AK Steel Reports Net Income of $145.2 Million for the Second Quarter of 2008

Net Income Rises 32% Year-Over-Year In Record Quarterly Performance

WEST CHESTER, Ohio, July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AK Steel (NYSE: AKS)
today reported net income of $145.2 million, or $1.29 per diluted share of
common stock, for the second quarter of 2008, compared to net income of $109.9
million, or $0.98 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2007.
Net sales for the second quarter of 2008 were a record $2,236.6 million on
shipments of 1,737,800 tons, also a record, compared to sales of $1,869.5
million on shipments of 1,711,400 tons for the year-ago quarter. The company
said its average selling price for the second quarter of 2008 was a record
$1,287 per ton, a 13% increase over the $1,135 per-ton mark set in the first
quarter of 2008, and about 18% higher than the $1,092 per-ton price for the
second quarter of 2007. The increase in per-ton selling prices resulted from
higher contract and spot market pricing driven by strong demand and record raw
material and energy cost increases.
Second-quarter 2008 operating profit was $237.9 million, or $137 per ton,
both records, compared to $187.4 million, or $109 per ton, in the second
quarter of 2007. The year-ago quarter was impacted by a pre-tax, non-cash
pension curtailment charge of $24.7 million related to a labor agreement for
the company's Middletown Works. The year-over-year operating profit
improvement was primarily the result of higher spot market shipments and
overall higher selling prices in all markets the company serves, coupled with
continued strong cost controls.
"Despite unprecedented raw material and energy cost increases and weakness
in several markets, AK Steel employees have shown they can 'forge ahead' and
deliver record operating and financial performances," said James L. Wainscott,
chairman, president and CEO. "AK Steel has once again demonstrated its
expertise as a world-class steelmaker."
Six-Month Results
For the first six months of 2008, the company reported net income of
$246.3 million, or $2.19 per diluted share. Net income for the corresponding
2007 period was $172.6 million, or $1.55 per diluted share.
First-half 2008 sales were a record $4,028.0 million compared to $3,589.4
million in the first half of 2007. Operating profit in the first six months of
2008 was $407.6 million, or $123 per ton, compared to $307.4 million, or $93
per ton, for the first half of 2007. This improvement is primarily the result
of higher shipments, higher selling prices and lower operating costs.
Operating profit for the first half of 2007 was impacted by pre-tax, non-cash
pension curtailment charges totaling $39.8 million related to new labor
agreements for the company's Middletown Works and Mansfield Works. During the
first half of 2008, the company made $150.0 million in early pension fund
contributions and ended the second quarter with $380.8 million of cash on hand
and $680.9 million of availability under its credit facility.
Third-Quarter 2008 Outlook
AK Steel said it expects shipments for the third quarter of 2008 to be
approximately 1,550,000 tons, which will be lower than second quarter 2008
levels. The sequential drop in shipments results primarily from expected
seasonally lower automotive shipments and a planned five-day outage at the
company's Middletown Works hot strip mill. The company also expects higher
raw material and energy costs relative to the second quarter. AK Steel
anticipates that its third-quarter 2008 average per-ton selling prices will be
about 10% higher compared to the second quarter of 2008, and the company
expects to generate operating profit in a range between $170 and $175 per ton,
which would represent a record performance.
Safe Harbor Statement
The statements in this release with respect to future results reflect
management's estimates and beliefs and are intended to be, and hereby are
identified as "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
company cautions readers that such forward-looking statements involve risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those currently expected by management. Except as required by law, the
company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to
reflect future developments or events.
AK Steel
AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels,
primarily for automotive, appliance, construction and electrical power
generation and distribution markets. The company employs about 6,500 men and
women in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler,
Pennsylvania; Ashland, Kentucky; Rockport, Indiana; and its corporate
headquarters in West Chester, Ohio. Additional information about AK Steel is
available on the company's web site at www.aksteel.com
AK Tube LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AK Steel, employs about 300 men
and women in plants in Walbridge, Ohio and Columbus, Indiana. AK Tube
produces carbon and stainless electric resistance welded (ERW) tubular steel
products for truck, automotive and other markets. Additional information
about AK Tube LLC is available on its web site at www.aktube.com

AK Steel Holding Corporation
Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and Shares in Millions, Except Per Share and Per Ton Data)

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2008 2007 2008 2007

Shipments (000 tons) 1,737.8 1,711.4 3,316.2 3,307.6
Selling price per ton $1,287 $1,092 $1,215 $1,085

Net sales $2,236.6 $1,869.5 $4,028.0 $3,589.4

Cost of products sold 1,892.3 1,552.1 3,405.5 3,033.0
Selling and administrative
expenses 55.0 55.4 111.5 109.5
Depreciation 51.4 49.9 103.4 99.7
Pension curtailment charges - 24.7 - 39.8
Total operating costs 1,998.7 1,682.1 3,620.4 3,282.0

Operating profit 237.9 187.4 407.6 307.4

Interest expense 11.6 16.9 23.3 41.5
Other income 3.5 4.1 9.0 8.2

Income before income taxes 229.8 174.6 393.3 274.1

Income tax provision 84.6 64.7 147.0 101.5

Net income $145.2 $109.9 $246.3 $172.6

Basic earnings per share:
Net income $1.30 $0.99 $2.21 $1.56

Diluted earnings per share:
Net income $1.29 $0.98 $2.19 $1.55

Weighted average shares
outstanding:
Basic 111.6 110.8 111.5 110.6
Diluted 112.6 111.9 112.5 111.6

AK Steel Holding Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)
June 30, December 31,
2008 2007

Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $380.8 $713.6
Accounts and notes receivables, net 905.6 675.0
Inventories, net 708.4 646.8
Other current assets 397.0 391.4
Total Current Assets 2,391.8 2,426.8

Property, plant and equipment 5,202.5 5,131.1
Accumulated depreciation (3,164.2) (3,065.2)
Property, plant and equipment, net 2,038.3 2,065.9
Other 471.6 704.7

Total Assets $4,901.7 $5,197.4

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable $788.4 $588.2
Other accruals 253.8 214.0
Current portion of long term debt 12.8 12.7
Current portion of pension & other
postretirement benefit obligations 159.7 158.0
Total Current Liabilities 1,214.7 972.9

Long-term debt 652.4 652.7
Pension & other postretirement
benefit obligations 1,567.3 2,537.2
Other liabilities 164.1 159.9

Total Liabilities 3,598.5 4,322.7

Shareholders' Equity
Common stock - 2008; authorized 200,000,000
shares of $0.01 par value each; 121,264,379
shares issued; 112,206,470 shares outstanding 1.2 1.2
Additional paid-in capital 1,889.5 1,867.6
Treasury stock - 2008; 9,057,909 shares at
cost (136.3) (126.8)
Accumulated deficit (687.4) (915.1)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 236.2 47.8
Total Shareholders' Equity 1,303.2 874.7

Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity $4,901.7 $5,197.4

AK Steel Holding Corporation
Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions)

Six Months Ended
June 30,
2008 2007

Cash Flow From Operating Activities:
Net income $246.3 $172.6
Depreciation 103.4 99.7
Amortization 5.8 9.6
Deferred taxes 105.2 48.4
Contributions to the pension trust (150.0) (180.0)
Contribution to MW retirees VEBA (468.0) -
Pension and other postretirement benefit
expense in excess of (less than) payments (43.8) (33.5)
Pension curtailment charges - 39.8
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation (12.3) (5.5)
Working capital (15.1) 89.1
Other, net (10.5) 9.9
Net Cash Flow From Operating Activities (239.0) 250.1

Cash Flow From Investing Activities:
Capital investments (86.2) (35.1)
Investments - net (4.2) 8.6
Proceeds from sale of PP&E 0.4 -
Proceeds from draw on restricted funds for
emission control expenditures - 2.5
Other, net 0.3 0.7
Net Cash Flow From Investing Activities (89.7) (23.3)

Cash Flow From Financing Activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt (0.3) (300.0)
Fees related to new credit facility - (2.6)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 3.3 8.8
Purchase of treasury stock (9.5) (1.8)
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation 12.3 5.5
Common stock dividends (11.2) -
Other, net 1.3 (0.2)
Net Cash Flow From Financing Activities (4.1) (290.3)

Net Decrease in Cash (332.8) (63.5)

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning 713.6 519.4

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Ending $380.8 $455.9

AK Steel Holding Corporation
(Unaudited)

Steel Shipments

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2008 2007 2008 2007

Tons Shipped by Product (000's)
Stainless/Electrical 274.7 270.5 511.8 546.5
Coated 717.1 686.9 1,423.4 1,354.4
Cold Rolled 349.0 328.5 656.0 637.8
Tubular 34.3 38.5 67.7 78.4
Subtotal Value-added Shipments 1,375.1 1,324.4 2,658.9 2,617.1

Hot Rolled 318.3 313.1 556.0 548.1
Secondary 44.4 73.9 101.3 142.4
Subtotal Non Value-added Shipments 362.7 387.0 657.3 690.5

Total Shipments 1,737.8 1,711.4 3,316.2 3,307.6

Shipments by Product (%)
Stainless/Electrical 15.8% 15.8% 15.4% 16.5%
Coated 41.3% 40.1% 42.9% 40.9%
Cold Rolled 20.1% 19.2% 19.8% 19.3%
Tubular 2.0% 2.2% 2.0% 2.4%
Subtotal Value-added Shipments 79.2% 77.3% 80.1% 79.1%

Hot Rolled 18.3% 18.3% 16.8% 16.6%
Secondary 2.5% 4.4% 3.1% 4.3%
Subtotal Non Value-added Shipments 20.8% 22.7% 19.9% 20.9%

Total Shipments 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

SOURCE AK Steel

Media, Alan H. McCoy, Vice President, Government & Public Relations,
+1-513-425-2826, or Investors, Albert E. Ferrara, Jr., Vice President, Finance
& CFO, +1-513-425-2888, both for AK Steel