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Market Background and Outlook
Although the COVID-19 pandemic is still deeply affecting many countries in the world, particularly in Latin America where we have a significant proportion of our operations, the global economic outlook is improving as vaccination programs progress and fiscal stimulus programs are implemented. Oil prices are stabilizing around $60/bbl and inventories are returning to more normal levels as global consumption is increasing along with industrial production and mobility, while OPEC+ countries continue to contain production levels.
Drilling activity in the U.S. has risen over the past months, and may continue to rise further through the year, while, in Canada, where it is subject to seasonal fluctuations, it is currently higher than in the corresponding month of last year. In Latin America, drilling activity has risen so far this year and the recovery should consolidate. In the Eastern Hemisphere, drilling activity has bottomed out and should increase later this year.
We anticipate a further recovery in sales and EBITDA, led by North America but also including other regions, over the following quarters. EBITDA margins should reach around 20% by the third quarter, as price increases compensate for higher raw material costs.
Our North American industrial facilities are preparing to meet higher demand. We expect to hire one thousand additional employees in the U.S. during the year as we ramp up our facilities in Bay City and McCarty (TX) to full production and open our facilities in Conroe (TX), Koppel (PA), Ambridge (PA) and Baytown (TX). Meanwhile, we are advancing with our investments to consolidate our Canadian industrial operations in Sault Ste Marie (ON) and to expand the size range of steel bars at Koppel to supply our Bay City mill.
