Finland-based steelmaker Ruukki has issued its financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year 2012.
In the fourth quarter, Ruukki posted an operating loss of €39 million, remaining almost unchanged compared to the corresponding quarter of 2011. Net sales revenues in the given quarter amounted to €676 million, decreasing by six percent year on year.
In 2012, Ruukki registered an operating loss of €65 million compared to an operating profit of €56 million in 2011. Net sales revenues in the given period amounted to €2.78 billion, slightly down from €2.79 billion in 2011.
According to Ruukki's statement, order intake remained unchanged at €651 million in the fourth quarter, compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the full year, order intake increased by three percent year on year to €2.76 billion.
Ruukki Metals' steel output increased by 4.42 percent year on year in the fourth quarter to 566,000 mt, while in 2012 the steel output amounted to 2.3 million mt, up 3.8 percent year on year. The company stated that its capacity utilization rate was around 80 percent in the fourth quarter.
According to Ruukki, the market price of iron ore is forecast to show a slight fall after the sharp rise seen during January 2013, whereas the market price of coking coal is expected to remain at the same level compared to the end of 2012 or even to show a slight rise during the first half of 2013.