tiprankstipranks
GrafTech provides 2023 outlook
The Fly

GrafTech provides 2023 outlook

The company said, "As we enter 2023, we anticipate continued soft demand for graphite electrodes due to ongoing economic uncertainty and geopolitical conflict. In addition, we expect the suspension of our operations in Monterrey, Mexico in late 2022 will have a significant impact on our sales volume for the first half of 2023. Although the facility has resumed production, the suspension resulted in uncertainty during a key commitment window for customer purchases covering the first six months of 2023. Reflecting these factors, we estimate our sales volume for the first six months of 2023 will be approximately half of the level reported in the same period of 2022, with the largest impact occurring in the first quarter. As we proceed into the second half of the year, we expect sales volume levels to recover, as we move past Monterrey suspension-driven uncertainty and anticipate that a gradual improvement in market conditions will strengthen demand for graphite electrodes. In 2023, we expect a significant year-over-year increase in our cost of goods sold per metric ton as fixed costs will be recognized over a smaller volume base and reflecting the full year impact of higher raw material costs that increased throughout 2022. In response, we are closely managing all of our operating costs and capital expenditures, as well as our working capital levels. Towards the end of the fourth quarter of 2022, we began proactively reducing production at our European graphite electrode manufacturing facilities, to align our production volume with our current demand outlook. Longer term, we remain confident that the steel industry’s accelerating efforts to decarbonize will lead to increased adoption of the electric arc furnace method of steelmaking, driving long-term demand growth for graphite electrodes. We believe that the near-term actions we are taking, supported by an industry-leading position and our sustainable competitive advantages, will optimally position GrafTech to benefit from that long-term growth."

Published first on TheFly

See the top stocks recommended by analysts >>

Trending

Name
Price
Price Change
S&P 500
Dow Jones
Nasdaq 100
Bitcoin

Popular Articles