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Commercial Metals Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 26 March 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net earnings and adjusted earnings rose: Net earnings were $93.0 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, against $25.5 million a year earlier. Adjusted earnings were $130.1 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, against $35.8 million. Source
  • Core EBITDA more than doubled: Core EBITDA was $297.5 million, up about 114% year over year. Core EBITDA margin was 14.0%, up 610 basis points from the prior year period. Source
  • North America Steel margin rose to 16.8%: North America Steel Group adjusted EBITDA was $269.7 million, up 96.9%, with margin of 16.8% against 9.9%, on higher steel margins over scrap and TAG contributions. Source
  • Precast added $33.6 million of EBITDA: The precast platform contributed $33.6 million to segment adjusted EBITDA, or $40.3 million before a $6.7 million purchase accounting charge. Precast added 5.3 points to CSG margin. Source
  • Downstream backlog highest since fiscal 2023: Downstream backlog volumes rose slightly year over year to the highest level since the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Source
  • Cash and liquidity after acquisitions: At February 28, 2026, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $503.6 million and available liquidity was over $1.7 billion. Source

“The CMC team delivered another strong quarter, driving a more than two-fold increase in core EBITDA compared to a year ago.”

Peter Matt, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Annual maintenance outage costs Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026$15 million to $20 millionNew
Europe Steel Group adjusted EBITDA Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026improve substantially, including an approximately $20 million CO2 creditNew
Precast business EBITDA Sourcefull fiscal year 2026$165 million to $175 millionKept
Net leverage Sourcepreviously committed timeframe2x

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Quarterly dividend raised by $0.02 to $0.20 per share, an 11% increase from the prior level, payable April 15, 2026. Source
  • New: Precast concrete business entered: the acquisitions closed in December and the precast platform is now reported within the Construction Solutions Group. Source
  • New: A new non-GAAP adjustment excludes amortization of acquired contract backlog from the Foley and CP&P acquisitions from adjusted earnings. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net earnings and adjusted earnings rose: Net earnings were $93.0 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, against $25.5 million a year earlier. Adjusted earnings were $130.1 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, against $35.8 million. Source
  • Core EBITDA more than doubled: Core EBITDA was $297.5 million, up about 114% year over year. Core EBITDA margin was 14.0%, up 610 basis points from the prior year period. Source
  • TAG, markets and precast drove growth: Management attributed the growth to execution, momentum in the TAG program, favorable market conditions and the newly acquired precast business. Source
  • Acquisition charges sit outside adjusted earnings: After-tax charges of $37.1 million were recorded, mainly tied to the Foley and CP&P acquisitions, with interest on the judgment amount also included. Unrealized hedge gains offset part of them. Source

Segments and regions

  • North America Steel margin rose to 16.8%: North America Steel Group adjusted EBITDA was $269.7 million, up 96.9%, with margin of 16.8% against 9.9%, on higher steel margins over scrap and TAG contributions. Source
  • Construction Solutions sales nearly doubled: Construction Solutions Group net sales were $314.4 million, up 97.9%. Adjusted EBITDA was $53.4 million, up 127.1%, with margin of 17.0%. Source
  • Precast added $33.6 million of EBITDA: The precast platform contributed $33.6 million to segment adjusted EBITDA, or $40.3 million before a $6.7 million purchase accounting charge. Precast added 5.3 points to CSG margin. Source
  • Europe Steel swung to a small loss: Europe Steel Group adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $1.4 million, against a profit of $0.8 million a year earlier. Margin was (0.7%), against 0.4%. Source

“While weather disruptions temporarily impacted much of our North American footprint during the quarter, we were encouraged by the favorable underlying market conditions across our segments.”

Peter Matt, President and Chief Executive Officer

Demand and the order book

  • Downstream backlog highest since fiscal 2023: Downstream backlog volumes rose slightly year over year to the highest level since the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Source
  • Backlog pricing rose for first time in years: Commercial selectivity on margin thresholds produced the first year-over-year rise in average backlog price in nearly three years. Source
  • Contract awards solid across growing segments: Contract awards were solid in data centers, energy, institutional and public works projects. Source
  • Construction Solutions backlog value up: Construction Solutions Group backlog value at quarter end was up by a high single-digit percentage year over year. Source
  • Dodge Momentum Index remains elevated: Management pointed to the elevated Dodge Momentum Index and healthy downstream bidding activity as signs of a future project pipeline. Source

Products and customers

  • Steel volumes flat year over year: Average daily finished steel volumes were virtually unchanged from the prior year and fell 8.2% sequentially, in line with seasonal patterns. Source
  • Construction Services improved, rebar declined: Construction Services improved on store traffic and pricing initiatives. Performance Reinforcing Steel declined on project timing, and Tensar was stable in its seasonally weakest quarter. Source
  • Precast shipments solid despite weather delays: Precast shipments were solid, though some deliveries were delayed by inclement weather. Source

“we are encouraged by what we have seen within our new precast platform, including a strong customer value proposition, good operational and commercial capabilities”

Peter Matt, President and Chief Executive Officer

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Steel price gains outpaced scrap costs: Average selling price for steel products rose $160 per ton year over year, while scrap costs rose only $13 per ton. Source
  • North America metal margin rose to $623: North America steel products metal margin was $623 per ton in the quarter, against $476 per ton a year earlier. Source
  • Europe metal margin rose $10 per ton: Europe metal margin rose sequentially as a larger selling price increase outweighed a seasonal rise in scrap costs. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Cash and liquidity after acquisitions: At February 28, 2026, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $503.6 million and available liquidity was over $1.7 billion. Source
  • Buybacks of $18.3 million in quarter: The company repurchased 249,154 shares for $18.3 million. $147.8 million remained under the current repurchase authorization at quarter end. Source
  • Six-month operating cash flow and capex: For the six months, operating cash flow was $370.5 million, with capital expenditures of $248.1 million and acquisitions of $2.5 billion, net of cash acquired. Source

Integration, TAG and strategy

  • TAG adding efficiency gains: Management described additional efficiency gains from the enterprise-wide TAG program as supporting results across the business. Source
  • Long-term plan centers on margins and returns: Management said it is focused on creating shareholder value through the strategic plan, targeting margins, earnings, cash flow generation and return on capital. Source
  • Precast integrations progressing well: Management reported that precast integrations are progressing well and support confidence in expected business performance and synergies. Source

Coming up, as management said on 26 March 2026

  • Second-half growth expected: Management said the company is well positioned for further growth in the second half of fiscal 2026, supported by the legacy businesses and the precast platform. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
North America steel products shipped (external tons) Source716 thousand tons
North America downstream products shipped (external tons) Source335 thousand tons
Europe steel products shipped (external tons) Source284 thousand tons

Risks management discussed

  • External: No direct impact yet from the war in Iran on the U.S. market, but management is monitoring possible demand disruption or cost inflation. Source
  • External: European energy costs have risen, with the financial effect depending on how long the conflict lasts. Source
  • Operational: Weather reduced production and raised energy costs at the steel mills, lowering segment profitability by about $5 million to $10 million. Source
  • Demand: Large rebar imports ahead of the CBAM start on January 1, 2026 temporarily reduced demand for domestic European material. Source
  • Financial: Interest on the judgment amount in the previously disclosed litigation continues to be recorded as an expense. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said integration of the precast businesses is advancing well and remains on schedule, as previously planned. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.