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Metallus Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 19 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 8 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter sales fell sequentially: Net sales were $267.3 million, down 13 percent from the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Fourth-quarter adjusted results: On an adjusted basis, the net loss was $7.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, and adjusted EBITDA was $2.4 million. Source
  • Full-year sales rose 7 percent: Net sales of $1.2 billion rose 7 percent from 2024 on higher shipments and raw material surcharge revenue. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EBITDA reported: On an adjusted basis, full-year net income was $15.3 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, and adjusted EBITDA was $75.6 million. Source
  • Aerospace and defense sales up 19 percent: Aerospace & defense net sales rose 19 percent to $160.6 million for 2025 compared with 2024. Source
  • Order book up over 50 percent: The order book is up more than 50 percent year over year, as cited in management's first-quarter comments. Source
  • Capital spending of $109.0 million: Capital expenditures were $109.0 million in 2025, including $81.3 million for projects funded by the U.S. government. Source

“In 2025, we delivered higher shipments to our customers supported by strengthening demand across our key end markets as the need for domestic steel grew,”

Mike Williams, chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Shipments Sourcefirst quarter 2026approximately 10%New
Manufacturing costs Sourcefirst quarter 2026approximately $10 million sequential improvementNew
Capital expenditures Source2026approximately $70 millionNew
Government funding receipts Sourcefirst half 2026approximately $17 millionNew
Pension contributions Sourcefirst quarter 2026$15 to $18 millionNew
Pension contributions Sourcefull-year 2026approximately $27 millionNew
Effective income tax rate Source202627 to 30 percentNew
One-time labor payment Sourcefirst quarter 2026approximately $2.0 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Guidance now covers first-quarter 2026 adjusted EBITDA. The prior release gave guidance only for fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA relative to the third quarter. Source
  • New guidance: Full-year 2026 guidance was added for effective tax rate, required pension contributions and capital expenditures. The prior release gave capital expenditures only for 2025. Source
  • New: Four-year labor agreement with the USW was ratified on February 5, 2026. The prior release reported that membership voted against the tentative agreement on October 30, 2025. Source
  • New: Spot price increases on bar and seamless mechanical tubing were recently implemented. The prior release reported spot bar and tube increases of 5 percent taking effect through the fourth quarter. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Fourth-quarter sales fell sequentially: Net sales were $267.3 million, down 13 percent from the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Sales rose against prior-year quarter: Compared with the prior-year fourth quarter, net sales rose 11 percent, mainly on higher shipments across most end markets. Source
  • Fourth-quarter reported net loss: Reported net loss was $14.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, on net sales of $267.3 million. Source
  • Fourth-quarter adjusted results: On an adjusted basis, the net loss was $7.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, and adjusted EBITDA was $2.4 million. Source
  • Full-year sales rose 7 percent: Net sales of $1.2 billion rose 7 percent from 2024 on higher shipments and raw material surcharge revenue. Source
  • Full-year reported net loss: Full-year 2025 reported net loss was $1.2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, against net income of $1.3 million in 2024. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EBITDA reported: On an adjusted basis, full-year net income was $15.3 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, and adjusted EBITDA was $75.6 million. Source

Segments and end markets

  • Aerospace and defense sales up 19 percent: Aerospace & defense net sales rose 19 percent to $160.6 million for 2025 compared with 2024. Source
  • Full-year shipments rose 14 percent: Ship tons were 631,700 for 2025, up 14 percent from 2024 on higher shipments in all end markets. Source
  • Fourth-quarter tons fell sequentially: Fourth-quarter ship tons were 148,000, down 15,100 tons or 9 percent from the third quarter, on lower shipments across all end markets. Source

“While we were not satisfied with our fourth-quarter performance, we took the opportunity to implement longer‑term operational improvements and are increasing hourly staffing levels in targeted areas to meet growing demand.”

Mike Williams, chief executive officer

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Melt utilization dipped in fourth quarter: Melt utilization was 66 percent in the fourth quarter, down from 72 percent in the third quarter and up from 56 percent a year earlier. Source
  • Fourth-quarter manufacturing costs rose: Manufacturing costs rose on planned annual shutdown maintenance and reduced fixed cost leverage from lower production volume. Source
  • Full-year manufacturing costs improved slightly: Manufacturing costs improved slightly on higher cost absorption, partly offset by general inflation and higher utility costs. Source
  • Full-year melt utilization rose: Melt utilization averaged 69 percent for 2025, up from 60 percent in 2024. Source
  • Spot price increases implemented: Spot price increases were recently implemented on both bar and seamless mechanical tubing products. Source

Demand and order book

  • Order book up over 50 percent: The order book is up more than 50 percent year over year, as cited in management's first-quarter comments. Source
  • Lead times extend into mid-year: Bar product lead times extend to mid-second quarter, and tube product lead times extend to mid-third quarter. Source
  • Fourth-quarter shipments up year over year: Compared with fourth quarter 2024, shipments rose 14 percent, on higher shipments across all end markets except energy. Source

“Looking ahead, we expect first-quarter adjusted EBITDA to increase sequentially, providing the foundation for anticipated stronger performance in each quarter of 2026 compared with the same periods in 2025.”

Mike Williams, chief executive officer

Operations and labor

  • Hourly staffing increased in targeted areas: Management is increasing hourly staffing in targeted areas to meet growing demand. Source
  • Operations better to date in Q1: Management says operations performed better to date in the first quarter after operational changes and staffing increases. Source
  • Four-year labor deal ratified: The Steelworkers ratified a four-year labor agreement with Metallus on February 5, 2026. Source

Cash, capital and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow was $16.0 million: The company generated $16.0 million of operating cash flow in 2025. Source
  • Cash ended year at $156.7 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $156.7 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Capital spending of $109.0 million: Capital expenditures were $109.0 million in 2025, including $81.3 million for projects funded by the U.S. government. Source
  • Free cash flow was negative: Free cash flow was $(15.4) million for 2025 and $(10.8) million for the fourth quarter, per the company's reconciliation. Source
  • Repurchases totaled $13.1 million: Full-year 2025 repurchases were 0.9 million shares at a cost of $13.1 million. Source
  • Total liquidity of $389.2 million: Total liquidity, defined as borrowing capacity plus cash, was $389.2 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Government-funded capacity expansion

  • Army funding received in fourth quarter: The company received $4.1 million from the U.S. Army in the fourth quarter under the $99.75 million capacity expansion agreement. Source
  • Total government funding reached $85.6 million: Total government funding received during 2024 and 2025 was $85.6 million. Source
  • Bloom reheat furnace investment on track: Management says the bloom reheat furnace investment is on track, alongside underway operational optimization initiatives. Source

Expectations for 2026

  • Pricing benefit ramps each quarter: Management expects pricing benefit and mix margin lift to ramp each quarter of 2026, based on lead times and mix. Source
  • Annual price agreements substantially complete: Annual price agreements covering about 70 percent of the order book are substantially complete. Source
  • Melt utilization to increase in Q1: Management anticipates first-quarter average melt utilization to rise sequentially, supported by greater stability and reliability across key assets. Source

Coming up, as management said on 19 February 2026

  • Spot price increases take effect: Spot increases on bar and seamless tubing take effect through the second quarter and early third quarter, depending on product. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Ship tons, fourth quarter 2025 Source148,000
Ship tons, full year 2025 Source631,700
Melt utilization, full year 2025 Source69 percent
Order book change, year over year Sourceup more than 50%

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Management cited a slower-than-expected ramp-up after annual shutdown maintenance as a reason for lower fourth-quarter shipments. Source
  • Financial: Borrowing capacity is limited by collateral; the company had less than $400 million of collateral assets to borrow against. Source
  • External: Surcharge revenue per ton fell with compressed scrap prices, reducing fourth-quarter net sales. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release said the spot increases would take effect through the fourth quarter. This release does not state their result.
  • Not stated: The prior release expected fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA below the third quarter. This release reports $2.4 million against $29.0 million.
  • Not stated: The prior release said the labor contract was extended to January 29, 2026, with negotiations continuing. This release reports ratification on February 5, 2026.

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.