Steel Dynamics Reports Fourth Quarter and Annual 2025 Results

PR Newswire

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —

Annual 2025 Performance Highlights:

  • Successful production and qualifications of industrial, beverage can, and automotive quality flat rolled aluminum products
  • Successful production and consumption of biocarbon material
  • Record steel shipments of 13.7 million tons
  • Net sales of $18.2 billion, operating income of $1.5 billion, and net income of $1.2 billion
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $2.2 billion and cash flow from operations of $1.4 billion
  • Liquidity of over $2.2 billion
  • Share repurchases of $901 million of the company’s common stock, representing over four percent of its outstanding shares

Steel Dynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ/GS: STLD) today announced fourth quarter and annual 2025 financial results. The company reported fourth quarter 2025 net sales of $4.4 billion and net income of $266 million, or $1.82 per diluted share.  Comparatively, the company’s sequential third quarter 2025 net income was $404 million, or $2.74 per diluted share, and prior year fourth quarter net income was $207 million, or $1.36 per diluted share.

“The teams delivered solid operational and financial performance across our operating platforms in 2025, generating annual net sales of $18.2 billion, operating income of $1.5 billion, and adjusted EBITDA of $2.2 billion,” said Mark D. Millett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “This performance demonstrates the strength and consistency of our cash generation, as we generated $1.4 billion in cash flow from operations during the year, after investing $450 million in growth working capital associated with our new aluminum products platform. Our three-year after-tax return-on-invested-capital of 14 percent is a testament to our ongoing high-return capital allocation strategy. We are growing, returning capital to shareholders, and maintaining strong returns as compared to best-in-class domestic manufacturers.

“The aluminum and biocarbon teams continue to make strong progress,” continued Millett. “We have successfully produced finished aluminum flat-rolled products for the industrial and beverage can markets, as well as hot band for the automotive sector. Although there is still work ahead, the team has strong momentum and achieved positive EBITDA in December, positioning us well as we continue commissioning and ramping operations. Additionally, the SDI Biocarbon Solutions team is continuing to refine operations and increase production, providing a significantly lower-carbon supply chain opportunity for our steel and steel fabrication customers.

“We also achieved record annual steel shipments as imports declined from the elevated levels experienced during the first half of the year and as Sinton’s year-over-year operating performance improved,” said Millett. “We are seeing an improved flat rolled steel market environment, supported by domestic trade actions, manufacturing onshoring, infrastructure program funding, lower interest rates, and the increasing regionalization of supply chains in the U.S. Long product steel demand remains very strong, especially for structural steel and railroad rail. Looking ahead, we expect to benefit from strong demand across our platforms.”

Fourth Quarter 2025 Comments

Fourth quarter 2025 operating income for the company’s steel operations was $322 million, or 35 percent lower than sequential third quarter results, due to lower average realized selling values and lower volumes related to both seasonal demand and planned maintenance outages at the company’s flat rolled steel mills. In addition to lower seasonal activity, some of the planned maintenance outages were longer in duration than originally anticipated and decreased volume in the fourth quarter by an estimated 140,000 to 150,000 tons of flat rolled steel production. The fourth quarter 2025 average external product selling price for the company’s steel operations decreased $12 sequentially to $1,107 per ton. The average ferrous scrap cost per ton melted at the company’s steel mills decreased $7 per ton sequentially to $374 per ton. Average realized flat rolled steel pricing declined in the quarter based on lagging priced contracts, while long product steel prices increased as demand for structural and rail products was strong. The energy, non-residential construction, automotive, and industrial sectors led steel demand in the quarter.

Fourth quarter 2025 operating income from the company’s metals recycling operations was $19 million, or $13 million lower than sequential earnings, based on lower selling values and decreased shipments across the platform.   

The company’s steel fabrication operations generated operating income of $91 million in the fourth quarter 2025, lower than sequential third quarter results of $107 million, based on seasonally lower shipments more than offsetting modest metal spread expansion, as average selling values improved slightly and steel raw material costs declined. Order activity remained steady in the quarter, with the order backlog maintaining solid levels extending through the first half 2026, supported by stable pricing. Demand was largely driven by the commercial, data center, manufacturing, warehouse, and healthcare sectors. Looking ahead, the pace of domestic manufacturing investment, increased domestic onshoring activity, and momentum from the U.S. infrastructure program are expected to further support demand.

On November 21, 2025, the company issued $800 million in unsecured notes, comprised of $650 million of 4.000% notes due 2028 and $150 million of 5.250% notes due 2035. The net proceeds from the notes were used to redeem the company’s $400 million 5.000% Notes due 2026 and for other general corporate purposes.

Based on the company’s differentiated business model and highly variable cost structure, the company generated cash flow from operations of $273 million during the quarter. The company also invested $188 million in capital investments, paid cash dividends of $73 million, and repurchased $240 million of its outstanding common stock, representing one percent of its outstanding shares.

Annual 2025 Comparison

Annual 2025 net income was $1.2 billion, or $7.99 per diluted share, with net sales of $18.2 billion, as compared to net income of $1.5 billion, or $9.84 per diluted share, with net sales of $17.5 billion for the same period in 2024.

Annual 2025, net sales increased 3.6 percent to $18.2 billion, and operating income declined 24 percent to $1.5 billion, when compared to the same period of 2024. Decreased earnings were the result of lower realized pricing in the company’s steel and steel fabrication operations. Annual 2025 operating income from the company’s steel operations and steel fabrication operations declined $155 million and $260 million, respectively, when compared to the prior year. The average 2025 external selling price for the company’s steel operations decreased $15 to $1,089 per ton compared to 2024, and the average ferrous scrap cost per ton melted at the company’s steel mills increased $1 to $387 per ton.

Based on the company’s differentiated circular business model and highly-variable cost structure, the company generated strong cash flow from operations of $1.4 billion during 2025. The company also invested $948 million in organic growth investments, paid cash dividends of $291 million, and repurchased $901 million of its outstanding common stock, representing over four percent of its outstanding shares, all while maintaining strong liquidity of $2.2 billion as of December 31, 2025.

Outlook 

“We anticipate that improving market conditions, including increased trade stability and a more favorable interest rate environment, will support solid domestic demand for steel and aluminum products,” continued Millett. “Steel pricing has improved, and customer optimism remains solid across our businesses, as demand continues to be steady. Additionally, discussions with our customers further underscore the growing importance of lower-carbon, domestically produced steel and aluminum products, positioning our businesses for a sustainable long-term competitive advantage. As unfair trade practices diminish, policy clarity improves, and U.S. manufacturing continues to expand, we believe a favorable market environment will follow.

“The aluminum team is continuing with the successful commissioning and startup of the company’s Columbus, Mississippi aluminum flat rolled products mill and San Luis Potosi satellite recycled aluminum slab center. The cast houses and hot strip mill are operating extremely well, and commissioning is ongoing in other areas of the facility. The teams shipped products for the industrial and beverage can sectors, receiving product qualifications from several customers. They also produced and shipped aluminum hot band for use in automotive applications. We continue commissioning the cold mill and other downstream operations, including the CASH line. It is an extremely exciting time for all of us. There is still much to be done, yet much has also been accomplished.

“We have deliberately aligned our growth strategy with our customers’ developing needs, prioritizing product excellence, supply-chain efficiency, and sustainability. Building on our strong positions in steel, we are expanding into high recycled-content aluminum to serve adjacent markets where customer demand is accelerating. This opportunity spans the counter-cyclical beverage can and packaging segment and extends to automotive, industrial, and construction applications. Backed by a performance-based culture and a proven ability to develop and operate cost-efficient, high-margin mills, we are well positioned to deliver attractive long-term value through this expansion.

“Our unwavering commitment to the health and safety of our teams, families, and communities underpins our ability to meet both current and future customer needs. Our differentiated culture and business model continue to drive performance, while strong cash flow generation and disciplined execution of our long-term strategy are strengthening our financial position,” concluded Millett.

Conference Call and Webcast

Steel Dynamics, Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss fourth quarter and annual 2025 operating and financial results on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. You may access the call and find dial-in information on the Investors section of the company’s website at www.steeldynamics.com.  A replay of the call will be available on our website until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 2, 2026.

About Steel Dynamics, Inc.

Steel Dynamics is a leading industrial metals solutions company, with facilities located throughout the United States, and in Mexico. The company operates using a circular manufacturing model, producing lower-carbon-emission, quality products with recycled scrap as the primary input. Steel Dynamics is one of the largest domestic steel producers and metal recyclers in North America, combined with a meaningful downstream steel fabrication platform. The company is also in aluminum operations, further diversifying its product offerings to supply aluminum flat rolled products with higher recycled content to the countercyclical sustainable beverage can industry, in addition to the automotive and industrial sectors. Steel Dynamics is committed to operating with the highest integrity and to being the safest, most efficient producer of high-quality, broadly diversified, value-added metal products.

Note Regarding Financial Metrics

The company believes that after-tax return-on-invested capital (After-tax ROIC) provides an indication of the effectiveness of the company’s invested capital and is calculated as follows:      

After-tax
ROIC =

Net Income Attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc.

(Quarterly Average Current Maturities of Long-term Debt + Long-term Debt + Total Equity)

Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide additional meaningful information regarding the company’s performance and financial strength. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to and not as an alternative for the company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, not all companies use identical calculations for EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA; therefore, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA included in this release may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains some predictive statements about future events, including statements related to conditions in domestic or global economies, conditions in steel, aluminum, and recycled metals market places, Steel Dynamics’ revenues, costs of purchased materials, future profitability and earnings, and the operation of new, existing or planned facilities. These statements, which we generally precede or accompany by such typical conditional words as “anticipate”, “intend”, “believe”, “estimate”, “plan”, “seek”, “project”, or “expect”, or by the words “may”, “will”, or “should”, are intended to be made as “forward-looking”, subject to many risks and uncertainties, within the safe harbor protections of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements speak only as of this date and are based upon information and assumptions, which we consider reasonable as of this date, concerning our businesses and the environments in which they operate. Such predictive statements are not guarantees of future performance, and we undertake no duty to update or revise any such statements. Some factors that could cause such forward-looking statements to turn out differently than anticipated include: (1) domestic and global economic factors; (2) global steelmaking overcapacity and imports of steel, together with increased scrap prices; (3) pandemics, epidemics, widespread illness or other health issues; (4) the cyclical nature of the steel industry and the industries we serve; (5) volatility and major fluctuations in prices and availability of scrap metal, scrap substitutes and supplies, and our potential inability to pass higher costs on to our customers; (6) cost and availability of electricity, natural gas, oil, and other energy resources are subject to volatile market conditions; (7) increased environmental, greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability considerations from our customers and investors or related regulations; (8) compliance with and changes in environmental and remediation requirements; (9) significant price and other forms of competition from other steel and aluminum producers, scrap processors and alternative materials; (10) availability of an adequate source of supply of scrap for our metals recycling operations; (11) cybersecurity threats and risks to the security of our sensitive data and information technology; (12) the implementation of our growth strategy; (13) our ability to retain, develop, and attract key personnel; (14) litigation and legal compliance; (15) unexpected equipment downtime or shutdowns; (16) governmental agencies may refuse to grant or renew some of our licenses and permits; (17) our senior unsecured credit facility contains, and any future financing agreements may contain, restrictive covenants that may limit our flexibility; and (18) the impacts of impairment charges.

More specifically, we refer you to our more detailed explanation of these and other factors and risks that may cause such predictive statements to turn out differently, as set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under the headings Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, or in other reports which we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports are available publicly on the Securities and Exchange Commission website, www.sec.gov, and on our website, www.steeldynamics.com under “Investors – SEC Filings.”

 


Steel Dynamics, Inc.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 (in thousands, except per share data)


Three Months Ended


Year Ended


Three Months


December 31,


December 31,


Ended


2025


2024


2025


2024


Sept. 30, 2025

Net sales

$

4,414,048

$

3,872,138

$

18,176,581

$

17,540,390

$

4,828,215

Costs of goods sold

3,884,757

3,430,404

15,784,398

14,737,804

4,070,335


      Gross profit

529,291

441,734

2,392,183

2,802,586

757,880

Selling, general and administrative expenses

184,646

176,904

765,308

664,119

200,844

Profit sharing

27,196

19,755

122,986

164,904

42,389

Amortization of intangible assets

7,219

7,573

27,903

30,526

6,890


      Operating income

310,230

237,502

1,475,986

1,943,037

507,757

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest

26,958

14,579

70,043

56,347

13,573

Other (income) expense, net

(27,333)

(21,040)

(87,028)

(96,191)

(19,662)


      Income before income taxes

310,605

243,963

1,492,971

1,982,881

513,846

Income tax expense

46,090

34,091

305,660

432,925

109,920


      Net income

264,515

209,872

1,187,311

1,549,956

403,926

Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests

1,518

(2,579)

(1,716)

(12,822)

(241)


      Net income attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc.

$

266,033

$

207,293

$

1,185,595

$

1,537,134

$

403,685


Basic earnings per share attributable to


   Steel Dynamics, Inc. stockholders

$

1.83

$

1.36

$

8.02

$

9.89

$

2.75

Weighted average common shares outstanding

145,627

152,096

147,806

155,420

146,947


Diluted earnings per share attributable to


   Steel Dynamics, Inc. stockholders, including the


   effect of assumed conversions when dilutive

$

1.82

$

1.36

$

7.99

$

9.84

$

2.74

Weighted average common shares

   and share equivalents outstanding

146,249

152,801

148,404

156,136

147,600


Dividends declared per share

$

0.50

$

0.46

$

2.00

$

1.84

$

0.50

 


Steel Dynamics, Inc.


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 (in thousands)


December 31,


December 31,


Assets


2025


2024

(unaudited)


Current assets

   Cash and equivalents

$

769,878

$

589,464

   Short-term investments

147,811

   Accounts receivable, net

1,682,660

1,417,199

   Inventories

3,738,516

3,113,733

   Other current assets

293,117

163,131

      Total current assets

6,484,171

5,431,338


Property, plant and equipment, net

8,569,466

8,117,988


Intangible assets, net

331,290

227,234


Goodwill

477,471

477,471


Other assets

550,456

681,202


      Total assets

$

16,412,854

$

14,935,233


Liabilities and Equity


Current liabilities

   Accounts payable

$

1,231,358

$

979,912

   Income taxes payable

67,315

3,783

   Accrued expenses

788,926

739,898

   Current maturities of long-term debt

34,655

426,990

      Total current liabilities

2,122,254

2,150,583


Long-term debt

4,176,508

2,804,017


Deferred income taxes

997,449

902,186


Other liabilities

186,232

133,201


      Total liabilities

7,482,443

5,989,987


Commitments and contingencies


Redeemable noncontrolling interests

141,226

171,212


Equity

   Common stock

653

652

   Treasury stock, at cost

(7,980,549)

(7,094,266)

   Additional paid-in capital

1,248,634

1,229,819

   Retained earnings

15,689,042

14,798,082

   Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(598)

      Total Steel Dynamics, Inc. equity

8,957,182

8,934,287

   Noncontrolling interests

(167,997)

(160,253)


      Total equity

8,789,185

8,774,034


      Total liabilities and equity

$

16,412,854

$

14,935,233

 


Steel Dynamics, Inc.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 (in thousands)


Three Months Ended


Year Ended


December 31,


December 31,


2025


2024


2025


2024


Operating activities:

   Net income

$

264,515

$

209,872

$

1,187,311

$

1,549,956

   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

      operating activities:

      Depreciation and amortization

146,282

125,550

551,390

478,907

      Equity-based compensation

23,642

25,136

68,983

66,589

      Deferred income taxes

(108,551)

(40,968)

94,397

(42,583)

      Other adjustments

2,863

(7,286)

(10,208)

(5,507)

      Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

         Accounts receivable

187,306

147,758

(157,456)

191,108

         Inventories

(338,329)

(69,535)

(423,435)

(221,036)

         Other assets

(18,399)

8,336

(77,276)

(13,718)

         Accounts payable

(31,673)

(55,757)

206,843

(67,361)

         Income taxes receivable/payable

157,144

3,166

52,179

10,183

         Accrued expenses

(12,088)

600

(43,194)

(102,035)

      Net cash provided by operating activities

272,712

346,872

1,449,534

1,844,503


Investing activities:

   Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(188,496)

(453,175)

(948,025)

(1,868,006)

   Purchases of short-term investments

(39,461)

(39,571)

(739,340)

   Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments

536,443

186,996

1,312,294

   Business combination, net of cash acquired

(175,774)

(175,774)

   Other investing activities

(5,704)

7,348

1,417

(8,308)

      Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

(369,974)

51,155

(974,957)

(1,303,360)


Financing activities:

   Issuance of current and long-term debt

1,255,497

337,381

3,553,683

2,482,919

   Repayment of current and long-term debt

(824,441)

(792,089)

(2,567,864)

(2,324,058)

   Dividends paid

(73,078)

(70,400)

(291,176)

(282,616)

   Purchase of treasury stock

(240,296)

(295,140)

(900,870)

(1,212,164)

   Other financing activities

(20,845)

(3,525)

(88,088)

(16,678)

      Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

96,837

(823,773)

(294,315)

(1,352,597)

Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

(425)

(425,746)

180,262

(811,454)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period

775,697

1,020,756

595,010

1,406,464


Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period

$

775,272

$

595,010

$

775,272

$

595,010


Supplemental disclosure information:

   Cash paid for interest

$

67,890

$

41,512

$

156,749

$

100,978

   Cash paid for income taxes, net

$

1,338

$

80,308

$

152,000

$

463,763

 


Steel Dynamics, Inc.


SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)


(
dollars in thousands
)


Fourth Quarter


Year to Date


2025


2024


2025


2024


1Q 2025


2Q 2025


3Q 2025



External Net Sales

   Steel

$

3,141,366

$

2,645,994

$

13,021,977

$

12,061,484

$

3,067,016

$

3,275,551

$

3,538,044

   Steel Fabrication

347,252

396,226

1,417,890

1,763,502

352,307

340,648

377,683

   Metals Recycling

463,039

482,081

2,041,641

2,005,134

534,895

522,721

520,986

   Aluminum

157,747

60,099

361,094

258,547

66,576

65,632

71,139

   Other

304,644

287,738

1,333,979

1,451,723

348,401

360,571

320,363

Consolidated Net Sales

$

4,414,048

$

3,872,138

$

18,176,581

$

17,540,390

$

4,369,195

$

4,565,123

$

4,828,215



Operating Income (Loss)

   Steel

$

322,337

$

164,989

$

1,432,390

$

1,586,904

$

229,963

$

382,196

$

497,894

   Steel Fabrication

90,545

142,189

407,425

666,984

116,745

93,115

107,020

   Metals Recycling

18,642

23,361

97,175

76,807

25,710

21,290

31,533

   Aluminum

(47,098)

(28,896)

(172,970)

(72,331)

(28,735)

(40,627)

(56,510)

384,426

301,643

1,764,020

2,258,364

343,683

455,974

579,937

   Non-cash amortization of intangible assets

(7,219)

(7,573)

(27,903)

(30,526)

(6,897)

(6,897)

(6,890)

   Profit sharing expense

(27,196)

(19,755)

(122,986)

(164,904)

(22,695)

(30,706)

(42,389)

   Non-segment operations

(39,781)

(36,813)

(137,145)

(119,897)

(38,947)

(35,516)

(22,901)

Consolidated Operating Income

$

310,230

$

237,502

$

1,475,986

$

1,943,037

$

275,144

$

382,855

$

507,757



Adjusted EBITDA

      Net income

$

264,515

$

209,872

$

1,187,311

$

1,549,956

$

217,679

$

301,191

$

403,926

      Income taxes

46,090

34,090

305,660

432,924

62,975

86,675

109,920

      Net interest expense (income)

17,135

(3,481)

33,245

(33,738)

2,316

7,025

6,769

      Depreciation

136,467

116,147

515,425

441,584

125,122

124,003

129,833

      Amortization of intangible assets

7,219

7,573

27,903

30,526

6,897

6,897

6,890

 EBITDA

471,426

364,201

2,069,544

2,421,252

414,989

525,791

657,338

      Non-cash adjustments

         Unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives

         and currency remeasurement

9,482

(17,703)

14,624

6,882

19,153

(6,197)

(7,814)

         Equity-based compensation

24,513

25,121

66,759

65,624

14,181

13,819

14,246

Adjusted EBITDA

$

505,421

$

371,619

$

2,150,927

$

2,493,758

$

448,323

$

533,413

$

663,770



Other Operating Information

   Steel

      Average external sales price (Per ton)

$

1,107

$

1,011

$

1,089

$

1,104

$

998

$

1,134

$

1,119

      Average ferrous cost (Per ton melted)

$

374

$

370

$

387

$

386

$

386

$

408

$

381

      Flat Roll shipments

         Butler, Columbus, and Sinton

1,902,346

1,841,745

8,115,111

7,702,731

2,119,187

1,952,228

2,141,350

         Steel Processing divisions *

556,336

460,162

2,071,765

1,779,429

492,627

479,102

543,700

      Long Product shipments

         Structural and Rail Division

445,978

362,650

1,842,616

1,625,913

437,398

468,827

490,413

         Engineered Bar Products Division

170,539

151,239

730,691

714,509

191,658

190,612

177,882

         Roanoke Bar Division

139,287

123,133

593,290

516,258

144,186

151,828

157,989

         Steel of West Virginia

89,648

81,387

395,328

321,647

96,483

107,201

101,996

Total Shipments (Tons)

3,304,134

3,020,316

13,748,801

12,660,487

3,481,539

3,349,798

3,613,330

External Shipments (Tons)

2,837,126

2,617,914

11,960,582

10,929,453

3,071,735

2,888,916

3,162,805

Steel Mill Production (Tons)

2,838,233

2,663,444

11,877,554

11,242,676

3,021,593

2,949,936

3,067,792

   Metals Recycling

      Nonferrous shipments (000’s of pounds)

195,003

226,434

916,502

965,491

233,080

245,577

242,842

      Ferrous shipments (Gross tons)

1,521,629

1,421,021

6,160,797

5,850,544

1,452,432

1,596,583

1,590,153

         External ferrous shipments (Gross tons)


507,102


529,335


2,147,762


2,194,510


557,618


545,022


538,020

   Steel Fabrication

      Average sales price (Per ton)

$

2,509

$

2,718

$

2,529

$

2,917

$

2,599

$

2,517

$

2,495

      Shipments (Tons)

138,375

145,901

560,866

607,407

135,581

135,347

151,563

*   Includes Heartland, The Techs, United Steel Supply, and New Process Steel (beginning December 1, 2025) operations

 

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SOURCE Steel Dynamics, Inc.