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Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (CLF)
NYSE:CLF
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Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) AI Stock Analysis

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CLF

Cleveland-Cliffs

(NYSE:CLF)

Rating:54Neutral
Price Target:
$11.00
▲(4.36% Upside)
Cleveland-Cliffs' overall stock score is primarily influenced by its challenging financial performance, which is offset by positive technical indicators and a strong earnings call. The company's strategic initiatives and liquidity position provide optimism, but financial difficulties and valuation concerns weigh heavily on the score.
Positive Factors
Cost Management
Cost-reduction measures were stronger than expected.
Trade Policy
Potential changes in Canadian steel trade policy could boost earnings for Cleveland-Cliffs.
Transformation
Cleveland-Cliffs has transformed itself from an iron ore miner to the largest integrated steelmaker in North America through the acquisition of two of its largest customers, AK Steel and ArcelorMittal USA.
Negative Factors
Auto Steel Demand
Auto steel demand will continue to remain weak into the end of 2025.
Debt Management
Free cash flow generation will be put toward paying down debt rather than being returned to shareholders.
Leverage
An increase in leverage following the completion of the Stelco acquisition justifies a below historical average multiple, despite being partially offset by the company's cost cutting.

Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Cleveland-Cliffs Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCleveland-Cliffs Inc. is a leading mining and natural resources company based in the United States, primarily engaged in the production of iron ore pellets and steelmaking materials. The company operates in the steel industry, providing essential raw materials for steel production. Cleveland-Cliffs has a diverse portfolio, which includes iron ore mining operations, as well as steel manufacturing through its various facilities, serving a wide range of customers in the automotive, construction, and manufacturing sectors.
How the Company Makes MoneyCleveland-Cliffs generates revenue primarily through the sale of iron ore pellets, which are essential for steel production. The company has a direct sales model, supplying its products to integrated steel mills and other steel producers. Key revenue streams include contracts for long-term supply agreements and spot market sales, allowing for flexibility in pricing based on market conditions. Additionally, Cleveland-Cliffs benefits from its strategic partnerships with major steel manufacturers, which provide a stable demand for its products. Factors such as global steel demand, pricing of iron ore, operational efficiency, and its ability to manage production costs significantly influence its earnings.

Cleveland-Cliffs Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 21, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 22, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted significant improvements in EBITDA and cost reductions, strategic investments, and a strong liquidity position. However, challenges persist in the Canadian market, high interest rates affecting the automotive sector, and potential impacts from non-core asset sales. The company remains optimistic about future growth and cost-cutting measures.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Significant Improvement in Adjusted EBITDA
Q2 2025 saw an improvement of $271 million in adjusted EBITDA from the prior quarter, driven by higher shipment volumes and improved operational efficiency.
Cost Reduction Achievements
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. achieved a $15 per ton unit cost decrease in Q2, contrary to expectations of a cost increase. Further cost reductions are anticipated in Q3 and Q4.
Strategic Investments in Stainless Steel
Completed a $150 million investment in a bright anneal line at the Coshocton Works plant, expected to improve quality and productivity of stainless steel products.
Strong Liquidity Position
The company ended Q2 with $2.7 billion of liquidity and no near-term debt maturities, with plans to use excess free cash flow to pay down debt.
Positive Future Outlook
Expectations of continued EBITDA improvement, with macro trends aligning favorably for the second half of 2025.
Negative Updates
Challenges in the Canadian Market
Excessive imported steel penetration in Canada is hampering pricing, with Cleveland-Cliffs urging Canadian politicians to implement stronger trade protections.
Impact of High Interest Rates on Automotive Sector
Federal Reserve's high interest rates are seen as an impediment to car buyers, affecting potential growth in the automotive sector.
Concerns Over Non-Core Asset Sales
Potential sale of non-core assets could affect company operations, though they are seen as a means to unlock trapped value and reduce debt.
Company Guidance
During the Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. Second Quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided guidance on several key metrics, highlighting a strong performance and positive outlook. The adjusted EBITDA for Q2 improved by $271 million compared to the prior quarter, driven by better realized pricing, cost reductions, and record shipments of 4.3 million tons. The company successfully decreased unit costs by $15 per ton, contrary to the expected rise, and anticipates a further $20 per ton reduction in Q3. The average selling price increased by $35 per ton to $1,015. Cleveland-Cliffs reported a cash outflow of $67 million in Q2, but future working capital reductions are expected to enhance cash flow. The company's liquidity stood at $2.7 billion, with no near-term debt maturities. Strategic initiatives, such as internal coke sourcing, are projected to yield significant cost benefits, and the company maintains its full-year target of a $50 per ton cost reduction. Additionally, Cleveland-Cliffs is exploring non-core asset sales to accelerate debt reduction and leverage its integrated model for future growth, particularly in the automotive sector.

Cleveland-Cliffs Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Cleveland-Cliffs is facing significant financial challenges with negative gross profit, net income, and cash flow issues. The balance sheet is stressed with moderate debt, decreasing equity, and high leverage, which is risky given the declining profitability and operational inefficiencies.
Income Statement
35
Negative
Cleveland-Cliffs has faced significant challenges in recent years. The TTM shows negative gross profit and net income, indicating profitability issues. Revenue has decreased from the prior year, and margins such as EBIT and EBITDA have turned negative. The steel industry is cyclically affected, but the current trajectory reflects operational inefficiencies and market pressures.
Balance Sheet
45
Neutral
The balance sheet shows a moderate debt-to-equity ratio, which is concerning given the financial performance. Equity has decreased over the periods, impacting the equity ratio negatively. The company's high leverage poses risks, especially with declining profitability, though the debt levels are not excessively high for the industry.
Cash Flow
30
Negative
Cash flow metrics reveal deterioration, with negative free cash flow in the TTM period. Operating cash flow to net income ratio is negative, highlighting substantial operational cash outflows. The company's ability to generate cash from operations has been severely impacted, suggesting liquidity challenges.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue19.18B22.00B22.99B20.44B5.35B
Gross Profit70.00M1.39B2.52B4.53B252.00M
EBITDA378.00M1.86B3.11B5.04B353.00M
Net Income-754.00M399.00M1.33B2.99B-122.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets20.95B17.54B18.75B18.98B16.77B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments54.00M198.00M26.00M48.00M112.00M
Total Debt7.07B3.14B4.25B5.24B5.99B
Total Liabilities14.05B9.41B10.71B13.20B14.43B
Stockholders Equity6.66B7.89B7.79B5.49B2.76B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-590.00M1.62B1.48B2.08B-786.00M
Operating Cash Flow105.00M2.27B2.42B2.79B-261.00M
Investing Cash Flow-3.21B-591.00M-936.00M-1.38B-2.04B
Financing Cash Flow2.97B-1.50B-1.51B-1.47B2.06B

Cleveland-Cliffs Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price10.54
Price Trends
50DMA
9.50
Positive
100DMA
8.46
Positive
200DMA
9.48
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.26
Positive
RSI
61.17
Neutral
STOCH
67.57
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CLF, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 10.54 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 10.15, above the 50-day MA of 9.50, and above the 200-day MA of 9.48, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.26 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 61.17 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 67.57 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CLF.

Cleveland-Cliffs Risk Analysis

Cleveland-Cliffs disclosed 28 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Cleveland-Cliffs 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 0 New Risks

Cleveland-Cliffs Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$33.96B27.006.28%1.48%-5.78%-60.07%
74
Outperform
$15.53B21.499.93%1.59%-3.91%-30.31%
74
Outperform
$19.39B19.4411.57%1.46%-5.51%-45.07%
69
Neutral
$27.60B10.314.72%1.45%-4.51%
64
Neutral
-14.79%-88.78%
61
Neutral
$10.31B6.160.76%2.94%3.30%-36.34%
54
Neutral
$5.21B-25.79%-12.14%-4329.00%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CLF
Cleveland-Cliffs
10.79
-2.66
-19.78%
MT
ArcelorMittal
32.87
9.88
42.98%
NUE
Nucor
150.33
4.79
3.29%
RS
Reliance Steel
295.19
21.22
7.75%
STLD
Steel Dynamics
132.70
16.49
14.19%
X
United States Steel
54.84
17.59
47.22%

Cleveland-Cliffs Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Cleveland-Cliffs Shareholders Approve Directors and Compensation
Positive
May 21, 2025

On May 15, 2025, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders, where all nominated directors were elected for a term expiring in 2026. The shareholders also approved the executive officers’ compensation with over 90% affirmative votes and ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2025, reflecting strong shareholder support for the company’s governance and financial oversight.

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: Aug 19, 2025