Ryerson Q2 Sales/Earnings Strong Despite Margin Drop

Ryerson Holding Corp. turned in a strong performance in Q2 despite conflicting business and industry conditions, said President and CEO Eddie Lehner. Margins took a hit as steel import levels rose and nickel and carbon hot rolled prices moved lower.

“Ryerson saw some mix-shift impact to margins,” said Lehner, “as sheet and stainless related demand was relatively stronger than bar, plate, aluminum and carbon demand in the quarter, which exacerbated some of the margin compression, given that stainless steel is approximately 25 percent of our product mix and sheet products are 61 percent of our shape mix.”