greeksoup/ stock research

Steel Dynamics Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 20 October 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income and EPS rose sharply: Net income was $756 million, or $5.26 per diluted share, against $534 million, or $3.69, in the second quarter and $404 million, or $2.74, a year earlier. Source
  • Steel operating income up 43 percent: Steel operating income was $1.0 billion, 43 percent above the second quarter. Source
  • Aluminum loss narrowed 21 percent: The aluminum operating loss was $26 million, 21 percent smaller than the second quarter, during continued startup of the operations. Source
  • Order backlog 50 percent above last year: The order backlog is 50 percent higher than a year ago and extends into the second quarter 2027. Demand was largely driven by commercial construction, manufacturing, warehouses, data centers and healthcare. Source
  • Operating cash flow of $846 million: Cash flow from operations was $846 million, against $723 million a year earlier; nine-month cash flow from operations was $1.4 billion. Source
  • Aluminum seen as growth avenue: Management describes aluminum as an avenue for growth and value creation, alongside broader investment initiatives across the company. Source

“Throughout the third quarter 2026, steel prices continued to improve and the teams executed well across our steel platform, driving a sequential quarterly increase in consolidated operating income of $306 million, or 44 percent,”

Mark D. Millett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Second CASH line Sourcefirst quarter 2027early in the first quarter 2027

What changed from last quarter

  • New: All three aluminum cold mills are now operational. The prior release said the third mill was being commissioned, with commercial transition expected in August. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net income and EPS rose sharply: Net income was $756 million, or $5.26 per diluted share, against $534 million, or $3.69, in the second quarter and $404 million, or $2.74, a year earlier. Source
  • Steel shipments and spreads drove gains: Management attributed the sequential rise in operating income to record steel shipments and metal spread expansion, with higher realized steel prices and lower scrap costs. Source
  • Nine-month operating income up 93 percent: Operating income for the nine months was $2.2 billion, up 93 percent, and net income was $1.7 billion, or $11.72 per diluted share. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up from prior year: Adjusted EBITDA was $1.19 billion, against $664 million a year earlier and $700 million in the second quarter. Source

Steel operations

  • Steel operating income up 43 percent: Steel operating income was $1.0 billion, 43 percent above the second quarter. Source
  • Average steel selling price rose $102: The average external steel selling price rose $102 per ton sequentially, to $1,400 per ton. Source
  • Scrap cost per ton fell: Ferrous scrap cost per ton melted decreased $8 sequentially to $404, as average realized steel prices rose while scrap costs declined. Source
  • Nine-month steel earnings more than doubled: Nine-month steel operating income was $2.3 billion, against $1.1 billion, with the nine-month average external price up $216 to $1,299 per ton. Source
  • Processing and long-product shipments rose: Steel Processing division shipments rose to 743,254 tons from 543,700 a year earlier, while Structural and Rail shipments were also higher. Source

“We believe sustained demand across our platforms, combined with favorable market conditions, positions us well moving forward.”

Mark D. Millett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Fabrication and metals recycling

  • Fabrication operating income higher: Steel fabrication operating income was $91 million, up from $85 million in the second quarter, as shipments and realized pricing more than offset higher steel input costs. Source
  • Fabrication shipments up 18 percent: Management said continued improving demand lifted steel fabrication shipments 18 percent sequentially, despite higher steel costs. Source
  • Metals recycling income down $15 million: Metals recycling operating income was $33 million, $15 million lower than the second quarter, on lower ferrous scrap pricing and metal spread contraction with steady volume. Source
  • Nine-month recycling earnings higher: Nine-month metals recycling operating income was $128 million, against $79 million, attributed to improved metal spreads and higher shipments. Source
  • Nine-month fabrication earnings lower: Nine-month steel fabrication operating income was $265 million, against $317 million, due to higher raw material input costs. Source

Aluminum start-up

  • Aluminum loss narrowed 21 percent: The aluminum operating loss was $26 million, 21 percent smaller than the second quarter, during continued startup of the operations. Source
  • EBITDA breakeven reached in quarter: Management said the aluminum platform reached EBITDA breakeven for the quarter while the startup continued. Source
  • Shipments and hot band output rose: Flat-rolled sheet shipments and hot band production both increased from the second quarter, with hot band production higher than the prior quarter. Source
  • Customer base expanding in aluminum: Management said the aluminum team produces for industrial, beverage and automotive markets while expanding its qualified customer base. Source

“Our three-year after-tax return on invested capital of 13 percent demonstrates the strength of our differentiated business model and disciplined capital allocation framework.”

Mark D. Millett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Costs and margins

  • Gross profit rose to $1.28 billion: Gross profit was $1.28 billion, against $959 million in the second quarter and $758 million a year earlier. Source
  • Profit sharing and interest expense rose: Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, was $39 million, against $14 million a year earlier, while profit sharing expense was $81 million, against $42 million. Source
  • Selling and administrative costs lower: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $187 million, against $201 million a year earlier. Source
  • Income tax expense on pre-tax income: Income tax expense was $223 million on pre-tax income of $979 million, against $110 million of tax a year earlier. Source

Demand and order book

  • Order backlog 50 percent above last year: The order backlog is 50 percent higher than a year ago and extends into the second quarter 2027. Demand was largely driven by commercial construction, manufacturing, warehouses, data centers and healthcare. Source
  • Steel imports remain low: Management said U.S. steel imports remain well below historical and prior-year levels. Source
  • Coated imports fell after trade actions: Management said coated flat-rolled imports abated after recent trade actions, and value-added flat-rolled steel spreads expanded. Source
  • Lead times and spot tightness: Management said lead times lengthened and spot availability tightened in flat-rolled and structural steel products. Source
  • Investment and reshoring expected to support demand: Management expects announced domestic manufacturing investments, reshoring and infrastructure funding to support demand across joists, deck, flat-rolled and long products. Source

Cash and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow of $846 million: Cash flow from operations was $846 million, against $723 million a year earlier; nine-month cash flow from operations was $1.4 billion. Source
  • Quarter capital spend and buybacks: Capital investments were $150 million, dividends paid $76 million and share repurchases $276 million, with liquidity of $2.4 billion at September 30. Source
  • Nine-month buybacks two percent of shares: Nine-month capital investments were $411 million, dividends $225 million, and share repurchases $591 million, or two percent of outstanding common stock. Source
  • Dividend declared per share up: Dividends declared were $0.53 per share, against $0.50 a year earlier; nine-month dividends declared were $1.59 per share, against $1.50. Source

Strategy and aluminum investment

  • Aluminum seen as growth avenue: Management describes aluminum as an avenue for growth and value creation, alongside broader investment initiatives across the company. Source
  • Growth strategy tied to customer needs: Management said the growth strategy centers on differentiated products, supply chain efficiency and sustainable manufacturing. Source
  • Lower-carbon materials demand cited: Management said demand for domestically produced, lower-carbon materials is growing, and its low-cost model and aluminum investments position it to broaden customer relationships. Source
  • Aluminum sheet targets deficit markets: The aluminum sheet expansion targets supply-deficit markets, including beverage can, packaging, automotive, industrial and construction applications. Source

Coming up, as management said on 20 October 2026

  • Aluminum volumes expected to improve: Management expects aluminum volumes and profitability to improve in the fourth quarter 2026 and throughout 2027 as startup costs subside. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Aluminum volumes ran below expectations for several weeks as yield losses rose at higher speeds; management said the coolant cause has been changed. Source
  • External: Management noted that additional domestic steel and aluminum capacity may enter the market in coming years. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release expected automotive sales to commence before the end of 2026; the third quarter release repeats the timing for finished automotive products.
  • Not stated: The prior release said the third cold mill would begin transitioning to commercial operations in August; the third quarter release says all three cold mills are now operational.
  • Not stated: The prior release expected a sharp increase in second half 2026 and full year 2027; the third quarter release refers to improvement in the fourth quarter 2026 and throughout 2027.
  • Not stated: The prior release expected material qualifications on the second CASH line in the fourth quarter 2026; the third quarter release gives operational timing of early first quarter 2027.

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.