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Steel Dynamics Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 21 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Quarter sales, operating and net income: Net sales were $6.1 billion, operating income $700 million and net income $534 million, or $3.69 per diluted share after a $16 million impairment charge. Source
  • Steel pricing lifted consolidated operating income: Consolidated operating income rose $162 million, or 30 percent, sequentially, with management citing steel pricing rising more than ferrous scrap costs. Source
  • Steel operations drove the increase: Steel operating income was $721 million, 30 percent above the first quarter, on record shipments and wider metal spreads as steel pricing rose more than scrap costs. Source
  • Aluminum shipments and hot band rose: Aluminum flat-rolled sheet shipments reached 53,000 metric tons, up from 14,600 metric tons in the fourth quarter 2025, and hot band output reached 84,000 metric tons. Source
  • Order backlog nearly 45 percent higher: The order backlog is nearly 45 percent above a year earlier and extends into the first quarter 2027, after reaching into October 2026 in the prior quarter. Source
  • Quarter operating cash flow $428 million: Cash flow from operations was $428 million in the second quarter 2026, compared with $302 million in the second quarter 2025. Source
  • Quarter investment, dividends and buybacks: Capital investments were $124 million, cash dividends $77 million and share repurchases $200 million in the second quarter 2026. Source

“We continue to see an improved steel market environment, supported by domestic trade actions, manufacturing reshoring, infrastructure program funding, and the increasing regionalization of supply chains within the United States.”

Mark D. Millett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Automotive aluminum sales Source2026before the end of 2026New
Aluminum flat-rolled mill capacity Sourceafter third cold mill commissioning650,000-metric-ton capacityNew
Order backlog coverage Sourceinto first quarter 2027into the first quarter 2027

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The planned second satellite aluminum recycled slab center is being relocated from Arizona to Columbus, Mississippi. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Quarter sales, operating and net income: Net sales were $6.1 billion, operating income $700 million and net income $534 million, or $3.69 per diluted share after a $16 million impairment charge. Source
  • Steel pricing lifted consolidated operating income: Consolidated operating income rose $162 million, or 30 percent, sequentially, with management citing steel pricing rising more than ferrous scrap costs. Source
  • First-half operating income up sharply: First-half operating income rose 88 percent to $1.2 billion, mainly from higher realized steel pricing and shipments, with net income of $938 million. Source
  • Net income against prior periods: Second-quarter net income of $534 million compares with $403 million in the first quarter 2026 and $299 million in the second quarter 2025. Source

Segment operating income

  • Steel operations drove the increase: Steel operating income was $721 million, 30 percent above the first quarter, on record shipments and wider metal spreads as steel pricing rose more than scrap costs. Source
  • Metals recycling steady at $48 million: Metals recycling operating income was $48 million, unchanged sequentially, as higher volumes offset lower pricing and scrap flows improved seasonally. Source
  • Steel fabrication eased to $85 million: Steel fabrication operating income was $85 million against $90 million in the first quarter, as higher shipments and steady pricing were offset by raw material costs. Source
  • Aluminum loss narrowed 48 percent: The aluminum operating loss was $33 million, a 48 percent improvement on the first quarter, while startup work continued. Source

“Together with our broader investment initiatives across the company, aluminum represents an exciting avenue for continued growth and value creation.”

Mark D. Millett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Aluminum start-up progress

  • Aluminum shipments and hot band rose: Aluminum flat-rolled sheet shipments reached 53,000 metric tons, up from 14,600 metric tons in the fourth quarter 2025, and hot band output reached 84,000 metric tons. Source
  • Cold mills and CASH line progress: Two of three cold mills are operational and the third is being commissioned, with commercial operations expected in August. The first CASH line is shipping qualification material. Source
  • Customer qualifications continue: Products are being provided to industrial, beverage and automotive markets while customer qualifications continue, and automotive qualifications have been received. Source

Steel pricing, scrap and spreads

  • Steel selling price rose $105: The average external steel selling price rose $105 sequentially to $1,298 per ton, while ferrous scrap cost per ton melted rose $16 to $412. Source
  • Scrap supply ample as mills ran harder: Scrap flows improved seasonally, giving ample supply as domestic steel mills raised utilization. Source
  • Flat-rolled spreads and lead times widened: Value-added flat-rolled steel spreads expanded in the quarter, and steel backlogs and lead times extended, according to management. Source

“Customer sentiment, order entry activity, and pricing have continued to improve across our businesses.”

Mark D. Millett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Demand and order book

  • Order backlog nearly 45 percent higher: The order backlog is nearly 45 percent above a year earlier and extends into the first quarter 2027, after reaching into October 2026 in the prior quarter. Source
  • Sectors leading steel demand: Energy, non-residential construction, automotive, industrial and agricultural sectors led steel demand in the quarter. Source
  • Reshoring and infrastructure funding: Management expects domestic manufacturing investment, reshoring and infrastructure program funding to support demand across steel joists, deck, flat-rolled and long products. Source
  • Customer steel inventories below norms: Customer inventory levels declined and remained below historical norms, while pricing improved and demand remained solid during the quarter. Source

Cash flow and receivables

  • Quarter operating cash flow $428 million: Cash flow from operations was $428 million in the second quarter 2026, compared with $302 million in the second quarter 2025. Source
  • Receivables rose on higher sales: Accounts receivable rose to $2.44 billion at June 30, 2026, from $1.68 billion at December 31, 2025, while inventories rose to $3.96 billion. Source
  • First-half operating cash flow: First-half cash flow from operations was $576 million, compared with $454 million in the first half 2025. Source

Capital returns and investment

  • Quarter investment, dividends and buybacks: Capital investments were $124 million, cash dividends $77 million and share repurchases $200 million in the second quarter 2026. Source
  • First-half returns and liquidity: First-half investments were $262 million, dividends $149 million and repurchases $315 million, about one percent of shares outstanding, with liquidity of $2.0 billion. Source
  • Dividend per share held at $0.53: Dividends declared per share were $0.53 in the second quarter 2026, the same as the first quarter 2026 and up from $0.50 a year earlier. Source

Strategy and aluminum expansion

  • Expansion into recycled-content aluminum: Management is expanding into high-recycled-content aluminum sheet for adjacent markets where customer demand continues to accelerate, complementing the steel platforms. Source
  • Lower-carbon domestic products gain importance: Management said customer discussions underscore the growing importance of lower-carbon, domestically produced steel and aluminum products. Source
  • Mexico recycled slab center commissioning: The San Luis Potosi, Mexico satellite recycled aluminum slab center is being commissioned alongside the flat-rolled mill, according to management. Source

Coming up, as management said on 21 July 2026

  • Third cold mill to commercial operations: Management expects the third cold mill to begin transitioning to commercial operations in August 2026. Source
  • Second CASH line qualifications: The second CASH line is expected to start material qualifications in the fourth quarter 2026. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: A $16 million non-cash impairment charge was recorded in the second quarter related to relocating the planned second satellite aluminum recycled slab center. Source
  • Financial: Working capital, excluding income taxes, rose $225 million in the quarter, which management linked to pricing, demand and the aluminum ramp. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Second-quarter aluminum shipments reached 53,000 metric tons, and the release moves the expected sharp increase in volumes and profitability to the second half 2026.
  • Not stated: Management reports that construction of the third cold mill finished and commissioning began in July, with commercial operations expected in August.
  • Not stated: The second CASH line is now expected to begin material qualifications in the fourth quarter 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.