By Joshua Kirby
ArcelorMittal stock gained ground after the company said European policy support for the steel industry will boost its business next year and beyond as it targets a stronger bottom line.
Amsterdam-listed shares in Europe's largest steel producer rose 5.5% to 34.27 euros in early trading. Year to date, the stock is up more than 50%.
The stock climbed after the Luxembourg-based steelmaker said it expects a potential increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $2.1 billion over the coming years, including $700 million this year and $800 million next. The company pointed to strategic growth projects and recent acquisitions, as well as support from European trade policy.
"While markets are challenging and tariff-related headwinds persist, we are seeing signs of stabilization and are optimistic on the outlook for our business in 2026, when we will benefit from more supportive industry policies in key markets," Chief Executive Aditya Mittal said.
The European Union's executive arm is looking at measures to protect the domestic steel industry in an increasingly hostile trade environment, including a possible 50% tariff on steel imports above a certain quota, according to plans set out by top EU officials last month. Brussels's move came partly in response to U.S. President Trump's imposition of 25% tariffs on steel imports earlier in the year.
An EU carbon border tax, which aims to ensure the bloc's businesses don't lose out to more imports from places with less stringent emissions requirements, should also boost competitiveness, ArcelorMittal said.
"This can provide the foundation for our European business to earn its cost of capital," the company said.
Policy support should indeed underpin fair competition and sustainable returns for the group, analysts Cole Hathorn and Tommaso Castello at Jefferies wrote in a note. Signs of stabilization in ArcelorMittal's business after recent rockiness, and a sunnier view of next year, offer investors reason for encouragement, they said.
For the most recent quarter, ArcelorMittal booked Ebitda of $1.51 billion, down slightly from the same period last year but ahead of analysts' expectations, according to a FactSet poll. The company produced 13.6 million metric tons of crude steel over the quarter, also down from last year.
The outcome showed "resilient operating results at the bottom of the cycle," the company said.
Write to Joshua Kirby at joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 06, 2025 04:21 ET (09:21 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Comments