SDI Q3 Results Weaker than Expected

Steel Dynamics Inc. anticipates improved profitability in third quarter from modestly increased margins that were offset by slightly lower shipments. Earnings will be higher than second quarter which was impacted by the closing of the Minnesota Iron operations and a planned maintenance outage at Iron Dynamics.

SDI expects overall average product pricing to be flat for the third quarter. Steel scrap costs are expected to decline but will benefit the fourth quarter margin spread.

Hot rolled product shipments declined in Q3 due to continued high levels of imports combined with excessive inventories.

Heavy equipment, agriculture and energy markets remain challenged said the company. Automotive continues to show strength along with increased activity construction. Strong demand for steel joist and decking products in the company’s fabricated operations is expected to boost profits in the segment to record level despite lower average pricing.

A substantial decline is anticipated in the metals recycling segment with ferrous metals pricing declining slightly from Q2 and non-ferrous pricing down significantly.

Earnings guidance for the quarter is in the range of $0.20 to $0.24 per diluted share, up from $0.13 in second quarter and below last year’s $0.38 per share. Analysts were expecting earnings to be around $0.30 per diluted share. A quarterly dividend of $0.1375 per common share was declared by the company’s board of directors.