Action 2020 plan:

The Company has today published details of its Action 2020 plan. The Action 2020 plan represents a strategic roadmap for each of ArcelorMittal’s main business segments. The Action 2020 plan is over and above the Company’s ongoing management gains plan and seeks to deliver real structural improvements unique to ArcelorMittal’s business. The Action 2020 plan targets a return to >$85/t EBITDA absent any recovery in steel spreads and raw materials prices from current levels. The Action 2020 plan targets a further structural EBITDA improvement of approximately $3.0 billion. Upon full achievement of the plan, the Company would expect to deliver free cash flow in excess of $2.0 billion annually.

Outlook and guidance:

As indicated at 3Q 2015 results, a combination of Company actions and known developments is expected to support EBITDA in 2016 by $1.0 billion relative to the 4Q 2015 annual run-rate level. Due to order book and the time lag required for lower raw material costs to positively impact cost of sales, EBITDA is expected to sequentially decline in 1Q 2016. Based on the assumption of prevailing raw material costs and spot steel spreads, the Company expects FY 2016 EBITDA to be in excess of $4.5 billion. This guidance does not capture any upside to current market conditions.

Reducing the cash requirements of the business:

As a result, the level of EBITDA required for free cash flow breakeven would reduce to $4.5 billion, thus helping to ensure that the Company continues to generate positive free cash flow, reduce net debt and maintain strong liquidity.

Commenting, Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal, ArcelorMittal Chairman and CEO, said:

“2015 was a very difficult year for the steel and mining industries.  Although demand in our core markets remained strong, prices deteriorated significantly during the year as a result of excess capacity in China.  Throughout the year we have rigorously focused on implementing a series of measures aimed at reducing costs and ensuring the business is adapted for these tough market conditions.  As a result of these measures we succeeded in ending the year with net debt slightly below the end of 2014 despite significantly lower EBITDA.

“Regrettably we have announced a disappointing net loss which includes non-cash impairment charges on our mining assets as a result of the very considerable fall in the iron-ore price.  Our mining business is fully focused on adapting to this low price environment and has reduced cash costs by 20% compared with an initial target of 15%. A further 10% is targeted for 2016.

“Looking ahead, although we have started to see a recovery in Chinese steel spreads from 2015 lows, 2016 will be another difficult year for our industries.  It is clear that China has a challenge to restructure its steel industry for a lower growth economy but we are somewhat encouraged by recent comments concerning capacity closures.  Until this situation is fully addressed the effective and swift implementation of trade defence instruments will be critical and we expect to see more positive rulings in this regard during the year. 

“Our priority is to ensure we deliver on our financial targets and strategic projects.  We have today announced a new strategic plan for the period to 2020 following a detailed analysis of performance improvement potential across the group.  “Action 2020” sets out specific targets for each business segment which combined aim to achieve a further $3.0 billion of EBITDA improvement potential and enable the business to generate $2.0 billion of annual free cash flow.

“Reducing net debt remains an important priority and given market conditions it is prudent to take proactive steps to accelerate progress.  We have today announced the sale of our minority shareholding in Gestamp, and are taking further steps to reduce net debt.

“In conclusion, there is no doubt these are challenging times but we are confident that ArcelorMittal is taking all the right actions and has the right assets, the right strategy and the right balance sheet to deliver on the targets identified and cement our position as the world’s leading steel company.”

Fourth quarter 2015 earnings press conference call and webinar

For participants in countries not listed, you can reach the conference by dialling +49 69271340801

The conference call will include a brief question and answer session with senior management. The presentation will be available via a live video webcast on corporate.arcelormittal.com.

Fourth quarter 2015 earnings analyst conference call

A pre-recorded audio of the results presentation is available to listen to at the following link: http://interface.eviscomedia.com/player/1085/index.html

Forward-Looking Statements

This document may contain forward-looking information and statements about ArcelorMittal and its subsidiaries. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target” or similar expressions. Although ArcelorMittal’s management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of ArcelorMittal’s securities are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of ArcelorMittal, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the filings with the Luxembourg Stock Market Authority for the Financial Markets ( Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier) and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) made or to be made by ArcelorMittal, including ArcelorMittal’s latest Annual Report on Form 20-F on file with the SEC. ArcelorMittal undertakes no obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Corporate responsibility and safety performance

Health and safety - Own personnel and contractors lost time injury frequency rate

Health and safety performance based on own personnel figures and contractors lost time injury frequency (LTIF) rate, improved to 0.81x for the twelve months of 2015 (“12M 2015”) as compared to 0.85x for the twelve months of 2014 (“12M 2014”), with improvements within NAFTA, Brazil and Europe segments, offset by deterioration in the ACIS and Mining segments.

Health and safety performance deteriorated to 0.83x in the fourth quarter of 2015 (“4Q 2015”) as compared to 0.78x for the third quarter of 2015 (“3Q 2015”) but improved as compared to 0.89x for the fourth quarter of 2014 (“4Q 2014”). Between 4Q 2015 and 3Q 2015, deterioration in the health and safety performance of the Brazil, Europe and ACIS segments relative to 3Q 2015, was partially offset by improvements in the Mining and NAFTA segments.

The Company’s effort to improve the Group’s Health and Safety record continues and remains focused on both further reducing the rate of severe injuries and preventing fatalities.

During 4Q 2015, ArcelorMittal launched a new flagship programme for health and safety performance improvement in Europe segment “Take Care” training, to be rolled out 60,000 employees. Following the successful adoption of the “Courageous Leadership” training programme in the Mining segment, a similar program was launched in the ACIS segment to improve health and safety performance.

Analysis of results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 versus results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014

Total steel shipments for 12M 2015 were 0.6% lower at 84.6 million metric tonnes as compared with 85.1 million metric tonnes for 12M 2014.

Sales for 12M 2015 decreased by 19.8% to $63.6 billion as compared with $79.3 billion for 12M 2014, primarily due to lower average steel selling prices (-19.7%), lower steel shipments (-0.6%) and lower seaborne iron ore reference prices (-43%), offset in part by higher market priced iron ore shipments (+1.4%). 

Depreciation of $3.2 billion for 12M 2015 was lower as compared to $3.9 billion for 12M 2014 primarily due to the impact of the US dollar appreciation against all major currencies.

Impairment charges for 12M 2014 were $264 million which included $114 million primarily related to the idling of the steel shop and rolling facilities of Indiana Harbor Long carbon operations in the US (NAFTA); $63 million related to the write-down of the Volcan iron ore mine in Mexico (Mining); and $57 million related to the closure of mill C in Rodange, Luxembourg (Europe). 

Exceptional charges for 12M 2015 were $1.4 billion primarily including $1.3 billion inventory related charges following the rapid decline of international steel prices and litigation and other costs in South Africa ($0.1 billion). Exceptional charges for 12M 2014 were nil.

Operating loss for 12M 2015 was $4.2 billion as compared to operating income of $3.0 billion in 12M 2014. Operating results for 12M 2015 were primarily negatively impacted by the lower average steel selling prices, the $4.8 billion impairment charges and $1.4 billion exceptional charges discussed above. Operating results for 12M 2014 were negatively impacted by $90 million following the settlement of US antitrust litigation (NAFTA) and a $76 million provision related to onerous annual tin plate contracts at Weirton in the US (NAFTA), offset by the positive impact from the $79 million gain on disposal of Kuzbass coal mines in Russia (Mining).

Loss from investments in associates, joint ventures and other investments in 12M 2015 was $502 million, as compared to a loss of $172 million in 12M 2014. The loss in 12M 2015 was primarily due to write-downs totalling $565 million primarily related to the Company’s investments in the Kalagadi Manganese mining project in South Africa ($0.3 billion) and Indian investee ($0.1 billion), in each case due to downward revisions in projected cashflows and $0.1 billion related to the decrease in market value of the investment in Erdemir, partially offset by income ($0.1 billion) generated from the share swap with respect to Gerdau, Brazil[iii]. Loss from investments in associates, joint ventures and other investments in 12M 2014 was primarily due to a $621 million impairment loss on China Oriental following a revision of business assumptions, partially offset by a $193 million gain from the sale of Gallatin and improved performance of European investees and the share of profits of Calvert operations.

Net interest expense was lower at $1.3 billion in 12M 2015 as compared to $1.5 billion in 12M 2014. The reduction is attributable to lower average cost resulting from debt repaid and raised during the year, partially offset by increased interest costs following the ratings downgrades that occurred during 2015.

Foreign exchange and other net financing costs were lower at $1.6 billion for 12M 2015 as compared to $1.9 billion for 12M 2014. Foreign exchange and other net financing costs for 12M 2015 include foreign exchange loss of $697 million as compared to a loss of $620 million for 12M 2014, mainly on account of a further 10% of USD appreciation against the Euro (versus 12% appreciation in 12M 2014), a 32% appreciation against the Brazilian Real (versus 12% appreciation in 12M 2014) and a 46% devaluation of the tenge currency in Kazakhstan[iv]. This foreign exchange loss is largely non-cash and primarily relates to the impact of the USD appreciation on Euro denominated deferred tax assets partially offset by foreign exchange gain on euro debt.  Costs for 12M 2014 include expenses related to the termination of the Senegal greenfield project[v], non-cash gains and losses on convertible bonds and hedging instruments that matured during the period as well as charges related to the federal tax amnesty plan in Brazil linked with the Siderbras case[vi]. 

ArcelorMittal recorded an income tax expense of $902 million for 12M 2015 as compared to income tax expense of $454 million for 12M 2014. The 12M 2015 income tax expense is negatively influenced by impairments of deferred tax assets stemming from revisions to future taxable result forecasts in some jurisdictions. Following the impairments of fixed assets and goodwill in the mining and steel segments, as well as investments in associates and joint ventures, the Company has potential tax benefits of $1.3 billion (of which $0.1 billion is recognized immediately and $1.2 billion is recognizable in future periods upon availability of positive taxable income projections above the already recorded level of group deferred tax assets).

Non-controlling interests for 12M 2015 were an income of $477 million, as compared to a charge of $112 million for 12M 2014. Non-controlling interests for 12M 2015 primarily related to losses generated by ArcelorMittal South Africa and Liberia resulting from the impairment of assets as described above. Non-controlling interests charges for 12M 2014 primarily relate to minority shareholders’ share of net income recorded in ArcelorMittal Mines Canada and Belgo Bekaert Arames in Brazil.

ArcelorMittal’s net loss for 12M 2015 was $7.9 billion, or $4.43 loss per share, as compared to net loss for 12M 2014 of $1.1 billion, or $0.61 loss per share. Adjusted net loss for 12M 2015 was $0.3 billion as compared to adjusted net income in 12M 2014 of $0.4 billion.

Analysis of results for 4Q 2015 versus 3Q 2015 and 4Q 2014

Total steel shipments for 4Q 2015 were 6.3% lower at 19.7 million metric tonnes as compared with 21.1 million metric tonnes for 3Q 2015 (primarily due to lower shipments in NAFTA (-18.5%)), and 6.8% lower as compared to 21.2 million metric tonnes for 4Q 2014 (primarily due to lower volumes in NAFTA (-21.1%)). 

Sales for 4Q 2015 were $14.0 billion as compared to $15.6 billion for 3Q 2015 and $18.7 billion for 4Q 2014. Sales in 4Q 2015, were 10.3% lower as compared to 3Q 2015 primarily due to lower average steel selling prices (-7.2%), lower steel shipments (-6.3%), lower iron ore reference prices (-15%) and lower market priced iron ore shipments (-4.3%). Sales in 4Q 2015 were 25.3% lower as compared to 4Q 2014 due to lower average steel selling prices (-22.6%), lower steel shipments (-6.8%) and lower iron ore references prices (-37%).

Depreciation was $807 million for 4Q 2015 as compared to $777 million in 3Q 2015, and was lower as compared to $982 million for 4Q 2014, primarily on account of foreign exchange impact following the appreciation of the US dollar against major currencies.

Impairment charges for 4Q 2015 were $4.7 billion including $0.9 billion with respect to the Mining segment goodwill and $3.8 billion primarily related to fixed assets as discussed above.  Impairment charges for 3Q 2015 were $27 million relating to the closure of Vereeniging meltshop in South Africa. Impairment charges for 4Q 2014 of $264 million included $114 million primarily related to the idling of the steel shop and rolling facilities of Indiana Harbor Long carbon operations in the US (NAFTA); $63 million related to write-down of the Volcan iron ore mine in Mexico (Mining); and $57 million related to the closure of mill C in Rodange, Luxembourg (Europe). 

Exceptional charges for 4Q 2015 were $0.9 billion. These primarily include $0.8 billion inventory related charges following the rapid decline of international steel prices and litigation and other costs in South Africa ($0.1 billion). Exceptional charges for 3Q 2015 were $527 million, including $0.5 billion related to the write-down of inventory and $27 million of retrenchment costs in South Africa. Exceptional charges for 4Q 2014 were nil.

Operating loss for 4Q 2015 was $5.3 billion, as compared to operating income of $20 million in 3Q 2015 and operating income of $569 million in 4Q 2014. Operating results for 4Q 2015 and 3Q 2015 were impacted by impairments and exceptional charges discussed above. Operating results for 4Q 2014 were negatively impacted by a $76 million provision related to onerous annual tin plate contracts at Weirton in the US (NAFTA), offset by the positive impact from the $79 million gain on disposal of Kuzbass coal mines in Russia (Mining).

Loss from investments in associates, joint ventures and other investments for 4Q 2015 was $655 million as compared to income in 3Q 2015 of $30 million. The loss in 4Q 2015 was primarily due to write-downs totalling $608 million primarily related to the Company’s investments in the Kalagadi Manganese mining project in South Africa ($0.3 billion) and Indian investee ($0.1 billion) due to downward revisions in projected cash flows, and $0.1 billion related to the decrease in market value of the investment in Erdemir. Loss from investments in associates, joint ventures and other investments in 4Q 2014 was negatively impacted by a $621 million impairment loss on China Oriental following a revision of business assumptions, partially offset by a $193 million gain on the sale of Gallatin as well as improved performance of European investees and the share of profits of Calvert operations.

Net interest expense in 4Q 2015 was stable at $312 million as compared to $318 million in 3Q 2015 and $322 million in 4Q 2014.

Foreign exchange and other net financing costs were $342 million for 4Q 2015 as compared to $409 million for 3Q 2015 and $549 million for 4Q 2014. Foreign exchange and other net financing costs for 4Q 2015 include a foreign exchange loss of $104 million as compared to a loss of $170 million for 3Q 2015 mainly on account of a further 2.8% USD appreciation against the Euro, a 20.3% devaluation of tenge currency in Kazakhstan[iv] and a 27.7% devaluation of Argentine pesos after currency controls lifted. This foreign exchange loss is largely non-cash and primarily relates to the impact of the USD appreciation on Euro denominated deferred tax assets partially offset by foreign exchange gain on euro debt. Foreign exchange and other net financing costs for 4Q 2014 includes foreign exchange losses of $316 million.

ArcelorMittal recorded an income tax expense of $441 million for 4Q 2015, as compared to an income tax expense of $127 million for 3Q 2015 and income tax expense of $258 million for 4Q 2014. The higher tax expense in 4Q 2015 results mainly from impairments of deferred tax assets stemming from lower future taxable result forecasts.

Non-controlling interests for 4Q 2015 were an income of $395 million as compared to income of $93 million in 3Q 2015, and charge of $15 million in 4Q 2014. Non-controlling interests for 4Q 2015 primarily related to South Africa and Liberia resulting from the impairment of the assets as described above.

ArcelorMittal recorded net loss for 4Q 2015 of $6.7 billion, or $3.72 loss per share, as compared to a net loss of $711 million, or $0.40 loss per share for 3Q 2015, and net loss of $955 million, or $0.53 loss per share for 4Q 2014.

ArcelorMittal recorded adjusted net loss for 4Q 2015 of $0.4 billion, as compared to an adjusted net loss of $0.1 billion for 3Q 2015 and adjusted net income of $0.1 billion for 4Q 2014.

Capital expenditure projects

The following tables summarize the Company’s principal growth and optimization projects involving significant capital expenditures.

a)     Though the Monlevade wire rod expansion project and Juiz de Fora rebar expansion were completed in 2015, and Juiz de Fora meltshop is expected to be completed in 2017, the Company does not expect to increase shipments until domestic demand improves.
b)    First production in Baffinland was in 4Q 2014, with first shipments taking place during 3Q 2015 following the completion of shiploader and port infrastructure.
c)     On July 7, 2015, ArcelorMittal Poland announced it will restart preparations for the relining of blast furnace No. 5 in Krakow, which is coming to the end of its lifecycle in mid-2016. Total investments in the primary operations in the Krakow plant will amount to PLN 200 million (more than €40 million), which also includes modernization of the basic oxygen furnace No. 3. Additional projects in the downstream operations will also be implemented. These include the extension of the hot rolling mill capacity by 0.9 million tons per annum and increasing the hot dip galvanizing capacity by 0.4 million tons per annum. The capex value of those two projects exceeds PLN 300 million (€90 million) in total. In total, the group will invest more than PLN 500 million (more than €130 million) in its operations in Krakow, including both upstream and downstream installations.
d)    ArcelorMittal remains committed to Liberia where it operates a full value chain of mine, rail and port. It has been operating the mine on a DSO basis since 2011 and produced 4.3Mt in 2015.  In the current initial DSO phase, significant cost reduction and re-structuring has continued to ensure competitiveness at current prices. Drilling for DSO resource extension recently commenced and in 2016 the operation has been right sized to 3mtpa to focus on its ‘natural’ Atlantic markets. This repositioning for size and competitiveness also extends the life of the DSO phase as ArcelorMittal considers the appropriate next phase of development.

ArcelorMittal had previously announced a Phase 2 project that envisaged the construction of 15 million tonnes of concentrate sinter fines capacity and associated infrastructure. The phase 2 project was initially delayed due to the declaration of force majeure (FM) by contractors in August 2014 due to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa. Whilst rapid price declines over the period since force majeure have led to a reassessment of the project, ArcelorMittal is considering transitioning production to a higher grade sinter fines product but now in a phased approach as opposed to a major step up from 15 to 20mtpa as originally envisaged in phase 2. Extensive tonnage of concentrator feed material is already exposed in readiness for a concentrated sinter fines, and ArcelorMittal also has options in its concession to mine higher grade, lower gangue DSO ores. Work continues in 2016 to define the best business option.

Analysis of segment operations

NAFTA segment crude steel production decreased 14.1% to 5.1 million tonnes in 4Q 2015 as compared to 6.0 million tonnes for 3Q 2015.

Steel shipments in 4Q 2015 decreased 18.5% to 4.6 million tonnes as compared to 5.6 million tonnes in 3Q 2015, primarily driven by a 19.6% decrease in flat product steel shipments (mainly Mexico and US) and 13.0% decrease in long product shipment volumes.

Sales in 4Q 2015 decreased by 17.6% to $3.6 billion as compared to 3Q 2015, primarily due to lower steel shipment volumes as discussed above, offset by higher average steel selling prices (due to a mix effect a lower percentage of slab shipments from the Mexican operations).

EBITDA in 4Q 2015 decreased 19.6% to $273 million as compared to $340 million in 3Q 2015 primarily due to lower steel volumes partially offset by a better product mix of sales (noted above), lower costs and improved performance in Calvert. EBITDA in 4Q 2015 declined 20% as compared to 4Q 2014 primarily due to a negative price-cost squeeze resulting from significantly lower average steel selling prices (-14.3%) with declines in both flat (-13.4%) and long products (-23.2%), as well as lower steel shipment volumes (-21.1%) for both flat (-21.9%) and long products (-15.1%).

Operating performance in 4Q 2015 was impacted by impairments totalling $507 million with respect to the intended sale of Long Carbon facilities in the US (ArcelorMittal LaPlace, Steelton and Vinton) ($0.2 billion), and following planned asset optimization at Indiana Harbor East and West in the US ($0.3 billion). In addition, operating performance in 4Q 2015 and 3Q 2015 was impacted by exceptional inventory related charges of $353 million and $101 million, respectively, following the rapid decline of steel prices. Operating performance in 4Q 2014 was impacted by impairments of $114 million primarily related to the idling of the steel shop and rolling facilities of Indiana Harbour Long carbon operations in the US.

Brazil segment crude steel production decreased 3.5% to 2.9 million tonnes in 4Q 2015 as compared to 3.0 million tonnes in 3Q 2015.

Steel shipments in 4Q 2015 decreased by 8.1% to 2.9 million tonnes as compared to 3Q 2015, primarily due to a 4.5% decrease in flat steel shipments and a 13.5% decrease in long product shipments due to a continued slowdown in demand.

Sales in 4Q 2015 decreased by 1.6% to $2.1 billion as compared to 3Q 2015, due to lower average steel selling prices (-9.3%), and lower steel shipments discussed above.

EBITDA in 4Q 2015 declined by 42.1% to $181 million as compared to $313 million in 3Q 2015 on account of lower average steel selling prices (primarily flat steel products -11.2%)  and lower steel shipment volumes. EBITDA in 4Q 2015 was 66.8% lower as compared to 4Q 2014 primarily due to lower average steel selling prices (-28.7%) and lower steel shipments (-0.7%).

Operating performance in 4Q 2015 was impacted by impairment of $176 million related to Point Lisas (Trinidad and Tobago) currently idled, and exceptional charges of $52 million relating to inventory write down in Point Lisas. Operating performance in 3Q 2015 was impacted by exceptional charges of $39 million relating to the write-down of inventories following the rapid decline of steel prices.

Europe segment crude steel production decreased by 8.2% to 10.0 million tonnes in 4Q 2015, as compared to 3Q 2015.

Steel shipments in 4Q 2015 decreased by 1.8% to 9.5 million tonnes as compared to 3Q 2015, primarily due to a 4.5% decrease in flat  product shipment volumes, offset in part by a 4.8% increase in long steel shipment volumes.

Sales in 4Q 2015 declined 7.8% to $7.1 billion as compared to 3Q 2015, primarily due to lower average steel selling prices (noted below) and lower steel shipments as discussed above. Average steel selling prices declined by 7.4% during 4Q 2015, as flat and long products declined 5.9% and 11.4%, respectively.

EBITDA in 4Q 2015 decreased by 1.6% to $544 million as compared to $553 million in 3Q 2015, mainly driven by lower steel shipment volumes and lower average steel selling prices offset in part by lower raw material costs, lower maintenance costs and continuing cost reduction efforts. EBITDA in 4Q 2015 declined by 2.3% as compared to 4Q 2014 primarily on account of lower average steel selling prices (-21.2%) and lower steel shipments (-1.4%), offset in part by lower costs and efficiency improvements.

Operating performance in 4Q 2015 was impacted by impairments of $398 million primarily in connection with the idling for an indefinite time of the ArcelorMittal Sestao plant in Spain.  Operating performance in 4Q 2015 and 3Q 2015 was also impacted by exceptional charges of $345 million and $287 million, respectively, relating to the write-down of inventories following the rapid decline of steel prices. Operating performance in 4Q 2014 was impacted by impairment charges of $57 million related to the closure of mill C in Rodange, Luxembourg.

ACIS segment crude steel production in 4Q 2015 increased by 12.5% to 3.7 million tonnes as compared to 3Q 2015 primarily driven by increased production in Ukraine following the repair of blast furnace #9 during the fourth quarter of 2015.

Steel shipments in 4Q 2015 decreased by 3.7% to 3.1 million tonnes as compared to 3Q 2015.  Lower steel shipments in South Africa and Kazakhstan were offset in part by higher Ukrainian shipments.

Sales in 4Q 2015 decreased by 17.1% to $1.3 billion as compared 3Q 2015, primarily due to lower average steel selling prices (-14.4%) and lower steel shipments as discussed above. Average steel prices were lower following the fall in international prices and currency devaluations in the region.

EBITDA in 4Q 2015 of $61 million was higher as compared to $35 million in 3Q 2015, reflecting improvement primarily in Kazakhstan following the devaluation of the Kazakhstan tenge. EBITDA in 4Q 2015 of $61 million was lower as compared to $147 million in 4Q 2014, primarily due to lower average steel selling prices (-35.2%) with weaker performance in South Africa and Ukraine offset in part by improvement in Kazakhstan following currency devaluation.

Operating performance in 4Q 2015 was impacted by impairments of $267 million primarily with respect to the Saldanha plant in South Africa due to its revised competitive outlook, and exceptional charges of $159 million primarily relating to a deferred stripping prepayment[viii], a provision in relation to competition cases in South Africa[ix] and the write-down of inventories following the rapid decline of steel prices. Operating performance in 3Q 2015 was impacted by impairment charges of $27 million related to the closure of Vereeniging meltshop in South Africa, and exceptional charges of $80 million relating to the write-down of inventories following the rapid decline of steel prices and to retrenchment costs in Thabazimbi and Tshikondeni in South Africa for $27 million.

(a)  Own iron ore and coal production not including strategic long-term contracts.
(b)  Iron ore and coal shipments of market-priced based materials include the Company’s own mines, and share of production at other mines, and exclude supplies under strategic long-term contracts.

Own iron ore production (not including supplies under strategic long-term contracts) in 4Q 2015 increased by 1.1% to 15.5 million metric tonnes as compared to 3Q 2015, due to higher production in Canada (following planned maintenance in the third quarter) offset in part by lower production at both Las Truchas and Volcan Mines in Mexico. Own iron ore production (not including supplies under strategic long-term contracts) was lower by 7.2% as compared to 4Q 2014 primarily due to lower production in Mexico and Liberia.

Market priced iron ore shipments in 4Q 2015 decreased by 4.3% to 9.9 million metric tonnes as compared to 3Q 2015 primarily driven by lower shipments in Mexico. Market priced iron ore shipments in 4Q 2015 decreased by 0.5% as compared to 4Q 2014 driven by decreased shipments in Mexico and Liberia offset in part by higher shipments in Canada (following operational efficiency gains). 

Own coal production (not including supplies under strategic long-term contracts) in 4Q 2015 decreased 12.1% to 1.4 million metric tonnes as compared to 3Q 2015, primarily due to lower production in both US and Kazakhstan operations. Own coal production (not including supplies under strategic long-term contracts) in 4Q 2015 decreased 15.9% as compared to 4Q 2014, primarily due to lower production at both US and Kazakhstan operations.

EBITDA in 4Q 2015 decreased to $90 million as compared to $143 million in 3Q 2015 primarily due to lower market priced iron ore shipment volumes (-4.3%) and to lower seaborne iron ore market prices (-15%), offset in part by improved costs performance. EBITDA in 4Q 2015 was 61.4% lower as compared to 4Q 2014, primarily due to lower seaborne iron ore market prices (-37%), partially offset by lower unit iron ore cash costs and restructuring of our coal operations, including the sale of Kuzbass mines. 

Operating performance in 4Q 2015 was impacted by impairments of $3.4 billion including $0.9 billion with respect to goodwill and $2.5 billion primarily related to fixed assets, in respect of iron ore mining operations at ArcelorMittal Liberia ($1.4 billion), Las Truchas in Mexico ($0.2 billion), ArcelorMittal Serra Azul in Brazil ($0.2 billion) and coal mining operations  at ArcelorMittal Princeton in the United States ($0.7 billion) mainly due to a downward revision of cash flow projections relating to the expected persistence of a lower raw material price outlook. Operating performance in 4Q 2014 was impacted by impairments of $63 million related to the Volcan mine.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

For 4Q 2015, net cash provided by operating activities was $1,574 million as compared to $473 million in 3Q 2015. Net cash provided by operating activities in 4Q 2015 included a $919 million release of operating working capital as compared to a $136 million investment in operating working capital in 3Q 2015. Rotation days during 4Q 2015 decreased to 50 days as compared to 54 days in 3Q 2015.

Other operating activities in 4Q 2015 for $900 million primarily included the reversal of the non-cash impairments and losses recorded on the company’s investments and unrealized foreign exchange losses. Other operating activities in 4Q 2014 was $889 million (including the reversal of non-cash items related to unrealized forex losses, income tax accruals, impairment on China Oriental partially offset by reversals of gains from disposal of Gallatin and Kuzbass).

Net cash used in investing activities during 4Q 2015 was $646 million as compared to $649 million in 3Q 2015 and $492 million in 4Q 2014.

Capital expenditure increased to $736 million in 4Q 2015 as compared to $684 million in 3Q 2015, but was lower as compared to $1,067 million in 4Q 2014. FY 2015 capital expenditure was $2.7 billion which was significantly lower than $3.7 billion for FY 2014.

Cash flow from other investing activities in 4Q 2015 of $90 million primarily consisted of proceeds from the partial disposal of the Company’s stake in Stalprodukt and disposal of tangible assets. Cash flow from other investing activities in 3Q 2015 of $35 million primarily includes proceeds from the Gerdau share swap[iii] and sale of tangible assets offset by a $39 million outflow relating to the final instalment of the acquisition price of an additional 11% stake in Ostrava acquired in 2009. Cash flow from other investing activities in 4Q 2014 of $575 million primarily included the cash inflow from the divesture of Gallatin for $389 million and a $108 million inflow from the exercise of the 3^rd put option on Hunan Valin shares[x] and proceeds from the sale of tangible assets.

Net cash used in financing activities for 4Q 2015 was $367 million as compared to $835 million in 3Q 2015 and $1,926 million for 4Q 2014. Net cash used in financing activities in 4Q 2015 primarily included the early redemption of the $500 million 3.75% notes due March 2016. Net cash used in financing activities in 3Q 2015 primarily included debt repayment of a $1 billion loan  partially offset by issuance of CHF 225 million 2.50% Notes due July 3, 2020, under ArcelorMittal’s Euro Medium Term Notes Programme. Net cash used in financing activities for 4Q 2014 primarily included debt repayment totalling $1.25 billion of the 9.0% Notes due February 15, 2015 ($750 million) and 3.750% Notes due February 25, 2015 ($500 million) prior to their scheduled maturity and €360 million bond repayment.

During 4Q 2015, the Company paid $11 million in dividends primarily to minority shareholders in Brazil (Bekaert). During 3Q 2015, the Company paid $21 million in dividends primarily to minority shareholders in ArcelorMittal Mines Canada.  During 4Q 2014, the Company paid $15 million in dividends primarily to minority shareholders in Brazil (Bekaert).

At December 31, 2015, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash and short-term investments) amounted to $4.1 billion as compared to $3.6 billion at September 30, 2015. 

Gross debt of $19.8 billion at December 31, 2015, decreased from $20.4 billion at September 30, 2015 and was lower than $19.9 billion at December 31, 2014.

As of December 31, 2015, net debt decreased to $15.7 billion as compared with $16.8 billion in September 30, 2015, and lower as compared to $15.8 billion as December 31, 2014.

The Company had liquidity of $10.1 billion at December 31, 2015, consisting of cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash and short-term investments) of $4.1 billion and $6.0 billion of available credit lines. The $6 billion credit facility contains a financial covenant of 4.25x Net debt / EBITDA. On December 31, 2015, the average debt maturity was 6.2 years.

3-year $3 billion management gains program

During the investor day held on March 15, 2013, the Company announced a management gains improvement target of $3 billion by the end of 2015. Action plans and detailed targets had been set at the various business units  targeting cost savings related to reliability, fuel rate, yield and productivity with two thirds of costs targeted being variable costs. The Company has achieved its $3 billion target of annualized cost improvement by the end of 2015.

ArcelorMittal will also take the opportunity to simplify the management structure in-line with the ongoing drive to promote a performance-driven culture, empowering the segments to deliver optimum business results.  As a result the Group Management Board, which was established to ensure a smooth integration following the creation of ArcelorMittal, will be replaced with a more flexible structure. The CEO office - comprising the CEO and CFO - will work directly with a team of seven executive officers, who collectively encompass the key regions and corporate functions. 

The executive officers are as follows:

Senior executive vice president        Davinder Chugh           Senior executive vice president, CEO of Africa and  the CIS

Executive vice president                  Brian Aranha                 Head of strategy, CTO, R&D, CCM and  global automotive

Executive vice president                  Jim Baske                     CEO ArcelorMittal Nafta Flat Rolled

Executive vice president                  Henri Blaffart                 Group head of HR and corporate services

Executive vice president                  Jefferson de Paula       CEO of ArcelorMittal South America Long

Executive vice president                  Geert van Poelvoorde    CEO of ArcelorMittal Europe Flat

Executive vice president                  Simon Wandke              CEO of ArcelorMittal Mining 

Outlook and guidance

According to ArcelorMittal’s estimates, global apparent steel consumption (“ASC”) declined by 2.2% in 2015 as compared to 2014. ArcelorMittal expects stabilization in 2016. By region: Driven by a significant destock, ASC in the US declined by 9.6% in 2015. However, underlying demand continues to expand and due to the expected absence of a further destock in 2016, ASC in the US is expected grow by +3% to 4% above 2015 levels, despite an expected further decline in Oil Country Tubular Goods demand. ArcelorMittal expects the pick-up in underlying European demand to continue but apparent demand is expected to be modest at +0% to +1% in 2016 (versus growth of 3.4% in 2015) as the high level of imports in 4Q 2015 have raised inventory levels particularly in Southern Europe.  Despite declining 15.6% in 2015, Brazil ASC is expected to decline further, albeit slower at -6% to -7% in 2016 as the economy remains mired in recession. With the ongoing recession in Russia impacted by weak oil prices, CIS demand is expected to decline -5% to -6% (versus a decline of 8.0% in 2015). In China, we expect ongoing weakness in the real estate sector to have a negative impact, and expect steel demand decline of around -1% (from -4.3% decline in 2015).  

As indicated at 3Q 2015 results, a combination of Company actions and known developments is expected to support EBITDA in 2016 by $1.0 billion relative to the 4Q 2015 annual run-rate level. Due to order book and the time lag required for lower raw material costs to positively impact cost of sales, EBITDA is expected to sequentially decline in 1Q 2016. Based on the assumption of prevailing raw material costs and spot steel spreads, the Company expects FY 2016 EBITDA to be in excess of $4.5 billion. This guidance does not capture any upside to current market conditions.

The Company also targets reducing the cash requirements of the business in 2016 in excess of $1 billion as compared to 2015. The components of this reduction are: lower capex spend (FY 2016 capex is expected to be approximately $2.4 billion as compared to $2.7 billion in FY 2015), lower interest expenses (FY 2016 net interest is expected to be approximately $1.1 billion as compared to $1.3 billion in FY 2015); no dividend in respect of the 2015 financial year; and lower cash taxes.

As a result, the level of EBITDA required for free cash flow breakeven would reduce to $4.5 billion, thus helping to ensure that the Company continues to generate positive free cash flow, reduce net debt and maintain strong liquidity.

Appendix 6: Terms and definitions
Unless indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this earnings release report to the following terms have the meanings set out next to them below:

LTIF: Lost time injury frequency rate equals lost time injuries per 1,000,000 worked hours, based on own personnel and contractors.

EBITDA: operating income plus depreciation, impairment expenses and exceptional items. 

Free cash flow:   net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangibles.

Net debt: long-term debt, plus short term debt, less cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments (including those held as part of assets/liabilities held for sale).

Gross debt : long-term debt, plus short term debt, plus cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments (including those held as part of assets/liabilities held for sale).

Market priced tonnes: represent amounts of iron ore and coal from ArcelorMittal mines that could be sold to third parties on the open market.  Market priced tonnes that are not sold to third parties are transferred from the Mining segment to the Company’s steel producing segments and reported at the prevailing market price.  Shipments of raw materials that do not constitute market priced tonnes are transferred internally and reported on a cost-plus basis.

Foreign exchange and other net financing costs: include foreign currency swaps, bank fees, interest on pensions, impairments of financial instruments and revaluation of derivative instruments, and other charges that cannot be directly linked to operating results.

Average steel selling prices: calculated as steel sales divided by steel shipments.

Mining segment sales: i) “External sales”: mined product sold to third parties at market price; ii) “Market-priced tonnes”: internal sales of mined product to ArcelorMittal facilities and reported at prevailing market prices; iii) “Cost-plus tonnes” - internal sales of mined product to ArcelorMittal facilities on a cost-plus basis. The determinant of whether internal sales are reported at market price or cost-plus is whether the raw material could practically be sold to third parties (i.e. there is a potential market for the product and logistics exist to access that market).

Rotation days: days of accounts receivable plus days of inventory minus days of accounts payable. Days of accounts payable and inventory are a function of cost of goods sold of the quarter on an annualized basis. Days of accounts receivable are a function of sales of the quarter on an annualized basis.

Operating working capital:   trade accounts receivable plus inventories less trade accounts payable.

Capex: includes the acquisition of intangible assets (such as concessions for mining and IT support) and includes payments to fixed asset suppliers.

S eaborne iron ore reference prices: refers to iron ore prices for 62% Fe CFR China.

Own iron ore production: Includes total of all finished production of fines, concentrate, pellets and lumps (excludes share of production and strategic long-term contracts).

On-going projects: Refer to projects for which construction has begun (excluding various projects that are under development), even if such projects have been placed on hold pending improved operating conditions.

EBITDA/tonne: calculated as EBITDA divided by total steel shipments.

Steel-only EBITDA: calculated as EBITDA less Mining segment EBITDA.

Steel-only EBITDA/tonne: calculated as steel-only EBITDA divided by total steel shipments.

Iron ore unit cash cost: includes weighted average pellet and concentrate cost of goods sold across all mines.

Liquidity: includes back-up lines for the commercial paper program.

Shipments information at the Group level was previously based on a simple aggregation, eliminating intra-segment shipments and excluding shipments of the Distribution Solutions segment.  The new presentation of shipments information eliminates both inter- and intra–segment shipments which are primarily between Flat/Long plants and Tubular plants and continues to exclude the shipments of Distribution Solutions.

Operating segments: The NAFTA segment includes the Flat, Long and Tubular operations of USA, Canada and Mexico. The Brazil segment includes the Flat operations of Brazil, and the Long and Tubular operations of Brazil and its neighboring countries including Argentina, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. The Europe segment comprises the Flat, Long and Tubular operations of the European business, as well as Distribution Solution (AMDS). The ACIS division includes the Flat, Long and Tubular operations of Kazakhstan, Ukraine and South Africa.

YoY : Refers to year-on-year

Fortifom®: The family of Fortiform® steels extends ArcelorMittal's range of Ultra High Strength Steels (UHSS). These steels allow the realization of lightweight structural elements by a cold forming method such as stamping. These Ultra High Strength Steels of third generation are used to provide additional weight reduction thanks to their higher mechanical properties than conventional Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS) while keeping the same formability

[i]The financial information in this press release has been prepared consistently with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The interim financial information included in this announcement has been also prepared in accordance with IFRS applicable to interim periods, however this announcement does not contain sufficient information to constitute an interim financial report as defined in International Accounting Standards 34, “Interim Financial Reporting”. The numbers in this press release have not been audited. The financial information and certain other information presented in a number of tables in this press release have been rounded to the nearest whole number or the nearest decimal. Therefore, the sum of the numbers in a column may not conform exactly to the total figure given for that column. In addition, certain percentages presented in the tables in this press release reflect calculations based upon the underlying information prior to rounding and, accordingly, may not conform exactly to the percentages that would be derived if the relevant calculations were based upon the rounded numbers. This press release also includes certain non-GAAP financial measures.
[ii]The exceptional charge of $909 million in 4Q 2015 relates to write-down of inventory following the rapid decline of international steel prices. The Company tested the recoverability of its inventories by comparing the production cost with the estimated selling prices for finished goods. Inventories under work in progress and raw materials were similarly tested after estimating the completion costs. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated cost of completion and the estimated costs necessary to complete the sale. The exceptional charge of $527 million in 3Q 2015 includes $27 million of retrenchment costs in South Africa as well as $0.5 billion related to such write-down of inventory.
[iii]On July 14, 2015, ArcelorMittal entered into a share swap agreement with Gerdau, as part of which ArcelorMittal received preferred shares of Gerdau and a cash consideration of $28 million in exchange for unlisted Gerdau shares. The share swap resulted in a gain of $55 million from equity method investments and other investments.
[iv]Kazakhstan devalued its currency (the tenge) by abandoning a peg to the US dollar.
[v]In 3Q 2013, ArcelorMittal impaired the entire amount of the investment that it had made up to September 30, 2013 in connection with a 2007 agreement with the State of Senegal regarding a mining and infrastructure project, as it viewed project implementation to be improbable in light of an ongoing arbitration proceeding. The parties subsequently agreed to settle the dispute and on December 12, 2014, the arbitral tribunal issued a procedural order formally closing the arbitration.
[vi]ArcelorMittal Brasil S.A (as a successor of Companhia Siderurgica Tubarao) was party to a legal dispute against Siderbras (an extinguished holding company held by the Government of Brazil) related to financial debt issued in 1992. In July 2014, the judge in charge requested to replace the guarantee, which was securing the litigation, with cash so that an appeal of the case could proceed. ArcelorMittal Brasil S.A entered into a federal amnesty program with the Brazilian tax authorities to settle the debt with Siderbras (application made in August 2014). The payment under the program was $161 million (original debt $259 million including interest and penalties) and recorded as a financial expense. Of this amount, $116 million was paid by way of set-off of tax losses and the remaining balance paid in cash. This tax amnesty program entered into by the Company with the Brazilian tax authorities is only in relation to the Siderbras matter and does not have any effect or otherwise impact the Company’s other outstanding disputes with the Brazilian tax authorities, which have been previously disclosed.
[vii]Effective from January 1, 2015, the functional currency of Kryvyi Rih was changed to the Ukrainian Hryvnia and the functional currency of Temirtau was changed to the Kazakhstan tenge due to changes in the regulatory and economic environment and transaction currencies of the operations.
[viii]Under the draft amended agreement, between Sishen Iron ore Company Pty) Ltd and ArcelorMittal South Africa the latter will pay market price (EPP) for iron ore and will therefore no longer contribute towards stripping costs. Accordingly at December 31, 2015, the “deferred stripping pre-payment asset” was derecognised and written off through profit and loss.
[ix]As reported in prior periods, and dating back to 2007, the Competition Commission (“the Commission”) has referred five cases to the Competition Tribunal and is formally investigating one further complaint against ArcelorMittal South Africa. The Company has since engaged with the Commission and has made significant progress regarding a possible overall settlement and is in the process of finalizing a detailed settlement agreement. Whilst the draft settlement agreement is still subject to final approval by the Commission and the Competition Tribunal, a provision of R1,245 million representing the present value of a proposed administrative penalty of R1,500 million has been recognized. The Company has, subject to certain conditions being agreed upon with the Commission, proposed to pay the administrative penalty over a period of 5 years subject to appropriate interest.
[x]Following the sale of a 5% stake to Valin Group as a result of the exercise of the third put option on February 2014, the Company’s interest in Hunan Valin decreased from 20% to 15%. On August 6, 2014, the Company exercised the fourth and final instalment, which subsequently led to the decrease in its stake in Hunan Valin from 15% to 10%.  The Company received cash from the third and fourth instalment of $108 million both in the fourth quarter of 2014 and first quarter of 2015, respectively.
[xi]Following the sale of Gestamp, the future income from associates, joint ventures and other investments will be reduced by approximately $50 million and the future dividend income will reduce by approximately $15 million (based on the average income and dividends derived from Gestamp over the past two years).
[xii]Assets and liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2015 include the carrying value of ArcelorMittal Algeria (investment stake of 49%), ArcelorMittal Tebessa (investment stake of 49%), ArcelorMittal Pipes and Tubes Algeria (70% control), the USA long product facilities at Steelton, Vinton and ArcelorMittal LaPlace and some activities of ArcelorMittal downstream solutions in the Europe segment. Assets and liabilities held for sale as of September 30, 2015 include the carrying value of investments representing our stakes in ArcelorMittal Algeria (49%), ArcelorMittal Tebessa (49%) and ArcelorMittal Pipes and Tubes Algeria (70%) and include Coza mining assets in South Africa. Assets and liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2014 included assets and liabilities held for sale related to distribution centers in Europe and the disposal of tangible assets.