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Steel Dynamics (STLD)
NASDAQ:STLD

Steel Dynamics (STLD) AI Stock Analysis

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Steel Dynamics

(NASDAQ:STLD)

Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$139.00
â–²(8.19%Upside)
Steel Dynamics' overall stock score reflects a combination of strong earnings performance and strategic growth initiatives, balanced against challenges in revenue growth and liquidity. The robust earnings outlook and operational efficiencies are significant positives, while technical indicators and valuation suggest caution.
Positive Factors
Free Cash Flow Generation
The completion of the company’s capex cycle on its two major recent investments clears the way for higher through-the-cycle free cash flow generation.
Section 232 Tariffs
Steel Dynamics is a best-in-class domestic US steel producer, with a product portfolio that is relatively well-positioned to benefit from expanded Section 232 tariffs.
Sinton Turnaround
Sinton, which has been a material drag on earnings since 2022, is on the cusp of turning around and should start contributing to earnings.
Negative Factors
Asset Write-Off
The company announced a $32 million noncash asset write-off in their steel segment business.
Earnings Guidance
STLD shares are expected to underperform due to worse than expected guidance.
Steel Fabrication Profits
Profits from the steel fabrication segment are guided to be lower due to steady shipments and spread compression.

Steel Dynamics (STLD) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Steel Dynamics Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSteel Dynamics, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a steel producer and metal recycler in the United States. It operates through three segments: Steel Operations, Metals Recycling Operations, and Steel Fabrication Operations. The Steel Operations segment offers hot roll, cold roll, and coated steel products; parallel flange beams and channel sections, flat bars, large unequal leg angles, and reinforcing bars, as well as standard strength carbon, intermediate alloy hardness, and premium grade rail products; and engineered special-bar-quality products, merchant-bar-quality products, and other engineered round steel bars. The company also engages in turning, polishing, straightening, chamfering, threading, precision saw-cutting, and heat treating of bar products; and cutting to length, straightening, hole punching, shot blasting, welding, galvanizing, and coating of specialty products. Its products are used in construction, automotive, manufacturing, transportation, heavy and agriculture equipment, and pipe and tube markets. This segment sells directly to end-users, steel fabricators, and service centers. The Metals Recycling Operations segment purchases, processes, and resells ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals into reusable forms and grades. Its ferrous products include heavy melting steel, busheling, bundled scrap, shredded scrap, steel turnings, and cast-iron products; and nonferrous products comprise aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, and other nonferrous metals. This segment also provides transportation logistics, marketing, brokerage, and scrap management services. The Steel Fabrication Operations segment produces non-residential steel building components, such as steel joists, girders, trusses, and steel deck products. The company also exports its products. Steel Dynamics, Inc. was incorporated in 1993 and is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
How the Company Makes MoneySteel Dynamics makes money through its diversified operations in steel production, metal recycling, and steel fabrication. The steel operations segment generates revenue by producing and selling a variety of steel products, such as hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and coated steel products, to customers in sectors like automotive, construction, and manufacturing. The metals recycling segment contributes revenue by processing and selling ferrous and non-ferrous scrap to steel mills and foundries. The steel fabrication segment generates income through the production and sale of steel joists, girders, and other fabricated products used primarily in non-residential construction. The company's strategic acquisitions and investments in technology and capacity expansion also play a significant role in enhancing its revenue-generating capabilities.

Steel Dynamics Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 22, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 9.45%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 21, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong operational and financial performance, including record steel shipments, positive EBITDA from the Sinton facility, and expansion in the aluminum segment. However, the company faces challenges with rising raw material costs and increased SG&A and interest expenses. Overall, the positive developments and future growth expectations outweigh the negative aspects.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Steel Shipments
Steel Dynamics achieved record steel shipments of 3.5 million tons during the first quarter of 2025.
Adjusted EBITDA and Revenue Growth
The company reported an adjusted EBITDA of $448 million and first-quarter revenue of $4.4 billion, a 13% increase compared to the previous quarter.
Positive EBITDA for Sinton Facility
The Sinton facility operated at around 86% of capacity and achieved positive EBITDA for the quarter, with expectations of increased profitability in the future.
Aluminum Dynamics Milestone
Aluminum Dynamics successfully cast its first aluminum ingot and is on track to ship commercial quality coils by June 2025.
Strong Liquidity Position
Steel Dynamics ended the quarter with strong liquidity of $2.6 billion.
Infrastructure and Manufacturing Demand
Federal programs, manufacturing growth, and onshoring are expected to support demand for steel and joist products.
Negative Updates
Rising Raw Material Costs
The company faced a $16 per ton increase in average scrap prices, impacting metal spread contraction.
Higher SG&A Expenses
There was a $37 million increase in SG&A expenses due to non-capitalizable expenses related to the aluminum facilities.
Interest Expense Increase
Interest expense is expected to rise to approximately $30 million in the second quarter and $40 million per quarter thereafter.
Steel Fabrication Income Decline
Operating income for the Steel Fabrication segment declined due to a modest 4% decline in realized pricing and seasonally decreased shipments.
Company Guidance
During the Steel Dynamics First Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company reported record steel shipments of 3.5 million tons and an adjusted EBITDA of $448 million. The first quarter revenue totaled $4.4 billion, a 13% increase from the previous quarter, driven primarily by steel shipments. Operating income for the quarter reached $275 million, a 16% increase sequentially, supported by steel volumes despite a $13 per ton decline in average realized external steel prices and a $16 per ton increase in average scrap prices. The company's metals recycling operations achieved operating income of $26 million, with improvements in ferrous metal spreads and volumes. Additionally, the Sinton, Texas, facility operated at approximately 86% capacity and achieved positive EBITDA for the quarter, signaling expectations for increased profitability throughout the year. Steel Dynamics also announced successful aluminum ingot casting at its Columbus, Mississippi facility in January and its Mexican satellite slab facility in March, with plans to ship commercial quality coils by June. The company maintained strong liquidity with $2.6 billion and invested $306 million in capital expenditures during the quarter, projecting annual capital investments between $800 million and $1 billion for 2025.

Steel Dynamics Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Steel Dynamics presents a stable financial position with strong balance sheet metrics, including a moderate debt-to-equity ratio and solid return on equity. However, declining revenue and profitability margins in the trailing twelve months (TTM) highlight challenges in maintaining growth. The negative free cash flow poses concerns about liquidity management.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Steel Dynamics shows a mixed performance in its income statement. The TTM revenue shows a decline compared to the previous annual figures, indicating some challenges in maintaining growth. The gross profit margin stands at 13.36% for TTM, which is moderate but shows a decline compared to last year. Net profit margin for TTM is 6.80%, also lower than the previous year, suggesting reduced profitability. The EBITDA margin of 10.93% in TTM reflects a solid operational efficiency despite declining revenue.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The balance sheet of Steel Dynamics is strong, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48 in TTM, indicating moderate leverage. The equity ratio of 55.39% suggests a robust capital structure, providing a cushion against liabilities. Return on equity for TTM is 13.26%, showing a respectable return on shareholders' investment, though it has declined from previous periods.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
The cash flow statement reveals some challenges with free cash flow being negative in TTM despite positive operating cash flow. The operating cash flow to net income ratio for TTM is 1.40, indicating solid cash generation relative to net income. However, the inability to generate positive free cash flow poses a risk and may affect future investments or debt repayments.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue17.22B17.54B18.80B22.26B18.41B9.60B
Gross Profit2.31B2.80B4.05B6.12B5.36B1.43B
EBITDA2.03B2.52B3.73B5.50B4.61B1.19B
Net Income1.17B1.54B2.45B3.86B3.21B550.82M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets15.93B14.94B14.91B14.16B12.53B9.27B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.21B737.27M2.12B2.26B1.24B1.37B
Total Debt4.20B3.23B3.20B3.07B3.11B3.10B
Total Liabilities7.10B5.99B6.07B6.06B6.21B4.92B
Stockholders Equity8.82B8.93B8.87B8.13B6.30B4.35B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-157.31M-23.50M1.86B3.55B1.20B-211.02M
Operating Cash Flow1.64B1.84B3.52B4.46B2.20B987.03M
Investing Cash Flow-1.19B-1.30B-1.97B-1.88B-999.42M-993.26M
Financing Cash Flow-305.46M-1.35B-1.78B-2.20B-1.33B-7.05M

Steel Dynamics Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price128.48
Price Trends
50DMA
129.32
Negative
100DMA
127.89
Positive
200DMA
127.52
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.43
Positive
RSI
46.61
Neutral
STOCH
33.22
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For STLD, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 128.48 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 130.82, below the 50-day MA of 129.32, and above the 200-day MA of 127.52, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.43 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 46.61 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 33.22 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for STLD.

Steel Dynamics Risk Analysis

Steel Dynamics disclosed 18 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Steel Dynamics reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 1 New Risks
1.
We may face risks associated with our ability to retain, develop and attract key personnel. Q4, 2024

Steel Dynamics Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (44)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
RSRS
78
Outperform
$16.25B22.1510.27%1.55%-5.60%-35.05%
PKPKX
76
Outperform
$14.32B23.191.64%2.80%-8.83%-43.85%
NUNUE
73
Outperform
$29.07B22.436.54%1.72%-10.88%-66.97%
71
Outperform
$19.07B16.9513.08%1.56%-7.42%-48.08%
MTMT
67
Neutral
$25.50B18.232.60%0.75%-8.56%68.36%
XX
64
Neutral
$12.42B186.150.86%0.36%-14.79%-88.78%
44
Neutral
C$958.62M-6.68-13.31%2.80%17.55%-32.28%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
STLD
Steel Dynamics
128.48
5.35
4.35%
MT
ArcelorMittal
31.01
8.65
38.69%
NUE
Nucor
128.21
-23.99
-15.76%
PKX
POSCO
49.85
-15.46
-23.67%
RS
Reliance Steel
309.04
32.77
11.86%
X
United States Steel
54.84
18.22
49.75%

Steel Dynamics Corporate Events

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Steel Dynamics Projects Strong Q2 2025 Earnings Growth
Positive
Jun 18, 2025

On June 18, 2025, Steel Dynamics announced its second quarter 2025 earnings guidance, projecting earnings per diluted share between $2.00 and $2.04, compared to $1.44 in the first quarter and $2.72 in the previous year’s second quarter. The company’s steel operations are expected to see improved profitability due to expanded metal spreads and increased steel pricing, despite a $32 million noncash write-off. Metals recycling earnings are anticipated to remain steady, while steel fabrication earnings may decline due to increased raw material costs. The company also continues to advance its aluminum operations, with successful commissioning in Mississippi and Mexico, and plans to start shipping mid-2025. Additionally, Steel Dynamics repurchased $179 million of its common stock during the second quarter.

The most recent analyst rating on (STLD) stock is a Buy with a $158.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Steel Dynamics stock, see the STLD Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Steel Dynamics Announces Leadership Transition in Aluminum Group
Neutral
May 12, 2025

On May 9, 2025, Steel Dynamics announced leadership transitions as Glenn Pushis will retire on October 1, 2025, to become CEO of McBride Capital Partners’ Project Aero, while continuing as a consultant for Steel Dynamics’ new aluminum facilities. Miguel Alvarez will take over as Senior Vice President Aluminum Group, overseeing the company’s aluminum operations and strategic investments. These changes reflect Steel Dynamics’ commitment to leadership development and its strategic focus on aluminum operations, which are expected to enhance its market positioning and operational capabilities.

The most recent analyst rating on (STLD) stock is a Buy with a $158.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Steel Dynamics stock, see the STLD Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jun 21, 2025