July 26, 2006 — AK Steel reported net income of $29.1 million on record net sales of $1,497.3 million for the second quarter of 2006.

Second Quarter Results—The $29.1 million net income ($0.26 per share of common stock) compares to net income of $9.0 million ($0.08 per share of common stock) for the year-ago second quarter. Results for the year-ago second quarter included a non-cash charge associated with state tax law changes of $29.5 million, or $0.27 per share. Without the charge, second quarter 2005 net income would have been $38.5 million, or $0.35 per share.

Net sales were a record $1,497.3 million, a 3% increase from the year-ago quarter. Shipments of 1,599,100 tons compare to 1,610,500 tons shipped in the second quarter of 2005. Operating profit was $63.0 million ($39 per ton), which compares to operating profit of $74.2 million ($46 per ton) for the second quarter of 2005. The company said that its average selling price was $936 per ton, up from $903 per ton in the second quarter of 2005.

"AK Steel's strong operating and financial performance across the board makes the second quarter of 2006 a defining quarter in what is a defining year for our company," said James L. Wainscott, Chairman, President and CEO. "By the end of the quarter, our temporary workforce was operating nearly every unit at Middletown Works at or above the levels prior to the onset of the labor dispute on March 1. In fact, the plant's hot-dip galvanizing line set a production record June 23 that is unmatched in the 49-year history of that line."

Contract Negotiations—The company says that negotiations are continuing with the AEIF, the independent union representing hourly Middletown Works employees, to reach a competitive new labor agreement following the February 28 expiration of the previous contract. The company said that, despite some movement on the part of the AEIF recently, the parties remain apart on crucial issues such as wages, benefits and workforce restructuring.

"Despite the slow progress in our Middletown contract talks, we continue to make strides to address the total employment cost disadvantage we face relative to our competitors," said Mr. Wainscott. "For example, during the 2006 second quarter, AK Steel reached an early agreement with United Autoworkers (UAW) Local 4104 on a new, competitive labor contract at the company's Zanesville (Ohio) Works."

In addition, members of UAW Local 3303, which represents about 1,400 production and maintenance employees at AK Steel's Butler (Pa.) Works ratified a new labor agreement on July 21. The new six-year-agreement replaces the current contract, which expires September 30, and addresses AK Steel's strategic goal of improving its total employment costs to be competitive with other steelmakers. The new agreement also addresses healthcare cost-sharing for existing Butler Works retirees who had been members of the union during their active employment.

The UAW and AK Steel had jointly agreed to commence early contract talks on June 20, and the parties announced on July 17 that a tentative agreement had been reached. Since 2003, AK Steel has negotiated eight competitive new labor agreements with three different unions representing all of AK Steel's hourly production and maintenance employees, with the exception of the Middletown Works.

Also during the 2006 second quarter, AK Steel notified about 4,600 of its current retirees that it will modify their healthcare benefit plans and will require them to share in the cost of their healthcare benefits. Those changes will begin October 1, 2006. Currently, unlike most of the company's retirees, AEIF retirees do not share in the cost of their health care benefits other than minimal office visit and drug co-pay fees.

Six Month Results—Net income of $35.3 million ($0.32 per share) include the effect of $2.7 million in non-cash charges ($0.02 per share) reflecting the reduction in value of the company's deferred tax assets as a result of state tax law changes. Net income for the corresponding 2005 period was $68.2 million ($0.62 per share) after giving effect to charges of $32.6 million ($0.29 per share) due to state tax law changes.

Sales were a record $2,933.2 million, compared to $2,877.1 million for the same period in 2005. The company reported an operating profit of $92.4 million ($30 per ton) compared to $187.8 million ($60 per ton) for the prior-year period.

During the 2006 second quarter, AK Steel made an early $84 million contribution to the company's pension trust fund. AK Steel reported that it ended the second quarter of 2006 with $485 million of cash and $528 million of availability under its two credit facilities.

Outlook—AK Steel said that, for the third quarter of 2006, it expects improved results compared to second quarter. Third quarter shipments are expected to be approximately 1,600,000 tons. The company expects contract and spot prices to increase, and operating costs to decline from second quarter levels as a result of higher production levels at Middletown Works.

The lower operating costs and higher selling prices are expected to be partially offset by higher raw material and energy costs. As a result, the company expects to report an operating profit for the third quarter of 2006 in the range of $45 to $50 per shipped ton.

Headquartered in Middletown, Ohio, AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, as well as tubular steel products for the automotive, appliance, construction and manufacturing markets.