Daily monitor

Avtokraz Holding Company [KRAZ, N/R], a large producer of big rig trucks, held its annual shareholders’ meeting May 27. Since the company announced it 2007 annual financial results, we have been anticipating new information on a future IPO.

Dzerzhynka [DMKD UZ, BUY] is about to launch a 1 mln mt ladle furnace No 1. According to Metal Courier, installation is almost fully complete, and the machine should enter production by the end of 1H08, serving two blooming concasters with the total capacity of 1.4 mln mt.

Baltic Beverage Holding Ukraine’s 1Q08 sales increased 48% YoY to USD 64 mln and +42% in terms of volume, the company announced Wednesday, May 27 at a press conference. Its net loss expanded two-fold to USD 8 mln and EBITDA was slashed 12% to USD 2 mln.

Myronivskiy Khliboproduct [MHPC LI, N/R], a leading poultry producer in Ukraine, is planning to increase its share capital 5% to USD 170.5 mln through an additional share issue of 160 mln ordinary shares with a par value of USD 0.05. The ex-rights date is set for Aug. 19, 2008. The final decision is slated to be made at MHP’s AGM in July.

Azovstal [AZST UZ, BUY] is about to launch a 2.5 mln mt concaster No 6 and a vacuum vessel. According to Metal Courier, the company is almost done tuning up these two machines.

The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine announced that quotas for Ukrainian exports of some steel products to the European Union have been abolished. Bohdan Danylyshyn, the Ukrainian economy minister, who is visiting Belgium, announced the abolition in a parenthetic statement, cited on the Ministry’s web site, following meetings with the European Commission officials.

Electricity distribution company Sevastopoloblenergo [SMEN] announced a dividend payout of USD 3.2mln during its AGM May 27. The company will direct 100% of its net income for FY 2007 to dividend payout, implying USD 0.12 per share.

Interpipe Nyzhnodniprovsky Pipe Rolling Works [NITR UZ, SELL] is increasing its non-destructive testing facilities, which will enable the company to hold full, non-destructive testing of its steel pipe products to improve them for consumers.

Electricity distribution company Zhytomiroblenergo [ZHEN] decided not to pay dividends for FY2007 during its AGM May 20.

Kernel Group [KER PW, N/R], one of the top Ukrainian sunflower oil producers, has signed a preliminary agreement with a Ukrainian company in order to acquire a 2.5 thsd ha agriculture farm under lease in central Ukraine.