Core Viewpoint - Russel Metals Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire seven service center locations from Kloeckner Metals Corporation for approximately US$118.6 million, which is part of the company's long-term growth strategy in the US [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes working capital, real estate, buildings, equipment, and operating personnel for the seven locations [1]. - The purchase price consists of approximately US$67.1 million for working capital and US$51.5 million for property, plant, and equipment [1][7]. - The service centers are located in Dubuque (Iowa), Charlotte (North Carolina), Suwanee (Georgia), Houston (Texas), Austin (Texas), Jacksonville (Florida), and Pompano Beach (Florida) [1]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2025, the seven service centers generated average annual revenues of approximately US$500 million and average annual adjusted EBITDA of approximately US$20 million [1]. - Following the acquisition, Russel's revenue base in the US will exceed 50%, up from 30% in 2019 and 39% in 2024 [1]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - The acquisition is expected to enhance inventory management, procurement, and facilitate reinvestments in facility modernizations and value-added equipment over a 2-3 year period [2]. - The transaction will be financed through cash on hand or existing credit facilities, which totaled $566 million as of June 30, 2025 [2].

Core Viewpoint - Russel Metals Inc. is implementing initiatives to streamline operations in Western Canada, aiming to reduce excess capacity, lower invested capital, and enhance operational efficiencies [1][2]. Group 1: Operational Initiatives - The company plans to rationalize excess capacity and redundant locations, which will lead to a reduction in invested capital by approximately $100 million, achieving the upper end of its original goal [2]. - Specific initiatives include the permanent closure of the Delta location in British Columbia and the Saskatoon location in Saskatchewan, with expected cash proceeds from real estate sales exceeding $40 million [6]. Group 2: Financial Impact - Following the acquisition of seven service centers for $225 million, the company has already reduced invested capital by $58 million due to decreased working capital, with further reductions of $40-50 million anticipated from the new initiatives [2]. - A provision for restructuring of approximately $4 million will be recorded in Q3'25 related to the closure of the Delta location [6]. Group 3: Company Overview - Russel Metals is one of North America's largest metals distribution companies, operating in three segments: metals service centers, energy field stores, and steel distributors [3]. - The company offers a wide range of metal products, including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and other non-ferrous specialty metals, catering to various industries [3].

Core Viewpoint - Friedman Industries has acquired Century Metals and Supplies, Inc., enhancing its market presence and product offerings in the southeastern U.S. and Latin American markets [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes working capital, buildings, processing and other equipment, and related real estate [1]. - Century Metals has generated average annual revenues of approximately $111.0 million over the past three fiscal years [1]. - The transaction is an all-cash purchase and is expected to be immediately accretive [1]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The acquisition broadens Friedman's reach into new regions and enhances its core hot-rolled steel business [2]. - It adds coil slitting capabilities and expands the product portfolio to include cold-rolled, coated, and stainless steels, as well as non-ferrous materials like aluminum, copper, and brass [2]. - The acquisition provides strategic access to growing residential and corrosion-resistant markets [2]. Group 3: Company Background - Friedman Industries is headquartered in Longview, Texas, and operates multiple manufacturing plants across the U.S. [4]. - The company has two reportable segments: flat-roll products and tubular products, processing both ferrous and non-ferrous coils [4].

Core Insights - MRC Global Inc. reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 25 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 23 cents, but down from 31 cents per share in the same quarter last year [1][7] - Total revenues reached $798 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $772 million, although this represented a slight decrease of 0.1% year over year due to lower sales volumes in the Downstream, Industrial and Energy Transition (DIET) sector [1][7] Revenue Breakdown by Product Line - Revenues from carbon pipe, fittings, and flanges decreased by 11.9% year over year to $200 million [2] - Revenues from valves, automation, measurement, and instrumentation increased by 3.5% year over year to $294 million [2] - Gas product revenues rose by 8.3% year over year to $209 million [2] - Sales of general products increased by 1.7% to $61 million [2] - Sales of stainless steel and alloy pipe and fittings decreased by 2.9% to $34 million [2] Revenue Breakdown by Sector - Revenues from Gas Utilities increased by 4% year over year to $299 million [3] - DIET sales declined by 13% to $223 million [3] - Sales from the PTI sector increased by 8% year over year to $276 million [3] Revenue Breakdown by Segment - Sales from the U.S. segment, which represents 82% of total revenues, totaled $658 million, down 3% year over year due to reduced demand in the DIET and PTI sectors [4] - Sales from the International segment, accounting for 18% of revenues, grew by 15% year over year to $140 million, driven by higher revenues from the PTI sector [4] Margin Profile - MRC Global's cost of sales increased by 2.7% year over year to $647 million [5] - Adjusted gross profit decreased by 4.4% year over year to $172 million, resulting in an adjusted gross margin of 21.6%, down from 22.5% in the previous year [5][7] - Selling, general, and administrative expenses rose by 6.6% year over year to $130 million [5] - Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 16.9% year over year to $54 million [5] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - As of the end of the second quarter 2025, MRC had a cash balance of $75 million, up from $63 million at the end of December 2024 [6] - Long-term debt, including the current portion, was $449 million, with net debt at $374 million [6] - In the first half of 2025, the company used net cash of $30 million in operating activities, compared to $101 million used in the same period last year [6] 2025 Outlook - MRC Global anticipates its 2025 revenues to increase in the low to high-single-digit range on a year-over-year basis [9]

Core Viewpoint - MRC Global Inc. reported first-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 14 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 8 cents, but down from 21 cents per share in the same quarter last year. Total revenues of $712 million also surpassed the consensus estimate of $710 million, although they decreased by 8.4% year over year due to lower sales volumes in specific sectors [1]. Revenue Summary by Product Line - Revenues from carbon pipe, fittings, and flanges decreased by 22.5% year over year to $162 million. - Revenues from valves, automation, measurement, and instrumentation fell by 0.7% year over year to $277 million. - Gas product revenues remained stable year over year at $187 million. - Sales of general products dropped by 28.1% to $46 million, while sales of stainless steel and alloy pipe and fittings increased by 5.3% to $40 million [2]. Revenue Summary by Sector - Revenues from Gas Utilities increased by 3% year over year to $273 million. - Sales in the Downstream, Industrial and Energy Transition (DIET) sector decreased by 17.7% to $220 million. - Sales from the Production & Transmission Infrastructure (PTI) sector fell by 10.6% year over year to $219 million [3]. Revenue Summary by Segment - Sales from the U.S. segment, which represents 83% of total revenues, totaled $591 million, down 11.4% year over year due to reduced demand in DIET and PTI sectors. - Sales from the International segment, accounting for 17% of revenues, grew by 10% year over year to $121 million, driven by higher revenues from the PTI sector [4]. Margin Profile - MRC Global's cost of sales declined by 7.8% year over year to $570 million. - Adjusted gross profit decreased by 10% year over year to $153 million, with an adjusted gross margin of 21.5%, compared to 21.9% in the previous year. - Selling, general, and administrative expenses rose by 3.3% year over year to $124 million, while adjusted EBITDA decreased by 36.8% year over year to $36 million [5]. Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - At the end of the first quarter of 2025, MRC had a cash balance of $63 million, stable compared to December 2024. - Long-term debt, including the current portion, was $367 million, with net debt at $308 million [6]. - The company generated net cash of $14 million from operating activities, down from $38 million in the year-ago period. - Capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment were $9 million, up 50% year over year, and no dividends were paid on preferred stock compared to $6 million in the previous year [7]. 2025 Outlook - MRC Global anticipates that its second-quarter 2025 revenues will increase in the high-single to low-double-digit range sequentially, driven by growth across its three business sectors [9].