Mr. Goncalves [CEO]: "We believe the currently weak steel prices in the United States are temporary, and the cyclicality associated with our business should be largely mitigated as we start-up HBI next year. With that, Cliffs is well-positioned to become an even stronger free-cash-flow generating enterprise, with limited cash needs and the ability to return even more capital to our shareholders."
3Q19 revenue per long ton was $96.65, and cash margin per long ton was $32.45; these figures were down from $105.65 and $43.11, respectively, in 3Q18.
3Q19 net margin per long ton—after $3.62/ton DD&A—was $28.83.
Guidance for full-year revenue per long ton (based on yesterday’s spot prices: seaborne iron ore = $86 per metric ton; US hot-rolled coil steel = $479 per short ton; Atlantic pellet premium = $36 per metric ton) is $97-102 per long ton—i.e. close to the realization in 3Q19. Based on the same guidance, the expected revenue per long ton in 4Q19 is substantially down from 3Q19.