Voestalpine says it got most US tariff refunds, confirms full-year outlook (updated)

Voestalpine AG

05/08/2026 07:34

Adds management comments from press call in paragraphs 1-4, share move in paragraph 5.
CEO says further tariff repayments pending amid a complex process
Full-year EBITDA should land around middle of €1.6 billion to €1.85 billion range
Voestalpine hails 'more robust' framework built on EU steel safeguards
By Emanuele  Berro
Aug 5 (Reuters) - Voestalpine VOES.VI said on Wednesday it had received most of the refunds linked to the tariffs that were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year, and stuck with its 2026 forecasts after a stronger-than-expected first quarter.
The Austrian steelmaker has received "the larger part" of the amounts due, though the process is complex and further repayments are still expected, CEO Herbert Eibensteiner said in a post-earnings press conference.
The company expects its full-year earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation to land around the middle of its €1.6 billion to €1.85 billion ($1.85 billion to $2.13 billion) guidance range, finance chief Gerald Mayer said, despite the positive quarterly results.
It would not be "serious" to narrow the range further given the geopolitical uncertainties, including the conflict in the Middle East, Mayer added.
Voestalpine shares, which had gained 28% this year as of Tuesday's close, were down 3.7% at 1050 GMT.
It reported first-quarter EBITDA of €495 million, slightly above the €491 million expected by analysts polled by LSEG, helped by a positive one-off effect of around €100 million linked to the sale of its subsidiary Boehler Profil and reorganisation measures in the high-performance metals unit.
The company's steel division saw its EBITDA margin rise to 14.3% from 12.7% a year ago, helped by lower raw material and energy costs.
Voestalpine also struck an optimistic tone on the European steel market, saying the European Union had established a "significantly more robust" trade framework through its new safeguard measures.
European steelmakers benefit from the bloc's steps to shield domestic producers from cheaper imports, including tighter steel import quotas, in place since July, and the introduction of a carbon border levy on high-emission goods from the beginning of 2026.
($1 = 0.8669 euros)

(Reporting by Emanuele Berro in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)
((emanuele.berro@thomsonreuters.com))