Металлургия

Alchevsk ISW [ALMK UZ, BUY] signed a contract for the rest of 2008 for deliveries of directly reduced iron (DRI) briquettes from Lebedinskiy GOK of the Russian Federation.

Nikopol Ferroalloys [NFER UZ, N/R] reduced output 1% YoY to 541 thsd metric tonnes in 1H2008.

Dnipropetrovsk Comintern Steel Works [DMZK UZ, U/R] increased pipes’ output by 31.4% YoY to 116.2 thsd metric tonnes in 1H2008 and produced 17.8 thsd metric tonnes in June 2008.

We upgrade Dnipropetrovsk Iron & Steel Works named after Petrovsky [DMZP UZ, BUY], or Petrovka, from HOLD to BUY due to the recent technical share price decrease.

We upgrade ArcelorMittal Kryvyy Rih [KSTL UZ, BUY] from HOLD to BUY due to the recent technical share price decrease.

In 1H2008, Interpipe Nyzhnodniprovsky Pipe Rolling Works [NITR UZ, BUY], reduced its pipe output 2.3% YoY to 303.3 thsd metric tons.

Interpipe Novomoskovsk Pipes Plant [NVTR UZ, BUY] increased its pipes output 38% YoY to 184.5 thsd metric tonnes in 1H2008.

Dniprovsky Iron & Steel Works named after Dzerzhinsky, or simply Dzerzhynka [DMKD UZ, BUY], is reportedly conducting cold tests of a brand new concaster No. 1.

The Zaporizhzhya Refractory [ZPVT UZ, N/R] increased output 0.5% YoY to 130 thsd tons in 5M2008.

Mariupol Illich Iron & Steel Works [MMKI UZ, BUY] has signed a 2008-2011 contract with the Russian Metalloinvest for supplies of 1.2 mln mt of iron ore concentrate per year.