tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Steel Dynamics (STLD)
NASDAQ:STLD
Advertisement

Steel Dynamics (STLD) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
1,274 Followers

Top Page

STLD

Steel Dynamics

(NASDAQ:STLD)

Rating:74Outperform
Price Target:
$148.00
▲(11.53% Upside)
Steel Dynamics' overall stock score reflects a solid financial foundation with operational efficiency and strategic growth initiatives. The positive sentiment from recent earnings calls and corporate events supports the stock's outlook. However, challenges in revenue growth and free cash flow generation, along with neutral technical indicators, suggest a cautious but optimistic view.
Positive Factors
Earnings
Sinton's earnings improved despite some supplier-related challenges, with profitability expected to improve further.
Free Cash Flow
Steel Dynamics is well-positioned to generate above-peer free cash flow, with investments having the potential to add significant incremental EBITDA.
Negative Factors
Guidance
STLD shares are expected to underperform due to worse than expected guidance.
Tariffs
50% tariffs on pig iron sourced from Brazil, if implemented, could impact costs, although there is an ability to mitigate the impact by changing the raw material mix.

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 generates revenue primarily through the sale of steel products, which constitutes the bulk of its income. The Steel Operations segment produces a variety of steel products sold to manufacturers in various industries, including automotive, construction, and energy. The company also benefits from its Metal Recycling segment, which earns revenue through the processing and resale of scrap metal. This segment not only provides a source of raw materials for the steel production process but also contributes to profitability through efficient recycling practices. Additionally, Steel Dynamics has established significant partnerships with various manufacturers and construction companies, enhancing its market position and facilitating steady demand for its products. Factors such as market pricing for steel, global demand, and operational efficiency also play crucial roles in the company’s earnings.

Steel Dynamics Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Operating Margin by Segment
Operating Margin by Segment
Reveals the efficiency of each segment in turning revenue into profit, indicating competitive strengths or weaknesses in different parts of the business.
Chart InsightsSteel Dynamics' operating margins reveal a mixed performance across segments. The Steel Operations segment shows a gradual decline in margins, reflecting pricing pressures and rising raw material costs. Metals Recycling has improved, supported by better ferrous metal spreads. Notably, the Aluminum segment is emerging, with successful milestones in ingot casting and upcoming coil shipments. Despite challenges in Steel Fabrication due to pricing and shipment declines, the company’s strong liquidity and strategic expansions in aluminum and recycling signal potential for future profitability growth.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Steel Dynamics Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 21, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -1.36%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 15, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted significant achievements in safety performance, revenue growth, and strategic advancements in aluminum and recycling operations. However, there were notable challenges, including supply chain issues, operational losses in aluminum, and a decline in metal recycling income.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Safety Performance
Achieved an all-time low quarterly recordable and lost time injury rates, with 80% of locations having no recordable injuries.
Metals Recycling Record Shipments
Achieved record quarterly Metals Recycling shipments with adjusted EBITDA of $533 million.
First Aluminum Shipments
Shipped the first commercial quality aluminum flat-rolled coils on June 16.
Volkswagen Global Group Award for Sustainability
Awarded for sustainability, highlighting the success of the low-carbon steel program.
Significant Quarterly Revenue and Income Increase
Second quarter net income was $299 million with a revenue of $4.6 billion, representing a 39% increase in operating income from the first quarter.
Negative Updates
Vendor Oxygen Supply Challenge
Vendor oxygen supply issues reduced Sinton shipments by approximately 55,000 tons, impacting production.
Aluminum Operations Losses
Operating losses from the Aluminum Operations totaled $69 million in the first half of 2025.
Metal Recycling Income Decline
Operating income from Metal Recycling operations was $21 million, $4 million lower than the first quarter due to lower realized ferrous pricing.
Impact of Noncash Write-off
Earnings from the steel platform were reduced by approximately $32 million due to a noncash write-off of consumable assets.
Company Guidance
During the Steel Dynamics Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, several key metrics were highlighted, showcasing the company's performance and future guidance. The company reported a net income of $299 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, with an adjusted EBITDA of $533 million. Revenue for the second quarter reached $4.6 billion, reflecting higher realized steel pricing. Steel Operations generated an operating income of $382 million, driven by a $136 increase in average realized pricing to $1,134 per ton. The Metals Recycling operations saw record shipments, although operating income decreased by $4 million to $21 million due to lower realized ferrous pricing. Steel Fabrication achieved operating income of $93 million, with expectations for improved profitability in the third quarter. The Aluminum Operations incurred losses of $69 million in the first half, with anticipated improvement in the fourth quarter as production ramps up. The company expects to achieve monthly EBITDA positive results for aluminum before the end of 2025. Additionally, capital investments for the second half of 2025 are estimated at $400 million, primarily for aluminum and biocarbon growth projects. Steel Dynamics also reported liquidity of $1.9 billion, with cash flow from operations at $302 million.

Steel Dynamics Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Steel Dynamics presents a mixed financial picture. The company shows operational efficiency and maintains a solid balance sheet with moderate leverage. However, revenue and net income growth have slowed, impacting profit margins. The negative free cash flow highlights potential challenges in managing liquidity and capital expenditures. Overall, while the company's financial foundation is strong, there are areas that require attention to sustain growth and profitability.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Steel Dynamics shows a mixed performance in its income statement. The TTM gross profit margin stands at 12.56%, indicating a reduction compared to previous years, primarily due to a decline in total revenue. The net profit margin for TTM is 6.07%, which is below the industry average. Revenue has shown a negative growth rate of 2.24% in the most recent TTM period compared to the previous annual period. However, the EBIT and EBITDA margins for the TTM are healthy at 7.53% and 11.05%, respectively, demonstrating operational efficiency despite revenue pressures.
Balance Sheet
82
Very Positive
The balance sheet of Steel Dynamics is stable with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, reflecting moderate leverage and a strong equity position. The return on equity (ROE) for TTM is 11.75%, which is decent, although it shows a decline from previous years. The equity ratio remains strong at 57.03%, indicating a solid foundation of equity over liabilities. Overall, the balance sheet reflects financial strength, with ample equity supporting liabilities.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
The cash flow statement indicates some challenges, particularly in free cash flow generation. The TTM free cash flow is negative at $-107 million, compared to positive free cash flow in previous periods, suggesting increased capital expenditures or reduced operating cash flow. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.50, showing strong cash generation relative to profits. However, the negative free cash flow to net income ratio indicates potential liquidity concerns if this trend continues.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue17.15B17.54B18.80B22.26B18.41B9.60B
Gross Profit2.15B2.80B4.05B6.12B5.36B1.43B
EBITDA1.89B2.52B3.73B5.50B4.61B1.19B
Net Income1.04B1.54B2.45B3.86B3.21B550.82M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets15.55B14.94B14.91B14.16B12.53B9.27B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments497.63M737.27M2.12B2.26B1.24B1.37B
Total Debt3.78B3.23B3.07B3.07B3.11B3.10B
Total Liabilities6.70B5.99B6.07B6.06B6.21B4.92B
Stockholders Equity8.86B8.93B8.87B8.13B6.30B4.35B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-107.43M-23.50M1.86B3.55B1.20B-211.02M
Operating Cash Flow1.56B1.84B3.52B4.46B2.20B987.03M
Investing Cash Flow-1.29B-1.30B-1.97B-1.88B-999.42M-993.26M
Financing Cash Flow-647.89M-1.35B-1.78B-2.20B-1.33B-7.05M

Steel Dynamics Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price132.70
Price Trends
50DMA
129.12
Positive
100DMA
128.00
Positive
200DMA
128.16
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.53
Negative
RSI
56.97
Neutral
STOCH
86.97
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For STLD, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 132.7 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 126.19, above the 50-day MA of 129.12, and above the 200-day MA of 128.16, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.53 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 56.97 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 86.97 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive 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 0 New Risks

Steel Dynamics 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%1.46%-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
$16.16B45.120.92%2.46%-7.63%-63.14%
64
Neutral
-14.79%-88.78%
61
Neutral
$10.31B6.180.76%2.94%3.30%-36.34%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
STLD
Steel Dynamics
132.70
16.49
14.19%
MT
ArcelorMittal
32.87
9.88
42.98%
NUE
Nucor
150.33
4.79
3.29%
PKX
POSCO
53.52
-9.14
-14.59%
RS
Reliance Steel
295.19
21.22
7.75%
X
United States Steel
54.84
17.59
47.22%

Steel Dynamics Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Steel Dynamics to Acquire Remaining Stake in New Process Steel
Positive
Aug 19, 2025

On August 19, 2025, Steel Dynamics announced its agreement to acquire the remaining 55% equity interest in New Process Steel, a metals solutions and distribution company based in Houston, Texas. This acquisition aims to enhance Steel Dynamics’ exposure to value-added manufacturing opportunities and strengthen its existing customer relationships. New Process Steel, which has a strong reputation for quality and customer service, operates multiple manufacturing locations in the U.S. and Mexico, and is Steel Dynamics’ largest flat roll steel customer. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Dividends
Steel Dynamics Announces Q3 2025 Cash Dividend
Positive
Aug 15, 2025

On August 14, 2025, Steel Dynamics, Inc. announced a third quarter 2025 cash dividend of $0.50 per common share, payable to shareholders of record on September 30, 2025, with payment expected around October 10, 2025. This announcement reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to providing value to its shareholders and highlights its stable financial position within the industrial metals industry.

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.

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 23, 2025