• Achieved record quarterly Earnings from Continuing Operations of $383.3 million, or $3.12 per diluted share
• Core EBITDA from continuing operations of $323.1 million increased 89% from the prior year period; trailing twelve-month Core EBITDA from continuing operations totaled over $1.1 billion
• North America downstream backlog grew 9% year-over-year; new project bid volumes reached record second quarter level, underpinning robust demand outlook
• Continued advancement in CMC's growth strategy -- Pending acquisition of Tensar Corporation expected to close during fiscal third quarter; Arizona 2 project remains on-track for early calendar 2023 startup

IRVING, Texas, March 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC) today announced financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended February 28, 2022.  Earnings from continuing operations were $383.3 million, or $3.12 per diluted share, on net sales of $2.0 billion, compared to prior year period earnings from continuing operations of $66.2 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, on net sales of $1.5 billion.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company recorded a net after-tax benefit of $195.8 million related to the gain recorded on the $313.0 million sale of its Southern California real estate, which was partially offset by costs associated with the opportunistic debt financings completed during the quarter.  Excluding this benefit, second quarter adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $187.6 million, or $1.53 per diluted share, compared to adjusted earnings from continuing operations of $79.8 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, in the prior year period.  "Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations," "core EBITDA from continuing operations," "adjusted earnings from continuing operations" and "adjusted earnings from continuing operations per diluted share" are non-GAAP financial measures. Details, including a reconciliation of each such non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable measure prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, can be found in the financial tables that follow.

Barbara R. Smith, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Outstanding operational execution, combined with strong end-market demand, produced the second-best financial performance in CMC's 107-year history, behind only the previous quarter.  I am extremely proud of CMC's entire team as they continue to optimize our business, improve efficiency and deliver the high-quality service our customers have come to expect, while also advancing CMC's strategic vision.  During the last twelve months, CMC generated core EBITDA from continuing operations of more than $1.1 billion, a clear demonstration of the earnings power created by the strategic actions taken in past years that have enabled us to take full advantage of current market conditions."

Ms. Smith continued, "We look forward to building on CMC's already world-class assets and operating platform with the addition of Tensar Corporation and the commissioning of our energy efficient rebar and merchant bar-capable Arizona 2 micro mill project.  This growth, together with our recently announced micro mill in the Eastern U.S., represents the next chapter in CMC's compelling story, which we expect will propel our organization to an even higher level of through-the-cycle earnings and return on capital."

Augmented by proceeds from the Southern California real estate sale and the opportunistic debt financing during the quarter, the Company's cash and cash equivalents as of February 28, 2022 grew to $846.6 million. In addition, $684.9 million remained available under the Company's credit and accounts receivable facilities.  This liquidity will be partially used to fund the acquisition of Tensar Corporation when the transaction closes.

On March 16, 2022, the board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share of CMC common stock payable to stockholders of record on March 30, 2022. The dividend to be paid on April 13, 2022 marks 230 consecutive quarterly payments by the Company, and represents a 17% increase from the dividend paid in April 2021. 

Business Segments - Fiscal Second Quarter 2022 ReviewDemand conditions for CMC's finished steel products in North America were again robust during the quarter, with several key internal and external indicators pointing toward continued strength.  Downstream bid volumes, a key indicator of the construction project pipeline, increased meaningfully from a year ago, while contract backlog also experienced growth.  Demand from industrial end markets continued to trend positively, with most end use applications increasing compared to the prior year period.

The North America segment reported adjusted EBITDA of $535.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2022.  Excluding a $273.3 million gain related to the sale of Southern California real estate, the segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $262.1 million for the quarter, an increase of 53% compared to $171.6 million in the prior year period.  This improvement was driven by record margins on sales of both steel products and raw materials.  Steel products have experienced four consecutive quarters of year-over-year margin expansion, while margins on raw material sales have grown for eight consecutive quarters.  Controllable costs per ton of finished steel shipped increased in comparison to the first fiscal quarter primarily as a result of scheduled routine maintenance, which reduced production levels, as well as the impact of higher per unit purchase costs for freight and alloys.

Shipment volumes of finished steel, which include steel products and downstream products, followed typical seasonal patterns, but decreased approximately 10% from the prior year second quarter.  The decline reflects the unusually strong steel product shipments that occurred during the prior year quarter.  In addition, shipments this year were influenced by widespread weather challenges during the quarter, contributing to the year-over-year decline in volumes.

The average selling price for steel products increased by $346 per ton compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2021, while the cost of scrap utilized rose $92 per ton.  The result was a year-over-year increase in margin over scrap of $254 per ton.  The average selling price for downstream products increased by nearly $240 per ton from the prior year period and $77 per ton on a sequential basis.  Future pricing indicators on new work entering the backlog remain positive, as average price levels for bids and new awards climbed significantly from the prior year period. 

The Europe segment reported record adjusted EBITDA of $81.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2022, up 404% compared to adjusted EBITDA of $16.1 million for the prior year quarter.  The improvement was driven by a significant expansion in margin over scrap and the addition of CMC Poland's third rolling line, as well as the absence of a major maintenance program that occurred in the prior year period.  Similar to North America, underlying demand for steel products remained robust.  Volumes of rebar, merchant bar, and wire rod each increased on a year-over-year basis, assisted by the new rolling line, which has improved production flexibility and the mill's ability to capitalize on favorable market conditions.  Average selling price increased by $319 per ton compared to the prior year quarter, driving a significant increase in margin over scrap of $203 per ton.

Outlook Ms. Smith said, "We continue to anticipate strong fiscal year 2022 financial and operational performance.  Current robust demand for each of CMC's major product lines is expected to persist throughout the upcoming spring and summer construction season, underpinned by our growing downstream backlog as well as solid levels of new work entering the project pipeline.  The war in Ukraine raises significant geopolitical and economic risks that we are monitoring closely.  To date, CMC has not experienced any disruptions to our operations, workforce, or end-market demand."

"Shipment volumes of finished steel products have historically increased from second quarter levels, driven by seasonal factors, and we expect shipments during the third quarter of fiscal 2022 to follow these trends.  We anticipate strong third quarter financial results, with margins remaining at high levels," Ms. Smith added.

Conference CallCMC invites you to listen to a live broadcast of its second quarter fiscal 2022 conference call today, Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. ET.  Barbara R. Smith, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Paul Lawrence, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host the call. The call is accessible via our website at www.cmc.com. In the event you are unable to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived and available for replay on our website on the next business day. Financial and statistical information presented in the broadcast are located on CMC's website under "Investors."

About Commercial Metals CompanyCommercial Metals Company and its subsidiaries manufacture, recycle and fabricate steel and metal products and provide related materials and services through a network of facilities that includes seven electric arc furnace ("EAF") mini mills, two EAF micro mills, one rerolling mill, steel fabrication and processing plants, construction-related product warehouses and metal recycling facilities in the United States and Poland.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to general economic conditions, key macro-economic drivers that impact our business, the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the effects of ongoing trade actions, the effects of continued pressure on the liquidity of our customers, potential synergies and organic growth provided by acquisitions and strategic investments, demand for our products, metal margins, the effect of COVID-19 and related governmental and economic responses thereto, the ability to operate our steel mills at full capacity, future availability and cost of supplies of raw materials and energy for our operations, share repurchases, legal proceedings, the undistributed earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries, U.S. non-residential construction activity, international trade, capital expenditures, our liquidity and our ability to satisfy future liquidity requirements, the proposed Tensar acquisition and the timing thereof, estimated contractual obligations, the expected capabilities and benefits of new facilities, the timeline for execution of our growth plan, and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The statements in this release that are not historical statements, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by phrases such as we or our management "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "future," "intends," "may," "plans to," "ought," "could," "will," "should," "likely," "appears," "projects," "forecasts," "outlook" or other similar words or phrases, as well as by discussions of strategy, plans, or intentions.

Our forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and beliefs as of the time this news release was prepared. Although we believe that our expectations are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update, amend or clarify any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, new information or circumstances or any other changes. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include those described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, as well as the following: changes in economic conditions which affect demand for our products or construction activity generally, and the impact of such changes on the highly cyclical steel industry; rapid and significant changes in the price of metals, potentially impairing our inventory values due to declines in commodity prices or reducing the profitability of our downstream contracts due to rising commodity pricing; impacts from COVID-19 on the economy, demand for our products, global supply chain and on our operations, including the responses of governmental authorities to contain COVID-19 and the impact of various COVID-19 vaccines; excess capacity in our industry, particularly in China, and product availability from competing steel mills and other steel suppliers including import quantities and pricing; the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the global economy, energy supplies and raw materials, which is uncertain, but may prove to negatively impact our business and operations; compliance with and changes in existing and future laws, regulations and other legal requirements and judicial decisions that govern our business, including increased environmental regulations associated with climate change and greenhouse gas emissions; involvement in various environmental matters that may result in fines, penalties or judgments; evolving remediation technology, changing regulations, possible third-party contributions, the inherent uncertainties of the estimation process and other factors that may impact amounts accrued for environmental liabilities; potential limitations in our or our customers' abilities to access credit and non-compliance of their contractual obligations, including payment obligations; activity in repurchasing shares of our common stock under our repurchase program; financial covenants and restrictions on the operation of our business contained in agreements governing our debt; our ability to successfully identify, consummate and integrate acquisitions, and the effects that acquisitions may have on our financial leverage; risks associated with acquisitions generally, such as the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, required approvals under applicable antitrust legislation and other regulatory and third party consents and approvals; operating and startup risks, as well as market risks associated with the commissioning of new projects could prevent us from realizing anticipated benefits and could result in a loss of all or a substantial part of our investments; lower than expected future levels of revenues and higher than expected future costs; failure or inability to implement growth strategies in a timely manner; impact of goodwill impairment charges; impact of long-lived asset impairment charges; currency fluctuations; global factors, such as trade measures, military conflicts and political uncertainties, including changes to current trade regulations, such as Section 232 trade tariffs and quotas, tax legislation and other regulations which might adversely impact our business; availability and pricing of electricity, electrodes and natural gas for mill operations; ability to hire and retain key executives and other employees; competition from other materials or from competitors that have a lower cost structure or access to greater financial resources; information technology interruptions and breaches in security; ability to make necessary capital expenditures; availability and pricing of raw materials and other items over which we exert little influence, including scrap metal, energy and insurance; unexpected equipment failures; losses or limited potential gains due to hedging transactions; litigation claims and settlements, court decisions, regulatory rulings and legal compliance risks; risk of injury or death to employees, customers or other visitors to our operations; and civil unrest, protests and riots.

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANYNON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)

This press release contains financial measures not derived in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measure are provided below.

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, core EBITDA from continuing operations and adjusted earnings from continuing operations are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations per diluted share is defined as adjusted earnings from continuing operations on a diluted per share basis.

Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as alternatives for, the most directly comparable measures derived in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. However, we believe that the non-GAAP financial measures provide relevant and useful information to management, investors, analysts, creditors and other interested parties in our industry as they allow: (i) comparison of our earnings to those of our competitors; (ii) a supplemental measure of our underlying business operational performance; and (iii) the assessment of period-to-period performance trends. Management uses non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate financial performance and set target benchmarks for annual and long-term cash incentive performance plans.

A reconciliation of earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations and core EBITDA from continuing operations is provided below:

A reconciliation of earnings from continuing operations to adjusted earnings from continuing operations is provided below:

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SOURCE Commercial Metals Company