Thyssenkrupp's first-quarter operating profit drops as macro woes increase

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Thyssenkrupp on Tuesday posted a 26-percent decline in first-quarter operating profit, saying the global macroeconomic environment, a key driver of demand for its products, was darkening.

The group's adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) fell to 333 million euros ($375 million), hit by a 77-percent profit decline at its discontinued steel unit, which it is planning to merge with the European operations of Tata Steel.

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Tassilo Hummel)