Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for the second quarter were $871.9 million, with adjusted EBITDA at $48.3 million and adjusted earnings per share at $0.38, reflecting a solid performance despite market headwinds [4][17] - Adjusted EBIT increased to $26.6 million, up $12.3 million from the prior year quarter, driven by higher direct volumes and improved direct spreads [18] - Earnings for the quarter were reported at $18.8 million or $0.37 per share, compared to $12.8 million or $0.25 per share in the prior year quarter [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Direct sales volume increased by 13% year over year, making up 65% of the sales mix, compared to 55% in the prior year [18] - Automotive shipments increased by 26% year over year, reflecting market share gains and a return to normal production levels at an OEM customer [19] - Energy shipments rose by 50% year over year, driven by project-based solar programs, while agriculture volume was up 1% [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American light vehicle output is expected to hold near 15.2 million units in calendar year 2025, essentially flat with 2024 [5] - The construction market remains stable but subdued, with pockets of strength in power and infrastructure [6] - The heavy truck and trailer market is expected to see a rebound beginning in late calendar year 2026 [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term strategies, including electrical steel growth plans, new growth opportunities through CapEx and acquisitions, and continuous improvement through transformation [7][10] - Expansion projects for electrical steel are on track, with initial production in Mexico expected in the first quarter of calendar year 2026 [8] - The integration of CDEM is progressing well, enhancing competitiveness in advanced mobility and industrial markets [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management expressed cautious optimism for early 2026 and a positive outlook for the second half of the calendar year, despite a mixed macroeconomic environment [6][15] - The company anticipates improvements in market conditions as interest rates ease and policy uncertainties subside [6] - Management highlighted the importance of transformation and AI integration in improving operational efficiency and financial discipline [11][12] Other Important Information - The company reported cash flow from operations of $99 million and free cash flow of $75 million for the quarter [23] - A quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share was announced, payable on March 27, 2026 [23] - Worthington Steel was recognized as a 2025 Supplier of the Year by Schaeffler Group USA and received the Military Friendly Employer Gold designation for the 11th consecutive year [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the nature of the SG&A increase? - The increase in SG&A was primarily due to higher compensation and benefits, as well as professional fees related to strategic projects [28][34] Question: What contributed to the automotive momentum? - The automotive momentum was largely due to market share gains from new programs reaching expected volumes, rather than solely from the cold-rolled strip business [36] Question: What is the impact of decreased demand on galvanized spreads? - Decreased demand, particularly in construction, has created competitive rivalry, but management expects margin expansion going forward [48] Question: What are the top transformation initiatives for 2026? - Key initiatives include back office transformation and leveraging AI for operational improvements [52][53]

Core Insights - Meros Investment Management has fully exited its position in Worthington Steel, resulting in a liquidation valued at nearly $5.3 million, which reflects a significant portfolio adjustment [2][10]. Company Overview - Worthington Steel, based in Columbus, Ohio, operates as a steel processor with a diversified product portfolio, serving various industrial sectors including automotive, heavy truck, agriculture, construction, and energy [6][9]. - As of the latest market close, Worthington Steel shares were priced at $35.92, with a market capitalization of $1.8 billion, revenue of $3.1 billion, and net income of $118.6 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4][6]. Recent Performance - The company reported a 5% revenue growth to $872.9 million in the most recent quarter, alongside an increase in operating income to $48.3 million and net earnings of $36.8 million, all showing meaningful improvement from the previous year [7]. - Adjusted earnings per share rose to $0.77 from $0.56, indicating positive traction in core spreads despite some volume softness in certain categories [7]. Market Context - Worthington Steel's stock has underperformed, down 18% over the past year, while the S&P 500 has increased by 13% during the same period [3]. - The exit by Meros Investment Management raises questions about investor sentiment, especially as the company appears to be stabilizing after its spin-off [7][10]. Strategic Positioning - Worthington Steel's vertically integrated model, strong balance sheet, and recent acquisition of the Sitem Group contribute to its ongoing transformation efforts [10]. - The company continues to focus on dividend continuity and steady margin improvement, which are key factors for fundamentals-driven investors to monitor [10].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2026 was $75.2 million, with earnings per share at $0.72, and net sales reached $872.9 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase [4][13][19] - Earnings increased from $28.4 million or $0.56 per share in the prior year quarter to $36.8 million or $0.72 per share in the current quarter [13][19] - Adjusted EBIT rose to $54.9 million, up $15.5 million from $39.4 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher gross margin and increased equity earnings [16][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Automotive shipments increased by 17% year-over-year, with shipments to the Detroit Three OEMs up nearly 13%, while production for these OEMs grew approximately 5% [21][22] - Direct sales volume constituted 63% of the mix in the current quarter, up from 56% in the prior year quarter, with direct sales volume increasing by 6% [20][21] - Toll processing volumes decreased by 22% year-over-year, attributed to market conditions and the closure of the Worthington Samuel Coil Processing facility [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Market pricing for hot rolled coil peaked at $950 per ton in March but has since decreased to approximately $800 per ton due to softer market demand [18] - The agricultural market faced challenges, with volumes down nearly 50% compared to the prior year quarter, while construction market shipments fell modestly by 3% [22] - The energy and container markets saw modest increases, contrasting with declines in the construction and heavy truck markets [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on electrical steel investments and margin-accretive growth, with production in Canada expected to start in early 2026 [7][8] - The expansion of the facility in Mexico will begin production soon, supplying electrical steel laminations for hybrid and electric vehicles [8] - The integration of AI into operations aims to enhance productivity and customer outcomes, with several AI-driven pilots underway [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the automotive market, anticipating continued growth despite market uncertainties [6][32] - The company is positioned to capitalize on opportunities arising from supply chain shifts and customer complexities [6][7] - Management noted that the macro environment remains mixed, with limited visibility in several sectors expected to persist [5][6] Other Important Information - The company reported a cash flow from operations outflow of $5 million and a free cash flow outflow of $34 million, impacted by increases in working capital [24][25] - A quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share was announced, payable on December 26, 2025 [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on the Sedum transaction and mezzanine financing structure? - The Sedum acquisition cost $60 million in cash, financed using ABL, with the minority interest classified as mezzanine equity due to foreign currency considerations [30][31] Question: What are the future opportunities in the automotive sector? - Management is cautiously optimistic about the automotive market, expecting to gain further market share and positive momentum in 2026 [32] Question: How does the company manage the impact of Section 232 tariffs on electrical steel laminations? - Management indicated minimal impact from tariffs, as customers are willing to pay, and a significant portion of the customer base is USMCA compliant [35] Question: Will the closure of the Worthington Samuel facility impact supply? - Management confirmed no anticipated disruptions in supply chains due to strong relationships with multiple mill sources [38] Question: What is the outlook for volumes in fiscal Q2? - Management expects normal seasonal trends, with Q2 typically 3% to 4% below Q1, and no significant demand triggers anticipated [42]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $75.2 million, with earnings per share at $0.72, and net sales of $872.9 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase [4][13] - Earnings increased from $28.4 million or $0.56 per share in the prior year quarter to $36.8 million or $0.72 per share in the current quarter [13][15] - Estimated pre-tax inventory holding gains were $5.6 million compared to losses of $16.6 million in the prior year, marking a favorable swing of $22.2 million [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Automotive shipments increased by 17% year-over-year, with the Detroit 3 OEMs experiencing a 5% production increase while Worthington's shipments rose nearly 13% [21][22] - Direct sales volume constituted 63% of the mix, up from 56% in the prior year quarter, while toll processing volumes decreased by 22% year-over-year [20][23] - The construction market saw a modest decline of 3%, while agricultural volumes dropped nearly 50% due to ongoing challenges in the agricultural equipment market [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Current pricing for hot rolled coil is approximately $800 per ton, down from a peak of $950 per ton in March, reflecting softer market demand [18] - The market for transformers is expected to grow by up to 7% per year over the next decade, driven by the increasing need for electricity in the U.S. [7] - The company shipped approximately 929,000 tons during the quarter, down 7% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to decreased toll volume [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on electrical steel investments and margin-accretive growth, with production in Canada expected to start in early calendar year 2026 [7][8] - The expansion of the facility in Mexico will begin production soon, supplying electrical steel laminations for hybrid and electric vehicles [8] - The company is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance operations, including demand forecasting and predictive maintenance [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the automotive market for the remainder of calendar year 2025, despite ongoing market uncertainties [6][21] - The company is positioned to capitalize on opportunities arising from supply chain shifts and customer complexities [6] - Management noted that the current macro environment remains mixed, with limited visibility in several sectors expected to persist [5] Other Important Information - The company reported a cash flow from operations outflow of $5 million and a free cash flow outflow of $34 million, impacted by increases in working capital [24] - A quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share was announced, payable on December 26, 2025 [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on the Sedum transaction and mezzanine financing structure? - The Sedum purchase price was composed of $60 million in cash and the contribution of the NOG Gold facility, financed using ABL [31] Question: What are the future opportunities in the automotive sector? - Management is cautiously optimistic, projecting a unit build rate of $15 million and expecting further market share gains [33] Question: How does the company manage the impact of Section 232 tariffs on electrical steel laminations? - Management indicated minimal impact from tariffs, as customers are willing to pay them, and a significant portion of the customer base is USMCA compliant [36] Question: Will the closure of the Worthington Samuel facility impact toll processing volumes? - The majority of the toll volume decline is attributed to market conditions and the facility closure, with some reductions due to customer program changes [43] Question: What is the expectation for direct sales volume moving forward? - Direct sales volume is expected to remain in the 60%-65% range, with toll processing at 35%-40% [45]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $75.2 million, with earnings per share at $0.72, and net sales reached $872.9 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase [4][13] - Earnings increased from $28.4 million or $0.56 per share in the prior year quarter to $36.8 million or $0.72 per share in the current quarter [13][15] - Estimated pre-tax inventory holding gains were $5.6 million compared to losses of $16.6 million in the prior year, marking a favorable swing of $22.2 million [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Automotive shipments increased by 17% year-over-year, with shipments to the Detroit Three OEMs growing nearly 13% against a 5% production increase [21][22] - Direct sales volume constituted 63% of the mix, up from 56% in the prior year quarter, while toll processing volumes decreased by 22% year-over-year [20][23] - The construction market saw a modest decline of 3%, while agricultural volumes dropped nearly 50% due to ongoing challenges in the agricultural equipment market [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Market pricing for hot rolled coil peaked at $950 per ton in March but has since decreased to approximately $800 per ton due to softer market demand [18] - The company shipped approximately 929,000 tons during the quarter, down 7% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to decreased toll volume [19][20] - The energy and container markets experienced modest increases, while the heavy truck market saw a 7% decline [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on electrical steel investments and margin-accretive growth, with production in Canada expected to start in early calendar year 2026 [7][8] - The expansion of the facility in Mexico is set to begin production soon, supporting the electrification of transportation [8] - The company is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance operations and back-office functions, aiming for improved efficiency and cost savings [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism despite market uncertainties, emphasizing the importance of agility and collaboration in navigating challenges [5][6] - The company anticipates continued growth in the automotive sector and is preparing for potential market recovery in 2026 [32] - Management highlighted a disciplined approach to capital allocation and a commitment to generating strong free cash flow [11][24] Other Important Information - The company reported a cash outflow of $5 million from operations and a free cash flow outflow of $34 million, impacted by increases in working capital [24][25] - A quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share was announced, payable on December 26, 2025 [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on the Sedum transaction and mezzanine financing structure? - The Sedum acquisition was financed with $60 million in cash and the contribution of a facility, with the minority interest classified as mezzanine equity due to its unique structure [30][31] Question: What are the future opportunities in the automotive sector? - Management remains cautiously optimistic about the automotive market, expecting to gain further market share and positive momentum in 2026 [32] Question: How does the company manage the impact of Section 232 tariffs on electrical steel laminations? - The company has seen little impact from the tariffs, as customers are willing to pay them, and a significant portion of the customer base is USMCA compliant [35] Question: Will the closure of the Worthington Samuel facility impact toll processing volumes? - The decline in toll processing volumes is primarily due to market conditions and the closure of the facility, with some additional impacts from customer decisions [42] Question: What is the expectation for direct sales volume moving forward? - Direct sales volume is expected to remain in the 60% to 65% range, with toll processing making up 35% to 40% [44]

Financial Performance - Worthington Steel's net sales for FY2025 were $3.093 billion[13, 74] - The adjusted EBITDA for FY2025 was $215 million, with a margin of 7.0%[13, 76] - Free cash flow for FY2025 was $99.9 million[13] - Capital expenditures for FY2025 were $130.4 million, representing 4.2% of sales[13, 91] Market Position and Strategy - Worthington Steel delivered 3.8 million tons of steel[13] - Automotive end-market accounts for 52% of net sales[14, 39] - The company has 32 manufacturing facilities primarily in North America[13, 27] - The company aims to achieve a 10%+ adjusted EBITDA margin through the Worthington Business System, product mix optimization, new product introductions, and strategic acquisitions[81, 82] Strategic Initiatives - The company is investing $85 million to expand xEV production capacity in Mexico, with 50% of the additional capacity already filled with new business and targeting start of production for fall 2025[64] - The company is investing $85 million to increase transformer core making capacity in Canada, with 80% already spent and targeting start of production for early CY2026[64] - The company acquired 52% ownership of Sitem Group to strengthen its electrical steel business globally[28, 70]