AK Steel Reports Net Income for Third Quarter of 2009

Company Returns To Profitability Despite Lingering Recession

WEST CHESTER, Ohio, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AK Steel (NYSE: AKS)
today reported net income of $6.2 million, or $0.06 per diluted share of
common stock, for the third quarter of 2009, compared to net income of $188.3
million, or $1.67 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2008. The
third-quarter 2009 results represent a $53.4 million improvement over the
second quarter of 2009 net loss of $47.2 million, or $0.43 per diluted share.

Net sales for the third quarter of 2009 were $1,041.1 million on shipments of
1,047,800 tons, compared to sales of $2,157.6 million on shipments of
1,476,300 tons for the year-ago quarter. The company said its average selling
price for the third quarter of 2009 was $994 per ton, a 7% decrease from the
$1,072 per-ton price in the second quarter of 2009, and approximately 32%
lower than the $1,462 per-ton average price realized in the third quarter of
2008.

The company reported third-quarter 2009 operating profit of $15.3 million, or
$15 per ton, compared to $309.6 million, or $210 per ton, for the third
quarter of 2008. The most recent operating results represent an improvement
of $87.8 million, or $113 per ton, over the second-quarter 2009 operating loss
of $72.5 million, or $98 per ton.

"Despite the deepest recession in 75 years, AK Steel employees drew upon their
experience and resolve to return the company to operating profitability and
net income," said James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and CEO of AK Steel.
"While the results may pale in comparison to the year-ago records, in many
respects the performance is even more remarkable, given that third-quarter
2009 revenues fell by more than half from the year-ago period."

Nine-Month Results
For the first nine months of 2009, the company reported a net loss of $114.4
million, or $1.05 per diluted share of common stock. Net income for the
corresponding 2008 period was $434.6 million, or $3.85 per diluted share.

Sales for the first nine months of 2009 were $2,756.9 million compared to
$6,185.6 million in the first nine months of 2008. Shipments for the first
nine months of 2009 were 2,567,200 tons compared to 4,792,500 tons for the
first nine months of 2008. The company reported an operating loss of $157.1
million, or $61 per ton, for the first nine months of 2009 compared to an
operating profit of $717.2 million, or $150 per ton, for the first nine months
of 2008.

During the first nine months of 2009, the company made $210.0 million in early
pension fund contributions and a $65.0 million contribution associated with
the Middletown Works VEBA settlement. Also during the first nine months of
2009 the company repurchased $26.4 million of its 7-3/4% senior notes and
repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares of its common stock. The company
ended the period with more than $1 billion in liquidity, including $339.5
million in cash.

Fourth-Quarter 2009 Outlook
AK Steel said it expects shipments for the fourth quarter of 2009 to be
approximately 1,300,000 tons, reflecting an increase of nearly 24% over
third-quarter shipments, primarily in carbon steel products. AK Steel expects
its fourth-quarter 2009 average per-ton selling price to decline approximately
2% compared to the third quarter of 2009 level. The expected decline in the
average selling price is due to an anticipated higher percentage of carbon
steel shipments relative to stainless and electrical shipments in the fourth
quarter as compared to the third quarter.

The company expects maintenance costs to be approximately $10 million higher
compared to the third quarter of 2009. AK Steel expects lower operating and
raw material costs in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, and
the company expects to generate an operating profit ranging from $30 to $35
per ton. In addition, the company expects to incur a non-cash charge of
approximately $5.0 million, or $0.05 per share of common stock, primarily as
the result of a decrease in the value of the company's deferred tax assets as
the result of state tax law changes.

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, including those risks and
uncertainties discussed in AK Steel's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2008, and in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
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 6,000 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 250 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 Nine Months
Ended Ended
September 30, September 30,
--------------- ---------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ----
Shipments (000 tons) 1,047.8 1,476.3 2,567.2 4,792.5
Selling price per ton $994 $1,462 $1,074 $1,291

Net sales $1,041.1 $2,157.6 $2,756.9 $6,185.6

Cost of products sold 929.2 1,740.9 2,618.8 5,146.4
Selling and
administrative
expenses 45.6 56.6 141.3 168.1
Depreciation 51.0 50.5 153.9 153.9
---- ---- ----- -----
Total operating costs 1,025.8 1,848.0 2,914.0 5,468.4

Operating profit (loss) 15.3 309.6 (157.1) 717.2

Interest expense 9.0 11.6 28.4 34.9
Other income 2.9 0.9 8.6 10.1
--- --- --- ----

Income (loss) before income
taxes 9.2 298.9 (176.9) 692.4

Income tax provision (benefit) 3.5 110.4 (61.0) 257.4
--- ----- ----- -----

Net income (loss) 5.7 188.5 (115.9) 435.0

Less: Net income (loss)
attributable to noncontrolling
interests (0.5) 0.2 (1.5) 0.4
---- --- ---- ---

Net income (loss) attributable to
AK Steel Holding Corporation $6.2 $188.3 $(114.4) $434.6
==== ====== ======= ======

Basic earnings per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to
AK Steel Holding Corporation $0.06 $1.68 $(1.05) $3.88

Diluted earnings per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to
AK Steel Holding Corporation $0.06 $1.67 $(1.05) $3.85

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 108.7 111.7 109.1 111.6
Diluted 109.2 112.3 109.1 112.3

Dividends declared
and paid per share: $0.05 $0.05 $0.15 $0.15

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

September 30, December 31,
2009 2008

Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $339.5 $562.7
Accounts receivable, net 403.7 469.9
Inventories, net 613.3 566.8
Other current assets 407.2 403.4
----- -----
Total Current Assets 1,763.7 2,002.8
------- -------

Property, plant and equipment 5,367.0 5,282.1
Accumulated depreciation (3,360.2) (3,220.8)
-------- --------
Property, plant and equipment, net 2,006.8 2,061.3
Other 637.0 617.9
----- -----

Total Assets $4,407.5 $4,682.0
======== ========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable $541.4 $348.1
Other accruals 199.4 233.0
Current portion of long term debt 0.7 0.7
Pension & other postretirement benefit
obligations 148.8 152.4
----- -----
Total Current Liabilities 890.3 734.2
----- -----

Long-term debt 605.9 632.6
Pension & other postretirement benefit
obligations 1,871.2 2,144.2
Other liabilities 220.3 200.3
----- -----

Total Liabilities 3,587.7 3,711.3
------- -------

Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, authorized 200,000,000 shares
of $0.01 par value each; issued 2009,
121,853,242 shares, 2008, 121,105,429 shares;
outstanding 2009, 109,366,362 shares, 2008,
110,394,774 shares 1.2 1.2
Additional paid-in capital 1,907.9 1,898.9
Treasury stock, shares at cost, 2009,
12,486,880 shares; 2008, 10,710,655 shares (162.2) (150.8)
Accumulated deficit (1,071.8) (940.9)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 143.5 159.6
----- -----
Total AK Steel Holding Corporation
Stockholders' Equity 818.6 968.0
----- -----

Noncontrolling interest 1.2 2.7
----- -----
Total Stockholders' Equity 819.8 970.7
----- -----

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $4,407.5 $4,682.0
======== ========

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

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
-----------------
2009 2008
---- ----

Cash Flow From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss) $(115.9) $435.0
Depreciation 153.9 153.9
Amortization 9.7 8.7
Deferred taxes (40.8) 229.9
Contributions to the pension trust (210.0) (225.0)
Contribution to
Middletown retirees VEBA (65.0) (468.0)
Pension and other postretirement
benefit payments greater than expense (47.9) (62.9)
Excess tax benefits from
stock-based compensation - (12.4)
Working capital 176.4 (178.3)
Working capital-Middletown Coke (1.8) -
Other 54.0 (20.0)
---- -----
Net Cash Flow From
Operating Activities (87.4) (139.1)
----- ------

Cash Flow From Investing Activities:
Capital investments (91.2) (120.8)
Capital investments-Middletown Coke (22.5) -
Purchase of Investments - (8.2)
Proceeds from sale of
property, plant and
equipment 0.5 8.0
Other 1.8 0.3
--- ---
Net Cash Flow From
Investing Activities (111.4) (120.7)
------ ------

Cash Flow From Financing Activities:
Redemption of long-term debt (23.3) (0.5)
Proceeds from
exercise of stock
options - 3.3
Purchase of treasury stock (11.4) (9.6)
Excess tax benefits from
stock-based compensation - 12.4
Common stock dividends (16.5) (16.8)
Advances from minority interest
owner to Middletown Coke 25.3 -
Other 1.5 (1.2)
--- ----
Net Cash Flow From
Financing Activities (24.4) (12.4)
----- -----

Net Decrease in Cash (223.2) (272.2)

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning 562.7 713.6
----- -----

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Ending $339.5 $441.4
====== ======

AK Steel Holding Corporation
(Unaudited)

Steel Shipments

Three Months Nine Months
Ended Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------- -------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ----
Tons Shipped by Product (000's)
Stainless/electrical 178.0 240.3 485.6 752.1
Coated 497.3 592.0 1,170.1 2,015.4
Cold-rolled 194.4 314.2 487.4 970.2
Tubular 23.5 28.3 58.3 96.0
---- ---- ---- ----
Subtotal value-added shipments 893.2 1,174.8 2,201.4 3,833.7

Hot-rolled 118.5 260.7 258.9 816.7
Secondary 36.1 40.8 106.9 142.1
---- ---- ----- -----
Subtotal non value-added shipments 154.6 301.5 365.8 958.8

Total Shipments 1,047.8 1,476.3 2,567.2 4,792.5
======= ======= ======= =======

Shipments by Product (%)
Stainless/electrical 17.0% 16.3% 18.9% 15.7%
Coated 47.5% 40.1% 45.6% 42.1%
Cold-rolled 18.6% 21.3% 19.0% 20.2%
Tubular 2.2% 1.9% 2.3% 2.0%
--- --- --- ---
Subtotal value-added shipments 85.3% 79.6% 85.8% 80.0%

Hot-rolled 11.3% 17.7% 10.1% 17.0%
Secondary 3.4% 2.7% 4.1% 3.0%
--- --- --- ---
Subtotal non value-added shipments 14.7% 20.4% 14.2% 20.0%

Total Shipments 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
===== ===== ===== =====

SOURCE AK Steel

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