First, risks that are endemic to joint ventures
generally due to their nature as entities over which control is
shared. These include the risk of dead-lock and/or coordination
issues affecting the implementation of strategy. To the extent
joint ventures and associates are controlled and managed by
partners, they may not fully comply with ArcelorMittal’s standards,
controls and procedures, including ArcelorMittal’s health, safety,
environment and community standards; this could lead to higher
costs, reduced production or environmental, health and safety
incidents or accidents, which could adversely affect
ArcelorMittal’s results and reputation.
Second, joint ventures may be the source of
substantial expenditures and financial exposure. Although
ArcelorMittal’s joint ventures are responsible for their own debt
repayment and it does not consolidate their indebtedness,
ArcelorMittal may make substantial cash contributions to extend
loans to and/or guarantee the debt or contractual obligations of
its joint ventures. This may particularly be the case for joint
ventures that are strategic and that are expanding and developing,
such as AMNS India and Calvert. As of December 31, 2021,
ArcelorMittal had given $4.3 billion of guarantees on behalf
of associates and joint ventures ($4.4 billion as of
June 30, 2022), including $3.1 billion on behalf of AMNS
India, $279 million issued on behalf of Calvert,
$323 million in relation to outstanding lease liabilities for
vessels operated by Global Chartering and $175 million on
behalf of its joint venture Al Jubail (discussed further below).
See notes 2.4.1, 2.4.2 and 9.4 to the ArcelorMittal Consolidated
Financial Statements and note 12 to the June 30, 2022
Financial Statements. Other sureties, first demand guarantees,
letters of credit, pledges and other collateral included
$411 million and $406 million in commitments given on
behalf of associates as of June 30, 2022 and December 31,
2021, respectively, and $527 million and $452 million in
commitments given on behalf of joint ventures as of June 30,
2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. First demand
guarantees include ones given for payments under operating
contracts, such as energy supply contracts. In the current context
of spiking energy prices and potential energy shortages, the risk
of such guarantees being activated and leading to substantial
financial exposure is increased. In addition, as of June 30,
2022, ArcelorMittal had given purchase commitments to associates
and joint ventures in the amount of $1,488 million and
$886 million, respectively. See notes 2.4.1, 2.4.2 and 9.4 to
the ArcelorMittal Consolidated Financial Statements and note 12 to
the June 30, 2022 Financial Statements.
Third, joint ventures and associates may experience
financial difficulties. In such circumstances, ArcelorMittal may
choose to restructure the joint venture, to contribute additional
equity or to guarantee additional financing. The Company also may
be exposed to loss of its investment or calls on existing
guarantees. For example, the financial situation of ArcelorMittal’s
joint venture in Saudi Arabia, Al Jubail, was negatively impacted
by a slower than expected ramp-up of
operations and required further funding in 2018 and 2019; it may
require additional funding in the future. ArcelorMittal has
provided shareholder loans to assist with funding and has
guaranteed some of the joint venture’s indebtedness (see
above).
Finally, ArcelorMittal’s investments in joint
ventures and associates may result in impairments. In 2020, as a
result of lower cash flow projections resulting from weaker market
conditions partially linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, the
Company recognized a $211 million impairment charge with
respect to its associate DHS Group. As of December 31, 2021,
ArcelorMittal’s investments accounted for under the equity method
had a carrying amount of $10.3 billion, including AMNS India
($3.3 billion), Acciaierie d’Italia ($1.2 billion), DHS Group ($650
million), China Oriental ($1.3 billion), Gonvarri ($617 million),
Calvert ($866 million), Baffinland ($386 million) and VAMA ($249
million). As of June 30, 2022, ArcelorMittal’s investments
accounted for under the equity method had a carrying amount of
$11.0 billion.
V. Risks related to ArcelorMittal’s financial
position and organizational structure
Changes in assumptions underlying the
carrying value of certain assets, including as a result of adverse
market conditions, could result in the impairment of such assets,
including intangible assets such as goodwill.
At each reporting date, in accordance with the
Company’s accounting policy described in note 5.3 to the
ArcelorMittal Consolidated Financial Statements, ArcelorMittal
reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets
(goodwill is reviewed annually or whenever changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable) to
determine whether there is any indication that the carrying amount
of those assets may not be recoverable through continuing use. If
any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset (or
cash-generating unit) is reviewed in order to determine the amount
of the impairment, if any.
If certain of management’s estimates change during
a given period, such as the discount rate, capital expenditures,
expected changes to average selling prices, growth rates, shipments
and direct costs, the estimate of the recoverable amount of
goodwill or the asset could fall significantly and result in
impairment. While impairment does not affect reported cash flows,
the decrease of the estimated recoverable amount and the
S-27