MMKI Crude Steel Output Up 7.2% yoy In 3Q.

Mariupol Illicha (MMKI: BUY) raised production of crude steel by 2.3% yoy the first nine months and by 7.2% in the 3Q. The decline in the company’s rolled steel production also slowed from -3.9%yoy in the 1H to almost zero in the third quarter, bringing it to -2.9% for the 9M. Andriy Gostik: As these numbers show the company has continued to recover from a weak first quarter, on the back of healthy demand for steel over the reported period.

——————————————————————-

MMKI              9M06  Chg,yoy     1H06  Chg,yoy     3Q06  Chg,yoy

——————————————————————-

(in mln mt)                                                       

——————————————————————-

Crude steel      5.219     2.3%    3.468     0.0%    1.751     7.2%

Rolled steel     3.985    -2.9%    2.679    -3.9%    1.306    -0.8%

——————————————————————-