Steel Dynamics (STLD) 10-Q 2004 Q1 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

	Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
	For the period ended March 31, 2004
	OR
	Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number 0-21719

Steel Dynamics, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Indiana	35-1929476
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6714 Pointe Inverness Way, Suite 200, Fort Wayne, IN	46804
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (260) 459-3553

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes     No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes     No

As of April 21, 2004, Registrant had 49,303,108 outstanding shares of Common Stock.

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.
Table of Contents

	PART I. Financial Information
		Page
Item 1.	Consolidated Financial Information:
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2004 (unaudited) and December 31, 2003	1
	Consolidated Statements of Income for the three month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)	2
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)	3
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	4
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	9
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	11
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	11
	PART II. Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	12
Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K	12
	Signature	13

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)

	March 31, 2004			December 31, 2003
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$	58,294		$	65,430
Accounts receivable, net		133,377			100,933
Accounts receivable-related parties		31,219			25,090
Inventories		235,989			184,496
Deferred taxes		13,224			23,217
Other current assets		15,839			8,769
Total current assets		487,942			407,935
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,007,068			1,001,116
Restricted cash		4,211			2,636
Other assets		35,565			36,752
Total assets	$	1,534,786		$	1,448,439
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	51,837		$	42,698
Accounts payable-related parties		76,752			36,628
Accrued interest		8,247			11,312
Other accrued expenses		45,466			46,678
Current maturities of long-term debt		16,077			15,988
Total current liabilities		198,379			153,304
Long-term debt, including unamortized bond premium of $8,413 and $8,834, as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively		587,777			591,586
Deferred taxes		117,378			115,703
Minority interest		1,262			613
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock voting, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
51,597,116 and 51,011,839 shares issued; and 49,219,990 and 48,645,246 shares
outstanding, as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively		515			509
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,377,126 and 2,366,593 shares, at March 31, 2004
and December 31, 2003, respectively		(28,908	)		(28,670	)
Additional paid-in capital		372,408			362,328
Retained earnings		289,216			257,254
Other accumulated comprehensive loss		(3,241	)		(4,188	)
Total stockholders’ equity		629,990			587,233
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,534,786		$	1,448,439

See notes to consolidated financial statements

1

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2004			2003
Net sales:
Unrelated parties	$	334,379		$	202,543
Related parties		49,766			32,961
Total net sales		384,145			235,504
Cost of goods sold		302,555			185,969
Gross profit		81,590			49,535
Selling, general and administrative expenses		23,050			14,975
Operating income		58,540			34,560
Interest expense		9,504			9,166
Other (income) expense, net		(2,103	)		149
Income before income taxes		51,139			25,245
Income taxes		19,177			9,467
Net income		31,962		$	15,778
Basic earnings per share	$	.65		$	.33
Weighted average common shares outstanding		48,947			47,601
Diluted earnings per share, including effect of assumed conversions	$	.58		$	.33
Weighted average common shares and share
equivalents outstanding		56,212			47,786

 See notes to consolidated financial statements

2

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2004			2003
Operating activities:
Net income	$	31,962		$	15,778
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		18,779			16,276
Deferred income taxes		11,668			5,244
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		145			59
Minority interest		649			(651	)
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(38,573	)		(3,466	)
Inventories		(51,493	)		(14,480	)
Other assets		(8,405	)		694
Accounts payable		49,263			16,130
Accrued expenses		(3,330	)		(10,917	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		10,665			24,667
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(23,905	)		(37,435	)
Other investing activities		—			(8,291	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(23,905	)		(45,726	)
Financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt		29,939			21,712
Repayments of long-term debt		(33,659	)		(21,418	)
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses and proceeds
and tax benefits from exercise of stock options		10,086			1,007
Purchase of treasury stock		(238	)		(176	)
Debt issuance costs		(24	)		(1,043	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		6,104			82
Decrease in cash and equivalents		(7,136	)		(20,977	)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period		65,430			24,218
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$	58,294		$	3,241
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	14,925		$	15,632
Cash paid for federal and state income taxes	$	77		$	614

See notes to consolidated financial statements

3

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     

Note 1. Summary of Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI), together with its subsidiaries after elimination of significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Minority interest represents the minority shareholders’ proportionate share in the equity or income of the company’s consolidated subsidiaries.

Use of Estimates. These financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, accordingly, include amounts that require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and in the notes thereto. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying value of property, plant and equipment; valuation allowances for trade receivables, inventories and deferred income tax assets; potential environmental liabilities, litigation claims and settlements. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the interim period results. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Stock-Based Compensation. At March 31, 2004, the company had three incentive stock option plans and accounted for these plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Standards Board APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Under APB 25, no stock-based employee compensation cost related to the incentive stock option plans is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FAS 123 to its stock-based employee compensation for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands, except per share data):

	��2004			2003
Net income, as reported	$	31,962		$	15,778
Stock-based employee compensation expense, using the
fair value based method, net of related tax effect		(716	)		(583	)
Net income, pro forma	$	31,246		$	15,195
Basic earnings per share:
As reported	$	.65		$	.33
Pro forma		.64			.32
Diluted earnings per share:
As reported	$	.58		$	.33
Pro forma		.57			.32

Note 2. Earnings Per Share

The company computes and presents earnings per common share in accordance with FASB Statement No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”. Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share assumes, in addition to the above, the weighted average dilutive effect of common share equivalents outstanding during the period. Common share equivalents represent dilutive stock options and dilutive shares related to the company’s convertible subordinated debt and are excluded from the computation in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect. The conversion requirements for the company’s convertible debt were met during the first quarter of 2004.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerators and the denominators of the company’s basic and diluted earnings per share computations for net income for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands, except per share data):

	2004						2003
	Net Income (Numerator)		Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount		Net Income (Numerator)		Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share	$	31,692		48,947	$	0.65	$	15,778		47,601	$	0.33
Dilutive stock option effect		—		502				—		185
Convertible subordinated debt effect		645		6,763				—		—
Diluted earnings per share	$	32,337		56,212	$	0.58	$	15,778		47,786	$	0.33

4

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents the common share equivalents that were excluded from the company’s diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive or not convertible at March 31 (in thousands):

	2004		2003
Stock options		56		1,609
Convertible subordinated debt		—		6,763
Excluded common share equivalents		56		8,372

Note 3. Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the company’s components of comprehensive income, net of related tax, for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands):

	2004		2003
Net income available to common shareholders
	$	31,962	$	15,778
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments		647		387
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities		300		(57	)
Comprehensive income	$	32,909	$	16,108

The company recorded a gain from hedging activities during the three months ended March 31, 2004 of approximately $275,000 and recorded a loss of approximately $257,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2003.

Note 4. Inventories

Inventories are stated at lower of cost (principally standard cost which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis) or market. Inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):

	March 31, 2004		December 31, 2003
Raw materials	$	68,181	$	46,347
Supplies		65,937		60,420
Work-in-progress		33,759		15,996
Finished goods		68,112		61,733
Total inventories	$	235,989	$	184,496

Note 5. Segment Information

The company has two reportable segments: steel operations and steel scrap substitute operations. The steel operations segment includes the company’s Flat Roll Division, Structural and Rail Division, and Bar Products Division. The Flat Roll Division sells a broad range of hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated steel products, including a large variety of specialty products such as thinner gauge hot-rolled products, galvanized products, and painted products. The Flat Roll Division sells directly to end-users and service centers located primarily in the Midwestern United States and these products are used in numerous industry sectors, including the automotive, construction and commercial industries.

The Structural and Rail Division produces and sells structural steel beams, pilings, and other steel components directly to end-users and steel service centers to be used primarily in the construction, transportation and industrial machinery markets. This facility is also designed to produce and sell a variety of standard and premium-grade rail for the railroad industry. The company anticipates supplying standard rail to potential customers to begin the evaluation process during the second quarter of 2004.

On December 29, 2003, the company’s Bar Products Division began commissioning and successfully produced certain SBQ and MBQ rounds. The company expects to increase its SBQ and MBQ product offerings throughout the first half of 2004 and anticipates the addition of angles, flats and channels during the third quarter. The facility’s anticipated annual production capacity is between 500,000 and 600,000 tons. The Bar Products Division plans to market its products directly to end-users and to service centers for the construction, transportation and industrial machinery markets.

Steel Scrap Substitute Operations. Steel scrap substitute operations include the revenues and expenses associated with the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Iron Dynamics. From the time operations were halted in 2001 through the fourth quarter of 2002, the costs incurred at IDI were composed of those expenses required to maintain the facility and further evaluate the project and its related benefits. During the fourth quarter of 2002, IDI successfully completed certain operating trials utilizing a modified production process. This process may significantly reduce the eventual per-unit cost of liquid pig iron production. Throughout 2003, the company invested $13.3 million for capital expenditures required to implement this modified production process and Iron Dynamics restarted operations mid-November, producing approximately 15,100 tonnes of hot briquetted iron during December. Since restart, the Flat Roll Division has successfully used these iron briquettes as a part of its metallic raw material inputs. During the first quarter of 2004, IDI produced 31,800 tonnes of hot briquetted iron and

5

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

the company is in the process of restarting the submerged arc furnace. This final stage of the IDI production process involves the liquefaction of the solid iron briquettes to produce liquid pig iron.

Revenues included in the category “All Other” are from two subsidiary operations that are below the quantitative thresholds required for reportable segments. These revenues are from the fabrication of trusses, girders, steel joists and steel decking for the non-residential construction industry; from the further processing, or slitting, and sale of certain steel products; and from the resale of certain secondary and excess steel products. In addition, “All Other” also includes certain unallocated corporate accounts, such as the company’s senior secured credit facilities, senior unsecured notes, convertible subordinated notes and certain other investments.

The company’s operations are primarily organized and managed by operating segment. Operating segment performance and resource allocations are primarily based on operating results before income taxes. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with those described in Note 1 to the financial statements. Intersegment sales and any related profits are eliminated in consolidation. The external net sales of the company’s steel operations include sales to non-U.S. companies of $2.8 million and $40.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The company’s segment results for the three months ended March 31 are as follows (in thousands):

	2004			2003
Steel Operations
Net sales
External	$	352,783		$	216,574
Other segments		20,285			12,429
Operating income		64,917			41,041
Assets		1,258,039			1,097,589
Steel Scrap Substitute Operations
Net sales
External	$	—		$	—
Other segments		6,893			2
Operating loss		(2,684	)		(2,094	)
Assets		158,912			151,073
All Other
Net sales
External	$	31,362			18,930
Other segments		353			117
Operating loss		(2,862	)		(4,741	)
Assets		230,449			151,836
Eliminations
Net sales
External	$	—		$	—
Other segments		(27,531	)		(12,548	)
Operating income (loss)		(831	)		354
Assets		(112,614	)		(104,533	)
Consolidated
Net sales	$	384,145		$	235,504
Operating income		58,540			34,560
Assets		1,534,786			1,295,965

Note 6. Short-Term Bond Transaction

During the first quarter of 2004, the company entered into a transaction relating to the short-sale of $66.0 million of U.S. Treasury Securities. The transaction was intended to address interest rate exposure and generate capital gains that could be used to offset previously incurred capital losses. As a result of this transaction, the company recorded short-term capital gains of $1.4 million, interest income of $70,000 and interest expense of $1.6 million during the first quarter. The company has an obligation to repurchase, on or before November 12, 2004, $66.0 million of U.S. Treasury Securities that had a market value of $70.3 million at March 31, 2004. The company has placed the proceeds of $73.0 million from the short sale into an interest-bearing collateral account to provide for this repurchase. At March 31, 2004, the net obligation of this transaction was $126,000, which included net accrued interest payable of $2.8 million.

6

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 7. Condensed Consolidating Information

Certain 100%-owned subsidiaries of SDI have fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of the indebtedness relating to the issuance of $300.0 million of senior notes due March 2009. Following are condensed consolidating financial statements of the company, including the guarantors. The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of (i) SDI (in each case, reflecting investments in its consolidated subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting), (ii) the guarantor subsidiaries of SDI, (iii) the non-guarantor subsidiaries of SDI, and (iv) the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the company on a consolidated basis. The condensed consolidating financial statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the company and the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (in thousands)
As of March 31, 2004
	Parent			Guarantors		Combined Non-guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
Cash	$	55,793		$	624	$	1,877		$	–		$	58,294
Accounts receivable		153,203			133,948		17,470			(140,025	)		164,596
Inventories		193,557			23,131		19,612			(311	)		235,989
Other current assets		30,023			150		242			(1,352	)		29,063
Total current assets		432,576			157,853		39,201			(141,688	)		487,942
Property, plant and equipment, net		745,518			112,889		148,779			(118	)		1,007,068
Other assets		298,068			59,343		225			(317,860	)		39,776
Total assets	$	1,476,162		$	330,085	$	188,205		$	(459,666	)	$	1,534,786
Accounts payable	$	109,545		$	21,187	$	14,530		$	(16,673	)	$	128,589
Accrued expenses		45,581			4,034		5,765			(1,667	)		53,713
Current maturities of long-term debt		12,200			—		3,897			(20	)		16,077
Total current liabilities		167,326			25,221		24,192			(18,360	)		198,379
Other liabilities		100,654			79,938		(19,732	)		(43,482	)		117,378
Long-term debt		572,730			—		23,889			(8,842	)		587,777
Minority interest		27			—		—			1,235			1,262
Common stock		515			89,426		199,493			(288,919	)		515
Treasury stock		(28,908	)		—		—			—			(28,908	)
Additional paid in capital		372,408			116,868		—			(116,868	)		372,408
Retained earnings		294,593			18,632		(39,579	)		15,570			289,216
Other accumulated comprehensive loss		(3,183	)		—		(58	)		—			(3,241	)
Total stockholders’ equity		635,425			224,926		159,856			(390,217	)		629,990
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,476,162		$	330,085	$	188,205		$	(459,666	)	$	1,534,786
As of December 31, 2003
	Parent			Guarantors		Combined Non-guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
Cash	$	64,008		$	496	$	926		$	—		$	65,430
Accounts receivable		123,315			119,785		13,037			(130,114	)		126,023
Inventories		164,024			2,579		18,397			(504	)		184,496
Other current assets		32,938			68		168			(1,188	)		31,986
Total current assets		384,285			122,928		32,528			(131,806	)		407,935
Property, plant and equipment, net		755,707			96,757		148,769			(117	)		1,001,116
Other assets		260,538			36,855		262			(258,267	)		39,388
Total assets	$	1,400,530		$	256,540	$	181,559		$	(390,190	)	$	1,448,439
Accounts payable	$	64,069		$	15,618	$	11,025			(11,386	)	$	79,326
Accrued expenses		52,365			1,699		5,046			(1,120	)		57,990
Current maturities of long-term debt		11,765			—		4,243			(20	)		15,988
Total current liabilities		128,199			17,317		20,314			(12,526	)		153,304
Other liabilities		108,680			73,310		(13,587	)		(52,700	)		115,703
Long-term debt		575,608			—		24,826			(8,848	)		591,586
Minority interest		28			—		—			585			613
Common stock		509			46,482		189,735			(236,217	)		509
Treasury stock		(28,670	)		—		—			—			(28,670	)
Additional paid in capital		362,328			116,868		—			(116,868	)		362,328
Retained earnings		257,919			2,563		(39,612	)		36,384			257,254
Other accumulated comprehensive loss		(4,071	)		—		(117	)		—			(4,188	)
Total stockholders’ equity		588,015			165,913		150,006			(316,701	)		587,233
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,400,530		$	256,540	$	181,559		$	(390,190	)	$	1,448,439

7

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income (in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 

	Parent		Guarantors			Combined Non-guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
Net sales	$	364,101	$	373,068		$	38,608		$	(391,632	)	$	384,145
Cost of goods sold		283,180		367,975			35,250			(383,850	)		302,555
Gross profit (loss)		80,921		5,093			3,358			(7,782	)		81,590
Selling, general and administrative		16,883		3,462			2,862			(157	)		23,050
Operating income (loss)		64,038		1,631			496			(7,625	)		58,540
Interest expense		9,883		(633	)		416			(162	)		9,504
Other (income) expense, net		20,285		(22,579	)		(2	)		193			(2,103	)
Income (loss) before income taxes
and equity in net income of subsidiaries		33,870		24,843			82			(7,656	)		51,139
Income taxes		13,315		8,775			31			(2,944	)		19,177
		20,555		16,068			51			(4,712	)		31,962
Equity in net income of subsidiaries		16,119		—						(16,119	)		—
Net income (loss)	$	36,674	$	16,068		$	51		$	(20,831	)	$	31,962

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2003

	Parent		Guarantors			Combined Non-guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
Net sales	$	229,003	$	229,003		$	19,049		$	(241,551	)	$	235,504
Cost of goods sold		178,840		226,873			19,654			(239,398	)		185,969
Gross profit (loss)		50,163		2,130			(605	)		(2,153	)		49,535
Selling, general and administrative		12,735		1,603			2,111			(1,474	)		14,975
Operating income (loss)		37,428		527			(2,716	)		(679	)		34,560
Interest expense		9,087		(233	)		455			(143	)		9,166
Other (income) expense, net		13,999		(14,022	)		(1	)		173			(149	)
Income (loss) before income taxes
and equity in net income of subsidiaries		14,342		14,782			(3,170	)		(709	)		25,245
Income taxes		5,836		5,207			(1,189	)		(387	)		9,467
		8,506		9,575			(1,981	)		(322	)		15,778
Equity in net income of subsidiaries		7,594		—			—			(7,594	)		—
Net income (loss)	$	16,100	$	9,575		$	(1,981	)	$	(7,916	)	$	15,778

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

	Parent			Guarantors			Combined Non-guarantors			Total Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operations	$	37,145		$	(26,961	)	$	481		$	10,655
Net cash used in investing activities		(5,891	)		(16,192	)		(1,822	)		(23,905	)
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities		(39,469	)		43,281			2,292			6,104
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents		(8,215	)		128			951			(7,136	)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period		64,008			496			926			65,430
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$	55,793		$	624		$	1,877		$	58,294

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2003

	Parent			Guarantors			Combined Non-guarantors			Total Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operations	$	143,961		$	(116,959	)	$	(2,335	)	$	24,667
Net cash used in investing activities		(39,058	)		(3,253	)		(3,415	)		(45,726	)
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities		(125,213	)		120,270			5,025			82
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents		(20,310	)		58			(725	)		(20,977	)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period		22,530			282			1,406			24,218
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$	2,220		$	340		$	681		$	3,241

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ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
	RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this report that are not statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statements that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements. We refer you, however, to the section denominated "Forward-Looking Statements" and “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, which we incorporate herein by reference, for a more detailed discussion of some of the many factors, variables, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those we may have expected or anticipated. We caution that any forward-looking statement reflects only our reasonable belief at the time the statement is made.

Income Statement Classifications

Net Sales. Our total net sales are a factor of net tons shipped, product mix and related pricing. Our net sales are determined by subtracting product returns, sales discounts, return allowances and claims from total sales. We charge premium prices for certain grades of steel, dimensions of product, or certain smaller volumes, based on our cost of production. We also charge marginally higher prices for our value-added products from our cold mill. These products include hot-rolled and cold-rolled galvanized products, cold-rolled products, and painted products.

Cost of Goods Sold. Our cost of goods sold represents all direct and indirect costs associated with the manufacture of our products. The principal elements of these costs are steel scrap and scrap substitutes, alloys, natural gas, argon, direct and indirect labor and related benefits, electricity, oxygen, electrodes, depreciation and freight. Our metallic raw materials, steel scrap and scrap substitutes, represent the most significant component of our cost of goods sold.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of all costs associated with our sales, finance and accounting, materials and transportation, and administrative departments. These costs include labor and benefits, professional services, financing cost amortization, property taxes, profit-sharing expense and start-up costs associated with new projects.

Interest Expense. Interest expense consists of interest associated with our senior credit facilities and other debt agreements as described in the notes to our financial statements set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, net of capitalized interest costs that are related to construction expenditures during the construction period of capital projects.

Other (Income) Expense. Other income consists of interest income earned on our cash balances and any other non-operating income activity, including gains on certain short-term investments. Other expense consists of any non-operating costs.

First Quarter 2004 vs. First Quarter 2003 Operating Results

Net income was $32.0 million or $.58 per diluted share during the first quarter of 2004, compared with $15.8 million or $.33 per diluted share during the first quarter of 2003. This increase in our net income during 2004 was due to increased selling values and increased shipping volumes.

Gross Profit. During the first quarter of 2004, our net sales increased $148.6 million, or 63%, to $384.1 million and our consolidated shipments increased 151,000 tons, or 23%, to 799,000 tons, compared with the first quarter of 2003. The increase in shipments was primarily due to increased shipments of 133,000 tons from our Structural and Rail Division, which started commercial operations mid-2002. Our first quarter 2004 average consolidated selling price increased $118 per ton compared with the first quarter of 2003 and increased $119 per ton compared with the fourth quarter of 2003. We continue to see signs of a strengthening US economy and we are experiencing a related increase in demand and product base-pricing; however, our increase in selling values during the first quarter of 2004 was also due in part to the steel industry’s initiation of a surcharge mechanism, derived from an indexed scrap number, designed to pass some of the increased costs associated with rising metallic prices through to its customers.

Our metallic raw material cost per net ton charged increased $65 during the first quarter of 2004, and increased $93 when compared to the first quarter of 2003. While our cost of goods sold during the first quarter of 2004 remained a consistent 79% of net sales when compared with the first quarter of 2003, our metallic raw material costs as a percentage of total cost of goods sold increased to 67%, an 18% increase from the first quarter of 2003. This significant increase in the cost of our primary raw material as a percentage of our total manufacturing costs necessitated the surcharge. We anticipate a decrease in domestic metallic material prices, specifically steel scrap, during the second and possibly the third quarters of 2004. As these costs fall from historical highs, the surcharge will also decline and may eventually cease to be utilized in our product price determination.

We also expect to realize an increase in our product base-prices during the second and third quarters of 2004 as the US economy continues to strengthen and demand of steel products continues to increase. We believe this will result in a corresponding increase in our margins and, combined with an anticipated increase in our shipments due to the continued ramp-up of our Structural and Rail Division and the continued start-up of our Bar Products Division, would result in increased operating income.

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     Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $23.1 million during the first quarter of 2004, as compared to $15.0 million during the same period in 2003, an increase of $8.1 million, or 54%. During the first quarter of 2004 and 2003, selling, general and administrative expenses represented approximately 6% of net sales.

     Interest Expense. Interest expense remained relatively flat at $9.5 million during the first quarter of 2004, as compared to $9.2 million during the first quarter of 2003. During the first quarter of 2004, gross interest expense increased 12% to $11.9 million and capitalized interest increased approximately $890,000 to $2.4 million, as compared to the same period in 2003. The interest capitalization that occurred during the first quarter of 2004 resulted from the interest required to be capitalized with respect to construction activities at our Bar Products Division and Structural and Rail Division.

     Other (Income) Expense. Other income was $2.1 million during the first quarter of 2004, as compared to other expense of $149,000 during the first quarter of 2003. During the first quarter of 2004, we recorded a $1.4 million gain related to a short-term U.S. Treasury Bond transaction which is intended to address interest rate exposure and generate capital gains that could be used to offset previously incurred capital losses.

     Income Taxes. During the first quarter of 2004, our income tax provision was $19.2 million, as compared to $9.5 million during the same period in 2003. Our effective tax rate was 37.5% for both periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Our business is capital intensive and requires substantial expenditures for, among other things, the purchase and maintenance of equipment used in our steelmaking and finishing operations and to remain in compliance with environmental laws. Our short-term and long-term liquidity needs arise primarily from capital expenditures, working capital requirements and principal and interest payments related to our outstanding indebtedness. We have met these liquidity requirements with cash provided by operations, equity, long-term borrowings, state and local grants and capital cost reimbursements.

     Working Capital. During the first quarter of 2004, our operational working capital position, representing our cash invested in trade receivables and inventories less trade payables and accruals increased $45.1 million to $218.3 million compared to December 31, 2003. Due to higher selling prices and increased sales volume, trade receivables increased $38.6 million during the first quarter to $164.6 million, of which $161.1 million, or 98%, were less than 60 days past due. Our largest customer is an affiliated company, Heidtman Steel, which represented 19% and 20% of our outstanding trade receivables at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. During the first quarter our inventories increased $51.5 million to $236.0 million, due primarily to the increased cost of our metallic raw materials on-hand and to the start-up production of our Bar Products Division. Our trade payables increased $49.3 million during the first quarter, of which $40.1 million of the increase was associated with the amount we owed our primary metallic raw material supplier.

     Capital Expenditures. We invested $23.9 million in property, plant and equipment during the first quarter of 2004 related to our new divisions and improvement projects in our existing facilities. Approximately 68% of our capital investments were related to the continued conversion of our Bar Products Division. We believe these capital investments will increase our net sales and related cash flows as each project continues to develop.

     Capital Resources. As of March 31, 2004, $75.0 million under our senior secured revolving credit facility remained undrawn and available. Our ability to draw down the revolver is dependent upon our continued compliance with the financial covenants and other covenants contained in our senior secured credit agreement. We were in compliance with these covenants at March 31, 2004, and expect to remain in compliance during the next twelve months.

     Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and reduce our total debt will depend upon our future performance, which in turn, will depend upon general economic, financial and business conditions, along with competition, legislation and regulation factors that are largely beyond our control. In addition, we cannot assure you that our operating results, cash flow and capital resources will be sufficient for repayment of our indebtedness in the future. We believe that based upon current levels of operations and anticipated growth, cash flow from operations, together with other available sources of funds, including additional borrowings under our senior secured credit agreement, will be adequate for the next twelve months for making required payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness and for funding anticipated capital expenditures and working capital requirements.

Other Matters

     Inflation. We believe that inflation has not had a material effect on our results of operations.

     Environmental and Other Contingencies. We have incurred, and in the future will continue to incur, capital expenditures and operating expenses for matters relating to environmental control, remediation, monitoring and compliance. We believe, apart from our dependence on environmental construction and operating permits for our existing and proposed manufacturing facilities, that compliance with current environmental laws and regulations is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity; however, environmental laws and regulations have changed rapidly in recent years and we may become subject to more stringent environmental laws and regulations in the future.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     Market Risk. In the normal course of business we are exposed to interest rate changes. Our objectives in managing exposure to interest rate changes are to limit the impact of these rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we primarily use interest rate swaps to manage net exposure to interest rate changes related to our portfolio of borrowings. We generally maintain fixed rate debt as a percentage of our net debt between a minimum and maximum percentage. A portion of our debt has an interest component that resets on a periodic basis to reflect current market conditions. At March 31, 2004, no material changes had occurred related to our interest rate risk from the information disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

     Commodity Risk.In the normal course of business we are exposed to the market risk and price fluctuations related to the sale of steel products and to the purchase of commodities used in our production process, such as metallic raw materials, electricity, natural gas and alloys. Our risk strategy associated with product sales has generally been to obtain competitive prices for our products and to allow operating results to reflect market price movements dictated by supply and demand. Our risk strategy associated with the purchase of commodities utilized within our production process has generally been to make certain commitments with suppliers relating to future expected requirements for such commodities. Certain of these commitments contain provisions which require us to “take or pay” for specified quantities without regard to actual usage for periods of up to 3 years. We believe that our production requirements will be such that consumption of the products or services purchased under these commitments will occur in the normal production process. At March 31, 2004, no material changes had occurred related to these commodity risks from the information disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

               (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of registrant’s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon their evaluation, registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by registrant in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

               (b) Changes in Internal Controls. There have been no significant changes in registrant’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to their evaluation. There were no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, and, therefore, there were no corrective actions taken.

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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On March 18, 2004, General Motors Corporation filed a lawsuit against us in an Oakland, Michigan state court, claiming that we are in breach of an alleged contract to provide GM with approximately 50,000 additional tons of steel during the balance of 2004 at certain pre-established prices.  We deny that there is any legally binding contract between the parties that obligates us to provide GM with the steel in dispute, at the prices alleged.  The dollar amount in dispute is less than $4 million before taxes.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Exhibits:

 31.1 Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 31.2 Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 32.1 Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350

 32.2 Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350

(b) Reports on Form 8-K:

     We filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the three months ended March 31, 2004.

Date of Filing	Description	Reported
February 5, 2004	Item 12” Disclosure of Results of	Earnings press release for the quarter and
	Operations and Financial Condition”	year ended December 31, 2003
March 22, 2004	Item 9 “Regulation FD Disclosure”	Press release titled “Hollman Named a
		Vice President of Steel Dynamics”
March 23, 2004	Item 9 “Regulation FD Disclosure”	Press release titled “Steel Dynamics Updates
		First Quarter Outlook”
March 24, 2004	Item 9 “Regulation FD Disclosure”	Press release titled “Steel Dynamics Plans
		Building Systems Expansion in Southeastern U.S.”
March 26, 2004	Item 9 “Regulation FD Disclosure”	Press release titled “Steel Dynamics Comments on
		GM Lawsuit”

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Items 2 through 5 of Part II are not applicable for this reporting period and have been omitted.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Steel Dynamics, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

May 4, 2004

	STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.
By:	/s/ TRACY L. SHELLABARGER
	Tracy L. Shellabarger
	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
	and Duly Authorized Officer)

                                                                                                                 ; 

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