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Gerdau Ameristeel Announces 2008 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results
Thursday, February 19, 2009 9:17 AM


TAMPA, FL, Feb. 19 /CNW/ - Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation (NYSE: GNA; TSX: GNA) today reported a net loss of $1.3 billion ($2.97 per share fully diluted) for the three months ended December 31, 2008, in comparison to net income of $141.4 million ($0.37 per share fully diluted) for the three months ended December 31, 2007. The net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2008 includes a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $1.2 billion.

Excluding the goodwill impairment charge and the charge to write down the carrying value of investments as described below, the Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Loss was $70.8 million ($0.16 per share fully diluted) and the Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income was $718.0 million ($1.67 per share fully diluted) for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008, respectively. This compares to Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income of $150.3 million ($0.39 per share fully diluted) and $546.7 million ($1.68 per share fully diluted) for the three months and year ended December 31, 2007, respectively.

Based on a combination of factors, including the current economic environment and a decline in the Company's market capitalization, there were sufficient indicators to require the Company to perform a goodwill impairment analysis as required under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. As of the date of this filing the Company has not completed this analysis due to the complexities involved in determining the implied fair value of the goodwill in each reporting unit. However, based on the work performed to date, the Company has concluded that an impairment charge is probable and can be reasonably estimated to be between $800 million and $1.6 billion. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $1.2 billion representing its best estimate of the impairment charge. The impact to earnings per share of the impairment charge for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008 was $2.78 per share. The final amount of the charge may be adjusted once the analysis has been completed. No associated tax benefit was recorded for the impairment charge. The Company's availability under its senior secured credit facilities is not affected by the non-cash goodwill impairment charge.

Also included in the results for the three months ended December 31, 2008 is a pre-tax charge of $38.7 million to write-down the value of certain of the Company's inventory to its current market value. In addition, the Company's joint venture Gallatin Steel recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately $50 million to write its inventory down to market value. The results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008 include the Company's 50% portion of the writedown.

As a result of the global liquidity crisis which resulted in the rapid weakening of global economic stability, demand for our products decreased significantly in the three months ended December 31, 2008. In response, the Company reduced production to meet lower demand. Operating rates in the fourth quarter were approximately 40% of the operating rates experienced in the first nine months of the year.

In prior years, the Company purchased investments that are comprised of variable rate debt obligations, known as auction rate securities. During the three months and year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded a $13.3 million and $60.0 million charge, respectively, to write down the carrying value of these investments to their fair market value of $33.2 million. The original investment in these securities was $104.2 million. The impact to earnings per share of this writedown for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008 was $0.03 and $0.14 per share, respectively. No associated tax benefit was recorded for the writedown.

Including the charges described above, for the year ended December 31, 2008, the net loss was $542.0 million ($1.25 per share fully diluted) compared to net income of $537.9 million ($1.65 per share fully diluted) for the year ended December 31, 2007.

EBITDA was $19.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and $1.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to EBITDA of $313.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and $1.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2007. The $1.5 billion of EBITDA generated in 2008 represents a 50.0% increase over 2007 results and a record amount for the Company.

Net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2008 decreased 17.6% to $1.4 billion from $1.7 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2007. For the three months ended December 31, 2008, finished steel shipments decreased to 1.3 million tons, a decrease of 829 thousand tons from the three months ended December 31, 2007, primarily as a result of the current global economic conditions. Average mill finished steel selling prices for the three months ended December 31, 2008 increased 31.1% over the level in this same period in 2007.

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased 46.6% to $8.5 billion from $5.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2008, finished steel shipments increased to 8.3 million tons, an increase of 769 thousand tons from the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily as a result of the full year inclusion of the Chaparral Steel operations which were acquired in September 2007. Additionally, average mill finished steel selling prices for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased 36.4% over those in 2007.

For the three months ended December 31, 2008, metal spread, the difference between mill selling prices and scrap raw material costs, was $636 per ton, an increase of $180 per ton from the same period in 2007. Metal spreads increased significantly during the first nine months of 2008 in response to significant raw material price inflation and to strong global demand for long steel products, before retracting slightly in the fourth quarter of 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2008, metal spread was $544 per ton, an increase of $123 per ton from 2007.

At December 31, 2008, the Company had $688.4 million of cash and short-term investments. In addition, the Company had approximately $759.6 million available under secured credit facilities which resulted in a total liquidity position of approximately $1.4 billion at December 31, 2008.

During the three months ended December 31, 2008, the Company completed the acquisitions of two scrap processors - Metro Recycling in Ontario, Canada and Sand Springs Metal Processors in Oklahoma.

On February 18, 2009, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per common share, payable March 20, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 5, 2009.

CEO Comments

Mario Longhi, President and CEO of Gerdau Ameristeel, commented:

"We faced two very different periods during 2008. During the first nine months of the year we delivered EBITDA of $1.5 billion, while in the challenging slowdown of the world economy during the last quarter of the year, EBITDA decreased to $19.4 million. During this difficult time, we took decisive action to position ourselves for the current environment which included aggressive cost reductions. During the fourth quarter, our shipment rates exceeded our production rates which resulted in us reducing our investment in working capital and in the generation of $345 million of cash during this period, to end the year with good liquidity and a strong balance sheet.

The outlook for 2009 still remains very uncertain, however we remain focused on our core businesses, servicing our customers, enhancing our productivity and adjusting our cost basis as we strive to deliver returns to our shareholders during these difficult times."

Forward Looking Statements

In this press release, "Gerdau Ameristeel" and "Company" refer to Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation and its subsidiaries and 50%-owned joint ventures. Certain statements in this press release, including, without limitation, the section entitled "CEO Comments" constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements describe the Company's assumptions, beliefs and expectations with respect to its operations, future financial results, business strategies and growth and expansion plans can often be identified by the words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," and other words and terms of similar meaning. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently projected by the Company. In addition to those noted in the statements themselves, any number of factors could affect actual results, including, without limitation:

Excess global steel industry capacity and the availability of competitive substitute materials; the cyclical nature of the steel industry and the industries served by the Company and economic conditions in North America and worldwide; increases in the cost of steel scrap, energy and other raw materials; steel imports and trade regulations; a change in China's steelmaking capacity or slowdown in China's steel consumption; the Company's participation in the consolidation of the steel industry; the substantial capital investment and similar expenditures required in the Company's business; unexpected equipment failures and plant interruptions or outages; the Company's level of indebtedness; the cost of compliance with environmental and occupational health and safety laws; the enactment of laws intended to reduce greenhouse gases and other air emissions; the Company's ability to fund its pension plans; the ability to renegotiate collective bargaining agreements and avoid labor disruptions; currency exchange rate fluctuations; actions or potential actions taken by the Company's principal stockholder, Gerdau S.A., the liquidity of the Company's long-term investments, including investments in auction rate securities, and the Company's reliance on its 50%-owned joint ventures that it does not control.

Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current information as of the date of this press release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future developments or events, except as required by law.

Notice of Conference Call

Gerdau Ameristeel invites you to listen to a live broadcast of its fourth quarter conference call on Thursday, February 19, 2009, at 2:30 pm EST. The call will be hosted by Mario Longhi, President and CEO, and Barbara Smith, VP and CFO, and can be accessed via our Web site at www.gerdauameristeel.com. Web cast attendees are welcome to listen to the conference in real-time or on-demand at your convenience.

About Gerdau Ameristeel

Gerdau Ameristeel is the second largest mini-mill steel producer in North America with annual manufacturing capacity of approximately 12 million tons of mill finished steel products. Through its vertically integrated network of 19 mini-mills (including one 50% owned joint venture mini-mill), 23 scrap recycling facilities and 60 downstream operations, Gerdau Ameristeel serves customers throughout the United States and Canada. The Company's products are generally sold to steel service centers, steel producers, or directly to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") for use in a variety of industries, including non-residential, infrastructure, commercial, industrial and residential construction, metal building, manufacturing, automotive, mining, cellular and electrical transmission and equipment manufacturing. Gerdau Ameristeel's majority shareholder is the Gerdau Group, a 100+ year old steel company, the largest producer of long steel products in the Americas and the world leader in specialty long steel for the automotive industry. Gerdau Ameristeel's common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GNA.

GERDAU AMERISTEEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(US$ in thousands, except earnings per share data)
(Unaudited)
                         Three Months Ended           Year Ended
                      December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
                          2008         2007         2008         2007
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET SALES             $ 1,436,596  $ 1,734,603  $ 8,528,480  $ 5,806,593
OPERATING EXPENSES
  Cost of sales
   (exclusive of
   depreciation and
   amortization)        1,340,029    1,375,393    6,799,427    4,623,380
  Selling and
   administrative          65,840       53,554      253,222      198,032
  Depreciation             60,090       51,331      219,667      143,284
  Amortization of
   intangibles             26,283       22,326      102,959       26,151
  Impairment of
   goodwill             1,200,000            -    1,200,000            -
  Other operating
   expense (income),
   net                     11,347        1,897        8,293       (1,587)
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
                        2,703,589    1,504,501    8,583,568    4,989,260
(LOSS) INCOME FROM
 OPERATIONS            (1,266,993)     230,102      (55,088)     817,333
(LOSS) INCOME FROM
 50% OWNED JOINT
 VENTURES                 (39,162)      11,862       45,005       54,079
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE
 OTHER EXPENSES
 AND INCOME TAXES      (1,306,155)     241,964      (10,083)     871,412
OTHER EXPENSES
  Interest expense         40,180       63,985      165,607      107,738
  Interest income          (2,764)      (6,462)     (14,921)     (17,977)
  Foreign exchange
   (gain) loss, net       (13,226)     (25,467)     (21,682)     (33,321)
  Amortization of
   deferred financing
   costs                    2,790        6,106       10,951        9,282
  Writedown of
   investments             13,276        8,879       59,977        8,879
  Minority interest         2,329        8,246       11,952       23,080
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
                           42,585       55,287      211,884       97,681
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE
 INCOME TAXES          (1,348,740)     186,677     (221,967)     773,731
INCOME TAX (BENEFIT)
 EXPENSE                  (64,700)      45,285      320,060      235,862
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET (LOSS) INCOME     $(1,284,040) $   141,392  $  (542,027) $   537,869
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER
 COMMON SHARE -
 BASIC                $     (2.97) $      0.37  $     (1.25) $      1.66
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER
 COMMON SHARE -
 DILUTED              $     (2.97) $      0.37  $     (1.25) $      1.65

GERDAU AMERISTEEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(US$ in thousands, except earnings per share data)
                                                December 31, December 31,
                                                       2008         2007
                                                ------------ ------------
ASSETS
Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                     $   482,535  $   547,362
  Short-term investments                            205,817       94,591
  Accounts receivable, net                          677,569      705,929
  Inventories                                     1,267,768    1,203,107
  Deferred tax assets                                31,414       21,779
  Costs and estimated earnings in excess of
   billings on uncompleted contracts                 14,771        3,844
  Income taxes receivable                            28,455       23,986
  Other current assets                               22,936       25,880
                                                ------------ ------------
    Total Current Assets                          2,731,265    2,626,478
Investments in 50% Owned Joint Ventures             161,901      161,168
Long-Term Investments                                33,189            -
Property, Plant and Equipment, net                1,808,478    1,908,617
Goodwill                                          2,030,011    3,050,906
Intangibles                                         515,736      598,528
Deferred Financing Costs                             35,170       44,544
Deferred Tax Assets                                       -       12,433
Other Assets                                         32,305       25,846
                                                ------------ ------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                    $ 7,348,055  $ 8,428,520
                                                ------------ ------------
                                                ------------ ------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities      $   182,697  $   376,634
  Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits     148,244      169,658
  Accrued interest                                   54,480       40,631
  Income taxes payable                                2,983       28,143
  Accrued sales, use and property taxes              13,902       11,970
  Current portion of long-term environmental
   reserve                                            7,599        3,704
   Billings in excess of costs and estimated
    earnings on uncompleted contracts                45,687       17,448
  Other current liabilities                          20,932       25,901
  Current portion of long-term borrowings             1,893       15,589
                                                ------------ ------------
    Total Current Liabilities                       478,417      689,678
Long-term Borrowings, Less Current Portion        3,067,994    3,055,431
Accrued Benefit Obligations                         339,055      252,422
Long-term Environmental Reserve, Less Current
 Portion                                             11,151       11,830
Other Liabilities                                   116,092       78,401
Deferred Tax Liabilities                            356,474      433,822
Minority Interest                                    36,618       42,321
                                                ------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES                                 4,405,801    4,563,905
                                                ------------ ------------
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees
Shareholders' Equity
  Capital stock                                   2,552,323    2,547,123
  Retained earnings                                 568,567    1,253,196
  Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income    (178,636)      64,296
                                                ------------ ------------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                        2,942,254    3,864,615
                                                ------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY      $ 7,348,055  $ 8,428,520
                                                ------------ ------------
                                                ------------ ------------

GERDAU AMERISTEEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(US$ in thousands, except earnings per share data)
(Unaudited)
                          Three Months Ended           Year Ended
                      December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
                          2008         2007         2008         2007
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income     $(1,284,040) $   141,392  $  (542,027) $   537,869
Adjustment to reconcile
 net (loss) income to
 net cash provided
 by operating
 activities:
  Minority interest         2,329        8,246       11,952       23,080
  Depreciation             60,090       51,331      219,667      143,284
  Impairment of
   goodwill             1,200,000            -    1,200,000            -
  Amortization of
   intangibles             26,283       22,326      102,959       26,151
  Amortization of
   deferred financing
   costs                    2,790        6,106       10,951        9,282
  Deferred income taxes    16,134       21,979       (2,939)      20,988
  Loss on disposition
   of property, plant
   and equipment            3,284          388        3,322        3,295
  (Loss) income from
   50% owned joint
   ventures                39,162      (11,862)     (45,005)     (54,079)
  Distributions from
   50% owned joint
   ventures                     -       10,000       41,829       62,078
  Compensation cost
   from share-based
   awards                  (3,513)       6,663        2,464       21,522
  Excess tax benefits
   from share-based
   payment arrangements       (29)         (35)      (1,200)      (1,159)
  Writedown of
   investments             13,276        8,879       59,977        8,879
  Facilities closure
   expenses                 6,702        3,178        7,807        3,178
  Writedown of inventory   38,734            -       48,116            -
Changes in operating
 assets and liabilities,
 net of acquisitions:
  Accounts receivable     421,239      119,210      101,941      (30,037)
  Inventories             382,558       13,544     (147,544)      (9,710)
  Other assets             13,708      (19,541)      11,020      (26,937)
  Liabilities            (441,659)    (133,553)    (315,298)     (82,387)
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES     497,048      248,251      767,992      655,297
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Purchases of property,
   plant and equipment    (55,068)     (40,136)    (168,117)    (173,786)
  Proceeds from
   disposition of
   property, plant and
   equipment                1,381           84        3,261        1,371
  Acquisitions            (69,903)       8,115     (287,560)  (4,245,647)
  Opening cash from
   acquisitions             2,249          157        2,249      528,980
  Change in restricted
   cash                         -            -            -          498
  Purchases of
   investments           (207,516)           -     (207,516)    (592,239)
  Proceeds from sales
   of investments             725          749        1,425      612,199
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET CASH USED IN
 INVESTING ACTIVITIES    (328,132)     (31,031)    (656,258)  (3,868,624)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from
   issuance of debt           577       16,689        1,076    4,087,410
  Payments on term
   borrowings                (106)  (1,300,038)      (4,394)  (1,450,264)
  Payments of deferred
   financing costs             51       (1,399)      (1,635)     (40,725)
  Retirement of bonds           -         (115)           -     (341,759)
  Cash dividends           (8,646)      (8,640)    (142,602)    (109,366)
  Distributions to
   subsidiary's minority
   shareholder                  -         (783)      (3,065)      (8,340)
  Proceeds from exercise
   of employee stock
   options                     51           42        1,195        1,258
  Proceeds from issuance
   of common stock, net         -    1,526,785            -    1,526,785
  Excess tax benefits
   from share-based
   payment arrangements        29           35        1,200        1,159
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET CASH (USED IN)
 PROVIDED BY FINANCING
 ACTIVITIES                (8,044)     232,576     (148,225)   3,666,158
Effect of exchange rate
 changes on cash and
 cash equivalents         (21,538)     (16,278)     (28,336)     (14,705)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN
 CASH AND CASH
 EQUIVALENTS              139,334      433,518      (64,827)     438,126
CASH AND CASH
 EQUIVALENTS AT
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD      343,201      113,844      547,362      109,236
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
CASH AND CASH
 EQUIVALENTS AT END
 OF PERIOD            $   482,535  $   547,362  $   482,535  $   547,362
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Supplemental
 Information:
  Cash payments for
   income taxes       $     6,763  $    42,973  $   338,659  $   201,455
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
  Cash payments for
   interest           $     2,160  $    52,409  $   154,236  $    95,861
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Non-GAAP Adjusted Net (Loss) Income and (loss) earnings per share, which
excludes the impact of the impairment of goodwill and the writedown of
investments is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that it is
useful as a supplemental measure in assessing the operating performance of the
business. The measure is used by the Company to evaluate business results. The
Company excludes the impairment of goodwill and the writedown of investments
because it believes they are not representative of the ongoing results of
operations of the Company's business. Below is a reconciliation of this
Non-GAAP measure to net (loss) income for the periods indicated, excluding the
impairment of goodwill and writedown of investments.

                         For the Three Months      For the Three Months
                           Ended - Unaudited         Ended - Unaudited
                         December     Diluted      December     Diluted
                         31, 2008       EPS        31, 2007       EPS
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
($000s)
Reconciliation of net
 (loss) income to
 Non-GAAP Adjusted
 Net (Loss) Income:
  Net (loss) income   $(1,284,040) $     (2.97) $   141,392  $      0.37
  Adjustment for
   impairment of
   goodwill             1,200,000         2.78            -            -
  Adjustment for
   writedown of
   investments             13,276         0.03        8,879         0.02
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
  Non-GAAP Adjusted
   Net (Loss) Income
   and earnings
   (loss) per share   $   (70,764) $     (0.16) $   150,271  $      0.39
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

                          For the Year Ended        For the Year Ended
                             - Unaudited               - Unaudited
                         December     Diluted      December     Diluted
                         31, 2008       EPS        31, 2007       EPS
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
($000s)
Reconciliation of net
 (loss) income to
 Non-GAAP Adjusted
 Net Income:
  Net (loss) income   $  (542,027) $     (1.25) $   537,869  $      1.65
  Adjustment for
   impairment of
   goodwill             1,200,000         2.78            -            -
  Adjustment for
   writedown of
   investments             59,977         0.14        8,879         0.03
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
  Non-GAAP Adjusted
   Net Income and
   earnings per
   share              $   717,950  $      1.67  $   546,748  $      1.68
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

EBITDA (EBITDA is calculated by adding earnings before interest and other expense on debt, taxes, depreciation and amortization, writedown of investments, minority interest, cash distributions from 50% owned joint ventures, impairment of goodwill, and foreign exchange gain/loss, net; and deducting interest income and earnings from 50% owned joint ventures) is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is a useful supplemental measure of cash available prior to debt service, capital expenditures and income tax. Investors are cautioned that EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net income determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of the Company's performance or to cash flows from operations as a measure of liquidity and cash flows. EBITDA does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. The Company's method of calculating EBITDA may differ from the methods used by other companies and, accordingly, it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliation of EBITDA to net income is shown below:

                                                   For the Three Months
                                                     Ended - Unaudited
                                                -------------------------
                                                December 31, December 31,
                                                       2008         2007
                                                ------------ ------------
($000s)
  Net (loss) income                             $(1,284,040) $   141,392
  Income tax (benefit) expense                      (64,700)      45,285
  Interest and other expense on debt                 40,180       63,986
  Interest income                                    (2,764)      (6,463)
  Depreciation                                       60,090       51,330
  Amortization of intangibles                        26,283       22,327
  Impairment of goodwill                          1,200,000            -
  Amortization of deferred financing costs            2,790        6,106
  Loss (income) from 50% owned joint ventures        39,162      (11,862)
  Cash distribution from 50% owned joint ventures         -       10,000
  Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net                 (13,226)     (25,467)
  Writedown of investments                           13,276        8,879
  Minority interest                                   2,329        8,246
                                                ------------ ------------
EBITDA                                          $    19,380  $   313,759
                                                ------------ ------------
                                                ------------ ------------

                                                    For the Year Ended
                                                       - Unaudited
                                                -------------------------
                                                December 31, December 31,
                                                       2008         2007
                                                ------------ ------------
($000s)
  Net (loss) income                             $  (542,027) $   537,869
  Income tax expense                                320,060      235,862
  Interest and other expense on debt                165,607      107,738
  Interest income                                   (14,921)     (17,977)
  Depreciation                                      219,667      143,284
  Amortization of intangibles                       102,959       26,151
  Impairment of goodwill                          1,200,000            -
  Amortization of deferred financing costs           10,951        9,282
  Income from 50% owned joint ventures              (45,005)     (54,079)
  Cash distribution from 50% owned joint ventures    41,829       62,078
  Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net                 (21,682)     (33,321)
  Writedown of investments                           59,977        8,879
  Minority interest                                  11,952       23,080
                                                ------------ ------------
EBITDA                                          $ 1,509,367  $ 1,048,846
                                                ------------ ------------
                                                ------------ ------------

SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION - UNAUDITED
   THE INFORMATION IN THIS TABLE EXCLUDES 50% OWNED JOINT VENTURES
                                  For the Three Months Ended
                          December 31, 2008         December 31, 2007
                      ------------------------- -------------------------
                          Tons                      Tons
                      ------------              ------------
Production
  Melt Shops            1,032,715                 2,231,690
  Rolling Mills           971,335                 2,129,814

                          Tons           %          Tons           %
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Finished Steel
 Shipments
  Rebar                   213,371          16%      419,271          19%
  Merchant/Special
   Sections/Structurals   734,560          55%    1,242,898          57%
  Rod                      82,742           6%      172,068           8%
  Fabricated Steel        312,558          23%      338,170          16%
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
    Total Shipments     1,343,231         100%    2,172,407         100%

                         $/Ton                     $/Ton
                      ------------              ------------
Selling Prices
  Mill external
   shipments          $       901               $       687
  Fabricated steel
   shipments                1,280                       929
Scrap Charged                 265                       231
Metal Spread (Selling
 price less scrap)
  Mill external
   shipments                  636                       456
  Fabricated steel
   shipments                1,015                       698
Mill manufacturing cost       489                       294

                                       For the Year Ended
                          December 31, 2008         December 31, 2007
                      ------------------------- -------------------------
                          Tons                      Tons
                      ------------              ------------
Production
  Melt Shops            8,359,903                 7,525,318
  Rolling Mills         7,948,527                 7,377,855

                          Tons           %          Tons           %
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Finished Steel
 Shipments
  Rebar                 1,564,045          19%    1,680,617          22%
  Merchant/Special
   Sections/
   Structurals          4,710,754          57%    3,730,125          49%
  Rod                     620,927           7%      733,322          10%
  Fabricated Steel      1,424,128          17%    1,407,164          19%
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
    Total Shipments     8,319,854         100%    7,551,228         100%

                         $/Ton                     $/Ton
                      ------------              ------------
Selling Prices
  Mill external
   shipments          $       884               $       648
  Fabricated steel
   shipments                1,150                       889
Scrap Charged                 340                       227
Metal Spread (Selling
 price less scrap)
  Mill external
   shipments                  544                       421
  Fabricated steel
   shipments                  810                       662
Mill manufacturing
 cost                         348                       272

50% Owned Joint Venture Results
The following table summarizes the results of the Company's portion of its
50% owned joint ventures, primarily Gallatin Steel, a flat rolled mill joint
venture.
                          Three Months Ended           Year Ended
                            - Unaudited               - Unaudited
                      December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
                          2008         2007         2008         2007
                      ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Tons Shipped              105,962      199,359      709,685      802,068
Operating (Loss)
 Income               $   (38,673) $    11,879  $    46,303  $    55,383
Net (Loss) Income         (39,162)      11,862       45,005       54,079
EBITDA                    (34,667)      14,968       58,731       66,938

                            $/Ton        $/Ton        $/Ton        $/Ton
                            -----        -----        -----        -----
Average Selling
 Price                $       686  $       540  $       815  $       538
Scrap Charged                 444          275          454          266
Metal Spread                  242          265          361          272
Operating (Loss) Income      (365)          60           65           69
EBITDA                       (327)          75           83           83

%SEDAR: 00000593E

(Source: CNW )


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