Brazil’s largest steelmaker Gerdau went from a BRL 393 million net profit in Q4 2014 to a BRL 3.1 billion net loss in Q4 2015, impacted by a recession that hit Latin America’s largest economy and a weaker domestic demand for steel. Before impairments, Gerdau’s adjusted net loss was BRL 41 million.
Gerdau’s net revenues in Q4 fell 3.6 percent, year-on-year, to BRL 10.4 billion. Gerdau’s revenue in Brazil declined to BRL 2.6 billion in Q4 2015 from BRL 3.7 billion in the same period of the year prior, while its North American operations saw the opposite trend. Revenues in the US rose to BRL 4.3 billion in Q4, from BRL 3.6 billion in Q4 2014.
Revenues at its South American business rose to BRL 1.4 billion in Q4 from BRL 1.3 billion in the same period of 2014.
Steel shipments in Q4 diminished 11.6 percent, year-on-year, to 3.8 million mt. Crude steel output in the same period declined 10 percent, year-on-year, to 3.8 million mt.
Gerdau’s adjusted EBITDA in Q4 was BRL 911 million, 26.9 percent down, year-on-year. EBITDA margin declined to 8.7 percent in Q4 from 11.5 percent in the same quarter of 2014.
Gerdau said it expects to invest 35 percent less in 2016 compared to what it invested in 2015. Gerdau’s expected Capex in 2016 should reach BRL 1.5 billion, and its debt is currently “under control”, despite being impacted by the effect of foreign currency.
As for its full-year results, Gerdau said net loss in 2015 reached BRL 4.5 billion. In 2014, it posted a BRL 1.4 billion net profit.