Steel Mills
SDI Q4'23 profit slips, CEO sees strong '24 ahead
Written by Michael Cowden
January 23, 2024
Steel Dynamics Inc.
| Fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 | 2023 | 2022 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales | $4,233.4 | $4,826.3 | -12.3% |
| Net earnings (loss) | $424.3 | $634.9 | -33.2% |
| Per diluted share | $2.61 | $3.61 | -27.7% |
| Full year ended Dec. 31 | |||
| Net sales | $18,795.3 | $22,260.8 | -15.6% |
| Net earnings (loss) | $2,450.9 | $3,862.7 | -36.5% |
| Per diluted share | $14.64 | $20.92 | -30.0% |
Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) reported lower fourth-quarter 2023 earnings on Tuesday but predicted good times ahead in 2024.
The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based steelmaker posted a Q4’23 profit of $424.3 million, down 33.2% from a profit of $634.9 million in Q4’22 on sales that fell 12.3% to $4.2 billion. (See table above.)
The dip came despite increased shipments from SDI’s flat-rolled steel mills in Butler, Ind.; Columbus, Miss.; and Sinton, Texas. Those mills shipped 1.84 million tons in Q4’23, up 4.3% from 1.76 million tons in Q4’22, according to data released with earnings figures.
But prices were lower. SDI reported average steel selling prices of $1,090 per ton in Q4’23, down 3% from $1,124 in Q3’22.
Outlook
SDI co-founder, chairman, and CEO Mark Millett predicted that demand would remain firm in 2024.
“Steel pricing has firmed, and customer order entry activity continues to be solid across our steel operations,” he said in a statement.
“In addition, we believe demand for lower-carbon emission, US-produced steel products will also support future domestic steel pricing,” Millett added.
Domestic steelmakers should also continue to benefit from “onshoring” as well as from big projects underpinned by government infrastructure spending and funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), he said.
Turning to operations, Millett said two paint lines and two galvanizing lines with Galvalume capability were expected to be commissioned in the first quarter.
The company in addition remains on track to commission a new, flat-rolled aluminum mill in mid-2025, he said.
Michael Cowden
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