Finland’s Rautaruukki has announced a positive outlook for the fourth quarter of the year, with stock levels now back to normal and the sales price increasing. Rautaruukki recorded an almost 68 percent rise in pre-tax profit at $593millilons for the first nine months of the year compared with the same period last year. Net sales for the period rose by 8 percent. The big profit increased was mainly attributed by higher price levels this year. Although selling prices in the third quarter was lower than in the second quarter, the company is still positive about the coming months due to the expected stronger economic growth in Baltic and Eastern European countries. However, they will need to keep watching the future trends in Asia market which are still playing an important role affecting the world steel prices. Third quarter results were down due to rising raw material costs and falling steel prices. Net sales for the third quarter fell by 4.9 percent and pre-tax profits were down €2 million, totaling €116 million. (Oct. 31)