Worthington Steel Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2027 Results

Includes financial results from Kloeckner & Co following majority acquisition

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Worthington Steel, Inc. (NYSE: WS), a market-leading, value-added metals processing company, today reported financial results for the fiscal 2027 first quarter ended August 31, 2026. Except as otherwise noted, reported results reflect the impact of the Company’s acquisition of a majority interest in Klöckner & Co SE (“Kloeckner”).

First Quarter Highlights (all comparisons to the first quarter of fiscal 2026 on a continuing operations basis unless otherwise indicated):

• Net sales of $2,726.6 million increased 212% compared to $872.9 million.
• Operating income of $56.0 million compared to $48.3 million.
• Net loss attributable to controlling interest of $7.0 million compared to net earnings of $36.8 million in the prior year quarter.
• Diluted loss per share attributable to controlling interest (“Diluted EPS – Continuing Operations”) of $0.14, compared with Diluted EPS – Continuing Operations of $0.73 in the prior year quarter. Adjusted Diluted EPS – Continuing Operations per share of $0.57 compared to $0.77 in the prior year quarter.
• Adjusted EBIT of $78.5 million compared to $55.5 million.
• On June 3, 2026, subsequent to the end of fiscal 2026, the Company completed settlement of the offer and its acquisition of a majority interest in Kloeckner, securing approximately 62% of Kloeckner’s outstanding shares (the “Kloeckner Acquisition”), representing a significant milestone toward eventual operating control and value capture.
• On July 15, 2026, the Company commenced a public delisting tender offer for all outstanding Kloeckner shares not already held by the Company at a price of €11.00 per share. On August 12, 2026, the acceptance period ended and Kloeckner’s shares were delisted from the regulated market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange at market closing. Upon settlement of the delisting tender offer, the Company acquired additional Kloeckner shares, increasing the ownership interest to approximately 62.11%.
• On September 8, 2026, subsequent to the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the Company entered into a Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement (“DPLTA”) with Kloeckner. Effectiveness of the DPLTA remains subject to the required shareholder approvals and registration with the commercial register at Kloeckner’s registered seat and cannot occur before January 1, 2027.
• Declared a quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share payable on December 28, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 14, 2026.

“This quarter marks an important milestone for Worthington Steel as we report our first results including Kloeckner,” said Geoff Gilmore, president and CEO. “The addition of Kloeckner significantly expands our capabilities and positions us as a more diversified metals processing and manufacturing company. At the same time, our core Worthington Steel business delivered solid operating performance, driven by higher direct volumes and improved pricing. As we move forward, our priorities remain clear: serving our customers, improving our operations and creating long-term value for our shareholders.”

Kloeckner Acquisition

On June 3, 2026, the Company completed the Kloeckner Acquisition in which it acquired a controlling equity stake. Kloeckner’s results are included in the consolidated financial statements beginning on the acquisition date, with the portion of Kloeckner not owned by the Company reflected as noncontrolling interests.

Following the transformational acquisition of Kloeckner and the related acquisition financing, the Company has updated the adjusted EBITDA metric to include the full adjusted EBITDA of our consolidated operations, including noncontrolling interests, to better reflect the economics of our consolidated business. As a result, adjusted EBITDA amounts for prior year periods have been recast, as applicable to conform to this presentation.

In connection with the Kloeckner Acquisition, the Company acquired certain Kloeckner business units that met the held-for-sale criteria as of the acquisition date (the “Disposal Group”). Kloeckner management has committed to a plan to sell the Disposal Group, and the Company expects the sale to be completed within one year of the Kloeckner Acquisition. The results of this Disposal Group are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements for all periods in fiscal 2027 and onward. Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion and analysis of our results of operations included in this release relates to continuing operations and excludes the results of discontinued operations. Prior-period amounts have been recast, as applicable, to conform to this presentation.

Consolidated Quarterly Results

Net sales and volume

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2027 were $2,726.6 million, an increase of $1,853.7 million, or 212%, compared to the prior year quarter. Kloeckner contributed $1,772.7 million to net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2027.

Excluding the impact of Kloeckner, net sales increased $81.0 million or 9% compared to the prior year quarter. This $81.0 million increase was driven primarily by higher direct volumes, and, to a lesser extent, higher average direct selling prices. Direct net sales increased $81.7 million. Direct tons sold increased by 3% and direct selling prices increased 6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 compared to the prior year quarter. Toll processing net sales decreased $0.7 million, or 2%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 compared to the prior year quarter. Toll volumes decreased 8% and toll selling prices increased 6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 compared to the prior year quarter.

The consolidated mix of direct tons versus toll tons processed was 77% to 23% in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 compared to 63% to 37% in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of Kloeckner, the mix of direct tons versus toll tons processed was 66% to 34% in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 compared to 63% to 37% in the prior year quarter.

Gross margin

Gross margin in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 was $261.2 million, an increase of $146.0 million compared to the prior year quarter. The Kloeckner Acquisition contributed $144.0 million to gross margin in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. The gross margin attributable to Kloeckner was impacted due to an approximately $43 million net inventory fair value step-up recognized in connection with the acquisition of Kloeckner.

Excluding the impact of Kloeckner, gross margin increased $2.0 million compared to the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily driven by higher direct spreads (calculated as sales less material costs), partially offset by higher manufacturing expenses and lower toll spreads. Direct spreads increased by $13.9 million primarily due to the $7.6 million impact of higher direct volumes, and to a lesser extent, the $6.5 million favorable change from an estimated $5.6 million inventory holding gain in the prior year quarter to an estimated $12.1 million inventory holding gain in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. This was partially offset by a $0.2 million unfavorable direct spread impact from pricing. Toll spreads decreased $0.9 million. Manufacturing expenses increased $11.1 million, primarily related to increased wages and benefits.

Operating Income

Operating income in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 was $56.0 million, an increase of $7.7 million compared to the prior year quarter. The Kloeckner Acquisition increased operating income by $24.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2027.

Excluding the impact of Kloeckner, operating income decreased by $16.5 million compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease was driven primarily by a $17.6 million increase in selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) and a $1.0 million unfavorable change in restructuring and other (income), expense, net, partially offset by a $2.0 million increase in gross margin. The $17.6 million increase in SG&A was primarily attributable to an increase of $18.6 million in professional fees. This increase in professional fees incurred by Legacy Worthington Steel was primarily related to the Kloeckner Acquisition. The prior year restructuring and other (income), net represents a gain on the sale of an asset related to the previously announced closure of Worthington Samuel Coil Processing’s toll processing facility in Cleveland, Ohio.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2027, Kloeckner recognized a gain of $3.6 million in restructuring and other (income), expense, net, due to various restructuring programs. These items included early retirement and severance costs, facility exit and other costs, and sales of fixed assets in Louisiana and Switzerland.

Net earnings (loss) and adjusted net earnings (loss)

Net loss from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest of $7.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 compared with net earnings of $36.8 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted loss per share from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest was $0.14, compared with diluted earnings per share of $0.73 in the prior year quarter.

Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest were $29.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, compared with $38.8 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.57, compared with $0.77 in the prior year quarter.

Certain amounts disclosed within the Company’s quarterly results have been adjusted to conform to the current presentation due to the update to estimated tax rates on Non-GAAP adjustments in fiscal 2026. The adjustments had an immaterial impact to the presented results.

For additional information on non-GAAP financial measures, see the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Definitions section later in this release.

Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital Allocation

As of August 31, 2026, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $248.2 million. During the first quarter of fiscal 2027, net cash used in operating activities was $6.0 million compared to net cash used in operating activities of $6.3 million in the prior year quarter. Investment in property, plant and equipment during the first quarter of fiscal 2027 was $63.0 million compared to $29.4 million in the prior year quarter. The Company had negative free cash flow (as defined in the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Definitions section later in this release) of $69.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 compared to negative free cash flow of $35.7 million in the prior year quarter.

The Company ended the first quarter of fiscal 2027 with total debt of $2,196.4 million and $248.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, resulting in a net debt (as defined in the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Definitions section later in this release) position of $1,948.2 million.

The Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.16 per common share. The dividend is payable on December 28, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 14, 2026.

Conference Call

The Company will review fiscal 2027 first quarter results during its quarterly conference call on October 7, 2026, beginning at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time. Conference call details are available through Events & Presentations in the Investors section of the Company’s website at WorthingtonSteel.com, or by registering online at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/682402066 for the live conference.

About Worthington Steel

Worthington Steel (NYSE: WS) is one of North America's leading value-added metals processing and manufacturing companies. The Company partners with customers to deliver specialized, highly technical solutions across carbon flat-rolled steel, aluminum, stainless steel, long products, heavy plate and electrical steel, to solve complex challenges across a broad range of industries.

Worthington Steel employs approximately 12,000 people and operates approximately 150 facilities, primarily in North America, with additional operations in Europe and Asia. The Company combines extensive processing expertise with advanced manufacturing technologies, including galvanizing, pickling, configured blanking, specialty cold reduction, electrical steel laminations, fabrication and precision processing.

Guided by its people-first Philosophy and a commitment to safety, innovation and continuous improvement, Worthington Steel creates long-term value by delivering trusted solutions for customers, opportunities for employees, returns for shareholders and strength for the communities where it operates.

Important Information: On September 8, 2026, Worthington Steel and Kloeckner & Co entered into a DPLTA, which remains subject to approval by Kloeckner shareholders and the registration with the competent commercial register before becoming effective. Until the DPLTA becomes effective, Kloeckner continues to operate independently. The employee and facility counts above reflect the expected combined organization following the DPLTA becoming effective.

Safe Harbor Statement

Selected statements contained in this release constitute “forward-looking statements,” as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). The Company wishes to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions included in the Act. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events. These statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “likely,” “estimate,” “project,” “position,” “strategy,” “target,” “aim,” “seek,” “foresee” and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to: future or expected cash positions, liquidity and ability to access financial markets and capital; outlook, strategy or business plans; expected financial and operational performance and future opportunities; the tax treatment of the Company’s separation from Worthington Enterprises, Inc. (the “Separation”); future or expected growth, growth potential, forward momentum, performance, competitive position, sales, volumes, cash flows, earnings, margins, including the Company’s long-term adjusted EBITDA margin target, balance sheet strengths, debt, financial condition or other financial measures; pricing trends for raw materials and finished goods and the impact of pricing changes; the ability to improve or maintain margins; expected demand or demand trends; industry and market forecasts and expected trends relating to electricity usage, data center growth, vehicle electrification, decarbonization, infrastructure investment and electric-grid modernization and expansion; additions to product lines and opportunities to participate in new markets; expected benefits from transformation, innovation, artificial intelligence, machine learning and other technology initiatives; the ability to improve performance and competitive position at the Company’s operations; anticipated working capital needs, capital expenditures and asset sales; anticipated improvements and efficiencies in costs, operations, sales, inventory management, sourcing, the supply chain and corporate functions and the results thereof; projected profitability potential; capital allocation priorities, including the payment of dividends and opportunistic share repurchases; the ability to make acquisitions, form joint ventures and consolidate operations, and the projected timing, results, benefits, costs, charges and expenditures related to acquisitions, joint ventures, headcount reductions and facility dispositions, shutdowns and consolidations; the Company’s plans and objectives related to its acquisition of Kloeckner, including the Company’s path to eventual operating control of Kloeckner and expected value capture, anticipated cost, operating, commercial, revenue and working capital synergies, integration plans, and the anticipated effects on the Company’s market position, geographic footprint, product and service offerings, earnings and margins; the Company’s expected pro forma net leverage ratio and deleveraging goals following the Kloeckner Acquisition; the DPLTA, including the approval, timing and effectiveness of the DPLTA and the anticipated combination and integration of the Company and Kloeckner; projected capacity and the alignment of operations with demand; the ability to operate profitably and generate cash in down markets; the ability to capture and maintain market share and to develop or take advantage of future opportunities, customer initiatives, new businesses, new products and new markets; expectations for Company and customer inventories, jobs and orders; expectations for the economy and markets or improvements therein; expectations for generating improving and sustainable earnings, earnings potential, margins or shareholder value; effects of judicial rulings, laws and regulations; anticipated improvements in business and efficiencies to be gained from the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning and other technologies; effects of cybersecurity breaches and other disruptions to information technology infrastructure; effects of public health emergencies and the various responses of governmental and nongovernmental authorities thereto on economies and markets and on the Company’s customers, counterparties, employees and third-party service providers; and other non-historical matters.

Because they are based on beliefs, estimates and assumptions, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, and forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Any number of factors could affect actual results, including, without limitation, those that follow: the effect of conditions in national and worldwide financial markets, including inflation, increases in interest rates and economic recession, and the ability of financial institutions to provide capital; the risks, uncertainties and impacts related to public health emergencies, the duration, extent and severity of which are impossible to predict, and actions taken by governmental authorities or others in connection therewith; changing commodity prices and supply; product demand and pricing; changes in product mix, product substitution and market acceptance of the Company’s products; changes in or the failure to realize anticipated trends in electricity usage, data center growth, vehicle electrification, decarbonization, infrastructure investment and electric-grid modernization and expansion; the possibility that industry forecasts, market projections and other estimates or assumptions included in this release may prove inaccurate; volatility or fluctuations in the pricing, quality or availability of raw materials, particularly steel, supplies, transportation, utilities, energy, labor and other items required by operations; effects of sourcing and supply chain constraints, including interruptions in deliveries of raw materials and supplies or the loss of key supplier relationships; the outcome of adverse claims experience with respect to workers’ compensation, product recalls or product liability, casualty events or other matters; effects of critical equipment failures, facility closures and the consolidation of operations; the effect of financial difficulties, consolidation and other changes within the steel, automotive, construction and other industries in which the Company participates; failure to maintain appropriate levels of inventories; financial difficulties, including bankruptcy filings, of original equipment manufacturers, end-users and customers, suppliers, joint venture partners and others with whom the Company does business; the ability to realize targeted expense reductions from headcount reductions, facility closures and other cost reduction efforts; the ability to realize cost savings and operational, sales and sourcing improvements and efficiencies and other expected benefits from transformation initiatives on a timely basis; the effects of the Kloeckner Acquisition on the Company’s and Kloeckner’s operations, including their future financial condition and performance, operating results, strategy and plans, anticipated tax treatment, unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, losses, future prospects and business and management strategies; the possibility that anticipated synergies, working capital reductions, cost savings, revenue opportunities, operational improvements, deleveraging, liquidity, integration benefits, margin expansion and other benefits of the Kloeckner Acquisition may not be realized when expected or at all, may be less than anticipated or may cost more to achieve than expected; the time and effort required to integrate the Company’s and Kloeckner’s businesses and the risk that the businesses may not be integrated successfully or within the expected timeframe; the impact of limited financial flexibility and increased interest expense resulting from the Kloeckner Acquisition; the Company’s ongoing financial obligations under the DPLTA to Kloeckner and its minority shareholders; risks associated with litigation or appraisal proceedings relating to the Kloeckner Acquisition or the DPLTA; the adverse impact of failing to continue to retain, recruit and motivate executives and other key employees; the overall success of, and the ability to integrate, newly acquired businesses and joint ventures, maintain and develop their customers, and achieve synergies and other expected benefits and cost savings therefrom; the ability to realize expected benefits of strategically deployed capital expenditures; capacity levels and efficiencies, within facilities, within major product markets and within the industries in which the Company participates as a whole; the effect of disruption in the business of suppliers, customers, facilities and shipping operations due to adverse weather, casualty events, equipment breakdowns, labor shortages, interruption in utility services, civil unrest, international conflicts, terrorist activities or other causes; changes in customer demand, inventories, spending patterns, product choices, and supplier choices; risks associated with doing business internationally, including economic, political and social instability, foreign currency exchange rate exposure and the acceptance of the Company’s products in global markets; the effect of national, regional and global economic conditions generally and within major product markets, including significant economic disruptions from public health emergencies, the actions taken in connection therewith and the implementation of related fiscal stimulus packages; the impact of tariffs, the adoption of trade restrictions affecting the Company’s products, suppliers or customers, a United States withdrawal from or significant renegotiation of trade agreements, the occurrence of trade wars, the closing of border crossings and other changes in trade regulations or relationships; the ability to improve and maintain processes and business practices to keep pace with the economic, competitive and technological environment; the effect of inflation, interest rate increases and economic recession, which may negatively impact the Company’s operations and financial results; deviation of actual results from estimates or assumptions used by the Company, including in the application of its significant accounting policies; impairment of the recorded value of inventory, equity investments, fixed assets, goodwill and other assets; competitive pressure on sales and pricing, including pressure from imports and substitute materials; the level of imports and import prices in the Company’s markets and foreign currency exchange rate exposure; the impact of environmental laws and regulations or the actions of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or similar regulators that increase costs or limit the Company’s ability to use or sell certain products; the impact of increasing environmental, greenhouse gas emission and sustainability regulations; the impact of judicial rulings and governmental regulations, both in the United States and abroad, including those adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other governmental agencies; the effect of healthcare laws in the United States and potential changes for such laws, which may increase the Company’s healthcare and other costs and negatively impact the Company’s operations and financial results; the effect of tax laws in the United States and potential changes for such laws, which may increase the Company's costs and negatively impact its operations and financial results; the operational, data privacy, security, regulatory and legal risks associated with the Company’s reliance on artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, its ability to stay abreast of technological advancements and its dependence on third parties that rely on such technologies; cybersecurity risks; the effects of privacy and information security laws and standards; the cyclical nature of the steel industry; the Company’s safety performance; the effects of competition and price pressures from competitors; the Company’s ability to pay dividends or repurchase shares, which is subject to business performance, capital requirements, financing arrangements, applicable law and the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors; and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including those described in “Part I – Item 1A.

Melissa Dykstra
Vice President
Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
Phone: 614-840-4144
Melissa.Dykstra@worthingtonsteel.com