CEO Millett: Strong Steel and Aluminum Demand, Favorable Market Conditions Ahead

"We anticipate that improving market conditions, including increased trade stability and a more favorable interest rate environment, will support solid domestic demand for steel and aluminum products," continued CEO Millett. "Steel pricing has improved, and customer optimism remains solid across our businesses, as demand continues to be steady. Additionally, discussions with our customers further underscore the growing importance of lower-carbon, domestically produced steel and aluminum products, positioning our businesses for a sustainable long-term competitive advantage. As unfair trade practices diminish, policy clarity improves, and U.S. manufacturing continues to expand, we believe a favorable market environment will follow. The aluminum team is continuing with the successful commissioning and startup of the company's Columbus, Mississippi aluminum flat rolled products mill and San Luis Potosi satellite recycled aluminum slab center. The cast houses and hot strip mill are operating extremely well, and commissioning is ongoing in other areas of the facility. The teams shipped products for the industrial and beverage can sectors, receiving product qualifications from several customers. They also produced and shipped aluminum hot band for use in automotive applications. We continue commissioning the cold mill and other downstream operations, including the CASH line. It is an extremely exciting time for all of us. There is still much to be done, yet much has also been accomplished. We have deliberately aligned our growth strategy with our customers' developing needs, prioritizing product excellence, supply-chain efficiency, and sustainability. Building on our strong positions in steel, we are expanding into high recycled-content aluminum to serve adjacent markets where customer demand is accelerating. This opportunity spans the counter-cyclical beverage can and packaging segment and extends to automotive, industrial, and construction applications. Backed by a performance-based culture and a proven ability to develop and operate cost-efficient, high-margin mills, we are well positioned to deliver attractive long-term value through this expansion. Our unwavering commitment to the health and safety of our teams, families, and communities underpins our ability to meet both current and future customer needs. Our differentiated culture and business model continue to drive performance, while strong cash flow generation and disciplined execution of our long-term strategy are strengthening our financial position," concluded Millett.