According to Metinvest Group’s annual report, in 2023 Metinvest’s revenue decreased by 11% to $7.397 bln by 2022, mainly due to lower steel, iron ore and coking coal selling prices, which were in line with global rates. Also, sales volumes of pig iron, slabs, flat and tubular products were affected by the war from the suspension of production at Mariupol steel mills. At the same time, Metinvest increased shipments of other products in its portfolio (primarily billets by 6%, long products by 28%, pellets by 70% and coking coal concentrate by 32%), as well as steel and coke resales on the back of higher production at Zaporizhstal.
A significant factor supporting iron ore sales in H2 2023 was the opening of the Black Sea corridor for sales to distant markets.
Also, Metinvest’s revenue in Ukraine grew by 14% to $2.628 bln mainly due to a recovery in demand for iron ore and coking coal, as well as for flat and long products.
In turn, the group has had to make profound changes to its business operations as it continues to strive for adaptability and resilience.
“We have adjusted our supply chain and are strengthening relationships with our suppliers and customers to withstand the current conditions. At the beginning of 2023, the company experienced significant challenges, particularly due to power outages. However, by implementing the necessary changes to respond to this crisis, we were able to achieve a gradual recovery of production,” states the CEO.
He emphasized that the resumption of Ukrainian commercial shipping in the Black Sea later in 2023 was an important moment for Metinvest, allowing to increase capacity utilization. “We are cautiously optimistic about this undoubtedly positive development, while recognizing the ongoing military threats,” the top manager added.
According to him, these developments have directly impacted the group’s financial performance, improving the situation and allowing us to focus on operational efficiency, flexibility and strategic planning for future growth.
“Metinvest remains committed to servicing its debt obligations, having repaid the remaining principal amount of the group’s 2023 bonds redeemed last year on time and in full, while maintaining its deleveraging approach, Ryzhenkov said.
“Although Metinvest has focused its investments in 2023 mainly on maintaining its assets, I firmly believe that we must start preparing for the future. Our ambitions have not diminished; we have laid the foundation for Steel Dream, our visionary vision for rebuilding Ukraine. Despite the war, our commitment to a green transformation strategy also remains unchanged. This vision embodies our determination not only to dream, but also to plan a pilot project on low-carbon steel technology in Italy,” summarized the CEO.
“Metinvest consists of mining and metallurgical enterprises located in Ukraine, Europe and the United States. Its major shareholders are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%), jointly managing it.
COKING COAL, IRON ORE, METINVEST, PIG IRON, REVENUE, ROLLED PRODUCTS, slabs, STEEL
In 2023, Metinvest Mining and Metallurgical Group sold 48% of its steel and mining products in the European Union (EU), compared to 49% in 2022.
According to the Group’s annual report, in 2023, Metinvest sold 35% of its total products in Ukraine (28% in 2022), 2% (7%) in MENA, 1% (3%) in the CIS, 7% (4%) in Asia, 6% (6%) in North America and 1% (3%) in other regions for a total of $7.397 billion ($8.288 billion).
At the same time, the share of the company’s steel segment’s revenue in the EU last year was 50% (49% in 2022), it sold 38% of its steel products in Ukraine (30%), 3% (10%) in MENA, 1% (4%) in the CIS, no supplies in Asia in 2023 or 2022, 7% (6%) in North America, and 1% (1%) in other regions for a total of $4.846 billion ($5.716 billion).
In addition, the company’s share of iron ore sales in the EU in 2023 was 44% (51%), in Ukraine – 30% (22%), in MENA – 0% (2%), in Asia – 20% (13%), in North America – 5% (6%), and in other regions – 1% (7%) for a total of $2.551 billion ($2.572 billion).
Demand and prices for Ukrainian sunflower oil are growing on the global market, with prices rising by $30-38 per tonne over the past week, APK-Inform news agency reported based on its own monitoring.
“The Ukrainian export market of sunflower oil was dominated by the price growth amid similar trends in the global vegetable oil market. Thus, the demand prices for Ukrainian sunflower oil in the ports reached the maximum since the beginning of the season-2023/2024 and as of March 18, they are mainly fixed in the range of $780-795/ton CPT port. This is $30-38/ton higher than the prices of the previous week,” the analysts said.
In addition, last week the exports of sunflower oil increased to 156 thsd tonnes. This is 9% higher than the previous week, according to APK-Inform.
Ruta, a major Ukrainian manufacturer of sanitary and hygienic paper products, whose management company is VGP JSC (Lutsk), produced products worth UAH 281.3 million in January-February, up 13.8% compared to the same period in 2023.
According to Ukrpapir Association’s statistics provided to Interfax-Ukraine, in physical terms, in particular, the production of toilet paper in rolls increased by 8.4% to 21.15 million units, which remains the third best result in the industry after Kyiv Cardboard and Paper Mill (42.5 million units) and Kokhava Paper Mill (24.3 million units).
The company produces cellulose-based sanitary products from imported base paper.
VGP’s brand portfolio includes napkins, toilet paper, paper handkerchiefs, and kitchen towels under the Ruta, Ruta Selecta, Fesko, Nosovic, Polotenchko, 100% paper, Servetta, and Ecolo brands. The assortment includes more than 180 items.
As reported, in 2023, the company produced products worth UAH 1 billion 611 million, which is 64.8% more than in 2022.
Last month, Naftogaz Group companies paid UAH 5.3 billion in taxes, which is 17.8% more than in February 2023.
According to a report on Naftogaz’s website, the company paid UAH 4.8 billion to the state budget and UAH 0.5 billion to local budgets.
In total, since the beginning of 2024, the group has paid UAH 11.4 billion in taxes to the state.
As reported, in 2023, Naftogaz Group companies paid UAH 90.2 billion in taxes, UAH 83.4 billion of which went to the state budget and UAH 6.8 billion to local budgets.
In 2023, InterExpress Insurance Company (Kyiv) collected insurance premiums in the amount of UAH 58.616 million, which is 21.15% more than a year earlier.
This is reported by the rating agency Standard-Rating on the update of the company’s credit rating / financial strength (reliability) rating of the insurer on the national scale at the level of uaAA.
Revenues from individuals for the year decreased by 5.20% to UAH 23.223 million, and revenues from reinsurers in the analyzed period amounted to only UAH 132 thousand. Despite the increase in premiums from individuals, the insurer’s client portfolio is dominated by legal entities, as indicated by their share in gross premiums, which amounted to 60.15% in 12 months of 2023.
Insurance payments sent to reinsurers decreased by 37.35% to UAH 4,649 million. Thus, the ratio of reinsurers’ participation in insurance premiums decreased by 7.41 p.p. to 7.93%.
The company’s net written premiums increased by 31.75% to UAH 53.967 million, while earned premiums increased by 22.13% to UAH 53.111 million.
The volume of payments and reimbursements made by the insurer in 2023 decreased by 1.35% compared to 2022 – to UAH 17.065 million. Thus, the level of payments decreased by 6.64 p.p. to 29.11%.
In the analyzed period, IC Interexpress’ activities were profitable, while the insurer’s financial results showed a significant increase. Thus, the operating profit of IC “Interexpress” increased by UAH 23.408 million to UAH 24.340 million, and the net profit – by UAH 19.153 million to UAH 20.005 million.
As of January 1, 2024, the insurer’s assets increased by 53.88% to UAH 73.695 million, equity – by 56.31% to UAH 58.721 million, liabilities increased by 45.07% to UAH 14.974 million, cash and cash equivalents – by 56.09% to UAH 10.088 million.
RA also notes that as of the reporting date, the company has formed a portfolio of current investments in government bonds in the amount of UAH 5,828 mln.
InterExpress Insurance Company, registered in 2004, specializes in risky types of insurance.
