ArcelorMittal, the world’s biggest steelmaker, is exploring a sale of a downstream construction business as it divests peripheral operations, people familiar with the matter said.
The company is working with advisers to prepare an auction of the division, which makes products including roof paneling, according to the people. The business could fetch about 700 million euros ($773 million) to 800 million euros, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private.
A sale is likely to kick off in the fourth quarter and could attract interest from both building materials producers and private equity firms, one of the people said. ArcelorMittal jumped as much as 5.7% in US trading Tuesday, hitting the highest intraday level since July 29.
ArcelorMittal announced in August it has the potential to “unlock” $2 billion from its portfolio in the next two years, signalling plans to sell non-core units. The company’s billionaire chief executive officer, Lakshmi Mittal, said last month that steel demand could be even weaker than previously expected while profits are being hurt by lower prices and higher raw material costs.
A representative for ArcelorMittal declined to comment.
Source: Mint