A view of the ThyssenKrupp headquarters in Essen, Germany,
November 22, 2023. REUTERS/Jana Rodenbusch/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
FRANKFURT/DUESSELDORF, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Thyssenkrupp
swung to a quarterly net loss due to higher than expected costs for legacy
projects and halted the sale of one of its businesses, underscoring the
industrial group's restructuring challenges and sending its shares to a new
low.
The German company, which cut its
annual profit forecast for the third time last month, is struggling to sharpen
the focus of its sprawling empire amid subdued demand.
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In particular, it is in the midst of a conflict-ridden process to divest half
of the shares in its steel division to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.
Asked how Thyssenkrupp (TKAG.DE) could regain investor confidence,
new finance chief Jens Schulte said it needed to deliver higher profits and
progress on restructuring.
The group, which also makes submarines and car parts, posted a
net loss of 54 million euros ($59 million) for its fiscal third quarter, down
from a profit of 83 million a year earlier, also blaming restructuring costs at
its materials trading arm.
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After trying to find a buyer for its Automation Engineering business for some
time, Thyssenkrupp said it was halting the sale and exploring deeper
restructuring measures for the division's powertrain unit.
"Strongly opposing market trends and one-time effects
offset the progress made in the transformation of Thyssenkrupp in the third
quarter," Schulte said, still hailing the group's quarterly performance
given the numerous headwinds.
Shares in the company were down 3.6% at 0844 GMT, hitting a
record low as it unveiled around 80 million euros of additional costs for past
projects at its cement business that were not booked previously.
Thyssenkrupp is currently at odds with its steel division TKSE
regarding the level of funding that is needed to ensure a standalone future,
with TKSE Chairman Sigmar Gabriel saying last
week that the two sides were 1.3 billion euros apart.