Steel Dynamics Tops Q4 Earnings, Misses Revenue Estimates

Core Insights - Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) reported Q4 2025 earnings of $1.82 per share, an increase from $1.36 year-over-year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.72 [1] - Net sales for the quarter reached $4,414 million, a 14% year-over-year increase, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,539.1 million [1] Segment Highlights - Steel operations net sales were $3,141.4 million, up approximately 18.7% year-over-year, with steel shipments of about 3.3 million tons, exceeding the consensus estimate of 3.29 million tons [1] - The average external product selling price for steel was $1,107 per ton, up from $1,011 year-over-year, but down from $1,119 in the previous quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1,092 per ton [2] - Metal recycling operations reported net sales of $463 million, down around 4% year-over-year, with ferrous shipments of approximately 1.52 million gross tons, up roughly 7% year-over-year, surpassing the consensus of 1.44 million gross tons [3] - Steel fabrication operations had sales of about $347.3 million, down roughly 12.3% year-over-year, with shipments of 138,375 tons, down around 5.2% year-over-year, missing the consensus estimate of 142,000 tons [4] Financial Position - Steel Dynamics ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $769.9 million, a 31% increase year-over-year, while long-term debt rose to $4,176.5 million, up roughly 49% [5] - Cash flow from operations was $272.7 million, down approximately 21.4% year-over-year [5] Outlook - The company anticipates improved trade conditions and a favorable interest rate environment to bolster steel and aluminum demand, with a growing interest in low-carbon, U.S.-made metals [6] - Progress is being made on the commissioning and start-up of the Columbus aluminum flat rolled mill and San Luis Potosí slab center, with expectations for strong long-term growth and value creation [6] Price Performance - Steel Dynamics shares have increased by 48.6% over the past year, compared to a 59.1% rise in its industry [7]