Outokumpu Oyj - Company Announcement

Outokumpu AGM - CEO Juha Rantanen comments on stainless markets

Outokumpu Oyj   Stock Exchange Release   March 28, 2007 

Outokumpu AGM - CEO Juha Rantanen comments on stainless markets                 

Today, in his review at Outokumpu's Annual General Meeting on the Group's 2006  
performance, CEO Juha Rantanen also commented on the Group's first quarter 2007 
profitability and the current stainless steel market.                           

In the prevailing favourable market conditions in the first quarter, the Group's
operating profit for the period will be on the record fourth quarter 2006 level,
or even higher.                                                                 

Currently, the underlying stainless steel demand continues to be strong. Direct 
deliveries to end users and project customers are scheduled as far as October   
and the mills producing specialty products are producing at full capacity.      
However, as to the standard volume products, distributors are more cautious in  
placing orders due to their increased inventories, high transaction prices and  
increased availability of Asian material, leading to lower order books and      
shortened delivery times for the mills.                                         

Due to lower demand from the distribution sector, the standard grades' base     
prices have softened from the record high levels of the first months of the     
year. Outokumpu will continuously monitor the market development and will adjust
its actions accordingly.                                                        

Outokumpu's first quarter results will be published on April 24, 2007.          
Profitability guidance for the second quarter will be given in the interim      
report.                                                                         

CEO Juha Rantanen added: "Outokumpu's competitive position has improved due to  
the completed cost cutting actions and will further improve as the excellence   
programmes are gaining momentum. We are confident of the long-term              
attractiveness of the stainless steel market and with the prevailing good base  
price levels Outokumpu's earnings potential remains strong."                    

Further information:                                                            

Kari Lassila, SVP - IR and Communications, tel. +358 9 421 2555                 
kari.lassila@outokumpu.com                                                      

Eero Mustala, SVP - Corporate Communications, tel. +358 9 421 2435              
eero.mustala@outokumpu.com                                                      


OUTOKUMPU OYJ                                                                   
Corporate Management
                                                            
Ingela Ulfves                                                                   
Vice President - Investor Relations                                             
tel. +358 9 421 2438, mobile +358 40 515 1531, fax +358 9 421 2125              
e.mail: ingela.ulfves@outokumpu.com                                             
www.outokumpu.com