Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS)

Item 2. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Unless otherwise indicated, all Note references contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part I – Item 1. – Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q.

Introduction

The following discussion and analysis of market and industry trends, business developments, and the results of our operations and financial position, should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in “Part I – Item 1. – Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q. The 2025 Form 10-K includes additional information about our business, operations, and consolidated financial position and should be read in conjunction with this Form 10-Q. This MD&A is designed to provide a reader with material information relevant to an assessment of our financial condition and results of operations, and to allow investors to view the Company from the perspective of management.

Basis of Presentation

Worthington Steel was formed as an Ohio corporation on February 28, 2023, for the purpose of receiving, pursuant to a reorganization, all of the outstanding equity interests of the steel processing business of the Former Parent. On December 1, 2023, the Separation was completed, and Worthington Steel became an independent, publicly traded company. Our financial statements are consolidated financial statements based on our reported results as a stand-alone company and include the accounts of Worthington Steel and its consolidated subsidiaries. Our investment in the unconsolidated affiliate is accounted for using the equity method. Material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. For additional information, see “Note 1 – Description of Business and Basis of Presentation.”

Business Overview and Strategy

Business Overview

We are one of North America’s premier value-added metals processors with the ability to provide a diversified range of products and services that span a variety of end markets. We maintain market-leading positions in the North American carbon flat-rolled steel and tailor welded blank industries and are one of the largest global producers of electrical steel laminations. For over 70 years, we have been delivering high quality steel processing capabilities across a variety of end-markets including automotive, heavy truck, agriculture, construction, and energy. With the ability to produce customized steel solutions, we aim to be the preferred value-added steel processor in the markets we serve by delivering highly technical, customer-specific solutions, while also providing advanced materials support. Our scale allows us to achieve an advantaged cost structure and service platform supported by a strategic operating footprint. We serve our customers by processing flat-rolled steel coils, which we source primarily from various North American steel mills, into the precise type, thickness, length, width, shape, and surface quality required by customer specifications. We sell steel on a direct basis, whereby we are exposed to the risks and rewards of ownership of the material while in our possession. Additionally, we toll process steel under a fee for service arrangement whereby we process customer-owned material. Our manufacturing facilities further benefit from the flexibility to scale between direct and tolling services based on demand dynamics throughout the year.

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Our operations are managed principally on a products and services basis under a single group organizational structure. We own controlling interests in the following operating joint ventures: Spartan, TWB, WSCP, and Sitem Group. We also own a controlling interest in WSP, which became a nonoperating joint venture in October 2022, when we completed the divestiture of its remaining net assets. The net assets and operating results of these joint ventures are consolidated with the equity owned by the minority joint venture member shown as NCI or, in the case of Sitem Group, Redeemable NCI in our consolidated balance sheets, and the noncontrolling interests in net earnings and OCI is shown as net earnings or comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated statements of earnings and consolidated statements of comprehensive income, respectively. Our remaining joint venture, Serviacero Worthington, is unconsolidated and accounted for using the equity method.

AI in Transformation

During the third quarter of fiscal 2026, we continued integrating commercially available AI technologies into our long-term transformation strategy. Through these efforts, we continue to use AI to generate insights, evaluate strategies, and automate routine tasks, improving productivity and strengthening internal decision-making. We are developing and refining AI solutions in areas such as predictive maintenance and intelligent reporting, which drive greater value through smarter, more connected systems. Expanding the use of AI across operations and the back office enables our teams to focus on the most value-driving aspects of their roles.

Recent Business Developments

On March 25, 2026, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per common share payable on June 26, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 12, 2026.

Proposed Acquisition of Kloeckner

On January 15, 2026, we entered into a BCA with Kloeckner. Following execution of the BCA, we launched a voluntary public cash takeover offer to all Kloeckner shareholders to tender each Kloeckner Share to us. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer Document, upon the Offer Closing, we will pay cash consideration equal to €11.00 per tendered share (subject to any increases either made voluntarily or in accordance with applicable German law) for the Offer. The initial acceptance period for the Offer began on February 5, 2026 upon publication of the Offer Document following its approval by BaFin.

On March 10, 2026, we executed the Offer Amendment. Pursuant to the Offer Amendment, we reduced the minimum acceptance threshold of the Kloeckner Shares required as a condition to the closing of the Offer from at least 65% to at least 57.5% of the Kloeckner Shares at the expiry of the Acceptance Period. In addition, as a result of the Offer Amendment, the Acceptance Period was extended by two weeks pursuant to the WpÜG, and expired on March 26, 2026.

On March 31, 2026, we announced that we had achieved the minimum acceptance threshold of Kloeckner’s issued share capital. Following the expiration, an additional, statutory two-week acceptance period began on April 1, 2026, which will conclude on April 14, 2026, after which we will announce the final results for the Offer. Subject to the Regulatory Condition, we expect the Offer Closing to occur in the second half of 2026. On March 27, 2026, we informed Kloeckner about our firm intention to enter into a DPLTA with Kloeckner immediately after completion of the Offer.

We believe the Proposed Acquisition represents a strong strategic fit by creating a diversified metals processing leader with an enhanced product offering and broader geographic reach. The combined company will benefit from greater scale, shared best practices and operational efficiency.

As of February 28, 2026, we own equity securities of Kloeckner for which it does not have a controlling interest or the ability to exercise significant influence. The Proposed Acquisition has not been completed as of February 28, 2026, and, accordingly, we have not applied acquisition accounting. The results of operations and financial position of Kloeckner are not included in our financial statements. Upon closing of the Proposed Acquisition, we expect to obtain a controlling financial interest and account for the transaction as a business combination. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed or that the related financing will be obtained on the terms currently contemplated or at all.

If completed, the Proposed Acquisition is expected to have a material impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. For more information, see “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors—Proposed Acquisition-Related Risks” as well as “Note 9 – Debt,” “Note 2 – Acquisitions,” and Note 14 – Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities” to the consolidated financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

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Trends and Factors Impacting Our Performance

The steel processing industry is fragmented and highly competitive. Given the broad base of products and services offered, specific competitors vary based on the target industry, product type, service type, size of program and geography. Competition is primarily on the basis of price, product quality, and the ability to meet delivery requirements. Our processed steel products are priced competitively, primarily based on market factors, including, among other things, market pricing, the cost and availability of raw materials, transportation and shipping costs, and overall economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad.

General Economic and Market Conditions

We sell our products and services to a diverse customer base and a broad range of end markets. The breakdown of net sales by end market for the periods presented is illustrated below:

The automotive industry is one of the largest consumers of flat-rolled steel in North America, and thus the largest end market for us and our unconsolidated joint venture, Serviacero Worthington. North American vehicle production, including production at the Detroit Three Automakers, is a leading indicator of automotive demand. North American vehicle production increased 1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2025, while the Detroit Three Automakers vehicle production increased 3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2025.

Our remaining net sales are to other markets such as agricultural, appliance, construction, container, energy, heavy truck, HVAC, industrial electric motor, generator, and transformer. Given the many different products that make up our net sales and the wide variety of end markets we serve, it is very difficult to isolate the key market indicators that drive this portion of our business. However, we believe that the trend in U.S. gross domestic product growth (“U.S. GDP”) is a reasonable macroeconomic indicator for analyzing the demand of our end markets other than

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Item 7. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our consolidated and combined financial statements and the related Notes in this Form 10-K. This MD&A is designed to provide a reader with material information relevant to an assessment of our financial condition and results of operations and to allow investors to view the Company from the perspective of management.

The MD&A included in this report discusses our fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2025 financial condition and results of operations. For a comparison and discussion of our results of operations and financial condition for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, see “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Results of Operations – Fiscal 2025 Compared to Fiscal 2024” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on July 29, 2025.

Basis of Presentation

Worthington Steel was formed as an Ohio corporation on February 28, 2023, for the purpose of receiving, pursuant to a reorganization, all of the outstanding equity interests of the steel processing business of Worthington Enterprises. On December 1, 2023, the Separation was completed and Worthington Steel became an independent, publicly traded company. Our financial statements for the periods until the Separation on December 1, 2023, are combined financial statements prepared on a carve-out basis. Our financial statements for the periods beginning on and after December 1, 2023, are consolidated financial statements based on our reported results as a stand-alone company. Accordingly, the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and onward included consolidated and combined financial statements, whereas all prior periods included combined financial statements. For additional information, see “Note 1 – Description of Business, The Separation, and Basis of Presentation”.

Business Overview

We are one of North America’s premier value-added metals processors with the ability to provide a diversified range of products and services that span a variety of end markets. We maintain market-leading positions in the North American carbon flat-rolled steel and tailor welded blank industries and are one of the largest global producers of electrical steel laminations. For over 70 years, we have been delivering high-quality steel processing capabilities across a variety of end markets including automotive, heavy truck, agriculture, construction, and energy. With the ability to produce customized steel solutions, we aim to be the preferred value-added steel processor in the markets we serve by delivering highly technical, customer-specific solutions, while also providing advanced materials support. Our scale allows us to achieve an advantaged cost structure and service platform supported by a strategic operating footprint. We serve our customers by processing flat-rolled steel coils, which we source primarily from various North American steel mills, into the precise type, thickness, length, width, shape, and surface quality required by customer specifications. We sell steel on a direct basis, whereby we are exposed to the risks and rewards of ownership of the material while in our possession. Additionally, we toll process steel under a fee for service arrangement whereby we process customer-owned material. Our manufacturing facilities further benefit from the flexibility to scale between direct and tolling services based on demand dynamics throughout the year.

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Our operations are managed principally on a products and services basis under a single group organizational structure. We own controlling interests in the following operating joint ventures: Spartan, TWB, WSCP, and Sitem Group. We also own a controlling interest in WSP, which became a nonoperating joint venture in October 2022, when we completed the divestiture of its remaining net assets. The net assets and operating results of these joint ventures are consolidated with the equity owned by the minority joint venture member shown as “Noncontrolling interests”, or, in the case of Sitem Group, “Redeemable noncontrolling interest” in our consolidated balance sheets, and the noncontrolling interest in net earnings and Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) shown as net earnings or comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated and combined statements of earnings and consolidated and combined statements of comprehensive income, respectively. Our remaining joint venture, Serviacero Worthington, is unconsolidated and accounted for using the equity method.

AI in Transformation

During fiscal 2026, we continued integrating commercially available AI technologies into our long-term transformation strategy. Through these efforts, we use AI to generate insights, evaluate strategies, and automate routine tasks, improving productivity and strengthening internal decision-making. We are developing and refining AI solutions in areas such as predictive maintenance and intelligent reporting, which drive greater value through smarter, more connected systems. Expanding the use of AI across operations and the back-office functions enables our teams to devote more time to the highest-value aspects of their roles.

Recent Business Developments

•
On June 1, 2026, we incurred indebtedness in the form of (1) the 2033 Notes, due June 1, 2033, and (2) the seven-year Term Loans under the Term Loan Facility.

•
On June 3, 2026, we closed the Kloeckner Acquisition, at which date we owned approximately 60.86% of Kloeckner’s total outstanding share capital.

•
On June 15, 2026, we settled our binding agreement to acquire one million additional Kloeckner shares at €11.00 per share (approximately $12.7 million), bringing our total ownership to approximately 61.87% of Kloeckner’s total outstanding share capital.

•
On June 24, 2026, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.16 per common share payable on September 29, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2026. Refer to “Note 21 – Subsequent Events” for additional information.

•
On June 25, 2026, we entered into the 2031 Revolving Credit Facility, an asset-based revolving credit agreement that matures on June 25, 2031, which refinanced and replaced the Credit Facility.

•
On July 15, 2026, we launched a public delisting tender offer for all outstanding Kloeckner shares not already held by us at a price of €11.00 per share. The delisting tender offer is not subject to any closing conditions and does not include a minimum acceptance threshold; however, there can be no assurance as to how many Kloeckner shares, if any, will be tendered.

Kloeckner Acquisition

On January 15, 2026, we entered into a BCA with Kloeckner. Following execution of the BCA, we launched a voluntary public cash takeover offer to all Kloeckner shareholders to tender each Kloeckner share to us. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer Document, upon the Offer Closing, we committed to pay cash consideration equal to €11.00 per tendered share (subject to any increases either made voluntarily or in accordance with applicable German law) for the Offer.

As of April 14, 2026, 52,389,508 Kloeckner shares had been tendered for acceptance under the Offer and not withdrawn (the “Tendered Shares”). On June 3, 2026, (the “Settlement Date”), we accepted the transfer of Tendered Shares for consideration of €11.00 per Tendered Share. Together with the Kloeckner shares already held by us prior to the Settlement Date, as of the Settlement Date, we held a total of 60,710,791 Kloeckner shares, representing approximately 60.86% of Kloeckner’s total outstanding share capital. The total aggregate consideration for the Tendered Shares was €576.3 million (approximately $668.3 million). On June 15, 2026, we consummated the acquisition of an additional one million Kloeckner shares at €11 per share (approximately $12.7 million), bringing our total ownership to 61,710,791 Kloeckner shares representing approximately 61.87% of Kloeckner’s total outstanding share capital. We used the net proceeds from the 2033 Notes and Term Loans, together with cash on hand, to fund the Kloeckner Acquisition and pay related fees and expenses. For more information, see the “Kloeckner Acquisition and Other Capital Subsequent Events” section within the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” Section below.

On March 27, 2026, we informed Kloeckner about our firm intention to enter into a DPLTA, and Kloeckner published an ad hoc announcement to this effect on the same day. From the Settlement Date until the execution of the DPLTA (the “Transition Period”), we, on the one hand, and Kloeckner, on the other hand, will continue to operate as independent companies. The DPLTA would provide us with the right to issue binding instructions to the management board of Kloeckner with respect to the management of Kloeckner’s

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business and would obligate Kloeckner to transfer its annual profits to us. In return, we would be required, under the terms of the DPLTA, to (i) compensate Kloeckner for any annual losses, (ii) compensate the remaining minority shareholders of Kloeckner through a guaranteed annual recurring payment and (iii) offer to acquire the remaining Kloeckner shares held by such minority shareholders in exchange for adequate exit cash compensation, in each case as determined in accordance with applicable German law.

The execution and effectiveness of the DPLTA is subject to a number of conditions and procedural requirements under German law, including: (1) approval by the management board and supervisory board of Kloeckner, (2) approval at the general shareholders’ meeting of Kloeckner by a vote of at least 75% of the share capital represented at such meeting, (3) a valuation of Kloeckner confirmed by a court-appointed independent auditor to determine the adequate amount of the recurring compensation and the exit compensation to be offered to minority shareholders, and (4) registration of the DPLTA with the commercial register of the competent local German court. At this time, we have not satisfied any of these conditions. There can be no assurance that the DPLTA will be executed or become effective, or as to the timing thereof.

Trends and Factors Impacting our Performance

The steel processing industry is fragmented and highly competitive. Given the broad base of products and services offered, specific competitors vary based on the target industry, product type, service type, size of program and geography. Competition is primarily on the basis of price, product quality and the ability to meet delivery requirements. Our processed steel products are priced competitively, primarily based on market factors, including, among other things, market pricing, the cost and availability of raw materials, transportation and shipping costs, and overall economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad.

General Economic and Market Conditions

We sell our products and services to a diverse customer base and a broad range of end markets. The breakdown of net sales by end market for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2025 is illustrated below:

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