Essar Steel Algoma reported an EBITDA of $9.7 million and a net loss of $25.1 million for the three-month period ending Dec. 31, 2012. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is a meaningful indicator of the company’s profitability.
The results for the three-month period reflect the impact of lower selling prices for the company’s products compared to the three-month period ending December 2011, offset by higher volumes and lower costs. As compared to last quarter, selling prices decreased by 5.8 per cent, costs decreased by 12.3 per cent and shipments improved by 19.6 per cent. Shipments in the quarter were 655,609 tons, generating $457.1 million in revenue for the period.
The company has restated and amended the previously reported condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three- and six-month periods ended Sept. 30, 2012 to reflect a change in the calculation of depreciation expense given the reassessed remaining useful life of its assets. The effect of the restatement is a $19-million reduction in depreciation.
The impact of this restatement has no effect on the company's revenue, EBITDA and cash position.
Chief executive officer Kalyan Ghosh commented on the results: “Despite lackluster steel markets, our commitment to safety and the continued realization of our cost-reduction strategies combined to generate improved operating results for the quarter.”
