Major Indian steelmaker JSW Steel (JSW) has announced its financial and operational results for the fourth quarter ended March 31 of the financial year 2015-16, posting a net profit of INR 3.72 billion ($55 million), almost double compared to the corresponding period of the previous financial year. In the given period, JSW's sales revenues decreased by 13.2 percent to INR 93.6 billion ($1.06 billion), compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
For the full financial year, the company announced a net loss of INR 34.9 billion ($518.3 million), compared to a net profit of INR 21.66 billion ($320.95 million) in the previous financial year. In the given period, JSW’s sales revenues amounted to INR 362 billion ($5.36 billion), down 20 percent year on year.
During the financial year 2015-16, JSW Steel produced 12.56 million mt of crude steel, down one percent year on year, while achieving finished steel sales of 12.13 million mt, rising by one percent year on year.
According to JSW Steel, the domestic steel industry continues to suffer from rising imports, especially from China, Japan and South Korea. In the financial year 2015-16, consumption of domestically produced steel decreased by 0.6 percent, as total steel imports surged by 27 percent, both year on year. Finished steel exports also decreased by 24 percent year on year during the year. Imposition of the minimum import price on various steel products provided some relief; however, the industry sees the need for adequate, swifter and longer-term trade measures to control unfair steel imports coming to India.
For the current financial year, the company expects crude steel production of 15.75 million mt and a finished steel sales volume of 15 million mt.