Leading steelmaker
AK Steel Holding Corporation
(
AKS
) has slipped into a bigger loss in third-quarter 2012, hammered
by weak steel pricing and a sizable tax expense. The Ohio-based
company also logged lower sales in the quarter.
AK Steel posted a net loss of $60.9 million (or 55 cents a
share) in the quarter compared with a loss of $3.5 million (or 3
cents a share) a year ago. The company recorded a non-cash charge
of $33.1 million or 30 cents a share associated with income tax
expenses in the reported quarter. Excluding the impact, AK
Steel's loss was 25 cents a share in the third quarter, which
beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 38 cents.
Revenue
Revenues dipped 7.7% year over year to $1,463.5 million on
lower pricing and shipments, narrowly missing the Zacks Consensus
Estimate of $1,474 million. Average selling price dropped 7% year
over year as well as sequentially to $1,073 per ton on account of
lower spot market prices for carbon steel products and a decline
in raw material surcharges. Shipments fell roughly 0.4% year over
year to 1,363,500 tons.
AK Steel and other major players in the steel space such as
Nucor Corporation
(
NUE
) and
U.S. Steel Corp.
(
X
) are contending with weak steel demand, oversupply in the
industry and pricing pressure. AK Steel said that weak global
economic conditions affected shipment volume and steel pricing in
the third quarter.
Cost and Margins
Consolidated operating costs fell 6% year over year to
$1,475.5 million. The company posted an operating loss of $12
million versus an operating profit of $11.4 million a year ago as
lower revenues more than offset a decline in operating costs.
Financial Position
AK Steel ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of
$47.1 million, down roughly 20% year over year. Long-term debt
more than doubled year over year to $1,350 million.
Outlook and Recommendation
The company said that it expects to record a loss in the
fourth quarter, which includes a non-cash tax expense. However,
it has not divulged any specific guidance for the quarter. AK
Steel further noted that it plans to provide more color on that
later.
While AK Steel is expected to benefit from the strength in the
automotive market, it is hamstrung by weak steel pricing
environment and soft construction and housing sectors. Moreover,
it is exposed to macroeconomic uncertainties, stemming from the
recessionary conditions in Europe and sluggish growth in
Asia.
AK Steel currently holds a short-term Zacks #3 Rank (Hold). We
have a long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock.
AK STEEL HLDG (AKS): Free Stock Analysis
Report
NUCOR CORP (NUE): Free Stock Analysis Report
UTD STATES STL (X): Free Stock Analysis
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