Daily monitor

Azovstal [AZST UZ, U/R] is tuning up its new 2.5 mln tpa concaster No. 6, constructed within the realms of a 2003-2008 USD 826 mln CapEx program.

According to Interfax-Ukraine, shareholders of Kyivmedpreparat [KMED UZ, U/R] will vote on a share capital increase at a September 30 EGM. The current plan calls for placing (with existing shareholders only) 4 mln new shares at a face value of UAH 25 (USD 5.43 at USD/UAH 4.6020) during the period December 09-25.

Astarta [AST PW, BUY] published its consolidated report for the 1H08. The group's revenues grew 48% YoY to EUR 22.7 million.

Myronivskiy Hliboproduct [MHPC LN, N/R], one of the top Ukrainian agricultural and poultry producer, announced its preliminary results. Meat output increased by 50% YoY to 110 thsd mt backed by increase of output facilities due to launching of new line in October 2007. Sausage output surged 80% YoY to 5.3 thsd mt.

According to a press release by Rosselhoznadzor, seven Ukrainian dairy producers will be allowed to export dairy products to Russia.

The State Statistics Committee of Ukraine announced that the volumes of FDI in January-June 2008 grew 23.4% YTD by USD 6.9 bln, reaching a total of USD 36.5 bln.

The State Statistics Committee of Ukraine announced that real GDP in January-July 2008 grew 6.5% YoY, reaching UAH 530.3 bln (USD 109.3 bln). At the same time, real GDP in July 2008 grew 7.3% YoY and reached UAH 100.2 bln (USD 20.7 bln). The earlier-released figures for January-June 2008 announced 6.3% YoY and, in June 2008, 5.4% YoY.

Motor Sich [MSICH, U/R], one of the largest global producers of aircraft and helicopter engines, reported weak financials for 1H08. Despite the fact that net sales for that period increased by 18.7% to USD 172.2 mln, company’s net revenue decreased by 22.8 times and totaled USD 1.1 mln. At the same time, EBIT decreased by 5.1 times to USD 6.4 mln.

Alchevsk ISW [ALMK UZ, BUY] plans to launch the 3 mln mt oxygen converter No. 2 in mid-September. According to Metal Courier, volumes may not increase immediately because of insufficient pig iron capacities.

Azovstal [AZST UZ, BUY] plans to tune its new 2.5 mln mt concaster No. 6 to design capacity by the year’s end. This was disclosed by a company representative to Interfax-Ukraine at a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the plant in Mariupol.