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ArcelorMittal Starts 3D Printing Ventilators & Face Shields

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ArcelorMittal (MT - Free Report) said that it began 3D printing ventilators and face shields to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

The company is working with leading Spanish experts and medical practitioners to ramp up efforts to find solutions for the treatment of coronavirus.

Notably, the ventilators have been developed using 3D printing and it took a week to design. The ventilators are presently undergoing health checks and inspections, and will be subject to regulatory approval. Upon approval, patients with acute respiratory problems may be supported.

ArcelorMittal is also developing 3D printed face shields for health professionals. Notably, in two days, it designed and created two types of face shields — the ones attached to the head and the ones attached to the helmet.

Reportedly, the company is presently collaborating with a number of external partners to allow such face shields to be manufactured on a large scale.

ArcelorMittal’s shares have lost 53.9% in the past year compared with a 47.7% decline of the industry.

 

 

On its fourth-quarter earnings call, the company expected apparent steel consumption (“ASC”) in the core markets to grow in 2020.

For 2020, ArcelorMittal expects global ASC growth of 1-2%, whereas it reported 1.1% in 2019.

In the United States, the company projects ASC of flat-to-1% growth for 2020. ASC growth in flat products is expected to offset the anticipated decline for long products.

In Europe, the company expects the end of destocking to support improved ASC for flat products amid anticipated weakness in automotive. Similarly, it expects the end of destocking to offset the impacts of the slowdown in construction activity on long product ASC. The net effect of the factors is expected to support ASC growth of 1-2% for 2020 in the region.

ASC is expected to rise 4-5% in Brazil, following an expected growth in construction activity.

In China, the company expects overall demand growth to be flat to 1% for 2020 compared with an estimated growth of 3.2% in 2019. This is likely to be driven by strong real estate activity. The company also expects the coronavirus outbreak to have a short-term negative impact on steel demand in China.

ArcelorMittal Price and Consensus

 

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

ArcelorMittal currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space are Novagold Resources Inc. (NG - Free Report) , Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV - Free Report) and Barrick Gold Corporation (GOLD - Free Report) .

Novagold has a projected earnings growth rate of 11.1% for 2020. The company’s shares have surged 113% in a year. It currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Franco-Nevada has a projected earnings growth rate of 17.6% for 2020. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company’s shares have rallied 40.6% in a year.

Barrick Gold currently has a Zacks Rank #2 and a projected earnings growth rate of 41.2% for 2020. The company’s shares have gained 50.2% in a year.

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