Q2 2026 Metallus Inc Earnings Call

August 4, 2026

Operator: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us and welcome to the Q2 2026 Metallus Inc. earnings call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. I will now hand the conference over to Jennifer Beeman. Please go ahead.

Operator: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us and welcome to the Q2 2026 Metallus Inc., Earnings Call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. I will now hand the conference over to Jennifer Beeman. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: Hello everyone, thank you for joining us, and welcome to the QQ 2026 Metalus Inc. earnings call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question-and-answer session.

Speaker #1: If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star 1 again. I will now hand the conference over to Jenna Johnson, please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Good morning, and welcome to Metalus's second quarter 2026 conference call. I'm Jenna Johnson, Senior Manager Finance and Investor Relations for Metalus. Joining me today are Mike Williams, Chief Executive Officer; Chris Westbrooks, President and Chief Operating Officer; and John Zaranec, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Jennifer Beeman: Good morning and welcome to Metallus' Q2 2026 conference call. I'm Jennifer Beeman, senior manager, finance and investor relations for Metallus. Joining me today are Mike Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Kris Westbrooks, President and Chief Operating Officer, and John Zaranec, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. You should have received a copy of our press release, which was issued last night. During today's conference call, we may make forward-looking statements as defined by the SEC. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied due to a variety of factors, which we describe in greater detail in yesterday's release. Please refer to our SEC filing, including our most recent Form 10-Q, which will be filed later today, as well as the risk factors included in our earnings release, all of which are available on the Metallus website.

Speaker #2: You should have received a copy of our press release, which was issued last night. During today's conference call, we may make forward-looking statements as defined by the SEC.

Jennifer Beeman: During today's conference call, we may make forward-looking statements as defined by the SEC. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied due to a variety of factors, which we describe in greater detail in yesterday's release. Please refer to our SEC filing, including our most recent Form 10-Q, which will be filed later today, as well as the risk factors included in our earnings release, all of which are available on the Metallus website.

Speaker #2: Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied due to a variety of factors, which we describe in greater detail in yesterday's release.

Speaker #2: Please refer to our SEC filings, including our most recent Form 10-Q, which will be filed later today. As well as the risk factors, including in our earnings release, all of which are available on the Metalus website.

Speaker #2: We are non-gap financial information is referenced. Additional details and reconciliations to its gap equivalent are included in the earnings release, and the earnings presentation available on the investor page at metallus.com.

Jennifer Beeman: Where non-GAAP financial information is referenced, additional details and reconciliations to its GAAP equivalent are included in the earnings release and the earnings presentation available on the investor page at metallus.com. Now, I'll turn the call over to Mike Williams for his remarks.

Speaker #2: Now, I'll turn the call over to Mike Williams for his remarks.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Jenna. And thank you all for joining us today. In the second quarter, we generated adjusted EBITDA of $29 million. Improving profitability, both sequentially and year over year.

Mike Williams: Thank you, Jenna, and thank you all for joining us today. In Q2, we generated adjusted EBITDA of $29 million, improving profitability both sequentially and year-over-year. This is consistent with the expectations we outlined earlier this year. Increased shipments, higher melt utilization, improved pricing and product mix, and solid operating performance drove the improvement. We also continue to benefit from healthy demand across our end markets, with the order book up over 50% year-over-year, providing strong visibility heading into H2 of the year. Our Q2 results reflect the progress we continue to make against our strategic priorities and underscore the strength of our existing and diversifying end markets and customer relationships. As we entered 2026, our focus was simple. Improve profitability versus the prior year through consistent execution, commercial excellence, and operational improvement.

Speaker #3: This is consistent with the expectations we outlined earlier this year. Increased shipments, higher melt utilization, improved pricing and product mix, and solid operating performance drove the improvement.

Speaker #3: We also continue to benefit from healthy demand across our end markets, with the order book up over 50% year over year, providing strong visibility heading into the second half of the year.

Speaker #3: Our second quarter results reflect the progress we continue to make against our strategic priorities and underscore the strength of our existing and diversifying end markets and customer relationships.

Speaker #3: As we enter 2026, our focus was simple: improve profitability versus the prior year, through consistent execution, commercial excellence, and operational improvement. Our first half performance demonstrates the progress we are making toward that objective with safety remaining our top priority at Metalus.

Mike Williams: Our H1 performance demonstrates the progress we are making towards that objective, with safety remaining our top priority at Metallus. We continue to strengthen our safety culture across our facilities through targeted training, enhanced tools, and increased accountability. We also continue to make significant progress with our strategic capital investments, with early indicators suggesting these initiatives are positioned to deliver meaningful commercial and operational benefits over time. The bloom reheat furnace was fully commissioned in early July and is improving process consistency, enhancing downstream product flow, and increasing reliability across the facilities. These improvements are supporting stronger operational execution and positioning us for greater throughput and productivity gains. At the same time, commissioning of the roller furnace remains on track and is progressing as planned.

Speaker #3: We continue to strengthen our safety culture across our facilities through targeted training, enhanced tools, and increased accountability. We also continue to make significant progress with our strategic capital investments.

Speaker #3: With early indicators suggesting these initiatives are positioned to deliver meaningful commercial and operational benefits over time. The bloom reheat furnace was fully commissioned in early July, and is improving process consistency enhancing downstream product flow and increasing reliability across the facilities.

Speaker #3: These improvements are supporting stronger operational execution, and position us for greater throughput and productivity gains. At the same time, commissioning of the roller furnace remains on track and is progressing as planned.

Speaker #3: These investments which were supported in part by U.S. government funding are expected to improve throughput, quality, efficiency, and service levels for our customers once fully operational.

Mike Williams: These investments, which were supported in part by US government funding, are expected to improve throughput, quality, efficiency, and service levels for our customers once fully operational. Together, they represent an important step forward in strengthening Metallus' manufacturing capabilities, enhancing our ability to serve critical aerospace and defense programs, and strengthening our ability to meet increasing customer demand across industrial, automotive, and energy markets. In Q3, we look forward to celebrating these investments at our ribbon-cutting ceremony and hosting representatives from the US government, key defense customers, and industry partners as we mark this important milestone for the company. The event will highlight the successful partnership between Metallus and the US government in supporting the defense industrial base. Strong customer demand and a continued growing backlog provide confidence as we begin the H2 of the year.

Speaker #3: Together, they represent an important step forward in strengthening Metalus's manufacturing capabilities, enhancing our ability to serve critical aerospace and defense programs, and strengthening our ability to meet increasing customer demand across industrial automotive and energy markets.

Speaker #3: In the third quarter, we look forward to celebrating these investments at our ribbon-cutting ceremony and hosting representatives from the U.S. government, key defense customers, and industry partners as we mark this important milestone for the company.

Speaker #3: The event will highlight the successful partnership between Metalus and the U.S. government in supporting the defense industrial base. Strong customer demand and a continued growing backlog provide confidence as we begin the second half of the year.

Mike Williams: Lead times for both our engineered SBQ bar and seamless mechanical tubing products have extended into late Q4 2026, reflecting healthy demand across all markets and ongoing inventory replenishment activity. Turning to the end markets, our diversified end market portfolio continues to provide balance across market cycles while creating opportunities for profitable growth and increasing participation in attractive growing markets. Automotive remains a core market for Metallus and an important contributor to our long-term growth strategy. Auto shipments during Q2 grew 12% sequentially and 8% year over year. Demand across targeted light truck and SUV applications have remained steady, reflecting the value our longstanding customers place on our quality, technical expertise, and reliability. We are also pleased to announce that we secured a new multi-year award for ring gears on a leading automaker's hybrid transmission platform. Production is expected to begin in 2028.

Speaker #3: Lead times for both our engineered SBQ bar and seamless mechanical tubing products have extended into late fourth quarter 2026. Reflecting healthy demand across all markets and ongoing inventory replenishment activity.

Speaker #3: Turning to the end markets, our diversified end market portfolio continues to provide balance across market cycles while creating opportunities for profitable growth and increasing participation in attractive growing markets.

Speaker #3: Automotive remains a core market for Metalus, and an important contributor to our long-term growth strategy. Auto shipments during the second quarter grew 12% sequentially, and 8% year over year.

Speaker #3: Demand across targeted light truck and SUV applications have remained steady, reflecting the value our long-standing customers place on our quality, technical expertise, and reliability.

Speaker #3: We are also pleased to announce that we secured a new multi-year award for ring gears on a leading automaker's hybrid transmission platform. Production is expected to begin in 2028.

Speaker #3: This award further demonstrates our ability to win strategic business on key vehicle platforms while positioning Metalus to benefit from continued hybrid vehicle adoption. While industrial shipments in the quarter were down slightly sequentially, and year over year, due to balancing customer requirements with order and shipment timing.

Mike Williams: This award further demonstrates our ability to win strategic business on key vehicle platforms while positioning Metallus to benefit from continued hybrid vehicle adoption. While industrial shipments in the quarter were down slightly sequentially and year over year due to balancing customer requirements with order and shipment timing, industrial markets remain strong and represent one of the largest portions of our order book growth. Our industrial backlog has nearly doubled compared with the prior year, providing strong visibility into future demand. We look forward to delivering for our customers to meet the growing industrial demand in H2 2026 as we advance our operational improvements and assets throughput initiatives. In energy, demand remains stable despite a cautious capital spending environment. While geopolitical and commodity price uncertainty has moderated activity levels, reduced import competition, and improving domestic production are supporting demand for our seamless tubing products.

Speaker #3: Industrial markets remain strong, and represent one of the largest portions of our order book growth. Our industrial backlog has nearly doubled compared with the prior year, providing strong visibility into future demand.

Speaker #3: We look forward to delivering for our customers to meet the growing industrial demand in the second half of 2026 as we advance our operational improvements and assets throughput initiatives, in energy, demand remains stable despite a cautious capital spending environment.

Speaker #3: While geopolitical and commodity price uncertainty has moderated activity levels, reduced import competition, and improving domestic production are supporting demand for our seamless tubing products.

Speaker #3: These market conditions are helping improve utilization of our seamless tube assets and create additional opportunities moving forward. Aerospace and defense remains one of our most attractive growth opportunities.

Mike Williams: These market conditions are helping improve utilization of our seamless tube assets and create additional opportunities moving forward. Aerospace & Defense remains one of our most attractive growth opportunities, and that momentum was evident in the Q2 when we delivered record shipment tons and sales for these products. Demand continues to be supported by new defense initiatives and existing program replenishment efforts, driving backlog growth. This momentum supports our confidence in achieving our targeted $250 million revenue run rate and highlights the increasingly important role Metallus plays in serving critical defense markets. We were also pleased to achieve AS9100D certification during the quarter, an important and widely recognized quality standard in the Aerospace & Defense industries. This certification gives customers added confidence in our ability to deliver the quality, reliability, and consistency required for mission-critical applications.

Speaker #3: In that momentum was evident in the second quarter. When we delivered record shipment tons and sales for these products. Demand continues to be supported by new defense initiatives and existing program replenishment efforts, driving backlog growth.

Speaker #3: This momentum supports our confidence in achieving our targeted 250 million revenue run rate and highlights the increasingly important role Metalus plays in serving critical defense markets.

Speaker #3: We were also pleased to achieve AS9100D certification during the quarter. An important and widely recognized quality standard in the aerospace and defense industries. This certification gives customers added confidence in our ability to deliver the quality reliability and consistency required for mission-critical applications.

Speaker #3: It also strengthens our competitive position, supporting our VAR growth strategy and expanding opportunities in high-value markets. I'd like to congratulate our team on this achievement.

Mike Williams: It also strengthens our competitive position, supporting our bar growth strategy and expanding opportunities in high-value markets. I'd like to congratulate our team on this achievement. Earning the AS9100D certification was a significant cross-functional effort that required dedication, collaboration, and discipline across the organization. Most importantly, it reflects the culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence that is embedded throughout Metallus. In closing, Metallus is a stronger and more resilient company today than it was just a few years ago. We are continuing to maintain a strong balance sheet, improve our operating performance, invest in key manufacturing capabilities, enhance partnerships with existing customers while broadening our customer portfolio, and sharpen our focus on the most attractive opportunities within the specialty metals market. Our priorities remain clear: operate safely, serve our customers reliably, execute our strategic initiatives, and deliver sustainable value to our shareholders.

Speaker #3: Earning the AS9100D certification was a significant cross-functional effort that required dedication, collaboration, and discipline across the organization. Most importantly, it reflects the culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence that is embedded throughout Metallus.

Speaker #3: In closing, Metalus is a stronger and more resilient company today, than it was just a few years ago. We are continuing to maintain a strong balance sheet, improve our operating performance, invest in key manufacturing capabilities, enhance partnerships with existing customers, while broadening our customer portfolio.

Speaker #3: And sharpen our focus on the most attractive opportunities within the specialty metals market. Our priorities remain clear: operate safely, serve our customers reliably, execute our strategic initiatives, and deliver sustainable value to our shareholders.

Speaker #3: I am proud of what our team accomplished during the second quarter, and I am encouraged by the opportunities ahead. With that, I'll turn the call over to John to review our second quarter financial results in more detail.

Mike Williams: I am proud of what our team accomplished during the Q2, and I am encouraged by the opportunities ahead. With that, I'll turn the call over to John to review our Q2 financial results in more detail.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Mike. Good morning, and thank you for joining our second quarter 2026 earnings call. During the quarter, our team delivered improvements in shipments, net sales, and profitability.

John Zaranec: Thanks, Mike. Good morning, thank you for joining our Q2 2026 earnings call. During the quarter, our team delivered improvements in shipments, net sales, and profitability on both a sequential and year-over-year basis, consistent with our expectations. As Mike noted, we also safely advanced operational and strategic investments to support near and long-term business growth while maintaining a strong balance sheet. From a top-line revenue perspective, Q2 net sales totaled $341 million, a year-over-year increase of $36.4 million or 12%, primarily driven by higher shipments in Aerospace & Defense and automotive. Net income was $8.9 million in the Q2, or $0.21 per diluted share. On an adjusted basis, net income was $11.1 million or $0.26 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA was $29 million in the Q2, a year-over-year increase of $2.5 million or 9%.

Speaker #2: On both a sequential and year-over-year basis. Consistent with our expectations. As Mike noted, we also safely advanced operational and strategic investments to support near and long-term business growth while maintaining a strong balance sheet.

Speaker #2: From a top-line revenue perspective, second quarter net sales totaled $341 million, a year-over-year increase of $36.4 million, or 12%, primarily driven by higher shipments in aerospace and defense and automotive.

Speaker #2: Net income was 8.9 million dollars in the second quarter, or 21 cents per diluted share. On an adjusted basis, net income was 11.1 million dollars or 26 cents per diluted share.

Speaker #2: Adjusted EBITDA was 29 million dollars in the second quarter. A year-over-year increase of 2.5 million dollars or 9%. The increased profitability was primarily driven by improved prices, improved mix, and higher shipments.

John Zaranec: The increased profitability was primarily driven by improved prices, improved mix, and higher shipments, partially offset by manufacturing performance as melt utilization improved but fell short of plan to fully offset the known increases in energy cost and the first full quarter of labor related to the newly ratified union contract. In Q2, operating cash flow totaled $12.8 million, driven by profitability and lower inventory, partially offset by higher accounts receivable at the end of the quarter from increased sales and lower accounts payable due to the timing of raw material purchases. In Q2, capital expenditures totaled $15.2 million, including approximately $9.5 million related to the projects primarily funded by the U.S. government.

Speaker #2: Partially offset by manufacturing performance. As melt utilization improved, but fell short of plan to fully offset the known increases in energy cost and the first full quarter of labor related to the newly ratified union contract.

Speaker #2: In the second quarter, operating cash flow totaled $12.8 million, driven by profitability and lower inventory. This was partially offset by higher accounts receivable at the end of the quarter from increased sales, and lower accounts payable due to the timing of raw material purchases.

Speaker #2: In the second quarter, capital expenditures totaled 15.2 million dollars including approximately 9.5 million dollars related to the project's primarily funded by the US government.

Speaker #2: Consistent with our previous communications, planned capital expenditures for the full year 2026 are expected to be approximately 70 million dollars. Inclusive of approximately 35 million dollars of capital expenditures primarily funded by the US government.

John Zaranec: Consistent with our previous communications, planned capital expenditures for the full year of 2026 are expected to be approximately $70 million, inclusive of approximately $35 million of capital expenditures primarily funded by the U.S. government. At the end of Q2, the company's cash and cash equivalence balance was $108.6 million. As it relates to government funding, during Q2, the company received the final $11.3 million of cash funding from the U.S. Army. As a reminder, these funds are part of the previously announced nearly $100 million funding agreement in support of the U.S. Army's mission of increasing munitions production. This funding substantially paid for both the new bloom reheat furnace at the company's Faircrest facility, as well as the new roller furnace at the Gambrinus facility. Now switching to pensions.

Speaker #2: At the end of the second quarter, the company's cash and cash equivalents balance was $108.6 million. As it relates to government funding, during the second quarter, the company received the final $11.3 million of cash funding from the U.S. Army.

Speaker #2: As a reminder, these funds are part of the previously announced nearly 100 million dollar funding agreement in support of the US Army's mission of increasing munitions production.

Speaker #2: This funding substantially paid for both the new bloom reheat furnace at the company's Faircrest facility, as well as the new roller furnace at the Gambrinus facility.

Speaker #2: Now switching to pensions. In the second quarter, the company made 5.4 million dollars of required pension contributions. Related to the US bargaining plan. Based on our updated actuarial analysis, no additional pension contributions are expected for the remainder of 2026.

John Zaranec: In Q2, the company made $5.4 million of required pension contributions related to the U.S. bargaining plan. Based on our updated actuarial analysis, no additional pension contributions are expected for the remainder of 2026. As a reminder, our 2026 pension contributions represent a reduction of over 60% when compared to 2025. In terms of shareholder return activities, in Q2, the company repurchased approximately 190,000 shares of common stock at a cost of $3.6 million. At the end of June, a balance of $81.8 million remained under our existing share repurchase program. Since the inception of common share repurchases in early 2022, combined with the convertible note repurchase activities, we've reduced diluted shares outstanding by a significant 26%, or 14 million shares. These actions reflect the strength of the company's balance sheet and confidence in through-cycle cash flow generation.

Speaker #2: As a reminder, our 2026 pension contributions represent a reduction of over 60% when compared to 2025. In terms of shareholder return activities, in the second quarter, the company repurchased approximately 190,000 shares of common stock at a cost of 3.6 million dollars.

Speaker #2: At the end of June, a balance of 81.8 million dollars remained under our existing share repurchase program. Since the inception of common share repurchases in early 2022, combined with the convertible note repurchase activities, we've reduced diluted shares outstanding by a significant 26% or 14 million shares.

Speaker #2: These actions reflect the strength of the company's balance sheet and confidence in through-cycle cash flow generation. As it relates to liquidity, on June 30th, 2026, the company refinanced its asset-based revolving credit facility and extended the maturity date to June 2031.

John Zaranec: As it relates to liquidity, on 30 June 2026, the company refinanced its asset-based revolving credit facility and extended the maturity date to June 2031. After the amendment, the credit facility committed capacity is now $300 million. The new agreement includes an increase in the optional credit facility expansion feature to $200 million and also includes a variety of improvements in other financial terms and covenants, including reduced annual fees. The refinance agreement provides us with the flexibility to pursue our strategic initiatives as total liquidity remains strong at $395 million as of 30 June 2026. At the end of Q2, the company had no outstanding borrowings. Turning to the near-term business outlook. Commercially, Q3 shipments are expected to be similar to Q2 based on customer mix and lead time expectations. Lead times for bar and tube products currently extend into late Q4.

Speaker #2: After the amendment, the credit facility committed capacity is now 300 million. The new agreement includes an increase in the optional credit facility expansion feature to 200 million.

Speaker #2: It also includes a variety of improvements in other financial terms and covenants, including reduced annual fees. The refinance agreement provides us with the flexibility to pursue our strategic initiatives, as total liquidity remains strong at $395 million as of June 30, 2026.

Speaker #2: At the end of the second quarter, the company had no outstanding borrowings. Turning to the near-term business outlook, commercially, third quarter shipments are expected to be similar to the second quarter based on customer mix and lead time expectations.

Speaker #2: Lead times for bar and two products currently extend into late fourth quarter. Based on lead times and product mix, third quarter price and mix are expected to be slightly better than in the second quarter.

John Zaranec: Based on lead times and product mix, Q3 price and mix are expected to be slightly better than in Q2. The company recently announced price increases effective early August for customers not covered by annual pricing agreements of $60 per ton on bar

Speaker #2: The company recently announced price increases effective early August for customers not covered by annual pricing agreements of $60 per ton on bar, $100 per ton on carbon seamless mechanical tubing, and $160 per ton on alloy seamless mechanical tubing products.

John Zaranec: $100 per ton on carbon seamless mechanical tubing, and $160 per ton on alloy seamless mechanical tubing products. Based on lead times, the company expects to realize the full run rate benefit of these price increases beginning in 2027. From an operational perspective, the company anticipates a slight sequential increase in its Q3 average melt utilization rate, supported by a strong order book. Manufacturing costs are expected to be relatively flat in Q3 as a result of slightly higher melt utilization, offset by increased planned maintenance outages. Finally, an adjusted effective income tax rate of between 27% and 30% is expected for the full year 2026. Given these elements, the company expects Q3 2026 adjusted EBITDA to be slightly higher sequentially and year-over-year, consistent with our message throughout the year of increased profitability each quarter.

Speaker #2: Based on lead times, the company expects to realize the full run rate benefit of these price increases beginning in 2027. From an operational perspective, the company anticipates a slight sequential increase in its third quarter average melt utilization rate.

Speaker #2: Supported by a strong order book, manufacturing costs are expected to be relatively flat in the third quarter as a result of slightly higher melt utilization, offset by increased planned maintenance outages.

Speaker #2: Finally, an adjusted effective income tax rate of between 27 and 30 percent is expected for the full year 2026. Given these elements, the company expects third quarter 2026 adjusted EBITDA to be slightly higher sequentially and year over year.

Speaker #2: Consistent with our message throughout the year of increased profitability each quarter. To wrap up, thank you to all of our employees, customers, and suppliers for their support.

John Zaranec: To wrap up, thank you to all of our employees, customers, and suppliers for their support. The progress we have made in H1 2026 demonstrates our position as a high-quality, US-based specialty metals producer supporting critical markets. As we continue to move forward in 2026, our focus is on safe execution to meet continued rising customer demand. We remain committed to delivering shareholder value through disciplined capital allocation and sustained profitable growth. As always, thank you for your interest in Metallus. We would now like to open the call for questions.

Speaker #2: The progress we have made in the first half of 2026 demonstrates our position as a high-quality US-based specialty metals producer. Supporting critical markets. As we continue to move forward in 2026, our focus is on safe execution to meet continued rising customer demand.

Speaker #2: We remain committed to delivering shareholder value through disciplined capital allocation and sustained, profitable growth. As always, thank you for your interest in Metallus. We would now like to open the call for questions.

Speaker #1: We will now begin the question and answer session. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand.

Operator: We will now begin the question and answer session. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. If you would like to ask a question, please press *1 to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press *1 again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question to allow for optimum sound quality. If you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from the line of Dave Storms with Stonegate. Your line is now open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: To withdraw your question, press star one again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question to allow for optimum sound quality.

Speaker #1: If you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from the line of Dave Storms with Stonegate.

Speaker #1: Your line is now open. Please go ahead.

Dave Storms: Morning, appreciate you taking my questions.

Speaker #2: Morning and appreciate you taking my questions. Maybe wanted to start with one morning. I wanted to start with a clarification on the pricing increases it sounded like you'll see full run rate in 2027.

John Zaranec: Morning, Dave.

Dave Storms: Morning. I want to start with a clarification on the pricing increases. It sounded like you'll see full run rate in 2027. Just want to confirm, that's on the 30% of your order book that is not contracted, correct? That's the spot price portion of your order book?

Speaker #2: Just want to confirm, that's on the 30% of your order book that is not contracted, correct? That's the spot price portion of your order book?

Speaker #3: Oh, that is correct.

John Zaranec: Oh, that is correct.

Speaker #2: Okay, perfect. So, then we should expect maybe '27, '28, those increases on the contracted portion of your order book, if that sounds fair. And then, I guess maybe just the general question here is: how are those conversations going?

Dave Storms: Okay, perfect. We should expect, maybe 2027, 2028, those increases on the contracted portion of your order book, if that sounds fair. I guess maybe just the general question here is, how are those conversations going? Are customers being pretty receptive and understanding of the economic environment that we're in? Or any nuance there that we should be aware of?

Speaker #2: Are customers being pretty receptive and understanding of the economic environment that we're in or any nuance there that we should be aware of?

Speaker #3: Well, I mean, look, I mean, all the negotiations with our customer are held in high confidence. So we really don't discuss publicly how those are going.

John Zaranec: Well, look, all the negotiations with our customer are held in high confidence, so we really don't discuss publicly how those are going. To be honest with you, they haven't really started yet. There's some preliminary discussions. I also want to qualify something. I'm not sure we could predict what 2028 pricing is going to look like. What I will comment about 2027 is, this has been a year where demand has improved, which naturally drives utilization rates and naturally drives potentially higher pricing acceptance in the market, and that's what we've seen so far this year. It does establish a starting point or a base of price negotiations for 2027, which tends to be positive in that nature.

Speaker #3: To be honest with you, they haven't really started yet. There's been some preliminary discussions, but I also want to qualify something. I'm not sure we could predict what 2028 pricing is going to look like, but I will comment about 2027. This has been a year where demand has improved.

Speaker #3: Which naturally drives utilization rates and, in turn, potentially higher pricing and acceptance in the market. That's what we've seen so far this year. It also establishes a starting point, or a base, for price negotiations for 2027, which tends to be positive in nature.

Speaker #3: So 2027 is far from yet to be determined but as that gets more clarified we probably can talk a little bit more about that.

John Zaranec: 2027 is far from yet to be determined, but as that gets more clarified, we probably can talk a little bit more about that around the early Q1 when we review the Q4 results.

Speaker #3: Around the early first quarter when we review the fourth quarter results.

Speaker #2: Understood. Perfectly fair. I think that's my too. I'll get back in queue. Thank you.

Dave Storms: Understood. Perfectly fair. I think that's my cue. I'll get back in queue. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Dave.

John Zaranec: Thanks, Dave.

Speaker #1: Your next question from the line of Samuel McKinney with Key Bank Capital Markets. Samuel, your line is now open. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question from the line of Samuel McKinney with KeyBanc Capital Markets. Samuel, your line is now open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Hey, good morning, guys.

Samuel McKinney: Hey, good morning, guys.

Speaker #3: Morning, Sam.

John Zaranec: Morning, Sam.

Speaker #4: Hey, you had a nice step up in A&D sales, in the second quarter, and it represents an annualized revenue around $240 million, pretty close to the previously communicated target so a two-part question.

Samuel McKinney: You had a nice step-up in A&D sales in Q2, and it represents an annualized revenue around $240 million, pretty close to the previously communicated target. A two-part question: Can you provide some more details around the biggest drivers behind the sequential revenue increase? Second, should we expect you to hit that $250 million annualized run rate in Q3?

Speaker #4: Can you provide some more details around the biggest drivers behind the sequential revenue increase? And second, should we expect you to hit that $250 million annualized run rate in the third quarter?

Speaker #3: Yeah, I mean, I would say that it's a combination of the step-up in sales and the continued increase in demand on the 155-millimeter munitions.

John Zaranec: Yeah. I would say that it's a combination of the step-up in sales. It's continued increase in demand on the 155-millimeter munitions and also other munitions. You combine that with the new programs that we've been awarded and are starting to see that demand materialize. That's what really drove the step-up in Q2. We do expect that to continue to improve over the next year as more and more of these new programs ramp up their manufacturing capacity

Speaker #3: And also other munitions and then you combine that with the new programs that we've been awarded and are starting to see that demand materialize that's what really drove the step-up in Q2.

Speaker #3: We do expect that to continue to improve over the next year, as more and more of these new programs ramp up their manufacturing capacity and we're there to supply them.

Mike Williams: We're there to supply them. We're pretty excited about that. We continue to work on new programs that will potentially have opportunities to ramp up in 2027 and 2028.

Speaker #3: So we're pretty excited about that and we continue to work on new programs that will potentially have opportunities to ramp up in 2027 and 2028.

Speaker #4: Okay. And then the second quarter met utilization.

Samuel McKinney: Okay. The Q2 melt utilization, 74%.

Speaker #3: I just want to say one thing.

Mike Williams: I just want to say one. Before.

Speaker #4: 74%. Oh, yeah.

Speaker #3: Yes. Before you ask that question, I just wanted to confirm the last part of your question. Yes, our expectation is that we'll achieve at least that 250 run rate by the end of this year.

Samuel McKinney: Oh, yeah. Go ahead.

Mike Williams: Before you ask that question, I just wanted to confirm your last part of your question. Yes. Our expectation is that we'll achieve that 250, at least that 250 run rate, by the end of this year.

Speaker #4: Okay. So, by the end of the year.

Samuel McKinney: Okay. By the end of the year?

Speaker #3: Yeah.

Mike Williams: Yeah.

Speaker #4: Okay. And then second quarter met utilization 74%, up a little bit versus the first quarter. But it seems like you guys were looking to do a little bit better than 74%.

Samuel McKinney: Okay. Q2 melt utilization, 74%. Up a little bit versus the Q1, it seems like you guys were looking to do a little bit better than 74%. If you could just provide us all with a little more detail on why melt utilization improved less than you expected during the quarter.

Speaker #4: So if you could just provide us all with a little more detail on why met utilization improved less than you expected during the quarter.

Speaker #3: Yeah. Some of it's tied to power interruptions on our interrupted supply agreement. But more so is it really comes down to our shop floor execution and our maintenance reliability.

Mike Williams: Yeah. Some of it's tied to power interruptions on our interruptible supply agreement. More so is, it really comes down to our shop floor execution and our maintenance reliability. We had expected better progress in that area in Q2. We did see positive progress, but not as much as we were planning for. That's kind of how we guided what we felt the manufacturing costs were going to be. That's probably the biggest single opportunity we have, to drive further cost improvement. These new strategic investments in these assets are going to help us do that as well. I think we're on the right path. We're on the right trend. I think we guided too, that we do expect utilization to improve in Q3. Just to qualify the fact that Q4 is when we have our very large maintenance outage.

Speaker #3: We had expected better progress in that area in Q2. We did see positive progress, but not as much as we were planning for. And that's kind of how we guided what we felt the manufacturing costs were going to be.

Speaker #3: That's probably the biggest single opportunity we have to drive further cost improvement. And these new strategic investments in these assets are going to help us do that as well.

Speaker #3: So I think we're on the right path. We're on the right trend. I think we guided to that we do expect utilization to improve in Q3.

Speaker #3: And then it's just to qualify the fact that Q4 is when we have our very large maintenance outage. So everything that we do that we're focused on on the shop floor execution are strategic and our tactical investments are centered around reliability.

Mike Williams: Everything that we do that we're focused on the shop floor execution are strategic, and our tactical investments are centered around reliability and improving our execution on the shop floor.

Speaker #3: And improving our execution on the shop floor.

Speaker #4: All right. Understood. Thanks, Mike.

Samuel McKinney: All right. Understood. Thanks, Mike.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Sam.

Mike Williams: Thanks, Sam.

Speaker #1: If you would like to ask additional questions, or rejoin the queue, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again.

Operator: If you would like to ask additional questions or rejoin the queue, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. Our next question comes from the line of Aaron Reed with Northcoast Research. Aaron, your line is now open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: Our next question comes from the line of Aaron Reed with North Coast Research. Aaron, your line is now open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Great, thank you. Yeah, I just want to briefly touch on the backlog in the industrial doubling. Can you provide any more insights into maybe what subcategories or what industries are really driving that demand right now?

Aaron Reed: Great. Thank you. Yeah, I just want to briefly touch on the backlog and the industrial doubling. Can you provide any more insights into maybe what subcategories or what industries are really driving that demand right now?

Speaker #3: Well, the number one is really the industrial base that serves the yellow goods market, so it's really being driven by construction and mining equipment.

Mike Williams: Well, the number one is really the industrial base that serves the yellow goods market. It's really being driven by construction and mining equipment. Then you combine that with some other areas of improvement, a little bit of ag, a little bit of rail. That's predominantly it. Really the majority of it's coming from the yellow goods sector.

Speaker #3: And then you combine that with some other areas of improvement, a little bit of ag, a little bit of rail that's predominantly it. But really the majority of it's coming from the yellow goods sector.

Speaker #2: Okay. That makes sense. That's helpful. And then the follow-up question is I was wondering if you had any more insights as we get closer to '27 in terms of the cadence for revenue generation from the A&D sector.

Aaron Reed: The follow-up question is, I was wondering if you had any more insights as we get closer to 2027 in terms of the cadence for revenue generation from the A&D sector. I know that can kind of be a little bit choppy. I wasn't sure if that became a little less opaque as we get further along in the year.

Speaker #2: I know that can kind of be a little bit choppy. I wasn't sure if that became a little less opaque as we get further along in the year.

Speaker #3: Well, there's a lot of things downstream from us being a primary materials supplier to those specialty metal applications. That we don't have control of.

Mike Williams: Well, there's a lot of things downstream from us being a primary material supplier to those specialty metal applications that we don't have control of. What we are seeing is higher utilization in the munitions sector of ramping up existing capacity, and we see new entrants coming in to those sector as well, and that's where we're seeing increased demand. We're going to have a much better picture of it probably early next year as we go through our annual contract discussions. Very few of these people are on spot arrangements. It's also going to be enhanced by a number of program awards that we're working on right now to secure for 2027 and beyond. It's a little gray right now, but we do expect munitions to continue to increase in demand through next year because that's what they're forecasting.

Speaker #3: So what we are seeing is higher utilization in the munitions sector ramping up existing capacity. And we see new entrants coming in to those sector as well.

Speaker #3: And that's where we're seeing increased demand. We're going to have a much better picture of it, probably early next year. As we go through our annual contract discussions, very few of these people are on spot arrangements.

Speaker #3: And it's also going to be enhanced by a number of program awards that we're working on right now to secure for 2027 and beyond.

Speaker #3: So it's a little gray right now. But we do expect munitions to continue to increase in demand. Through next year because that's what they're forecasting.

Speaker #3: And then really it comes down to all these new award programs that we're trying that when awards of for 2027.

Mike Williams: Really it comes down to all these new programs that we're trying to win awards of for 2027.

Speaker #2: That's helpful. Thank you much.

Aaron Reed: That's helpful. Thank you much.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Aaron.

Mike Williams: Thanks, Aaron.

Speaker #1: Your next question from the line of John Franzrepp with Sadadi and Company. John, your line is now open.

Operator: Your next question from the line of John Franzreb with Sidoti & Company. John, your line is now open.

Speaker #5: Good morning, everyone. Thanks for taking the questions. I'd just like to revisit the maintenance downtime that you expect in the third quarter. Can you talk to us a little bit about what you're doing and the potential impact on results in Q3?

John Franzreb: Good morning, everyone. Thanks for taking the questions.

Mike Williams: Morning, John.

John Franzreb: I'd just like to revisit the maintenance downtime that you expect in Q3. Can you talk to us a little bit about what you're doing and the potential impact on results in Q3?

Speaker #3: Yeah. So typically we tend to do our non-bottlenecked downstream asset maintenance. Tends to be a couple million bucks in the quarter. It's all planned maintenance.

Mike Williams: Yeah. Typically, we tend to do our non-bottlenecked downstream asset maintenance. Tends to be a couple million USD in the quarter. It's all planned maintenance. It's not unplanned maintenance. We're very aware of what those planned costs are going to be, and that's why we guided to that effect in Q3.

Speaker #3: It's not unplanned maintenance. So we're very aware of what those planned costs are going to be. And that's why we guided to that effect in Q3.

Speaker #6: Yeah. John, we're doing that every quarter. It's just there's a little bit more in Q3 than Q2.

Kris Westbrooks: Yeah, John, we're doing that every quarter. It's just there's a little bit more in Q3 than Q2.

Speaker #5: Got it. Was that the result of—it sounds like you maybe didn't hit your maintenance targets in Q2, and you're planning that out in Q3?

John Franzreb: Got it. Was that the result of, it sounded like you maybe didn't hit your maintenance targets in Q2, and you're planning that out in Q3. Am I reading that properly or no?

Speaker #5: Am I reading that properly, or no?

Speaker #3: No, I mean, we did have some—we did have some of our—we had our normal maintenance spend in Q2. However, it wasn't our normal planned spend.

Mike Williams: No. We had our normal maintenance spend in Q2. It wasn't our normal planned spend, we expected a higher mill utilization to offset that didn't totally occur.

Speaker #3: But we expected a higher amount utilization to offset that. And that didn't totally occur.

Speaker #6: John, this is Chris that we're doing in Q3. It's the work in Q3 is well planned a year ago. We've been working on these plans for the tube mills and thermal treat assets.

Kris Westbrooks: John, this is Chris.

John Franzreb: Got it.

Kris Westbrooks: The work that we're doing in Q3, the work in Q3 is well-planned a year ago. We've been working on these plans for the tube mills and thermal treat assets, that will be our focus in Q3, to complete that over a week and get it back and running.

Speaker #6: And that's going to be our focus in Q3 to complete that over a week and get it back in running.

Speaker #5: Got it. And then just on two of the end markets, are there any changes in your thoughts about what's in the second half versus the first half in the automotive business?

John Franzreb: Got it. Just on two of the end markets, are there any changes in your thoughts about what's in H2 versus H1 in the automotive business? Similarly, I'm curious what your thoughts are on the energy side. I guess with all the pricing and opportunity out there, I would just think that might be a little bit stronger. That doesn't seem to be the case for you.

Speaker #5: And similarly, I'm curious what your thoughts are on the engineered energy side. I guess with all the pricing and opportunity out there, I would just think that might be a little bit stronger than it seems to be the case for you.

Speaker #3: Yeah. In regards to automotive, you have to look at the platforms that we're on. So we're on the SUVs and the trucks. So we expect that to it's been healthy for the overall increase in shipments in Q2 versus Q1 was really timing.

Mike Williams: Yeah. In regards to automotive, you have to look at the platforms that we're on. We're on the SUVs and the trucks.

John Franzreb: Right.

Mike Williams: It's been healthy for us. I think the overall increase in shipments in Q2 versus Q1 was really timing. We expect basically flat demand for those platforms that we're on. That's what's being forecasted, and that's what we have built in.

Speaker #3: And then we expect basically flat demand for those platforms that we're on. That's what's being forecasted. And that's what we have built in. So those platforms have been healthy.

Mike Williams: Those platforms have been healthy compared to the passenger car platforms. That's what we expect. If you look at the build rates that they're forecasting for the year, they're up slightly year-over-year, but pretty much in line with what they were forecasting for this year. We don't really see any significant increase, but we'll see as we go. If they demand it, we'll figure out how to supply it. What was the second part of your question, John? Energy. Oh.

Speaker #3: Compared to the passenger car platforms, and so that's what we expect. If you look at the build rates that they're forecasting for the year, they're up slightly year over year.

Speaker #3: But pretty much in line with what they were forecasting for this year. So we don't really see any significant increase, but we'll see as we go.

Speaker #3: If they demand it, we'll figure out how to supply it. What was the second part of your question, John? Energy.

Speaker #5: Oh, similar thoughts on energy.

John Franzreb: Similar thoughts on energy.

Mike Williams: Yeah. Energy's kind of, it's fairly volatile, but I would say that, yes, we are seeing improvement in demand and opportunities in energy. That's heavily being influenced by a slight increase in the number of drilling activity in the United States, and also the trade tariff environment helps us in that regard. We see these domestic global energy companies trying to secure more domestic supply than relying on a global supply chain for their needs. That's what we're seeing.

Speaker #3: Yeah. Energy is kind of—it's fairly volatile. But I would say that, yes, we are seeing improvement in demand and opportunities in energy.

Speaker #3: That's heavily being influenced by slightly increased in the number of drilling activity in the United States. And also the trade tariff environment helps us in that regard.

Speaker #3: And we see these domestic global energy companies trying to secure more domestic supply than relying on a global supply chain. For their needs. So that's what we're seeing.

Speaker #5: Okay. Thank you, guys. I'll get back into Q.

John Franzreb: Okay. Thank you, guys. We'll get back into queue.

Speaker #3: Thanks, John.

Mike Williams: Thanks, John.

Speaker #1: If you would like to ask additional questions or rejoin the Q, please press star one to raise your hand to withdraw your question press star one again.

Operator: If you would like to ask additional questions or rejoin the queue, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. Our next question from the line of Dave Storms with Stonegate. Dave, your line is now open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: Our next question from the line of Dave Storms with Stonegate. Dave, your line is now open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Thanks again. I just wanted to ask a quick follow-up on aerospace and defense. You mentioned a couple of times that you've had some new program awards there.

Dave Storms: Thanks again. Just wanted to ask a quick follow-up on aerospace and defense. You mentioned a couple of times that you've had some new program awards there. Just curious, with this new AS9100D certification, is that going to or already driving new awards? Is that more just table stakes? Maybe any more color there would be helpful.

Speaker #6: Just curious, with this new AS9100D certification, is that going to or already drive a new awards? Is that more just table stakes? Maybe any more color there would be helpful.

Speaker #3: Well, what the certification does is it verifies and validates the discipline of our quality management system and our execution on the shop floor to comply with those very high restrictive quality requirements.

Mike Williams: Well, what the certification does is it verifies and validates the discipline of our quality management system and our execution on the shop floor to comply with those very high restrictive quality requirements. What it does for us from a customer standpoint, we just were recently awarded that and recently announced that. It's a marketable capability for us, and it broadens the number of customers and applications that we can serve. We do expect that that will broaden our opportunities in the A&D space to get more business and continue to grow that very attractive end market for us.

Speaker #3: What it does for us from a customer standpoint, we just were recently awarded that. And recently announced that. So that's it's a marketable capability for us.

Speaker #3: And it broadens the number of customers and applications that we can serve. So we expect do expect that that will broaden our opportunities in the A&D space to get more business and continue to grow that very attractive end market for us.

Speaker #6: Understood. Thank you for taking the follow-up.

Dave Storms: Understood. Thank you for taking the follow-up.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Dave.

Mike Williams: Thanks, Dave.

Speaker #1: There are no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call back to Jenna for closing remarks.

Operator: There are no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call back to Jenna for closing remarks.

Speaker #2: Thank you for joining us today, and that concludes our call.

Jennifer Beeman: Thank you for joining us today, and that concludes our call.

Operator: This concludes today's call. Thank you for attending. You may now disconnect.

Q2 2026 Metallus Inc Earnings Call

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