CLEVELAND-CLIFFS INC. Q2 FY26 Results

The second quarter marked another step in returning to the earnings power this company is capable of and has demonstrated in the past. Even with extended maintenance outages in April and May, our second quarter adjusted EBITDA tripled from the Q1 level and Q3 adjusted EBITDA is expected to more than double Q2. As previously foreshadowed, we returned to positive free cash flow during Q2 and have begun reducing our debt, a trend that will continue in a more meaningful way for the foreseeable future. The domestic market remains strong as ongoing global tensions continue to underscore the importance of having a thriving domestic steel industry. Demand continues to improve, imports remain subdued, and lead times are extending further. Our automotive volumes remained strong during the quarter and will increase further in Q3, helping to further absorb fixed costs as our finishing lines operate at higher utilization rates. In addition, we are beginning to see meaningful improvement in the Canadian market, positioning Stelco to return to generating significant earnings. Looking ahead, we have clear visibility into the continuous earnings improvement that began during the first half of the year. With average selling prices, volumes, and costs all moving in the right direction, our second-half earnings performance should be our strongest since 2021 as Q4 EBITDA is currently expected to even further exceed our Q3 guidance. We expect to finish the year on a positive note and enter 2027 with significant momentum and additional opportunities for upside, including the higher reset of fixed price contracts and much improved profits in Canada. With where our outlook stands today, we would expect to reach our leverage target of under 2.5x debt to EBITDA by this time next year.