Russia: Severstal output up in Q1 2019

Steel production of Russia’s Severstal grew by 0.4% YoY, to 3.044 million tons in January-March, the company said in a statement on April 12. Cast iron production rose by 1%, to 2.363 million tons. Consolidated sales of steel products went up by 1%, to 2.832 million tons. Semi-produced good sales fell by 53%, to 121,000…

Russia: Fitch raises Severstal rating to BBB, outlook stable

International rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded the long-term issuer default rating of the Russian steelmaker Severstal to BBB from BBB-, with a stable outlook. “The rating upgrade reflects Severstal’s tested conservative financial policy during the supply-driven steel price turbulence in 2016-2017 and increasing protectionism since 2018. Its strong financial profile has been driven by…