Aperam released a report indicating that in 2023, its external sales volume fell by approximately 4.8% to 2.198 million tons, and revenues decreased by nearly 19.2% to 6.592 billion euros due to declines in sales volume and prices. Gross operating profit (EBITDA) dropped by nearly 72.8% to 293 million euros (adjusted decrease of about 73.1% to 304 million euros), and net profit attributable to the parent company shareholders decreased by about 67.5% to 203 million euros. Free cash flow before dividends and share buybacks decreased by about 51.3% to 168 million euros. In the fourth quarter, sales volume increased by nearly 10% year-over-year and 5% quarter-over-quarter to 541,000 tons, revenues decreased by about 4% year-over-year but increased by about 6% quarter-over-quarter to 1.551 billion euros, gross operating profit decreased by nearly 65.9% year-over-year but increased by about 131.6% quarter-over-quarter to 44 million euros (adjusted to 55 million euros), net profit attributable to the parent increased quarter-over-quarter to 70 million euros, and free cash flow increased quarter-over-quarter to 217 million euros. End-of-quarter net financial debt decreased by nearly 24% quarter-over-quarter to 491 million euros. The quarter-over-quarter increase in sales volume was primarily due to seasonal recovery in Europe and the absence of production disruptions, although absolute sales volumes remained at unsatisfactory levels.
Stainless Steel/Silicon Units: Full-year steel sales (to both internal and external groups) decreased by about 3.1% to 1.55 million tons, the average selling price fell by nearly 13.5% to 2626 euros per ton, and revenue decreased by about 23.2% to 4.229 billion euros, with gross operating profit down by nearly 90% to 81 million euros (adjusted to 92 million euros). In the fourth quarter, sales volume increased by about 9.7% year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter to 407,000 tons, average selling price decreased quarter-over-quarter to 2390 euros per ton, revenue decreased year-over-year but increased quarter-over-quarter to 1.015 billion euros, and gross operating profit decreased quarter-over-quarter to -45 million euros.
Recycling and Renewable Energy Units: Full-year sales volume (primarily stainless steel scrap, etc.) increased by about 1.1% to 1.373 million tons, the average selling price fell by nearly 19.5% to 1440 euros per ton, and revenue decreased by about 18.6% to 1.977 billion euros, with gross operating profit increasing by about 81.4% to 156 million euros. In the fourth quarter, sales volume increased quarter-over-quarter to 337,000 tons, average selling price decreased quarter-over-quarter to 1353 euros per ton, revenue increased quarter-over-quarter to 456 million euros, and gross operating profit increased quarter-over-quarter to 65 million euros.
[Source – 上海有色网] Aperam：2023年对外销量下降约4.8% 不锈钢废钢等销量增长约1.1% https://news.smm.cn/news/102750451
