By comparison, prior year fourth quarter net income was US$61 million, or US$0.27 per diluted share, on net sales of US$1.7 billion, and sequential third quarter 2013 net income was US$57 million, or US$0.25 per diluted share, on net sales of US$1.9 billion. Full-year 2013 net income was US$189 million, or US$0.83 per diluted share, on net sales of US$ 7.4 billion.  By comparison, fiscal year 2012 net income was US$164 million, or US$0.73 per diluted share, on net sales of US$7.3 billion.
 
When compared to the third quarter of 2013, fourth quarter 2013 results included an additional US$4.5 million, or approximately US$0.01 per diluted share, of non-cash equity compensation expense primarily related to the company-wide restricted stock unit benefit plan.  The company's prior year financial results included charges related to refinancing expenses, non-cash impairment charges and certain positive tax adjustments.  Excluding these items from the relevant periods, the company's adjusted earnings per diluted share would have been US$0.20 for the fourth quarter 2012 and US$0.77 for the full-year 2012.
 
"We continued to perform at the top of our industry during 2013, both financially and operationally," said chief executive officer Mark D. Millett.  "Annual 2013 pretax income improved 29% as a result of our recent capital structure initiatives.  Our steel operations achieved record annual shipments, with the Flat Roll and Structural and Rail divisions attaining individual records.  As expected, fourth quarter steel shipments declined sequentially due to seasonal declines and scheduled maintenance.  However, the segment's fourth quarter 2013 operating income increased modestly as the expansion in sheet steel metal margins more than offset the lower shipping volumes and reduced long product metal margins. 
 
"Excluding the impact from non-cash unrealized hedging, 2013 full-year operating income for our metals recycling operations was fairly flat, as improved operating costs offset lower shipments," stated Millett.  "During the fourth quarter, operating income for our metals recycling operations improved slightly, when compared to the third quarter of this year, with improved ferrous metal margins offsetting lower volume and decreased nonferrous profitability.  The ongoing overcapacity of recycled shredding locations throughout the United States, especially in the Southeast, continues to constrain profitability and remains a broad industry challenge."
 
Fabricated steel consumption improved during 2013 with estimated domestic joist shipments increasing 14% when compared to 2012.  The company's fabrication business gained market share during the year, achieving a 24% increase in 2013 annual shipments, more than tripling annual operating income, and achieving full-year pretax profitably for the first time since the 2008 economic downturn.  Order inquiry continues to improve and is considerably stronger than experienced during the post-2008 economic environment from 2009 through 2012, further supporting the premise of a nonresidential construction market recovery. 
 
Fourth Quarter Review
Based on typical seasonal trends, fourth quarter 2013 shipments across the company's operating platforms generally decreased when compared to the sequential quarter, slightly contracting revenues despite increased average pricing.   Fourth quarter 2013 operating income for the company's steel operations was US$155 million, an increase of four% when compared to the third quarter 2013, despite decreased volume.  Steel metal margins expanded in the quarter as average selling values increased more than ferrous raw material costs.  The average selling price per ton for the company's steel operations increased US$11 sequentially to US$805 in the fourth quarter 2013, while the average ferrous scrap cost per ton melted increased US$7 per ton. 
 
Operating income attributable to the company's steel sheet operations increased 10% when compared to the sequential quarter, more than offsetting the five% decline in operating income from long product operations.  Unlike steel sheet, long product pricing did not increase sufficiently to offset increased ferrous raw material costs in the fourth quarter, especially for structural related steel.  The company's steel mill production utilization rate was basically unchanged at 88% in the fourth quarter 2013, compared to 89% in the sequential third quarter. 
 
Operating income from the company's metals recycling operations was generally unchanged in the fourth quarter 2013, when compared to the sequential quarter, as a 15% improvement in ferrous metal margin was offset by decreased shipments and compressed nonferrous metal margins. 
 
The impact of losses from the company's Minnesota operations for fourth quarter 2013 consolidated net income was US$8.1 million, or US$0.03 per diluted share, as compared to US$10.6 million, or US$0.04 per diluted share, in the third quarter 2013.  As referenced in the company's October earnings release, as production rates and plant availability improved at the iron nugget plant in the third quarter 2013, product yield unexpectedly deteriorated.  During the fourth quarter 2013, the focus to reduce production costs and improve product yield progressed and positive results were achieved.  Certain meaningful adjunct trials that began in the later part of the fourth quarter are planned for completion during the first quarter 2014, at which point we will assess the progress achieved and determine next steps.  Given the increased cost of production while testing occurs, current expectations concerning losses associated with the Minnesota operations for the first quarter of 2014 are anticipated to be similar to those recorded in the fourth quarter.   
 
Full-Year Review
Consolidated 2013 net sales of US$7.4 billion and operating income of US$387 million were relatively unchanged from 2012 results, despite generally higher shipments, as 2013 full-year metal margins declined for the company's steel and metals recycling operations.  However, 2013 consolidated pretax income (excluding losses attributable to noncontrolling interests) improved US$63 million, or 28 percent, reflecting interest cost savings of US$31 million and a reduction in refinancing costs of US$38 million, which were associated with the company's 2012 and early 2013 financing activities. 
 
The company's annual 2013 steel mill production utilization rate was 88%, a six percentage point increase over 2012, with increases from the Structural and Rail and Flat Roll divisions.  Notably the Structural and Rail Division operated at an annual rate of 68% for 2013, and for the second half of the year operated at a rate of 71%, which is significantly higher than any time since the precipitous decline in the nonresidential construction markets at the end of 2008.  The increased utilization is a result of the benefit of product diversification through the introduction of railroad rail, as well as the continued modest growth in construction.  The average selling price per ton shipped for the company's steel operations for 2013 was US$793, a decrease of US$38 per ton as compared to 2012 and the average ferrous cost per ton melted was US$25 lower. 
 
"We are optimistic entering 2014," said Millett. "The broader U.S. economy continues to improve.  We believe the non-service sector portion of domestic GDP has the ability to grow at a higher rate than overall GDP, driven by strengthened asset values, domestic energy investment and increased infrastructure spending.  Steel consumption would benefit from a recovery in the non-service sector of the U.S. economy.  Among others, these sectors include heavy steel consuming automotive, machinery, heavy equipment and construction industries.  We believe our low-cost operations and preferred customer service, combined with the strength of our exceptional employees, uniquely positions us to capitalize on the opportunities ahead."
 
Summary Operating Information
The following tables highlight operating results for each of the company's primary operating platforms. References to operating income in the following paragraphs exclude profit-sharing expenses and amortization pertaining to intangible assets.  Dollar amounts are in thousands, except for per ton data. 
 
Steel Operations
This segment includes five EAF steel mills and related steel finishing and processing facilities, including The Techs. The company's steel operations produce flat-rolled steel, structural steel, merchant bars, special-bar-quality steel, rebar, rail, and specialty shapes.

		Fourth Quarter				Full Year				Sequential
		2013		2012		2013		2012		3Q 2013
Total Sales		US$1,222,907		US$1,126,438		US$4,768,004		US$4,782,240		US$1,237,247
External Sales		1,146,701		1,061,419		4,461,457		4,506,788		1,162,429
Operating Income		155,107		117,097		513,227		505,080		148,698
Shipments (tons)		1,542,289		1,457,053		6,119,884		5,832,776		1,585,125
Average External Sales Price Per Ton		US$805		US$784		US$793		US$831		US$794
Average Ferrous Scrap Cost Per Ton		US$356		US$343		US$353		US$378		US$349

 
Metals Recycling and Ferrous Resources Operations
This segment principally includes the company's metals recycling operations (OmniSource Corp.), a liquid pig iron production facility (Iron Dynamics), and the company's Minnesota operations.
 

Metals Recycling & Ferrous Resources		Fourth Quarter				Full Year				Sequential
		2013		2012		2013		2012		3Q 2013
Total Sales		US$ 907,668		US$ 798,163		US$ 3,663,486		US$3,658,952		US$ 948,134
External Sales		572,840		530,258		2,384,841		2,342,598		605,381
Operating Income (Loss)		(13,020)		507		(30,835)		(11,690)		(11,695)
Unrealized Hedging Gain (Loss), Net		(2,626)		9,656		(4,943)		3,389		(2,451)
Metals Recycling (OmniSource)		Fourth Quarter				Full Year				Sequential
		2013		2012		2013		2012		3Q 2013
Total Sales		US$  797,034		US$  741,342		US$3,274,866		US$3,441,348		US$  848,043
External Sales		535,549		520,931		2,277,550		2,329,096		577,087
Operating Income		11,667		25,818		63,582		72,473		11,166
Unrealized Hedging Gain (Loss), Net		(1,707)		9,820		(3,990)		3,588		(1,391)
Ferrous Shipments (gross tons)		1,356,258		1,238,143		5,505,995		5,647,058		1,472,418
% Shipments to Company Steel Mills		47%		46%		44%		46%		46%
Nonferrous Shipments (pounds 000's)		254,876		251,080		1,052,494		1,051,333		263,467

 
Steel Fabrication Operations
Steel fabrication operations include New Millennium Building Systems, which fabricates steel joists, trusses, and decking used in the construction of non-residential buildings. 

		Fourth Quarter				Full Year				Sequential
		2013		2012		2013		2012		3Q 2013
Total Sales		US$ 121,853		US$ 98,301		US$  439,655		US$  371,406		US$ 119,268
Operating Income (Loss)		(122)		1,448		7,003		2,114		3,265
Shipments (tons)		101,132		76,870		366,676		295,161		101,590
Average External Sales Price Per Ton		US$1,205		US$1,278		US$1,199		US$1,258		US$1,174

 

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Steel Dynamics, Inc. is one of the largest domestic steel producers and metals recyclers in the United States based on estimated annual steelmaking and metals recycling capability, with annual sales of US$7.4 billion in 2013, over 6,800 employees, and manufacturing facilities primarily located throughout the United States(including five steel mills, six steel processing facilities, two iron production facilities, over 90 metals recycling locations and six steel fabrication plants).