Japan 4 Major Light Metal Rerollers Post Operating Loss for April-June

Japanese 4 major light metal rerollers posted operating loss for April-June due to severe demand slump along with lower metal price and inventory valuation loss. They, however, expect better sales volume and profitability toward the end of the fiscal year ending March 2010.

Nippon Light Metal posted net loss for 2 quarters in a row through April-June. The firm posted operating loss for all units including aluminium ingot and chemicals, aluminium sheet and extrusions, fabricated products and others and building materials.

Kobe Steel’s aluminium and copper unit posted operating loss for April-June when the sales halved from a year earlier. The demand was very slow for liquid crystal and semiconductor making equipment for light metals while the copper strip and sheet demand decreased despite of the inventory adjustment.

Sumitomo Light Metal Industries also posted loss for April-June. The firm tried to improve the profitability through companywide cost reduction but the firm posted loss due to inventory valuation loss.

Furukawa-Sky Aluminum posted operating loss in April-June due to around 30% lower sales volume from same period of 2008. The demand was still slow for general usage except for can materials.