BUZZ-Jefferies cautious on steel firms' Q2, sees demand pick-up in 2025
14:15 10/07/2024
ArcelorMittal SA
Jefferies remains cautious into European steel sector's Q2 reporting season and says demand recovery might be pushed to 2025
It says steel prices are close to the bottom, and expects infrastructure related demand to pick up in late H2 2024 or in 2025, after the U.S. presidential election
Thus it expects outlook commentary into Q3 to be cautious
Jefferies' top picks are still ArcelorMittal in Europe, and Cleveland-Cliffs and United States Steel in the U.S. (all "buy")
It says ArcelorMittal is well placed to benefit from 2025 demand, restocking and steel pricing recovery, while negative drivers such as Mexico strikes and weak near-term market dynamics are reflected in the shares
ArcelorMittal's balance sheet allows flexibility for buybacks and bolt-on M&A, and can deliver positive FCF with disciplined future capex, it adds
It keeps "hold" on Nucor , Salzgitter , SSAB , Steel Dynamics and Voestalpine
(Reporting by Marta Frackowiak)
((marta.frackowiak@thomsonreuters.com))