Q2 2026 Ryerson Holding Corp Earnings Call

July 30, 2026

Operator 2: Good day, and welcome to the Ryerson Holding Corporation Q2 2026 conference call. Today's conference is being recorded. There will be a question-and-answer session later. If you'd like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad at any time. Again, that is star one to ask a question. At this time, I'd like to turn the conference over to Justine Carlson. Please go ahead.

Operator: Good day, and welcome to the Ryerson Holding Corporation Q2 2026 conference call. Today's conference is being recorded. There will be a question-and-answer session later. If you'd like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad at any time. Again, that is star one to ask a question. At this time, I'd like to turn the conference over to Justine Carlson. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: If you'd like on your telephone keypad at any time. Again, that is star 1 to ask a question. At this time, I'd like to turn the conference over to Justine Carlson.

Speaker #1: Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Good morning, and thank you all for joining Ryerson Holding Corporation’s second quarter 2026 earnings call. On our call, we have Eddie Lehner, Ryerson’s Chief Executive Officer; Rick Marabito, our President and Chief Operating Officer; Jim Claussen, our Chief Financial Officer; and Molly Kannan, our Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller.

Justine Carlson: Good morning, and thank you all for joining Ryerson Holding Corporation Q2 2026 earnings call. On our call, we have Eddie Lehner, Ryerson's Chief Executive Officer, Rich Marabito, our President and Chief Operating Officer, Jim Claussen, our Chief Financial Officer, and Molly Kannan, our Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller. Rich Manson, Ryerson's Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Olympic Steel. Andrew Greiff, Executive Vice President of Ryerson and President of Olympic Steel, and Trent McFarland, our Senior Vice President of Supply Chain at Ryerson Process Metals, will be joining us for Q&A. A recording of this call will be posted on our investor relations website at ir.ryerson.com. Please read the forward-looking statement disclosures included in our earnings release issued yesterday, and note that it applies to all statements made during this call. In addition, our remarks today refer to several non-GAAP measures.

Justine Carlson: Good morning, and thank you all for joining Ryerson Holding Corporation Q2 2026 earnings call. On our call, we have Eddie Lehner, Ryerson's Chief Executive Officer, Rick Marabito, our President and Chief Operating Officer, Jim Claussen, our Chief Financial Officer, and Molly Kannan, our Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller. Rich Manson, Ryerson's Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Olympic Steel. Andrew Greiff, Executive Vice President of Ryerson and President of Olympic Steel, and Trent McFarland, our Senior Vice President of Supply Chain at Ryerson Process Metals, will be joining us for Q&A. A recording of this call will be posted on our investor relations website at ir.ryerson.com. Please read the forward-looking statement disclosures included in our earnings release issued yesterday, and note that it applies to all statements made during this call. In addition, our remarks today refer to several non-GAAP measures.

Speaker #2: Rich Manson, Ryerson's Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Olympic Steel, Andrew Greif, Executive Vice President of Ryerson and President of Olympic Steel, and Trent McFarland, our Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Ryerson Process Metals, will be joining us for Q&A.

Speaker #2: A recording of this call will be posted on our investor relations website at ir.ryerson.com. Please read the forward-looking statement disclosures included in our earnings release issued yesterday and note that it applies to all statements made during this call.

Speaker #2: In addition, our remarks today refer to several non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations of these adjusted numbers are also included in our earnings release. I will now turn the call over to Eddie.

Justine Carlson: Reconciliations of these adjusted numbers are also included in our earnings release. I will now turn the call over to Eddie.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Justine. Good morning, everyone. And thank you all for joining us. In the second quarter of 2026, I am pleased to say that we made the most of our opportunities and continued to position RYZ for higher-quality earnings generation through the cycle as we further realized merger-related synergies while building an ever-better customer experience engine.

Eddie Lehner: Thank you, Justine. Good morning, everyone, and thank you all for joining us. In Q2 2026, I am pleased to say that we made the most of our opportunities and continued to position RYI for higher-quality earnings generation through the cycle as we further realized merger-related synergies while building an ever-better customer experience engine. We delivered greater than expected shipments on a same-store and total company basis, achieved revenue and adjusted EBITDA, excluding LIFO, well above our guidance ranges, and generated higher net income sequentially and year over year. In our first full quarter together as RYI, we continued advancing our shared vision of the Ryerson and Olympic Steel merger potential as we attained Q2 synergy realizations in line with our guidance. More importantly, we are finding additional opportunities for growth commercially, which we expect will continue to drive top-line performance and market share gains.

Speaker #3: We delivered greater-than-expected shipments on a same-store and total company basis, achieved revenue and adjusted EBITDA excluding LIFO well above our guidance ranges, and generated higher net income sequentially and year over year.

Speaker #3: In our first full quarter together, as RYZ, we continued advancing our shared vision of the Ryerson and Olympic Steel merger potential as we attained second quarter synergy realizations in line with our guidance and, more importantly, we are finding additional opportunities for growth commercially which we expect will continue to drive top-line performance and market share gains.

Speaker #3: Our results in the quarter were impacted by a unique amalgamation of puts and takes. On the positive side of the ledger, business investment-driven demand quote activity transactional order win rates and spot transactional margins were outsized drivers for EBITDA generation while program customer business volumes program pricing and margins continued to lag with inflationary delivery cost pressures building through the quarter as fuel prices rose and truck capacity tightened.

Eddie Lehner: Our results in the quarter were impacted by a unique amalgamation of puts and takes. On the positive side of the ledger, business investment-driven demand, quote activity, transactional order win rates, and spot transactional margins were outsized drivers for EBITDA generation, while program customer business volumes, program pricing and margins continued to lag with inflationary delivery cost pressures building through the quarter as fuel prices rose and truck capacity tightened. In a supply-side tension market, where extended mill lead times, low distributor inventories, domestic capacity constraints in carbon steel plate and tube mill production, and heightened geopolitical turmoil are complicating customer backlog turnover and efficient resource allocation. We do not dwell on the imperfect, and we get on with the business of creating consistently great customer experiences, which is a forever part of our strategy.

Speaker #3: In a supply-side tension market where extended mill lead times low distributor inventories domestic capacity constraints and carbon steel plate and tube mill production and heightened geopolitical turmoil are complicating customer backlog turnover and efficient resource allocation, we don't dwell on the imperfect and we get on with the business of creating consistently great customer experiences which is a forever part of our strategy.

Speaker #3: On the demand side, the improved though asymmetrical manufacturing demand conditions as illustrated more broadly by a now six-month streak of expanding ISM manufacturing purchasing managers index readings but more narrowly by end-market strength that is skewing heavily to artificial intelligence, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and electrification.

Eddie Lehner: On the demand side, the improved, though asymmetrical manufacturing demand conditions, as illustrated more broadly by a now 6-month streak of expanding ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index readings, but more narrowly by end market strength that is skewing heavily to artificial intelligence, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and electrification. We note that we should be well-positioned through our network to take advantage of this demand upside, while other verticals such as agriculture, consumer discretionary, and residential construction move further toward eventual recovery. On the price side of the ledger, average selling prices have been increasing. However, pricing and margin spreads widened in the quarter between transactional pricing and program pricing to their highest deltas in 3 years.

Speaker #3: We note that we should be well-positioned through our network to take advantage of this demand upside, while other verticals such as agriculture, consumer discretionary, and residential construction move further toward eventual recovery.

Speaker #3: On the price side of the ledger, average selling prices have been increasing; however, pricing and margin spreads widened in the quarter between transactional pricing and program pricing to their highest deltas in three years.

Speaker #3: With respect to commodity price drivers, carbon was the best performer in the quarter followed by stainless and then aluminum whereas non-ferrous commodity bellwethers saw an approximately 15th percent price reversion at the end of Q2 and into early Q3 before recently stabilizing within a lower trading range.

Eddie Lehner: With respect to commodity price drivers, carbon was the best performer in the quarter, followed by stainless and then aluminum, whereas non-ferrous commodity bellwethers saw an approximately 15% price reversion at the end of Q2 and into early Q3, before recently stabilizing within a lower trading range. Moving beyond the industry macro environment, what has been especially inspiring is the energy and shared purpose we are seeing across the unified enterprise as our teams combine strengths, share best practices, and scale customer solutions. We have achieved a great deal together in these first months, but we are just in the early stages of getting to escape velocity. The work is taking hold, the commercial and financial impacts are beginning to show, and we are progressing toward realizing the full potential and value this merger can create for our customers, teammates, shareholders, and one another.

Speaker #3: Moving beyond the industry macro environment, what has been especially inspiring is the energy and shared purpose we are seeing across the unified enterprise as our teams combine strengths share best practices and scale customer solutions.

Speaker #3: We have achieved a great deal together in these first months. But we are just in the early stages of getting to a scale velocity.

Speaker #3: The work is taking hold, the commercial and financial impacts are beginning to show, and we are progressing toward realizing the full potential and value this merger can create for our customers, teammates, shareholders, and one another.

Speaker #3: With that, I will turn the call over to Rick to discuss market conditions industry trends and how we are executing operationally across the business.

Eddie Lehner: With that, I will turn the call over to Rich to discuss market conditions, industry trends, and how we are executing operationally across the business.

Speaker #4: Thanks, Eddie, and good morning, everyone. On a year-to-date basis, Ryerson's North American ton shipped increased by 49 percent compared to the first half of 2025 or by 5.8 percent on the same store basis.

Rich Marabito: Thanks, Eddie, and good morning, everyone. On a year-to-date basis, Ryerson's North American ton shipped increased by 49% compared to the H1 of 2025 or by 5.8% on a same-store basis, implying market share gains when compared to the industry's growth of 2.9% in the year-to-date period, and that's according to the Metals Service Center Institute. Ryerson's year-to-date volume growth was led by solid double-digit growth in its transactional business. We also saw encouraging early Q3 indicators around improvement in our contractual business on a year-over-year basis for the first time since 2022. On a total company basis, Ryerson generated net sales of over $2 billion and ton shipped of over 800,000 in the Q2. Our shipments increased 22.6% compared to the prior quarter, or 4% on a same-store basis, exceeding our guidance expectations.

Rick Marabito: Thanks, Eddie, and good morning, everyone. On a year-to-date basis, Ryerson's North American ton shipped increased by 49% compared to the H1 of 2025 or by 5.8% on a same-store basis, implying market share gains when compared to the industry's growth of 2.9% in the year-to-date period, and that's according to the Metals Service Center Institute. Ryerson's year-to-date volume growth was led by solid double-digit growth in its transactional business. We also saw encouraging early Q3 indicators around improvement in our contractual business on a year-over-year basis for the first time since 2022. On a total company basis, Ryerson generated net sales of over $2 billion and ton shipped of over 800,000 in the Q2. Our shipments increased 22.6% compared to the prior quarter, or 4% on a same-store basis, exceeding our guidance expectations.

Speaker #4: Implying market share gains when compared to the industry's growth of 2.9 percent in the year-to-date period, and that's according to the Metal Service Center Institute.

Speaker #4: Ryerson's year-to-date volume growth was led by solid double-digit growth in its transactional business. And we also saw encouraging early third quarter indicators around improvement in our contractual business on a year-over-year basis for the first time since 2022.

Speaker #4: On a total company basis, Ryerson generated net sales of over $2 billion and ton shipped of over $800,000 in the second quarter. Our shipments increased 22.6 percent compared to the prior quarter or 4 percent on a same store basis.

Speaker #4: Exceeding our guidance expectations. The improvement reflected broad sequential volume growth across the business, supported by better market conditions, stronger customer activity, commercial collaboration, and continued execution by our teams.

Rich Marabito: The improvement reflected broad sequential volume growth across the business, supported by better market conditions, stronger customer activity, commercial collaboration, and continued execution by our teams. Q2 results also continued to benefit from secular demand tied to data center and power generation projects, which we estimate represented approximately 7% of our Q2 revenues. Sales tied to these applications continued to accelerate during the quarter, increasing approximately 30% sequentially, and we expect opportunities in these markets to continue building in future periods. Ryerson is participating in this demand through customers' power, IT hardware, cooling, fabrication, and related project activity. With that demand showing up across a number of our traditional end market categories. Given our scale, processing capabilities, product breadth, and customer relationships, we believe Ryerson is well-positioned to support continued growth in these areas and expand our participation.

Rick Marabito: The improvement reflected broad sequential volume growth across the business, supported by better market conditions, stronger customer activity, commercial collaboration, and continued execution by our teams. Q2 results also continued to benefit from secular demand tied to data center and power generation projects, which we estimate represented approximately 7% of our Q2 revenues. Sales tied to these applications continued to accelerate during the quarter, increasing approximately 30% sequentially, and we expect opportunities in these markets to continue building in future periods. Ryerson is participating in this demand through customers' power, IT hardware, cooling, fabrication, and related project activity. With that demand showing up across a number of our traditional end market categories. Given our scale, processing capabilities, product breadth, and customer relationships, we believe Ryerson is well-positioned to support continued growth in these areas and expand our participation.

Speaker #4: Second quarter results also continue to benefit from secular demand tied to data center and power generation projects, which we estimate represented approximately 7% of our second quarter revenues.

Speaker #4: Sales tied to these applications continue to accelerate during the quarter increasing approximately 30 percent sequentially. And we expect opportunities in these markets to continue building in future periods.

Speaker #4: Ryerson is participating in this demand through customers power, IT hardware, cooling, fabrication, and related project activity. With that demand showing up across a number of our traditional end-market categories.

Speaker #4: Given our scale, processing capabilities, product breadth, and customer relationships, we believe Ryerson is well-positioned to support continued growth in these areas and expand our participation.

Speaker #4: Within our Ryerson North American same-store end markets, commercial transportation and climate were notable areas of strength. In commercial transportation, we saw solid single-digit North American same-store volume growth.

Rich Marabito: Within our Ryerson North American same-store end markets, commercial transportation and climate were notable areas of strength. In commercial transportation, we saw solid single-digit North American same-store volume growth quarter-over-quarter, led by our truck cab sub-sector. We continue to view 2026 as a transition year for the Class 8 industry and remain cautiously optimistic about improving demand conditions as we move further into 2026 and into 2027. In climate, we delivered double-digit North American same-store volume growth quarter-over-quarter, supported by stronger activity from larger HVAC customers, serving both data center-related demand and traditional product lines. At the same time, recovery across more cyclical end markets remains selective. Ryerson North American same-store agriculture shipments improved modestly during the period, suggesting that some larger customers may have slightly increased production after an extended period of inventory destocking.

Rick Marabito: Within our Ryerson North American same-store end markets, commercial transportation and climate were notable areas of strength. In commercial transportation, we saw solid single-digit North American same-store volume growth quarter-over-quarter, led by our truck cab sub-sector. We continue to view 2026 as a transition year for the Class 8 industry and remain cautiously optimistic about improving demand conditions as we move further into 2026 and into 2027. In climate, we delivered double-digit North American same-store volume growth quarter-over-quarter, supported by stronger activity from larger HVAC customers, serving both data center-related demand and traditional product lines. At the same time, recovery across more cyclical end markets remains selective. Ryerson North American same-store agriculture shipments improved modestly during the period, suggesting that some larger customers may have slightly increased production after an extended period of inventory destocking.

Speaker #4: Order over quarter. Led by our truck cab subsector. We continue to view 2026 as a transition year for the Class 8 industry and remain cautiously optimistic about improving demand conditions as we move further into 2026 and into 2027.

Speaker #4: In Climate, we delivered double-digit North American same-store volume growth quarter over quarter, supported by stronger activity from larger HVAC customers serving both data center-related demand and traditional product lines.

Speaker #4: At the same time, recovery across more cyclical end markets remains selective. Ryerson North American same-store agriculture shipments improved modestly during the period, suggesting that some larger customers may have slightly increased production after an extended period of inventory destocking.

Speaker #4: However, the agriculture market remains recessed given current farming economics, and we expect demand to remain largely subdued in the near term. Same-store North American fabrication and welding also improved modestly.

Rich Marabito: However, the agriculture market remains recessed given current farming economics, and we expect demand to remain largely subdued in the near term. Same-store North American fabrication and welding also improved modestly, supported by data center-related projects and broader improvement in manufacturing activity. In consumer products, Ryerson same-store North American volumes were flat quarter over quarter, although we saw solid single-digit growth among top appliance customers. Overall, consumer demand remains disciplined as higher-for-longer interest rates and inflation continue to influence purchasing behavior. Across all of our end markets, customers have increasingly valued product availability, reliability, processing capabilities, and speed of response. All areas where our expanded scale and combined footprint are enhancing our ability to service our customers. One example of our enhanced ability to serve our customers is through the sharing of assets. Our Integrity Stainless business previously rented external storage due to space constraints at this location.

Rick Marabito: However, the agriculture market remains recessed given current farming economics, and we expect demand to remain largely subdued in the near term. Same-store North American fabrication and welding also improved modestly, supported by data center-related projects and broader improvement in manufacturing activity. In consumer products, Ryerson same-store North American volumes were flat quarter over quarter, although we saw solid single-digit growth among top appliance customers. Overall, consumer demand remains disciplined as higher-for-longer interest rates and inflation continue to influence purchasing behavior. Across all of our end markets, customers have increasingly valued product availability, reliability, processing capabilities, and speed of response. All areas where our expanded scale and combined footprint are enhancing our ability to service our customers. One example of our enhanced ability to serve our customers is through the sharing of assets. Our Integrity Stainless business previously rented external storage due to space constraints at this location.

Speaker #4: Supported by data center-related projects and broader improvement in manufacturing activity. In consumer products, Ryerson same-store North American volumes were flat quarter over quarter although we saw solid single-digit growth among top appliance customers.

Speaker #4: Overall, consumer demand remains disciplined as higher-for-longer interest rates and inflation continue to influence purchasing behavior. Across all of our end markets, customers have increasingly valued product availability, reliability, processing capabilities, and speed of response.

Speaker #4: All areas where our expanded scale and combined footprint are enhancing our ability to service our customers. One example of our enhanced ability to serve our customers is through the sharing of assets.

Speaker #4: Our integrity stainless business previously rented external storage due to space constraints at this location. Through coordination with our nearby Singer Steel facility, we moved integrity stainless product into available space within our own network, reducing external storage costs, lowering logistics costs, and improving turnaround times for our customers.

Rich Marabito: Through coordination with our nearby Singer Steel facility, we moved Integrity Stainless product into available space within our own network, reducing external storage costs, lowering logistics costs, and improving turnaround times for our customers. For example, a customer in our Northeast market reached out to their Olympic representative in need of support for their new West Coast facility. Our Olympic representative connected with Ryerson Los Angeles, which fulfilled the customer's needs and delivered a successful customer experience. This is a good example of how the merger has opened doors for additional business opportunities for the combined enterprise. We're also beginning to coordinate order flow more strategically across the combined network. In certain cases, that means aligning contract business within Olympic facilities that are well-positioned to support it while creating additional capacity at Ryerson facilities for quicker turning, higher margin transaction work.

Rick Marabito: Through coordination with our nearby Singer Steel facility, we moved Integrity Stainless product into available space within our own network, reducing external storage costs, lowering logistics costs, and improving turnaround times for our customers. For example, a customer in our Northeast market reached out to their Olympic representative in need of support for their new West Coast facility. Our Olympic representative connected with Ryerson Los Angeles, which fulfilled the customer's needs and delivered a successful customer experience. This is a good example of how the merger has opened doors for additional business opportunities for the combined enterprise. We're also beginning to coordinate order flow more strategically across the combined network. In certain cases, that means aligning contract business within Olympic facilities that are well-positioned to support it while creating additional capacity at Ryerson facilities for quicker turning, higher margin transaction work.

Speaker #4: We're also winning business through collaboration across geographies. For example, a customer in our Northeast market reached out to their Olympic representative in need of support for their new West Coast facility.

Speaker #4: Our Olympic representative connected with Ryerson Los Angeles which fulfilled the customer's needs and delivered a successful customer experience. This is a good example of how the merger has opened doors for additional business opportunities for the combined enterprise.

Speaker #4: We're also beginning to coordinate order flow more strategically across the combined network. In certain cases, that means aligning contract business within Olympic facilities that are well-positioned to support it.

Speaker #4: While creating additional capacity at Ryerson facilities, for quicker turning, higher margin transaction work. This is a synergistic example of how our combined footprint can improve customer service, facility utilization, and earnings quality.

Rich Marabito: This is a synergistic example of how our combined footprint can improve customer service, facility utilization, and earnings quality. Across the business, we are seeing collaboration among commercial, procurement, operations, logistics, and leadership teams translate into practical execution. Our teams are identifying new ways to serve customers through the combined footprint, broader product access, shared inventory, increased in-house processing, and faster response in a market where availability and reliability matter. We continue to be encouraged by how naturally the organizations are integrating. The shared customer-first mindset is showing up in our everyday decisions, how we move material, connecting customers to new capabilities, and solving problems across our expanded network. From an operating standpoint, our focus remains straightforward: serve our customers well, execute on our synergies, and build a more cohesive, interconnected metal service center platform. The Q2 began to show the power of that model.

Rick Marabito: This is a synergistic example of how our combined footprint can improve customer service, facility utilization, and earnings quality. Across the business, we are seeing collaboration among commercial, procurement, operations, logistics, and leadership teams translate into practical execution. Our teams are identifying new ways to serve customers through the combined footprint, broader product access, shared inventory, increased in-house processing, and faster response in a market where availability and reliability matter. We continue to be encouraged by how naturally the organizations are integrating. The shared customer-first mindset is showing up in our everyday decisions, how we move material, connecting customers to new capabilities, and solving problems across our expanded network. From an operating standpoint, our focus remains straightforward: serve our customers well, execute on our synergies, and build a more cohesive, interconnected metal service center platform. The Q2 began to show the power of that model.

Speaker #4: Across the business, we are seeing collaboration among commercial, procurement, operations, logistics, and leadership teams translate into practical execution. Our teams are identifying new ways to serve customers, through the combined footprint, broader product access, shared inventory, increased in-house processing, and faster response in a market where availability and reliability matter.

Speaker #4: We continue to be encouraged by how naturally the organizations are integrated. The shared customer-first mindset is showing up in our everyday decisions—how we move material, connect customers to new capabilities, and solve problems across our expanded network.

Speaker #4: From an operating standpoint, our focus remains straightforward. Serve our customers well, execute on our synergies, and build a more cohesive, interconnected metal service center platform.

Speaker #4: The second quarter began to show the power of that model. We still have much work ahead, but we're already creating real value for our customers, our teammates, and our stakeholders.

Rich Marabito: We still have much work ahead, we're already creating real value for our customers, our teammates, and our stakeholders. Now I'll turn the call over to Jim Claussen to review our performance relative to Q2 guidance. He'll also discuss our expectations for the Q3 and provide an update on synergy attainment and capital allocation. Jim?

Rick Marabito: We still have much work ahead, we're already creating real value for our customers, our teammates, and our stakeholders. Now I'll turn the call over to Jim Claussen to review our performance relative to Q2 guidance. He'll also discuss our expectations for the Q3 and provide an update on synergy attainment and capital allocation. Jim?

Speaker #4: And now I'll turn the call over to Jim Claussen to review our performance relative to second quarter guidance. He'll also discuss our expectations for the third quarter and provide an update on synergy attainment and capital allocation.

Speaker #4: Jim?

Speaker #5: Thank you, Rick. And good morning, everyone. As Rick mentioned, Ryerson generated a record $2 billion in revenue for the quarter on just over $800,000 in tons shipped.

Jim Claussen: Thank you, Rick, good morning, everyone. As Rick mentioned, Ryerson generated a record $2 billion in revenue for the Q2 on just over 800,000 tons shipped, exceeding guidance expectations on both a revenue and shipment basis. Our top-line performance reflects both stronger same-store and total company shipment performance, improved pricing, and effective execution across the organization. On the bottom line, our net income and earnings per share generation came in at $15.5 million and $0.30 per diluted share. Net income for the Q2 was impacted by a $15.7 million purchase accounting adjustment to cost of material sold, which reduced our gross margin and net income generation. Excluding the impact of purchase accounting and other one-time items, adjusted net income generation for the Q2 was $27.6 million or $0.52 per diluted share.

Speaker #5: Exceeding guidance expectations on both a revenue and shipment basis. Our top-line performance reflects both stronger same-store and total company shipment performance, improved pricing, and effective execution across the organization.

Speaker #5: On the bottom line, our net income and earnings per share generation came in at $15.5 million and $0.30 per diluted share. Net income for the quarter was impacted by a $15.7 million purchase accounting adjustment to cost of materials sold, which reduced our gross margin and net income generation.

Speaker #5: Excluding the impact of purchase accounting and other one-time items, adjusted net income generation for the second quarter was $27.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted share.

Speaker #5: Adjusted EBITDA excluding LIFO was 101 million in the second quarter, which exceeded our guidance range of 88 to 92 million. Olympic Steel generated 23.5 million dollars in adjusted EBITDA excluding LIFO, also exceeding our expectations.

Jim Claussen: Adjusted EBITDA, excluding LIFO, was $101 million in the Q2, which exceeded our guidance range of $88 to 92 million. Olympic Steel generated $23.5 million in adjusted EBITDA excluding LIFO, also exceeding our expectations. In the Q2, we recorded LIFO expense of $17 million. Turning to our outlook for the Q3, we expect that market demand will follow normal seasonal industry demand patterns, leading to volumes 3% to 5% lower compared to the Q2. At the same time, we expect that average selling prices will be flat to up by 2%, as we anticipate that carbon pricing will remain supported and offset recent corrections in stainless and aluminum prices. We therefore expect that our Q3 revenues will be in the range of $1.87 to $1.95 billion.

Speaker #5: In the second quarter, we recorded LIFO expense of 17 million. Turning to our outlook for the third quarter, we expect that market demand will follow normal seasonal industry demand patterns leading to volumes 3 to 5 percent lower compared to the second quarter.

Speaker #5: At the same time, we expect that average selling prices will be flat to up by 2%, as we anticipate that carbon pricing will remain supported and offset recent corrections in stainless and aluminum prices.

Speaker #5: We therefore expect that our third quarter revenues will be in the range of 1.87 to 1.95 billion dollars. We anticipate that rising material costs ongoing program customer pricing lags and continued inflationary pressures across labor and delivery will pressure margins, causing some compression in the third quarter.

Jim Claussen: We anticipate that rising material costs, ongoing program customer pricing lags, and continued inflationary pressures across labor and delivery will pressure margins, causing some compression in the Q3. We also expect to recognize approximately $5 to $7 million of additional inventory purchase accounting adjustments through the end of the year as we sell through the remaining acquired inventory and get further distance from one-time merger closing events. Excluding these inventory purchase accounting adjustments, we anticipate net income generation in the range of $19 to $21 million or $0.37 to $0.40 per diluted share in the Q3. We expect to record LIFO expense in the range of $16 to $18 million in the Q3, leading to adjusted EBITDA excluding LIFO in the range of $88 to $92 million, with $21 to 23 million of that generation contributed by Olympic Steel.

Speaker #5: We also expect to recognize approximately 5 to 7 million dollars of additional inventory purchase accounting adjustments through the end of the year as we sell through the remaining acquired inventory and get further distance from one-time merger closing events.

Speaker #5: Excluding these inventory purchase accounting adjustments, we anticipate net income generation in the range of $19 to $21 million, or $0.37 to $0.40 per diluted share in the third quarter.

Speaker #5: We expect to record LIFO expense in the range of 16 to 18 million dollars in the third quarter, leading to adjusted EBITDA excluding LIFO in the range of 88 to 92 million dollars.

Speaker #5: With 21 to 23 million of that generation contributed by Olympic Steel. At the same time, given that stainless and aluminum prices are reverting from recent highs, we expect working capital requirements to moderate in the third quarter, supporting free cash flow generation and net debt reduction.

Jim Claussen: At the same time, given that stainless and aluminum prices are reverting from recent highs, we expect working capital requirements to moderate in the Q3, reporting free cash flow generation and net debt reduction. This working capital requirement moderation, coupled with higher trailing 12-month EBITDA generation, is expected to move us closer to a net leverage ratio of 3x by the end of the year. Turning to our progress on synergies, our Q2 results included the realization of approximately $5 million of synergy attainment across our four synergy pillars. Based on the actions already implemented and those currently underway, we expect to realize approximately $13 to $14 million in synergies in the Q3.

Speaker #5: This working capital requirement moderation coupled with higher trailing 12-month EBITDA generation is expected to move us closer to a net leverage ratio of 3 times by the end of the year.

Speaker #5: Turning to our progress on synergies, our second quarter results included the realization of approximately $5 million of synergy attainment across our four synergy pillars.

Speaker #5: Based on the actions already implemented and those currently underway, we expect to realize approximately 13 to 14 million dollars in synergies in the third quarter.

Speaker #5: This third quarter expectation would result in an annual run rate synergy amount of 52 to 56 million dollars and exceed our first-year target of 40 million dollars in annual run rate synergies ahead of schedule.

Jim Claussen: This Q3 expectation would result in an annual run rate synergy amount of $52 to $56 million and exceed our first-year target of $40 million in annual run rate synergies ahead of schedule. Through the Q2, we have spent approximately $1.2 million in one-time costs to achieve these synergies. Of our Q3 forecasted attainment, we expect that our procurement synergies will generate approximately $6.5 million as we continue to align purchasing programs and leverage the increased scale of the combined company. Efficiency and public company cost savings are progressing as expected, and we anticipate that this category will create approximately $3 million in savings in the Q3 through the elimination of duplicative public company costs, attrition, and related efficiency actions.

Speaker #5: Through the second quarter, we have spent approximately $1.2 million in one-time costs to achieve these synergies. Of our third quarter forecasted attainment, we expect that our procurement synergies will generate approximately 6.5 million as we continue to align purchasing programs and leverage the increased scale of the combined company.

Speaker #5: Efficiency and public company cost savings are progressing as expected, and we anticipate that this category will create approximately $3 million in savings in the third quarter through the elimination of duplicative public company costs, attrition, and related efficiency actions.

Speaker #5: Our commercial enhancement strategy is off to an even stronger start than anticipated, and Rick gave great examples of the wins we are seeing across our markets.

Jim Claussen: Our commercial enhancement strategy is off to an even stronger start than anticipated, Rich gave great examples of the wins we are seeing across our markets. As a reminder, we projected $20 million in annual run rate opportunities from this category. Our Q3 expectation includes approximately $2 million of synergy benefits generated by commercial strategies, approximately $8 million of annualized incremental EBITDA from new business opportunities enabled by the scale of our combined facilities, equipment, customer relationships, and geographic reach. Finally, our Q3 synergy outlook includes approximately $2 million of expected benefits from network optimization actions, or approximately $8 million on an annualized basis. This work includes practical actions such as bringing more processing in-house, reducing third-party costs, sharing inventory across the combined network, and consolidating facilities where we believe in improved service and cost structure.

Speaker #5: As a reminder, we projected $20 million in annual run-rate opportunities from this category. Our third quarter expectation includes approximately $2 million of synergy benefits generated by commercial strategies, and approximately $8 million of annualized incremental EBITDA from new business opportunities enabled by the scale of our combined facilities, equipment, customer relationships, and geographic reach.

Speaker #5: And finally, our third quarter synergy outlook includes approximately $2 million of expected benefits from network optimization actions, or approximately $8 million on an annualized basis.

Speaker #5: This work includes practical actions such as bringing more processing in-house, reducing third-party costs, sharing inventory across the combined network, and consolidating facilities where we believe it improves service and cost structure.

Speaker #5: Together, these actions are expected to support EBITDA performance while enhancing our ability to serve customers during a period of extended lead times and constrained availability.

Jim Claussen: Together, these actions are expected to support EBITDA performance while enhancing our ability to serve customers during a period of extended lead times and constrained availability. Within this network optimization strategy, we have already completed a consolidation project in Mexico that is generating approximately $1.3 million of annual run rate synergies, and we are advancing a Connecticut project that will consolidate Olympic Steel and Ryerson Specialty Alloys. The Connecticut project is expected to be completed in the Q1 of 2027 and create a stronger operating platform with improved workflow, expanded processing capabilities, better product availability, lower fixed costs, and enhanced logistics. In all, we are very pleased with how our synergy strategies are progressing. That progress is the direct reflection of our teams in the field, from those serving on dedicated synergy councils to those in local markets, reaching across offices, warehouses, and geographies to create solutions for customers.

Speaker #5: Within this network optimization strategy, we have already completed a consolidation project in Mexico that is generating approximately $1.3 million of annual run-rate synergies, and we are advancing a Connecticut project that will consolidate Olympic Milford and Ryerson Specialty Alloys.

Speaker #5: The Connecticut project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027 and create a stronger operating platform with improved workflow, expanded processing capabilities, better product availability, lower fixed costs, and enhanced logistics.

Speaker #5: Overall, we are very pleased with how our synergy strategies are progressing. That progress is a direct reflection of our teams in the field.

Speaker #5: From those serving on dedicated synergy councils to those in local markets reaching across offices warehouses and geographies to create solutions for customers. Looking ahead, with our first-year target in sight, we remain confident in our ability to achieve our total two-year target of $120 million of annual run rate synergies.

Jim Claussen: Looking ahead with our first-year target in sight, we remain confident in our ability to achieve our total two-year target of $120 million of annual run rate synergies. Turning to investments in the business, capital expenditures totaled $16 million in the quarter and included investments in the maintenance of our facilities, as well as projects supporting our transactional and value add growth. Year-to-date, we have invested $29 million in CapEx. We still expect to invest approximately $75 million for the full year, with $50 million in same-store capital expenditures anticipated. During the Q2, we returned approximately $800,000 to shareholders through the opportunistic repurchase of approximately 39,000 shares. These repurchases were completed prior to the effectiveness of the new authorization announced in May, and as a result, the full $100 million authorization remains available to us through April 2028.

Speaker #5: Turning to investments in the business, capital expenditures totaled $16 million in the quarter and included investments in the maintenance of our facilities as well as projects supporting our transactional and value-add growth.

Speaker #5: Year to date, we have invested $29 million in CapEx. We still expect to invest approximately $75 million for the full year with $50 million in same store capital expenditures anticipated.

Speaker #5: During the second quarter, we returned approximately $800,000 to shareholders through the opportunistic repurchase of approximately $39,000 shares. These repurchases were completed prior to the effectiveness of the new authorization announced in May and as a result, the full $100 million authorization remains available to us through April 2028.

Speaker #5: Our board has declared a quarterly dividend of $18.75 per share which is consistent with our prior quarter and will be paid on September 17th to shareholders of record as of September 3rd.

Jim Claussen: Our board has declared a quarterly dividend of 18 and three quarter cents per share, which is consistent with our prior quarter and will be paid on 17 September to shareholders of record as of 3 September. Overall, our capital allocation strategy remains focused on enabling free cash flow generation and reducing debt. That means maintaining a disciplined approach to capital expenditures, being highly selective on M&A, continuing to support our dividend, and preserving the flexibility to prudently exercise our share repurchase authorization as conditions warrant. I will now turn the call over to Molly Kannan to discuss our financial performance highlights for Q2.

Speaker #5: Overall, our capital allocation strategy remains focused on enabling free cash flow generation and reducing debt that means maintaining a disciplined approach to capital expenditures, being highly selective on M&A, continuing to support our dividend, and preserving the flexibility to prudently exercise our share repurchase authorization as conditions warrant.

Speaker #5: I'll now turn the call over to Molly Cannon to discuss our financial performance highlights for the second quarter.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Jim. And good morning, everyone. In the second quarter of 2026, Ryerson generated net sales of $2.01 billion, an increase of 28.1% compared to the prior quarter, with tonnes shipped 22.6% higher and average selling prices 4.5% higher.

Molly Kannan: Thanks, Jim. Good morning, everyone. In Q2 of 2026, Ryerson generated net sales of $2.01 billion, an increase of 28.1% compared to the prior quarter, with tons shipped 22.6% higher and average selling prices 4.5% higher. On a same-store basis, revenue was $1.44 billion, an increase of 11.5% sequentially, with average selling prices 7.2% higher and tons shipped 4% higher. Impacted by the one-time purchase accounting adjustment that Jim mentioned, gross margin contracted during Q2 by 70 basis points to 17.7%, compared to 18.4% in the prior period. Excluding our Q2 LIFO expense of $17 million and the impact of purchase accounting, adjusted gross margin excluding LIFO expanded by 20 basis points to 19.3%, compared to gross margin excluding LIFO of 19.1% in Q1 of 2026.

Speaker #2: On the same-store basis, revenue was $1.44 billion, an increase of 11.5% sequentially, with average selling prices 7.2% higher and tonnes shipped 4% higher.

Speaker #2: Impacted by the one-time purchase accounting adjustment that Jim mentioned, gross margin contracted during the second quarter by 70 basis points to 17.7% compared to 18.4% in the prior period.

Speaker #2: Excluding our second quarter lipo expense of $17 million and the impact to purchase accounting, adjusted gross margin excluding lipo expanded by 20 basis points to 19.3% compared to gross margin excluding lipo of 19.1% in the first quarter of 2026.

Speaker #2: Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expenses for WDSG&A totaled $320.3 million in the second quarter, an increase of 20.8% compared to the first quarter.

Molly Kannan: Warehousing, delivery, selling, general and administrative expenses, or WDSG&A, totaled $320.3 million in Q2, an increase of 20.8% compared to Q1. On a same-store basis, WDSG&A was relatively flat compared to Q1, up by just $1.1 million to $218.7 million and down as a percentage of sales from 16.8% to 15.2%. On a per ton basis, total company WDSG&A decreased to $398 per ton in Q2 from $404 per ton in Q1, and decreased on a same-store basis to $402 per ton from $416 per ton in Q1, reflecting improved operating leverage across the expanded platform as volumes increase. In all, we generated net income of $15.5 million, or $0.30 per diluted share in Q2, compared to net income of $4.5 million or $0.10 per share in Q1.

Speaker #2: On the same store basis, WDSG&A was relatively flat compared to the first quarter up by just 1.1 million to $218.7 million and down as a percentage of sales from 16.8% to 15.2%.

Speaker #2: On a per-tonne basis, total company WDSG&A decreased to $398 per tonne in the second quarter from $404 per tonne in the first quarter, and decreased on a same-store basis to $402 per tonne from $416 per tonne in the first quarter, reflecting improved operating leverage across the expanded platform as volumes increased.

Speaker #2: In all, we generated net income of $15.5 million, or $0.30 per diluted share in the second quarter, compared to net income of $4.5 million, or $0.10 per share, in the first quarter.

Speaker #2: After removing the impact to purchase accounting adjustments and insurance settlement gained, advisory service fees and impairment charges on assets as well as the related income tax benefits of these items, Ryerson's second quarter adjusted net income was $27.6 million or $52 per diluted share.

Molly Kannan: After removing the impact of purchase accounting adjustments and insurance settlement gains, advisory service fees, and impairment charges on assets, as well as the related income tax benefits of these items, Ryerson's Q2 adjusted net income was $27.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted share. Our total company adjusted EBITDA, excluding LIFO generation for Q2, was $101 million, $23.5 million of which was contributed by Olympic Steel. This compares to $67.4 million generated in Q1, $12.5 million of which was contributed by Olympic Steel on the 6-week sub-period. Turning to cash flow, Ryerson used $5.6 million in cash from operations in Q2 as net income generation was offset by a higher than anticipated working capital build supporting higher revenues.

Speaker #2: Our total company adjusted EBITDA excluding lipo generation for the second quarter was $101 million $23.5 million of which was contributed by Olympic Steel. This compares to $67.4 million generated in the first quarter $12.5 million of which was contributed by Olympic Steel on the six-week stub period.

Speaker #2: Turning to cash flow, Ryerson used $5.6 million in cash from operations in the second quarter, as net income generation was offset by a higher-than-anticipated working capital bill supporting higher revenues.

Speaker #2: We anticipate that the working capital build to mitigate in Q3, as both stainless steel and aluminum products have come off their 2026 highs in June.

Molly Kannan: We anticipate that the working capital build to mitigate in Q3 as both stainless steel and aluminum products have come off their 2026 highs in June. Our inventory remained well managed in Q2 as our days of supply decreased by 1 day to 73 days, which is within our target range of 70 to 75 days. Our cash conversion cycle increased to 71 days for Q2 compared to 67 days in Q1 as we took advantage of early payment discounts during the quarter, decreasing our payable cycle while our receivable cycle increased slightly. We ended the quarter with total debt of $955 million and net debt of $913 million, which represents sequential increases of $47 million and $30 million, respectively, due to higher working capital requirements.

Speaker #2: Our inventory remained well-managed in the second quarter as our days of supply decreased by one day to $73 days which is within our target range of $70 to $75 days.

Speaker #2: Our cash conversion cycle increased to $71 days for the second quarter compared to $67 days in the first quarter as we took advantage of early payment discounts during the quarter decreasing our payable cycle while our receivable cycle increased slightly.

Speaker #2: We ended the quarter with total debt of $955 million and net debt of $913 million, which represent sequential increases of $47 million and $30 million, respectively, due to higher working capital requirements.

Speaker #2: Our leverage ratio decreased from 5.1 times in the first quarter to 4 times in the second, driven by higher trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA, excluding LIPO, as we recorded higher same-store achievement and a full quarter of Olympic Steel results.

Molly Kannan: Our leverage ratio decreased from 5.1x in Q1 to 4x in Q2, driven by higher trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA excluding LIFO, as we recorded higher same-store achievement and a full quarter of Olympic Steel results. We expect our leverage ratio to continue its downward trend as we anticipate that our trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA excluding LIFO will increase with the addition of Olympic Steel, our expectations for higher year-over-year same-store generation, and our forecasted synergy attainment. Finally, total global liquidity increased from $618 million at the end of Q1 to $757 million at the end of Q2, as our borrowing base continued to expand with our working capital. Overall, Q2 reflected strong revenue, adjusted net income, and adjusted EBITDA generation, improved operating leverage, and incremental progress on deleveraging with ample liquidity to support our growth strategies.

Speaker #2: We expect our leverage ratio to continue its downward trend as we anticipate that our trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA excluding lipo will increase with the addition of Olympic Steel our expectations for higher year-over-year same store generation and our forecasted synergy attainment.

Speaker #2: And finally, total global liquidity increase from $618,000,000 at the end of the first quarter to $757,000,000 at the end of the second as our borrowing base continued to expand with our working capital.

Speaker #2: Overall, the second quarter reflected strong revenue adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA generation improved operating leverage and incremental progress on deleveraging with ample liquidity to support our growth strategies.

Speaker #2: With that, I will turn the call back to Eddie to conclude our prepared comments.

Molly Kannan: With that, I will turn the call back to Eddie to conclude our prepared comments.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Molly. Taking it all together, Ryerson succeeded in delivering revenue and adjusted EBITDA, excluding Lipo results, that exceeded expectations. We continue making meaningful synergy and operating model progress while navigating and improving the complex market.

Eddie Lehner: Thank you, Molly. Taking it all together, Ryerson succeeded in delivering revenue and adjusted EBITDA, excluding LIFO results that exceeded expectations, and we continue making meaningful synergy and operating model progress while navigating an improved but complex market. This quarter's achievements are a credit to our people and to the daily decisions they are making and actions they are taking to connect capabilities, solve problems, reduce friction, and create excellent customer experiences. We believed from the beginning that merging Ryerson and Olympic Steel together would act as a growth and enterprise value accelerant, giving us the scale, capabilities, and momentum to support the transformation of one of North America's largest metal service center platforms into a higher performing, technologically enabled industrial metal solutions network with speed, joy, and operational excellence. After our first full quarter together, we are beginning to see tangible proof of what this was all about.

Speaker #1: This quarter's achievements are a credit to our people and to the daily decisions they are making and actions they are taking to connect capabilities, solve problems, reduce friction, and create excellent customer experiences.

Speaker #1: We believe from the beginning that merging Ryerson and Olympic Steel together would act as a growth and enterprise value accelerant giving us the scale, capabilities, and momentum to support the transformation of one of North America's largest metal service center platforms into a higher performing technologically enabled industrial metal solutions network with speed, joy, and operational excellence.

Speaker #1: After our first full quarter together, we are beginning to see tangible proof of what this was all about great experiences all around for our customers, our employees, and our shareholders as RIS continues to rise.

Eddie Lehner: Great experiences all around for our customers, our employees, and our shareholders as RYI continues to rise. With that, we look forward to your questions. Operator?

Speaker #1: With that, we look forward to your questions. Operator.

Speaker #3: If you would like to ask a question, please signal by pressing star one on your telephone keypad. If you're using a speakerphone, please make sure your mute function is turned off to allow your signal to reach our equipment.

Operator 2: If you would like to ask a question, please signal by pressing star one on your telephone keypad. If you're using a speakerphone, please make sure your mute function is turned off to allow your signal to reach our equipment. Again, press star one to ask a question. We can pause for just a moment to allow everyone the opportunity to signal. Our first question comes from Samuel McKinney with KeyBanc Capital Markets.

Operator: If you would like to ask a question, please signal by pressing star one on your telephone keypad. If you're using a speakerphone, please make sure your mute function is turned off to allow your signal to reach our equipment. Again, press star one to ask a question. We can pause for just a moment to allow everyone the opportunity to signal. Our first question comes from Samuel McKinney with KeyBanc Capital Markets.

Speaker #3: Again, press star one to ask a question. And we can pause for just a moment to allow everyone the opportunity to signal. Our first question comes from Samuel McKinney with a KeyBank Capital Markets.

Speaker #4: Hey, good morning, guys.

Samuel McKinney: Hey, good morning, guys.

Speaker #1: Hey, good morning, Sam.

Eddie Lehner: Hey, good morning, Sam.

Speaker #4: The transactional business outperforming contract has been the trend at Ryerson for a while, but you also mentioned some transactional market share gains in the release.

Samuel McKinney: The transactional business outperforming contract has been the trend at Ryerson for a while. You also mentioned some transactional market share gains in the release. Just maybe an outline of where you're seeing those wins right now.

Speaker #4: Just maybe an outline of where you're seeing those wins right now.

Speaker #1: Yes, Sam. It's really broad-based. And it really depends on what we term service center fundamentals that we've referenced where when we have service levels at our standard which we peg at 95% for A1A items when that inventory is in the network position locally in the right place at the right time in addition to some of the technologies that we've developed to improve quoting bandwidth, quoting speed, when that inventory is available we do better and it's really that simple.

Eddie Lehner: Yeah, Sam, it's really broad-based. It really depends on what we term service center fundamentals that we reference, where when we have service levels that are standard, which we peg at 95% for A1A items. When that inventory is in the network positioned locally in the right place at the right time, in addition to some of the technologies that we've developed to improve quoting bandwidth, quoting speed, when that inventory is available, we do better. It's really that simple. I think over the last two to three years, as we've talked about investments that we've made in the company that maybe weren't quite ready for prime time two, three, four years ago.

Speaker #1: And I think over the last two to three years as we've talked about investments that we've made in the company that maybe weren't quite ready for prime time two, three, four years ago as those investments now have really come to fruition in a market environment that is better on hold on the whole we're seeing that transactional growth because we do have a name and brand in the industry that gets us the quoting opportunity but then we need to perform when we get that opportunity increased win rates and get that product positioned where it can do the most good.

Eddie Lehner: As those investments now have really come to fruition, in a market environment that is better on the whole, we're seeing that transactional growth because we do have a name and brand in the industry that gets us the quoting opportunity. We need to perform when we get that opportunity, increase win rates, and get that product positioned where it can do the most good.

Speaker #4: Okay. And then if you could just level-set us on the split between the transactional and the contract business today.

Samuel McKinney: Okay. If you could just level set us on the split between the transactional and the contract business today.

Speaker #1: Yeah. I mean where we are now as a combined enterprise is I'd say 40/60 when you look at the two enterprises and we're looking to improve both sides of the ledger.

Eddie Lehner: Yeah. Where we are now as a combined enterprise is, I'd say, 40-60, when you look at the two enterprises. We're looking to improve both sides of the ledger. I think where we can improve the program portfolio of business, we're doing that, and we call it, sweat the P and grow the T. What you do is you look to lower the cost to serve on your program assets by moving that business to the work centers that can accommodate those higher volumes, you can increase the spread of the margin that way. That frees up more space to go ahead and grow the transactional side of the ledger. As we go from 40-60, we're looking to get to that next benchmark of 45-55.

Speaker #1: I think where we can improve the program portfolio of business, we're doing that. I mean, we call it sweat the P and grow the T.

Speaker #1: So what you do is you look to lower the cost to serve on your program assets by moving that business to the work centers that can accommodate those higher volumes and so you can increase the spread of the margin that way.

Speaker #1: That frees up more space to go ahead and grow the transactional side of the ledger. So as we go from 40/60 we're looking to get to that next benchmark of 45/55 because right now as we referenced in the script you've got a margin differential between transactional and program between 700/800 basis points.

Eddie Lehner: Right now, as we referenced in the script, you've got a margin differential between transactional and program between 700 and 800 basis points, there's ample opportunity to improve both parts of that commercial portfolio.

Speaker #1: And so there's ample opportunity to improve both parts of that commercial portfolio.

Speaker #4: All right. Thank you.

Samuel McKinney: All right. Thank you.

Speaker #3: And once again if you'd like to ask a question please signal by pressing star one on your telephone keypad. We'll take our next question from Katya Jansik with BMO Capital Markets.

Operator 2: Once again, if you'd like to ask a question, please signal by pressing star one on your telephone keypad. We'll take our next question from Katya Yanczuk with BMO Capital Markets.

Operator: Once again, if you'd like to ask a question, please signal by pressing star one on your telephone keypad. We'll take our next question from Katya Yanczuk with BMO Capital Markets.

Katya Yanczuk: Hi. Thank you for taking my questions. Maybe staying on the contractual and transactional business. Eddie, you just mentioned that the gap, I think currently is, margin gap is between 700 to 800 basis points. How does that compare to typical historical gap?

Katja Jancic: Hi. Thank you for taking my questions. Maybe staying on the contractual and transactional business. Eddie, you just mentioned that the gap, I think currently is, margin gap is between 700 to 800 basis points. How does that compare to typical historical gap?

Speaker #5: Hi. Thank you for taking my questions. Maybe staying on the contraction transactional business. Eddie, you just mentioned that the gap I think currently is margin gap is between 700 to 800 basis points.

Speaker #5: How does that compare to typical historical gap?

Eddie Lehner: Katya, that's a great question. In my time over the last, call it 14 years with Ryerson, I've seen the gap narrow to as low as 250 basis points, and I've seen it as high as 1,200 basis points. Typically, you really dial it into about 600 to 700 basis points difference between that transactional order, that spot bill of material order, and the program order.

Speaker #1: Katya, that's a great question. I mean in my time over the last call it 14 years with Ryerson I've seen the gap narrow to as low as 250 basis points and I've seen it as high as 1200 basis points.

Speaker #1: Typically, you really dial it in to about 600 to 700 basis points difference between that transactional order, that spot bill of material order, and the program order.

Speaker #5: And then, on the program, what are kind of the main factors that are driving the margin to lag so much, and are there steps that are in your control that you can take to maybe reduce that?

Katya Yanczuk: Then on the program, what are kind of the main factors that are driving the margin to lag so much? Are there steps that are in your control that you can take to maybe reduce that?

Katja Jancic: Then on the program, what are kind of the main factors that are driving the margin to lag so much? Are there steps that are in your control that you can take to maybe reduce that?

Speaker #1: Yeah. Absolutely. I'm going to actually ask Rick and Andy to add color to this. I would only say that the answer is yes. I mean there's a unique set of circumstances I think around the program book coming out of Q4 of 25 and into 2026.

Eddie Lehner: Yeah, absolutely. I'm going to actually ask Rick and Andy to add color to this. I would only say that the answer is yes. There's a unique set of circumstances, I think, around the program book coming out of Q4 of 2025 and into 2026. Some of it has to do with some supply-side constraints that I know you're well aware of, around carbon sheet, carbon plate, and tube, for example. Maybe catching a little bit of a downdraft in aluminum and stainless. I'd ask Rick and Andy to append to that.

Speaker #1: Some of it has to do with supply side constraints that I know you're well aware of around carbon sheet, carbon plate, and tube, for example.

Speaker #1: And maybe catching a little bit of a downdraft in aluminum and stainless. But I'd ask Rick and Andy to append to that.

Speaker #2: Yeah. Katya, this is Andrew. What I would tell you is, so many of the contract businesses, especially on the carbon side, are index-based. So as you came out of '25 going into '26, the numbers were relatively fixed, going up or down based on either monthly or quarterly contracts.

Andrew Greiff: Yeah, Katya, this is Andrew. What I would tell you is, so many of the contract businesses, especially on the carbon side, are index-based. As you came out of 2025 going into 2026, the numbers were relatively fixed, going up or down based on either monthly or quarterly contracts. Where we certainly have the opportunities, as both Eddie and Rich have talked about, is the opportunity to get better asset utilization. The more we are running contract business on the Olympic assets and running full shifts and getting into a third full shift, we will see greater opportunities for profitability. I think that will allow, as Eddie talked about on the number of the Ryerson assets, to be able to free up to put more transactional items on the floor, getting up to those A1A items and getting closer to a 95% rate of inventory on the floor.

Speaker #2: Where we certainly have the opportunities as both Eddie and Rick have talked about is the opportunity to get better asset utilization, the more we're running contract business on the Olympic assets and running full shifts and getting into a third full shift we'll see greater opportunities for profitability.

Speaker #2: And I think that will allow, as Eddie talked about, a number of the Ryerson assets to be able to free up to put more transactional items on the floor—getting up to those A1A items and getting closer to a 95% rate of inventory on the floor.

Speaker #1: Yeah. And Katya, I think as you know there's always a normal lag on the contract business as Andrew just described because you're typically the preponderance of those contracts are pricing a quarter in arrears based on the prior quarter's index.

Rich Marabito: Katya, it is Rich. I think, as you know, there is always a normal lag on the contract business, as Andrew just described, because typically, the preponderance of those contracts are pricing a quarter in arrears based on the prior quarter's index. The good news is we continue, especially in carbon, to be in a rising price environment. That lag that we talk about, we have not caught equilibrium yet on the contracts, where as you see pricing starting to level off, those subsequent one or two quarters, you start to really catch up on that lag. It is timing, it is the things Andrew talked about. You know there is long lead times also. That also creates some other dynamics in terms of the lag, in terms of servicing the customers, but having the perfect matching of what you would like with the supply side really being extended.

Rick Marabito: Katya, it is Rich. I think, as you know, there is always a normal lag on the contract business, as Andrew just described, because typically, the preponderance of those contracts are pricing a quarter in arrears based on the prior quarter's index. The good news is we continue, especially in carbon, to be in a rising price environment. That lag that we talk about, we have not caught equilibrium yet on the contracts, where as you see pricing starting to level off, those subsequent one or two quarters, you start to really catch up on that lag. It is timing, it is the things Andrew talked about. You know there is long lead times also. That also creates some other dynamics in terms of the lag, in terms of servicing the customers, but having the perfect matching of what you would like with the supply side really being extended.

Speaker #1: So the good news is we continue, especially in carbon, to be in a rising price environment. So that lag that we talk about, we still haven't—kind of—we haven't caught equilibrium yet on the contracts. Whereas you see pricing starting to level off, in those subsequent one or two quarters, you start to really catch up on that lag.

Speaker #1: So it's timing. It's the things Andrew talked about. And then, you know, there are long lead times also. So that also creates some other dynamics in terms of the lag in servicing the customers, but having the perfect matching of what you'd like with the supply side really being extended.

Speaker #5: Perfect. And if I can just squeeze in one more question: You talked about cost pressures, including freight or transportation costs. I always understood, or thought, that those types of costs are passed through to customers.

Katya Yanczuk: Perfect. If I can just squeeze one more. You talked about cost pressures, including freight or transportation costs. I always understood or thought that those type of costs are passed through to customers. Are you not able to do that now?

Katja Jancic: Perfect. If I can just squeeze one more. You talked about cost pressures, including freight or transportation costs. I always understood or thought that those type of costs are passed through to customers. Are you not able to do that now?

Speaker #5: Are you not able to do that now?

Speaker #1: Yeah. Katya, I'll start and then again I'll ask the team to contribute. I would say this. There's always a lag. I think when you look at the speed and rate at which fuel price increases and flatbed trucking capacity is tightened there's just an adjustment especially on the program side where those contracts have terms in them that tell you pretty much what you can introduce those price increases.

Eddie Lehner: Yeah, Katya, I will start and then, again, I will ask the team to contribute. I would say this, there is always a lag. I think when you look at the speed and rate at which fuel price increases and flatbed trucking capacity is tightened, there is just an adjustment, especially on the program side where those contracts have terms in them that tell you pretty much when you can introduce those price increases. On the spot side of the ledger, on the transactional side, we have a lot more flexibility to price that alongside of competitors that we are bidding against for that next order. Those price pass-throughs are coming. I think that I would take everybody back to the operating leverage that we generated, even though some of those variable cost components are surging higher than maybe the average selling price increase.

Speaker #1: On the spot side of the ledger on the transactional side we have a lot more flexibility to price that alongside of competitors that we're bidding against for that next order.

Speaker #1: So, those price pass-throughs are coming. I think that I would take everybody back to the operating leverage that we generated, even though some of those variable cost components are surging higher than maybe the average selling price increase.

Speaker #1: So the synergy side has been a really good story for us, and we've dealt ourselves some really good cards in this merger. So we've got winning hands to play.

Eddie Lehner: The synergy side has been a really good story for us. We dealt ourselves some really good cards in this merger. We've got winning hands to play. We just need to catch up to that lag. I would ask Jim and Rich to talk a little bit about that.

Speaker #1: We just need to kind of catch up to that lag. But I would ask Jim and Rich to kind of talk a little bit about that.

Speaker #2: Yeah. Thanks, Eddie. Good morning, Katya. I think Eddie really covered it. I mean there's there can be a bit of a lag especially on fuel prices as you have fuel surcharges that may index up over time and things like that.

Rich Marabito: Yeah. Thanks, Eddie. Good morning, Katya. I think Eddie really covered it. There can be a bit of a lag, especially on fuel prices as you have fuel surcharges that may index up over time and things like that. Really, the spot market is also driven by market dynamics with supply and demand. There are pressures on that cost, and we've seen them across both platforms, and continue to work together to try to moderate logistics cost, leverage our synergies, leverage that network to reduce those miles and trips.

Jim Claussen: Yeah. Thanks, Eddie. Good morning, Katya. I think Eddie really covered it. There can be a bit of a lag, especially on fuel prices as you have fuel surcharges that may index up over time and things like that. Really, the spot market is also driven by market dynamics with supply and demand. There are pressures on that cost, and we've seen them across both platforms, and continue to work together to try to moderate logistics cost, leverage our synergies, leverage that network to reduce those miles and trips.

Speaker #2: And really the spot market is also driven by market dynamics with supply and demand. So there are pressures on that cost and we've seen them across both platforms and continue to work together to try to moderate logistics cost, leverage our synergies, leverage that network to reduce those miles and trips.

Speaker #5: Okay. Thank you.

Katya Yanczuk: Okay. Thank you.

Katja Jancic: Okay. Thank you.

Eddie Lehner: I would just Yeah. All right.

Speaker #1: And I would just yeah. All right.

Eddie Lehner: I would just Yeah. All right.

Speaker #5: And we have a question from online. Thanks for sending that in. This one's regarding our FIFO gross margin outlook for the third quarter given the noted price cost dynamics on contracts.

Justine Carlson: We have a question from online. Thanks for sending that in.

Eddie Lehner: Sure.

Justine Carlson: This one's regarding our FIFO gross margin outlook for Q3, given the noted price cost dynamics on contracts, Stainless pricing declines.

Speaker #5: Stainless pricing declines.

Speaker #1: Yeah. I think following up on what we talked about in the script and even so far in the Q&A I would say this. We have a real I think we all agree that the biggest opportunity that we have is within our commercial portfolio to drive margin accretion over time.

Eddie Lehner: Yeah, I think following up on what we talked about in the script, and even so far in the Q&A, I would say this, I think we all agree that the biggest opportunity that we have is within our commercial portfolio to drive margin accretion over time. I think some of the headwinds that have shown themselves in the transition from Q2 to Q3, they're really lags, and they're transitional lags. Whereas aluminum and Stainless on a three-month average both step down between 10% and 15%, you're going to see that wind through Q3, along with some of the supply chain disruptions where you have to cover buy or you have to take on some additional network costs because you want to make sure that you create those great customer experiences.

Speaker #1: I think some of the headwinds that have shown themselves in the transition from Q2 to Q3 they're really lags and they're transitional lags. So whereas aluminum and stainless on a three-month average both stepped down between 10 and 15 percent you're going to see that wind through Q3 along with some of the supply chain disruptions where you have to cover buy or you have to take on some additional network costs because you want to make sure that you create those great customer experiences.

Speaker #1: Those are all transitory costs and I think over time will continue to grow our margin profile and expand margins as we go forward. But it really is something that we just need to cycle through about one inventory turn as we go from Q2 to Q3.

Eddie Lehner: Those are all transitory costs, and I think over time, we'll continue to grow our margin profile and expand margins as we go forward. It really is something that we just need to cycle through about one inventory turn as we go from Q2 to Q3. We've been looking forward to this Q&A for a long time. Come on. Come on, let's bring the questions.

Speaker #1: We've been looking forward to this Q&A for a long time. Come on. Come on. Let's bring the let's bring the questions.

Speaker #5: And as a reminder, if you'd like to ask a question, please signal by pressing star one on your telephone keypad. And it appears there are no further questions in the queue at this time.

Operator 2: As a reminder, if you'd like to ask a question, please signal by pressing star one on your telephone keypad. It appears there are no further questions in the queue at this time. I'll turn it back to the speakers for any closing remarks.

Operator: As a reminder, if you'd like to ask a question, please signal by pressing star one on your telephone keypad. It appears there are no further questions in the queue at this time. I'll turn it back to the speakers for any closing remarks.

Speaker #5: I'll turn it back to the speakers for any closing remarks.

Speaker #2: So we really appreciate your support of.

Eddie Lehner: We really appreciate your support of Ryerson, and we look forward to being with you to discuss Q3 results sometime in early November. Thank you.

Speaker #1: Ryerson and we look forward to being with you to discuss Q3 results. Sometime in early November. Thank you.

Operator 2: Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's call. We thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect, and have a great day.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's call. We thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect, and have a great day.

Q2 2026 Ryerson Holding Corp Earnings Call

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