88
Repurchase liabilities           14    14            12    12


Derivative contracts, EUR million   Nominal value  Fair value
Interest rate derivatives
   Interest rate swaps                        652        -6.6
Foreign currency derivatives
   Forward contracts                          309         0.2
   Options*
      Bought                                  215        -3.3
      Sold                                    215        -4.6
Zinc derivatives (nominal value tonnes)
   Forward contracts                       30,200        -2.3
Electricity derivatives (nominal value GWh)
   Forward contracts                        1,343        22.5
* risk reversal


Turnover by quarter
(EUR million)          I/01 II/01III/01 IV/01  I/02 II/02III/02IV/02
Rautaruukki Steel       351   357   314   295   304   328   331  345
Metform                  97    95    80    80    90   102    83   92
Steel Structure Division 58    80    94    79    58    83    93   88
Fundia                  199   195   158   172   178   195   169  189
Steel Service           156   192   182   172   162   168   157  159
Other units              31    39    40    41    41    44    36   50
- internal invoicing   -161  -182  -164  -142  -147  -176  -167 -170
Consolidated turnover   731   774   703   697   686   743   703  753


Operating profit by quarter
(EUR million)          I/01 II/01III/01 IV/01  I/02 II/02III/02IV/02
Rautaruukki Steel        38    30    10     5     2   -10     4   13
Metform                   1     6     3     1     5     9     2    1
Steel Structure Division -3     3    10     0    -4     4    10    2
Fundia                    2     4    -5    -6    -1     1   -18    1
Steel Service             6     3     2    -3     2     5     5   10
Other units
and internal items        0    -5    -2   -10    -4    -8   -15  -10
Consolidated oper. profit46    42    17   -12     1     1   -12   17


External deliveries by quarter
(1000 t)               I/01 II/01III/01 IV/01  I/02 II/02III/02IV/02
Hot rolled plates,
sheets and coils        269   259   255   260   269   278   267  292
Cold rolled sheets
and coils                48    55    41    43    51    44    48   50
Coated sheets and coils 178   191   161   172   167   166   178  179
Tubular products        147   151   127   126   139   166   128  147
Profiled sheets
and sections             58    66    71    63    50    69    75   67
Long steel products     559   519   423   469   473   516   441  502
Rautaruukki Oyj
 
Esko Lukkari
VP, Corporate Communications
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMTION
Mikko Kivimäki, President & CEO, tel. +358 9 4177 6200
Seppo Sahlman, CFO, tel. +359 4177 6215
 
DISTRIBUTION
Helsinki Exchanges
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