RUUKKI GROUP PLC'S Q1 INTERIM REPORT FOR 1 JANU...

07:00 London, 09:00 Helsinki, 10 May 2012 - Ruukki Group Plc ("Ruukki" or "the Company") (LSE: RKKI, OMX: RUG1V) Interim Report

RUUKKI GROUP PLC'S Q1 INTERIM REPORT FOR 1 JANUARY-31 MARCH 2012

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Production increased by 3.8% to 91,167 (Q1/2011: 87,809) tonnes
- Sales from processed products increased by 14.3% to 32,814 (Q1/2011: 28,714) tonnes
- Revenue increased by 34.3% to EUR 46.7 (Q1/2011: 34.8) million
- EBITDA was EUR 2.8 (Q1/2011: 3.5) million and the EBITDA margin was 6.0% (Q1/2011: 9.9%)
- EBIT was EUR -4.1 (Q1/2011: -3.6) million
- Profit for continuing operations totalled EUR -2.1 (Q1/2011: -3.1) million
- Cash flow from operations was EUR 1.6 (Q1/2011: 3.8) million and liquid funds at 31 March were EUR 65.1 (31 March 2011: 89.2) (31 December 2011: 65.9) million

KEY FIGURES (EUR million)	Q1/12	Q1/11	Change	FY/11
Revenue	46.7	34.8	34.3%	159.1
EBITDA	2.8	3.5	-19.3%	1.4
EBITDA margin	6.0%	9.9%		0.9%
EBIT	-4.1	-3.6		-26.5
EBIT margin	-8.8%	-10.2%		-16.6%
Earnings before taxes	-2.6	-3.9		-25.4
Earnings margin	-5.5%	-11.2%		-16.0%
Profit for continuing operations	-2.1	-3.1		-18.4
Profit for discontinued operations	0.0	43.0		41.1
Profit	-2.1	39.9		22.7
Earnings per share, basic, EUR	-0.01	0.17		0.10

Continuing operations include the Speciality Alloys and the FerroAlloys business segments and unallocated items that consist of Group headquarters and other Group companies, which do not have significant business operations. Discontinued operations include the house building, pallet and sawmill businesses which were divested in 2011.

Commenting on the first quarter results, Thomas Hoyer, CEO, said:

"The Group's quarterly production increased by 4% compared to the equivalent period in 2011. Both TMS and EWW in our Speciality Alloys business continued to produce at almost full capacity. In our Ferro Alloys business the Stellite mine increased volumes by 73% as a result of its successful ramp-up last year, while the alloy processing plant Mogale decreased production by 66% due to the decision to accept electricity buy-back arrangement with Eskom and keep majority of the furnaces shutdown.

Demand and prices for our European speciality alloy products remained stable from the fourth quarter of 2011 and throughout the first quarter of 2012. For our South African operations the Eskom electricity buy-back programme had a positive effect on our main product, Charge Chrome, prices at the end of the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. However, the production cuts increased the supply of chrome ore for export, which consequently drove ore prices down. Both Charge Chrome and chrome ore prices were still lower compared to the first quarter of 2011. Demand is estimated to remain weak and volatile and visibility on how the markets will perform for the rest of the year is low.

I am pleased to report our best revenue performance so far although this was unable to be translated into an increased EBITDA due to the lower prices we received for our products compared to the equivalent period in 2011. However, EBITDA did improve by EUR 3.9 million quarter on quarter.

After the end of the first quarter we have announced our intention to consolidate the control and ownership of our Speciality Alloys business with the acquisition of Elektrowerk Weisweiler GmbH ("EWW").  I believe this strategic acquisition will enhance the long-term profitability of the business as we replace the tolling arrangement with security of supply. The transaction is conditional on the decision of the Annual General Meeting, and if successful, we will have complete control over our assets and a secured and fully integrated supply chain from mine to customer across the Group."

2012 outlook

The global economic outlook for 2012 is uncertain as the Eurozone crisis continues and demand for commodities, primarily driven by Chinese consumption, remains weak. The ferroalloy market is expected to continue to be volatile during the year. The Group is preparing for significant price fluctuations and will continue to adapt its productions levels accordingly. At Mogale, part of the FerroAlloys division, the decision has been taken to put majority of furnaces on care and maintenance for the first half of the year. This decision will be reviewed during the second quarter. The market for speciality alloy products is estimated to be more stable, however, uncertainty remains in 2012 too. In light of this and until the market for its products improve, the Group expects its financial performance for the full year 2012 to be comparable to 2011.

Fluctuations of exchange rates between the Euro, the South African Rand, the Turkish Lira and the US Dollar can significantly impact the Company's financial performance.

Disclosure procedure

Ruukki follows the disclosure procedure enabled by Standard 5.2b published by the Finnish Financial Supervision Authority, and hereby publishes its Q1 Interim Report enclosed to this stock exchange release. The Q1 Interim Report is attached to this release and is also available on the Company's website at www.ruukkigroup.com.

Investor Conference Call

Management will host an investor conference call in English on 10 May 2012 at 13.00 Finnish time, 11.00 UK time. Please dial-in at least 10 minutes beforehand, quoting the reference: 916695.

Finnish number [phone]

UK number [phone]


RUUKKI GROUP PLC
Thomas Hoyer
CEO


For additional information, please contact:

Ruukki Group Plc
Thomas Hoyer, CEO, [phone], [e-mail]
Kalle Lehtonen, General Manager: Finance, [phone], [e-mail]
Markus Kivimäki, General Manager: Corporate Affairs, [phone], [e-mail]

Investec Bank Plc
Stephen Cooper, [phone], [e-mail]

RBC Capital Markets
Martin Eales, [phone], [e-mail]
Peter Barrett-Lennard, [phone], [e-mail]

Financial reports and other investor information are available on the Company's website: www.ruukkigroup.com

Ruukki Group is a chrome mining and minerals producer focused on delivering sustainable growth with a speciality alloys business in southern Europe and a ferro alloys business in southern Africa. The Company is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (RUG1V) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (RKKI).
www.ruukkigroup.com

Distribution:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
London Stock Exchange
main media
www.ruukkigroup.com

Ruukki Group Plc's Q1 Interim Report for 1 January-31 March 2012

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Source: Ruukki Group via Thomson Reuters ONE

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