ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steel maker, said margins would perk up substantially in the April-June quarter because of stronger demand in all key markets after a net loss of $1.1 billion during the three month period ended March 2010.

Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal, chairman and chief executive of ArcelorMittal, said, “The economic recovery is continuing in line with our expectations and 2010 is set to be a stronger year for ArcelorMittal. The year has started with improved demand in all main markets, which will have a positive impact in the second quarter.”

The company’s guidance for the second quarter said that the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and ammortisation (EBITDA) is likely to be between $2.8 billion - $3.2 billion.

For the first quarter of 2010, the EBITDA stood at $1.9 billion.

The steel manufacturer follows the January-December financial.

Sales during the three months ended March 31 stood at $18.7 billion as against $18.6 billion during the three months ended Dec 31, 2009.

ArcelorMittal said that the higher sales volumes were offset by lower steel costs that remained down by around 3%. (With Inputs from Agencies)