FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, June 1, 2005 — Steel Dynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ: STLD)
today revised its outlook for the second quarter. Continued soft demand
coupled with the unforeseen significant drop in scrap prices for
delivery in May and June and the resulting drop in contract and spot
pricing for finished steel products in June has caused the company’s
expected second quarter results to moderately decrease from its early
second quarter estimate of $1.35 to $1.40 per diluted share. The company
now expects second quarter earnings per diluted share to be in the
range of $1.10 to $1.15, similar to first quarter results. The lower
expectations are somewhat driven by FIFO scrap considerations which
largely flow through into the third quarter.
Demand for flat-rolled steel products remains soft, but demand has
begun to pick up in the structural and SBQ markets. The company
continues to believe that demand for flat-rolled products will improve
in the third quarter. The recent significant decline in scrap prices
will favorably impact the company’s production costs in the third
quarter when lower cost scrap inventories are consumed, thereby
potentially improving profit margins. SDI continues to see 2005 as a
very good year and expects its earnings to rival those of 2004. The
company currently expects 2005 steel shipments to grow 5 to 10 percent
over 2004, primarily due to increased shipments by newer operations.
Forward Looking Statements
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