Business Wire
http://www.arcelormittal.com
February 10, 2010 02:17 AM Eastern Time 

ArcelorMittal Reports Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2009 Results

LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

ArcelorMittal (referred to as “ArcelorMittal”, or the “Company”) (MT (New York, Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxembourg, Paris) MTS (Madrid)), the world’s leading steel company, today announced results1,2 for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009.

Highlights:

  • Health and Safety frequency rate3 improved by 24% during 2009
  • Shipments of 71.1 million tonnes in 2009 and of 20 million tonnes in Q4 2009, up 10% compared to Q3 2009
  • EBITDA4 of $5.8 billion in 2009 and $2.1 billion in Q4 2009, up 34% compared to Q3 2009
  • Cash flow from operations of $7.3 billion for 2009
  • Net debt5 reduced to $18.8 billion, down $13.7 billion from the start of the global economic crisis6

Performance and industrial plan:

  • Capacity utilisation increased to 70% in Q4 2009
  • $2.7 billion of annualized sustainable cost reductions achieved in 2009; on track to achieve $5 billion of management gains by 2012
  • Current CAPEX plan of $4 billion for 2010, up 43% from 2009, focused on selective growth projects in emerging markets

Guidance for the three months ended March 31, 2010:

  • EBITDA expected to be between $1.8 – $2.2 billion

Financial highlights (on the basis of IFRS, amounts in US$):

(USDm) unless otherwise shown   4Q 09   3Q 09   4Q 08

2

  12M 09   12M 082
Sales   $18,642   $16,170   $22,089   $65,110   $124,936
EBITDA   2,131   1,589   2,808   5,824   24,478
Operating Income / (Loss)   684   305   (3,466)   (1,678)   12,236
Net Income / (Loss)   1,070   903   (2,632)   118   9,399
                     
Iron Ore Production (Million Mt)   15.6   13.1   15.5   52.7   64.7
Crude Steel Production (Million Mt)   22.5   19.6   14.9   73.2   103.3
Steel Shipments (Million Mt)   20.0   18.2   17.1   71.1   101.7
EBITDA/tonne (US$/t)   107   87   165   82   241
Operating Income (loss) /tonne (US$/t)   34   17   (203)   (24)   120
Basic Earnings per share (USD)   0.71   0.60   (1.93)   0.08   6.80

Commenting, Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal, Chairman and CEO, ArcelorMittal, said:

In a very difficult environment, ArcelorMittal has succeeded in reducing its cost base substantially and significantly strengthening the balance sheet. We therefore start the year in a good position to benefit from the progressive, albeit slow, recovery that is underway. Although 2010 will continue to be challenging, we are now increasing capital expenditure to take advantage of selected growth opportunities as demand improves.

FOURTH QUARTER 2009 NEWS CONFERENCE (FOR MEDIA)

ArcelorMittal management will host a news conference:

Date   New York   London   Luxembourg
Wednesday, 4.30am 9.30am 10.30am
February 10, 2010      
 
The dial in numbers:  
Location Dial in numbers Replay numbers

International

number:

+44 203 023 4459 +44 20 8196 1998
UK: 0203 023 4459 0208 196 1998
USA: +1 646 843 4608 +1 866 583 1035
France: 170994740 178401517
 
A replay of the conference call will be available for one week by dialing
Language English Spanish French
Access code 69434 181439 414790

FOURTH QUARTER 2009 EARNINGS ANALYST CONFERENCE CALL

Additionally, ArcelorMittal management will host a conference call for members of the investment community to discuss the full year and fourth quarter 2009 financial performance at:

Date   New York   London   Luxembourg
Wednesday, 9.30am 2.30pm 3.30pm
February 10, 2010      
 
The dial in numbers:  

Location

Dial in numbers Replay numbers
International number: +44 208 611 0043 +44 208 196 1998
UK: 0208 611 0043 0208 196 1998
USA: +1 866 432 7175 +1 866 583 1035
 
A replay of the conference call will be available for one week by dialing
Language English
Access code 634819#

The conference call will include a brief question and answer session with senior management. The presentation will be available via a live video webcast on www.arcelormittal.com

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 Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 to be filed 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.

ABOUT ARCELORMITTAL

ArcelorMittal is the world's leading steel company, with presence in more than 60 countries.

ArcelorMittal is the leader in all major global steel markets, including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with leading R&D and technology, as well as sizeable captive supplies of raw materials and outstanding distribution networks. With an industrial presence in over 20 countries spanning four continents, the Company covers all of the key steel markets, from emerging to mature.

Through its core values of sustainability, quality and leadership, ArcelorMittal commits to operating in a responsible way with respect to the health, safety and well-being of its employees, contractors and the communities in which it operates. It is also committed to the sustainable management of the environment. It takes a leading role in the industry's efforts to develop breakthrough steelmaking technologies and is actively researching and developing steel-based technologies and solutions that contribute to combat climate change.

In 2009, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $65.1 billion and crude steel production of 73.2 million tonnes, representing approximately 6 per cent of world steel output.

ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Brussels (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).

For more information about ArcelorMittal visit: www.arcelormittal.com.

ARCELORMITTAL FOURTH QUARTER 2009 AND FULL YEAR 2009 RESULTS

ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest and most global steel company, today announced results for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009.

Corporate responsibility performance and initiatives

Health and safety - Own personnel and contractors lost time injury frequency rate3

Health and safety performance, based on own personnel figures and contractors lost time injury frequency rate, improved from 2.5 for the year 2008 to 1.9 for the year 2009. Health and safety performance at the Company’s mining facilities improved from 3.4 in year 2008 to 2.4 for year 2009, and at the Company’s steel facilities performance improved from 2.4 in year 2008 to 1.8 for year 2009.

Lost time injury frequency rate   4Q 09   3Q 09   4Q 08   12M 09   12M 08
Total Mines   1.9   2.2   2.5   2.4   3.4
                     
Lost time injury frequency rate   4Q 09   3Q 09   4Q 08   12M 09   12M 08
Flat Carbon Americas   2.7   1.3   1.7   2.1   2.1
Flat Carbon Europe   2.0   2.0   1.7   1.8   2.4
Long Carbon Americas and Europe   1.6   1.8   2.4   1.8   3.4
Asia Africa and CIS (AACIS)   1.3   1.5   0.8   1.1   1.2
Stainless Steel   3.3   2.8   2.5   1.8   2.2
Steel Solutions and Services   3.2   4.6   3.3   3.9   3.8
Total Steel   1.9   1.9   1.8   1.8   2.4
                     
Lost time injury frequency rate   4Q 09   3Q 09   4Q 08   12M 09   12M 08
Total (Steel and Mines)   1.9   2.0   1.8   1.9   2.5

Key initiatives for the three months ended December 31, 2009

  • ArcelorMittal Dofasco “Community Strength” initiative was launched with local community partners, which underscores its commitment to invest in key community events and organizations.
  • ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor was selected to negotiate with the US Department of Energy (DOE) for a definitive award relating to its proposed No. 7 blast furnace gas flare capture project. The award would provide 50 percent cost reimbursement for the project up to $31.6 million. This project is the only one selected in Indiana, and was one of only nine organizations across the US to be selected to receive funds, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, for projects that promote the use of combined heat and power, district energy systems, waste energy recovery systems, and energy efficiency.
  • ArcelorMittal’s recently developed engagement database has now formally recorded over 200 active, ongoing engagements with non-governmental organizations and other stakeholder groups across 28 countries. The database will improve the effectiveness of engagements, ensure consistent and appropriate responses, and allow for the early identification of issues.

Analysis of results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 versus results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008

ArcelorMittal’s net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was $0.1 billion, or $0.08 per share, as compared to net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 of $9.4 billion2, or $6.80 per share.

Sales and operating loss7 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 were $65.1 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively, as compared with sales and operating income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, of $124.9 billion and $12.22 billion, respectively. Sales were lower due to lower average steel selling prices (-27%) and lower steel shipment volumes (-30%) due to a sharp drop in global steel demand following the global economic crisis.

Total steel shipments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 decreased to 71.1 million metric tonnes as compared with total steel shipments of 101.7 million metric tonnes for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008.

Depreciation costs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 decreased to $4.9 billion as compared with depreciation costs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 of $5.0 billion.

Impairment losses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $564 million8. Impairment losses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 had amounted to $1.1 billion, including impairments of $499 million and goodwill of $560 million.

Operating performance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was negatively impacted by an exceptional charge of $2.4 billion (pre-tax) related primarily to write down on inventory and provisions for workforce reductions. This was partly offset by an exceptional gain of $380 million relating to a reversal of litigation provisions previously booked in 2008, and a net gain of $108 million recorded on the sale of carbon dioxide credits that ArcelorMittal purchased since 20079. The operating performance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 had been negatively impacted by exceptional charges amounting to $6.1 billion consisting of a non-recurring expense of approximately $1.7 billion primarily related to vested post-employment benefits in connection with the entry by ArcelorMittal USA into a new labor contract with its union employees, and exceptional charges amounting to $4.4 billion related to write-downs of inventory and raw material supply contracts, and provisions for workforce reduction and litigation.

Income from equity method investments and other income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was $58 million, as compared to $1.7 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008. The decrease was due to lower income from the Company’s investments due to the global economic crisis, as well as the gain recorded in 2008 from the sale of a stake in an investee company.

Net interest expense (including interest expense and interest income), remained flat at $1.5 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2008. Interest cost increased during the year due to higher rates on capital markets refinancing, which was offset by lower overall net debt. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, the Company also recorded a loss of $0.9 billion as a result of mark-to-market adjustments on the conversion options embedded in its convertible bonds issued in the second quarter of 200910. Foreign exchange and other net financing costs11 were $385 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, as compared to foreign exchange and other financing costs of $628 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008. Losses related to the fair value of derivative instruments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $28 million, as compared with $177 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008.

Income tax benefit for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $4.5 billion, as compared with income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 of $1.1 billion. The income tax benefit for the year is primarily due to ArcelorMittal’s 2009 loss as compared with 2008 profit, and its geographical mix.

Results attributable to non-controlling (minority) interest for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 decreased to a loss of $43 million as compared with non-controlling (minority) interest for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 of $1.0 billion. The decrease relates to lower income in subsidiaries with non-controlling (minority) interest due to the global economic crisis.

Analysis of results for three months ended December 31, 2009 versus three months ended September 30, 2009 and three months ended December 31, 2008

ArcelorMittal recorded net income for the three months ended December 31, 2009 of $1.1 billion, or $0.71 per share, as compared with a net income of $0.9 billion, or $0.60 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, and net loss of $2.6 billion2 or $(1.93) per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2008.

Sales for the three months ended December 31, 2009 were $18.6 billion, higher as compared with $16.2 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and down from $22.1 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2008. Sales were higher during the fourth quarter of 2009 as compared to the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to higher volumes (+10%) and average steel selling prices (+6%). Despite the improvement in demand during the fourth quarter of 2009, sales remain substantially lower year-on-year due to the global economic crisis.

Operating income increased to $0.7 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2009, as compared with $0.3 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and an operating loss for the three months ended December 31, 2008 of $3.5 billion2.

Total steel shipments for the three months ended December 31, 2009 were 20.0 million metric tonnes as compared with steel shipments of 18.2 million metric tonnes for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 17.1 million metric tonnes for the three months ended December 31, 2008. This increase results from improved demand across all segments in the fourth quarter of 2009 as compared with the third quarter of 2009.

Depreciation expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2009 were $1.3 billion as compared with depreciation expenses of $1.2 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The increase in the fourth quarter of 2009 as compared to the third quarter of 2009 is primarily on account of exchange rate impact.

Impairment costs for the three months ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $502 million8 as compared to impairment losses of $62 million8 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Impairment losses for the three months ended December 31, 2008 amounted to $588 million including asset impairments of $325 million and reduction of goodwill of $264 million.

The operating performance for the three months ended December 31, 2009 was positively impacted by an exceptional gain of $380 million relating to a reversal of litigation provisions previously booked in the fourth quarter of 2008, and a net gain of $108 million recorded on the sale of carbon dioxide credits that ArcelorMittal purchased since 2007. These carbon dioxide proceeds will be re-invested in energy saving projects. Operating performance for the three months ended December 31, 2008 had been negatively impacted by exceptional charges amounting to $4.4 billion related to write-downs of inventory and raw material supply contracts, and provisions for workforce reduction and litigation.

Income from equity method investments and other income for the three months ended December 31, 2009 resulted in a gain of $101 million, as compared to gains of $99 million and $386 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

Net interest expense (including interest expense and interest income) increased to $415 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $387 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 primarily due to higher interest rates on refinancing bond issuances in 2009 and exchange rate effects. Net interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2008 had amounted to $468 million. During the three months ended December 31, 2009, the Company also recorded a loss of $430 million (versus a $110 million loss in the third quarter of 2009) as a result of mark-to-market adjustments on the conversion options embedded in its convertible bonds issued in the first half of the year. Foreign exchange and other net financing costs for the three months ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $84 million, as compared to gains of $106 million and $64 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Gains related to the fair value of derivative instruments for the three months ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $2 million, as compared with gains of $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, and losses of $240 million for the three months ended December 31, 2008, respectively.

ArcelorMittal recorded an income tax benefit of $1.3 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2009, as compared to an income tax benefit of $0.9 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The income tax benefit for the three months ended December 31, 2008 was $1.1 billion.

Results attributable to non-controlling (minority) interest for the three months ended December 31, 2009 were $74 million as compared with profits attributable to non-controlling (minority) interest of $15 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Profits attributable to non-controlling (minority) interest for the three months ended December 31, 2008 were $34 million.

Capital expenditure projects

The following tables summarise the Company’s principal growth and optimisation projects involving significant capital expenditure completed in 2009 and those that are currently ongoing.

Completed projects

Segment   Site   Project   Capacity / particulars   Actual Completion
FCA ArcelorMittal Tubarao (Brazil) Hot strip mill expansion project Hot strip mill capacity increase 4Q 09
      from 2.7mt to 4mt / year  
FCA Volcan (Mexico) Mine development Production increase of 1.6mt 4Q 09
      of iron ore in 2010  

Ongoing(a) Projects

Segment   Site   Project   Capacity / particulars   Forecast
                Completion
FCA   ArcelorMittal Tubarao (Brazil)   Vega do Sul expansion plan   Increase in HDG production of 350kt / year   1H 10
FCA   ArcelorMittal Dofasco (Canada)   Primary steelmaking optimisation   Increase of slab capacity by 630kt / year   1H 10
FCE   ArcelorMittal Dunkerque (France)   Modernisation of continuous caster 21   Slab capacity increase from 6.7mt to 7.5mt / year   2H 10
FCA   Princeton Coal (USA)   Princeton Coal   Capacity increase of 0.7mt   2010
AACIS   Liberia mines   Greenfield Liberia   Iron ore production of 15mt / year   2011(b)
LCA   Monlevade (Brazil)   Monlevade expansion plan   Increase in capacity of finished products by 1.150kt   2012
FCA   ArcelorMittal Mines Canada   Replacement of spirals for enrichment   Increase iron ore production by 0.8mt / year   2013

a) Ongoing projects refer to projects in which construction has begun and exclude various projects that are under development such as in India.

b) Iron ore mining production is expected to commence in 2011 with initial production of 1 million tonnes.

Projects through Joint Ventures

Country   Site   Project   Capacity   Forecast
                completion
Saudi Arabia   Al-Jubail   600kt seamless tube mill   Capacity of 600kt of seamless tube   2012
China   Hunan Province   VAMA Auto Steel JV   Capacity of 1.2mt for the auto market   2012
China   Hunan Province   VAME Electrical Steel JV   Capacity of 0.3mt of electrical steel   2012

Analysis of segment operations for the three months ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009

Flat Carbon Americas

(USDm) unless otherwise shown   4Q 09   3Q 09  

4Q 082

 

  12M 09   12M 082
Sales   $4,069   $3,287   $4,542   $13,340   $27,031
EBITDA   524   332   433   1,119   5,834
Operating Income / (Loss)   180   83   (433)   (757)   2,524
                     
Crude Steel Production ('000t)   5,402   4,323   3,472   16,556   26,476
Steel Shipments ('000t)   4,834   4,162   3,931   16,121   25,810
Average Selling Price (US$/t)   719   653   1,007   698   920
EBITDA/tonne (US$/t)   108   80   110   69   226
Operating Income (loss) /tonne (US$/t)   37   20   (110)   (47)   98

Flat Carbon Americas crude steel production reached 5.4 million tonnes for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 25% as compared to 4.3 million tonnes for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Following the improvement in demand the Company has restarted certain steel production facilities.

Sales in the Flat Carbon Americas segment were $4.1 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 24% as compared to $3.3 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Sales improved primarily due to higher steel shipments (+16%) and average steel selling prices (+10%). As a result EBITDA improved by $28/tonne (+36%) to $108/tonne.

Flat Carbon Europe

(USDm) unless otherwise shown   4Q 09   3Q 09   4Q 08   12M 09   12M 08
Sales  

$5,934

  $4,866   $7,029   $19,981   $38,300
EBITDA   657   271   956   1,907   6,448
Operating Income / (Loss)   230   (168)   (1,357)   (540)   2,773
                     
Crude Steel Production ('000t)   7,410   6,718   5,147   22,752   34,338
Steel Shipments ('000t)   6,408   5,601   6,020   21,797   33,512
Average Selling Price (US$/t)   807   759   956   799   1,018
EBITDA/tonne (US$/t)   103   48   159   87   192
Operating Income (loss) /tonne (US$/t)   36   (30)   (225)   (25)   83

Flat Carbon Europe crude steel production reached 7.4 million tonnes for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 10% as compared to 6.7 million tonnes for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Following the improvement in demand the Company has restarted certain steel production facilities.

Sales in the Flat Carbon Europe segment were $5.9 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 22% as compared to $4.9 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Sales improved primarily due to higher steel shipments (+14%) and average steel selling prices (+6%). As a result EBITDA improved by $55/tonne (+112%) to $103/tonne.

EBITDA and operating results in the fourth quarter of 2009 included a net gain of $108 million recorded on the sale of carbon dioxide credits that ArcelorMittal purchased since 2007, and a $90 million non cash-gain relating to hedges on raw material purchases. Operating results in the third quarter of 2009 had been negatively impacted by a $62 million charge relating to impairment on coke oven assets at ArcelorMittal Galati, party offset by a $50 million non cash-gain relating to a hedge on raw material purchases.

Long Carbon Americas and Europe

(USDm) unless otherwise shown   4Q 09   3Q 09   4Q 08   12M 09   12M 08
Sales   $4,578   $4,328   $5,180   $16,767   $32,268
EBITDA   482   589   869   1,666   6,678
Operating Income / (Loss)   (79)   292   (394)   (29)   4,154
                     
Crude Steel Production ('000t)   5,356   4,741   3,740   18,901   25,198
Steel Shipments ('000t)   5,228   5,025   4,551   19,937   27,115
Average Selling Price (US$/t)   755   740   997   743   1,055
EBITDA/tonne (US$/t)   92   117   191   84   246
Operating Income (loss) /tonne (US$/t)   (15)   58   (87)   (1)   153

Long Carbon Americas and Europe crude steel production reached 5.4 million tonnes for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 13% as compared to 4.7 million tonnes for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Following the improvement in demand, the Company has restarted certain steel production facilities.

Sales in the Long Carbon Americas and Europe segment were $4.6 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 6% as compared to $4.3 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Sales improved primarily due to higher steel shipments (+4%) and a marginal improvement in average steel selling prices (+2%).

Operating performance declined during the fourth quarter 2009 as revenue improvement was more than offset by an increase in costs, particularly scrap prices. During the quarter, the Company also recorded impairment costs of $281 million on its tubular business and certain idled assets (including $65 million in Roman, Romania and $65 million in Las Truchas, Mexico). During the fourth quarter of 2009, EBITDA declined by $25/tonne (-21%) to $92/tonne as compared to the third quarter of 2009.

Asia Africa and CIS (“AACIS”)

(USDm) unless otherwise shown   4Q 09   3Q 09   4Q 08   12M 09   12M 08
Sales   $2,274   $1,987   $2,063   $7,627   $13,133
EBITDA   310   235   280   1,002   3,985
Operating Income / (Loss)   167   96   (159)   265   3,145
                     
Crude Steel Production ('000t)   3,899   3,382   2,124   13,411   15,118
Steel Shipments ('000t)   3,075   3,043   2,190   11,769   13,296
Average Selling Price (US$/t)   550   514   638   506   804
EBITDA/tonne (US$/t)   101   77   128   85   300
Operating Income (loss) /tonne (US$/t)   54   32   (73)   23   237

AACIS segment crude steel production reached 3.9 million tonnes for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 15% as compared to 3.4 million tonnes for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Following the improvement in demand, the Company has restarted certain steel production facilities.

Sales in the AACIS segment were $2.3 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 14% as compared to $2.0 billion for the for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Sales improved primarily due to higher average steel selling prices (+7%), while shipments remained flat.

Operating performance improved during the fourth quarter of 2009 as compared to the third quarter of 2009 with EBITDA improving by $24/tonne (+31%) to $101/tonne.

Stainless Steel

(USDm) unless otherwise shown   4Q 09   3Q 09   4Q 08   12M 09   12M 08
Sales   $1,253   $1,061   $1,319   $4,234   $8,341
EBITDA   113   133   36   258   934
Operating Income / (Loss)   10   51   (247)   (172)   383
                     
Crude Steel Production ('000t)   452   460   376   1,616   2,197
Steel Shipments ('000t)   415   354   365   1,447   1,958
Average Selling Price (US$/t)   2,820   2,882   3,260   2,763   3,976
EBITDA/tonne (US$/t)   272   376   99   178   477
Operating Income (loss) /tonne (US$/t)   24   144   (677)   (119)   196

Stainless Steel segment crude steel production reached 452 thousand tonnes for the three months ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of 2% from 460 thousand tonnes for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Sales in the Stainless Steel segment were $1.3 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 18% as compared to $1.1 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Sales improved primarily due to higher steel shipments (+17%) partially offset by lower average steel selling prices (-2%).

Operating performance declined during the fourth quarter of 2009, as compared to the third quarter of 2009 due to higher input costs, as EBITDA declined by $104/tonne (-28%) to $272/tonne.

Steel Solutions and Services

(USDm) unless otherwise shown   4Q 09   3Q 09   4Q 08   12M 09  

12M 082

 

Sales   $3,489   $3,246   $4,306   $13,524   $23,126
EBITDA   39   (1)   187   (97)   1,123
Operating Income / (Loss)   230   (60)   (580)   (286)   205
                     
Steel Shipments ('000t)17   4,167   4,207   3,684   16,794   19,143
Average Selling Price (US$/t)   794   736   1,106   767   1,155

Sales in the Steel Solutions and Services segment were $3.5 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 7% as compared to $3.2 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Sales improved primarily due to higher average steel selling prices (+8%) offset by marginally lower shipments (-1%).

Operating performance in the fourth quarter 2009 was positively impacted by an exceptional gain of $380 million relating to reversal of litigation provisions previously booked in the fourth quarter of 2008.This gain was offset in part by impairment costs of $128 million recorded primarily in ArcelorMittal Construction ($117 million).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

For the three months ended December 31, 2009, net cash provided by operating activities was $2.8 billion, compared to $2.4 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The cash inflow from operating activities for the fourth quarter of 2009 included $1.4 billion generated by operating working capital changes as rotation days12 decreased from 83 days in the third quarter of 2009 to 63 days in fourth quarter of 2009. The Company expects rotation days to significantly increase in the first quarter of 2010 as activity levels are expected to improve. Cash provided by other operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $408 million due primarily to the non-cash charge of the $430 million convertible bond and increase in the Company’s true sales of receivables (“TSR”) programs, partly offset by a non-cash gain of $90 million relating to hedges on raw material purchases and various cash payments (e.g. VAT, voluntary separation scheme (VSS) and interest payments).

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2009 was $0.9 billion, compared to $0.7 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Capital expenditures increased to $0.8 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $0.6 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The Company expects capital expenditure of approximately $4.0 billion in 2010. Capital expenditures for full year 2009 decreased to $2.8 billion as compared to $5.5 billion for full year 2008.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company paid dividends amounting to $335 million, which included $283 million paid to ArcelorMittal shareholders and $52 million to non-controlling (minority) shareholders in subsidiaries. ArcelorMittal also pre-paid maturing debt amounting to $2.2 billion.

On October 1, 2009, ArcelorMittal priced an issuance of $1 billion principal amount of 7% bonds (yielding 7.4%) due 2039. On December 28, 2009, a wholly-owned Luxembourg subsidiary of ArcelorMittal issued and privately-placed a $750 million mandatory convertible bond due May 201113.

At December 31, 2009, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash and short-term investments) amounted to $6.0 billion as compared to $5.9 billion at September 30, 2009. Net debt5 at December 31, 2009 was $18.8 billion (as compared with $21.6 billion at September 30, 2009). The reduction in net debt primarily resulted from cash generated from operations. Operating working capital (defined as inventory plus receivables less payables) at December 31, 2009 was $11.9 billion as compared to $13.7 billion at September 30, 2009, due mainly to lower trade accounts receivables and higher trade accounts payables. The Company expects net debt to increase in the first quarter of 2010 primarily due an increase in working capital due to rising activity levels.

The Company had liquidity of $17.2 billion at December 31, 2009, compared with liquidity of $18.4 billion at September 30, 2009, consisting of cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash and short-term investments) of $6.0 billion and $11.2 billion of available credit lines. As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s leverage ratio (net debt to last twelve months EBITDA), which is the ratio used in the Company’s principal financing facilities, stood at 3.2X versus 3.3X at September 30, 2009.

Dividend maintained at $0.75 per share for 2010

The Board of Directors has recommended to maintain the Company’s base dividend at $0.75 for full-year 2010.

As a consequence, the Board of Directors will submit to a shareholders’ vote, at the next annual general meeting, a proposal to maintain the quarterly dividend payment at $0.1875. The dividend payments would occur on a quarterly basis for the full year 2010, on March 15, 2010, June 14, 2010, September 13, 2010 and December 15, 2010, taking into account that the first quarter dividend payment to be paid on March 15, 2010 shall be an interim dividend.

Final payment of dividend for 2009 of $0.1875 per share was made on December 14, 2009.

Update on management gains, fixed cost reduction program and capacity utilisation

The Company has met its target to achieve management gains of $2 billion of sustainable SG&A and fixed cost reductions in 2009 ahead of schedule. As of the end of the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company had achieved annualized sustainable savings of $2.7 billion. The Company has also achieved $5.0 billion ($4.3 billion at a constant dollar14) of annualized temporary fixed cost savings in Q4 2009 resulting from industrial optimization in response to lower demand.

Capacity utilisation increased to approximately 70% in the fourth quarter of 2009, as compared to approximately 61% in the third quarter of 2009, and is expected to increase gradually to approximately 75% in the first quarter of 2010.

Recent Developments

  • On January 19, 2010, ArcelorMittal announced it had entered into initial discussions with BHP Billiton to potentially combine their respective iron ore mining and infrastructure interests in Liberia and Guinea within a joint venture. The iron ore interests of the two companies in Liberia and in Guinea are proximate and the parties believe they could be significantly more competitive if brought together in a combined operation. The parties will be working together over the coming months to assess the merits of a partnership and will also work closely with the governments involved.
  • Following the closing of a tender offer on January 7, 2010, the Company acquired a 28.8% stake in Uttam Galva Steels Limited (“Uttam Galva”), a leading producer of cold rolled steel, galvanized products (including plain and corrugated) and color coated coils and sheets based in Western India that is listed on the major stock exchanges of India. The Company expects to purchase an additional 4.9% from the Promoter R.K. Miglani family in due course.
  • On December 29, 2009, ArcelorMittal announced the issuance on December 28, 2009 via a wholly-owned Luxembourg subsidiary of a $750 million bond mandatorily convertible into preferred shares of such subsidiary. The bond was placed privately with a Luxembourg affiliate of Calyon and will not be listed. The bond will have a maturity of 17 months and ArcelorMittal will be entitled to call it in the year prior to maturity. The subsidiary invested the proceeds of the bond issuance and an equity contribution by ArcelorMittal in notes linked to shares of the listed companies Eregli Demir Ve Celik Fab. T. AS of Turkey and Macarthur Coal Limited of Australia, both of which are held by ArcelorMittal subsidiaries. The subsidiary may also, in agreement with Calyon, invest in other financial instruments.
  • On December 22, 2009, ArcelorMittal announced the appointment of Mr. Peter Kukielski to its Group Management Board (GMB), with responsibility for the Group's global mining operations, effective January 1, 2010.
  • On December 9, 2009, ArcelorMittal announced that Mr. Georges Schmit will step down from his position as a member of the Board of Directors on December 31, 2009, due to his appointment as Consul General of Luxembourg based in San Francisco. In replacement of Mr. Georges Schmit, the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Jeannot Krecké as an interim board member starting January 1, 2010. Mr Jeannot Krecke's appointment to the Board of Directors for a full term will be proposed to shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting scheduled May 11, 2010.
  • On November 12, 2009, ArcelorMittal announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire a 13.9% stake in ArcelorMittal Ostrava from a subsidiary of PPF Group N.V., for approximately $371 million. Following completion of the transaction in January 2010, ArcelorMittal holds a 96.4% stake in ArcelorMittal Ostrava.
  • On October 9, 2009, ArcelorMittal entered into an agreement to divest its non-controlling (minority) interest in Wabush Mines in Canada, pursuant to which it will receive $34.28 million for its 28.6% stake. The transaction was completed in February 2010. The mine produced 0.8 million tons of iron ore for ArcelorMittal in 2009. The Company will continue to maintain significant mining operations and resources in Canada, including ArcelorMittal Mines Canada (formerly Quebec Cartier Mining).

For further information about each of these recent developments, please refer to our website www.arcelormittal.com

First quarter of 2010 outlook

The first quarter of 2010 EBITDA is expected to be approximately $1.8 - $2.2 billion. Shipments are expected to be higher during the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2009, but this increase is expected to be offset by slightly lower average selling prices and increased costs. The Company also expects net debt to increase in the first quarter of 2010.

ARCELORMITTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

    December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
In millions of U.S. dollars     2009   2009  

20082, 15

ASSETS              
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash     $6,009   $5,884   $7,587
Trade accounts receivable and other     5,750   6,623   6,737
Inventories     16,835   16,900   24,741
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     4,213   4,923   5,349
Total Current Assets     32,807   34,330   44,414
               
Goodwill and intangible assets     17,034   17,005   16,119
Property, plant and equipment     60,385   61,414   60,755
Investments in affiliates and joint ventures and other assets     17,471   16,588   11,800
Total Assets     $127,697   $129,337   $133,088
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY              
Payable to banks and current portion of long-term debt     $4,135   $5,676   $8,409
Trade accounts payable and other     10,676   9,777   10,501
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     8,719   9,343   11,850
Total Current Liabilities     23,530   24,796   30,760
               
Long-term debt, net of current portion     20,677   21,787   25,667
Deferred tax liabilities     5,144   5,918   6,395
Other long-term liabilities     12,948   12,928   11,036
Total Liabilities     62,299   65,429   73,858
               
Equity attributable to the equity holders of the parent     61,045   60,291   55,198
Non–controlling interest     4,353   3,617   4,032
Total Equity     65,398   63,908   59,230
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity     $127,697   $129,337   $133,088

ARCELORMITTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
December 31,   September 30,   December 31, December 31,   December 31,
In millions of U.S. dollars   2009   2009  

20082

 

2009

 

20082

Sales   $18,642   $16,170   $22,089   $65,110   $124,936
Depreciation   (1,325)   (1,222)   (1,243)   (4,893)   (5,043)
Impairment   (502)   (62)   (588)   (564)   (1,057)
Exceptional items7   380   0   (4,443)   (2,045)   (6,142)
Operating income / (loss)   684   305   (3,466)   (1,678)   12,236
Operating margin %   3.7%   1.9%   (15.7%)   (2.6%)   9.8%
                     
Income from equity method investments and other income   101   99   386   58   1,653
Net interest expense   (415)   (387)   (468)   (1,507)   (1,547)
Mark to market on convertible bonds   (430)   (110)   0   (897)   0
Foreign exchange and other net financing gains (losses)   (84)   106   64   (385)   (628)
Revaluation of derivative instruments   2   6   (240)   (28)   (177)
Income (loss) before taxes and non-controlling interest   (142)   19   (3,724)   (4,437)   11,537
Income tax benefit (expense)   1,286   899   1,126   4,512   (1,098)
Income (loss) including non-controlling interest   1,144   918   (2,598)   75   10,439
Non-controlling interest   (74)   (15)   (34)   43   (1,040)
Net income (loss) attributable to owners of the parent   $1,070   $903   $(2,632)   $118   $9,399
                     
Basic earnings (loss) per common share   0.71   0.60   (1.93)   0.08   6.80
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share   0.68   0.60   (1.93)   0.08   6.78
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions)   1,509   1,508   1,365   1,445   1,383
Adjusted diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions)   1,537   1,597   1,365   1,446   1,386
                     
EBITDA4   $2,131   $1,589   $2,808   $5,824   $24,478
EBITDA Margin %   11.4%   9.8%   12.7%   8.9%   19.6%
                     
OTHER INFORMATION                    

Total iron ore production16

  15.6   13.1   15.5   52.7   64.7
Crude steel production (million metric tonnes)   22.5   19.6   14.9   73.2   103.3

Total shipments of steel products17

  20.0   18.2   17.1   71.1   101.7
                     
                     
Employees (in thousands)   282   287   316   282   316

ARCELORMITTAL CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

In millions of U.S. dollars   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
December 31,   September 30,   December 31, December 31,   December 31,
    2009   2009   2008(2)   2009   2008(2)
Operating activities:                    
Net income (loss)   $1,070   $903   $(2,632)   $118   $9,399
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operations:                    
Non-controlling interest   74   15   34   (43)   1,040
Depreciation and impairment   1,827   1,284   1,831   5,457   6,100
Exceptional items7   (380)   -   4,443   2,045   6,142
Deferred income tax   (1,562)   (1,006)   (912)   (4,866)   (1,396)

Change in operating working capital18

  1,378   1,333   1,642   6,575   (8,070)
Other operating activities (net)   408   (141)   1,471   (2,008)   1,437
Net cash provided by operating activities   2,815   2,388   5,877   7,278   14,652
Investing activities:                    
Purchase of property, plant and equipment   (799)   (575)   (1,445)   (2,792)   (5,531)
Other investing activities (net)   (52)   (83)   1,222   8   (6,897)
Net cash used in investing activities   (851)   (658)   (223)   (2,784)   (12,428)
Financing activities:                    
(Payments) proceeds relating to payable to banks and long-term debt   (2,194)   (3,020)   (3,315)   (8,595)   4,873
Dividends paid   (335)   (306)   (594)   (1,338)   (2,576)

Share buy-back19

  -   -   -   (234)   (4,440)
Offering of common shares   -   -   -   3,153   -
Mandatory convertible bond   750   -   -   750   -
Other financing activities (net)   (38)   (27)   -   (83)   11
Net cash used in financing activities   (1,817)   (3,353)   (3,909)   (6,347)   (2,132)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   147   (1,623)   1,745   (1,853)   92
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   (60)   210   (184)   196   (376)
Change in cash and cash equivalents   $87   $(1,413)   $1,561   $(1,657)   $(284)

Appendix 1 - Key financial and operational information - Full year 2009

In million of U.S. dollars, except crude steel production, steel shipment and average steel selling price data.   Flat Carbon Americas   Flat Carbon Europe   Long Carbon Americas and Europe   AACIS   Stainless Steel   Steel Solutions and Services
FINANCIAL INFORMATION                        
Sales   $13,340   $19,981   $16,767   $7,627   $4,234   $13,524
Depreciation and impairment   (1,170)   (1,505)   (1,379)   (547)   (329)   (356)
Operating income (loss)   (757)   (540)   (29)   265   (172)   (286)
Operating margin (as a % of sales)   (5.7%)   (2.7%)   (0.2%)   3.5%   (4.1%)   (2.1%)
                         

EBITDA4

 

  1,119   1,907   1,666   1,002   258   (97)
EBITDA margin (as a % of sales)   8.4%   9.5%   9.9%   13.1%   6.1%   (0.7%)

Capital expenditure20

  523   937   545   435   127   132
                         
OPERATIONAL INFORMATION                        
Crude steel production (Thousand MT)   16,556   22,752   18,901   13,411   1,616   -
Steel shipments (Thousand MT)   16,121   21,797   19,937   11,769   1,447   16,794

Average steel selling price ($/MT)21

  698   799   743   506   2,763   767

Appendix 1 - Key financial and operational information - Fourth Quarter of 2009

In million of U.S. dollars, except crude steel production, steel shipment and average steel selling price data.   Flat Carbon Americas   Flat Carbon Europe   Long Carbon Americas and Europe   AACIS   Stainless Steel   Steel Solutions and Services
FINANCIAL INFORMATION                        
Sales   $4,069   $5,934   $4,578   $2,274   $1,253   $3,489
Depreciation and impairment   (344)   (427)   (561)   (143)   (103)   (189)
Operating income (loss)   180   230   (79)   167   10   230
Operating margin (as a % of sales)   4.4%   3.9%   (1.7%)   7.3%   0.8%   6.6%
                         

EBITDA4

 

  524   657   482   310   113   39
EBITDA margin (as a % of sales)   12.9%   11.1%   10.5%   13.6%   9.0%   1.1%
Capital expenditure20   156   203   166   161   43   44
                         
OPERATIONAL INFORMATION                        
Crude steel production (Thousand MT)   5,402   7,410   5,356   3,899   452   -
Steel shipments (Thousand MT)   4,834   6,408   5,228   3,075   415   4,167
Average steel selling price ($/MT)21   719   807   755   550   2,820   794

Appendix 2a: Steel Shipments by geographical location22

Amounts in thousand of tonnes   4Q 09   3Q 09   2Q 09   1Q 09   2009
Flat Carbon America:   4,834   4,162   3,481   3,644   16,121
North America   3,271   2,676   2,247   2,557   10,751
South America   1,563   1,486   1,234   1,087   5,370
                     
Flat Carbon Europe:   6,408   5,601   4,974   4,814   21,797
Europe   6,408   5,601   4,974   4,814   21,797
                     
Long Carbon:   5,228   5,025   5,261   4,423   19,937
North America   1,021   828   1,067   946   3,862
South America   1,177   1,243   1,072   994   4,486
Europe   2,838   2,783   2,907   2,225   10,753

Other23

  192   171   215   258   836
                     
AACIS:   3,075   3,043   2,897   2,754   11,769
Africa   1,137   1,235   1,035   1,010   4,417
Asia, CIS & Other   1,938   1,808   1,862   1,744   7,352
                     
Stainless Steel:   415   354   363   315   1,447

Appendix 2b: EBITDA4 by geographical location

Amounts in USD millions   4Q 09   3Q 09   2Q 09   1Q 09   2009

Flat Carbon America24

  524   332   176   87   1,119
North America   127   148   112   13   400
South America   397   184   64   74   719
                     
Flat Carbon Europe:   657   271   517   462   1,907
Europe   657   271   517   462   1,907
                     
Long Carbon:   482   589   327   268   1,666
North America   13   (42)   (38)   (78)   (145)
South America   419   449