e10vq

FORM 10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2005
Commission File Number 1-4304

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY

(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware		75-0725338

(State or other Jurisdiction of incorporation of organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

6565 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, Texas 75039

(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(214) 689-4300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

þ o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes No

þ o

As of June 30, 2005, there were 58,122,392 shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding excluding 6,407,940 shares held in the Company’s treasury.

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY


	May 31,			August 31,
(in thousands except share data)	2005			2004

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	$	389,793		$	385,108
Accounts payable-documentary letters of credit		155,432			116,698
Accrued expenses and other payables		251,363			248,790
Income taxes payable		30,211			11,343
Short-term trade financing arrangements		2,904			9,756
Notes payable — CMCZ		—			530
Current maturities of long-term debt		22,515			11,252

Total current liabilities		852,218			783,477

Deferred income taxes		50,433			50,433
Other long-term liabilities		52,360			39,568
Long-term trade financing arrangement		5,167			14,233
Long-term debt		386,909			393,368

Total liabilities		1,347,087			1,281,079

Minority interests		49,325			46,340
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Capital stock:
Preferred stock		—			—
Common stock, par value $5.00 per share:
authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued 64,530,332 shares and 32,265,166 shares; outstanding 58,748,644 and 29,277,964 shares		322,652			161,326
Additional paid-in capital		12,325			7,932
Accumulated other comprehensive income		24,858			12,713
Unearned stock compensation		(326	)		—
Retained earnings		564,085			524,126

		923,594			706,097
Less treasury stock:
5,781,688 and 2,987,202 shares at cost		(81,678	)		(45,470	)

Total stockholders’ equity		841,916			660,627

	$	2,238,328		$	1,988,046

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)


	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	May 31,					May 31,
(in thousands, except share data)	2005			2004		2005			2004

Net sales	$	1,726,251		$	1,407,206	$	4,852,636		$	3,305,273

Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold		1,496,719			1,205,037		4,181,619			2,881,970
Selling, general and administrative expenses		106,192			114,066		329,627			268,953
Interest expense		7,608			7,739		23,426			19,728

		1,610,519			1,326,842		4,534,672			3,170,651


Earnings before income taxes and minority interests		115,732			80,364		317,964			134,622
Income taxes		46,345			22,539		117,329			41,800


Earnings before minority interests		69,387			57,825		200,635			92,822
Minority interests		(2,354	)		6,941		(1,406	)		8,155


Net earnings	$	71,741		$	50,884	$	202,041		$	84,667


Basic earnings per share	$	1.20		$	0.88	$	3.41		$	1.48

Diluted earnings per share	$	1.14		$	0.84	$	3.26		$	1.43


Cash dividends per share	$	0.06		$	0.04	$	0.17		$	0.12


Average basic shares outstanding		59,801,749			58,054,908		59,332,329			57,208,324

Average diluted shares outstanding		62,735,824			60,269,432		62,021,496			59,341,888

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)


	Nine Months Ended
	May 31,
(in thousands)	2005			2004*

Cash Flows From (Used By) Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$	202,041		$	84,667
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		56,756			52,328
Minority interests		(1,406	)		8,155
Loss on reacquisition of debt		—			3,072
Provision for losses on receivables		3,574			5,443
Tax benefits from stock plans		10,809			4,262
Asset impairment charge		—			2,940
Net gain on sale of assets and other		(1,200	)		(523	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable		(212,701	)		(268,469	)
Accounts receivable sold		41,063			34,967
Inventories		(84,414	)		(162,823	)
Other assets		(6,029	)		(11,443	)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, other payables and income taxes		12,503			133,899
Deferred income taxes		(45	)		566
Other long-term liabilities		12,282			9,692

Net Cash Flows From (Used By) Operating Activities		33,233			(103,267	)

Cash Flows From (Used By) Investing Activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(67,884	)		(33,215	)
Sales of property, plant and equipment		4,913			2,192
Acquisitions of fabrication businesses		(2,950	)		—
Acquisitions of Lofland and CMCZ, net of cash acquired		—			(99,401	)

Net Cash Used By Investing Activities		(65,921	)		(130,424	)

Cash Flows From (Used By) Financing Activities:
Increase in documentary letters of credit		38,734			67,987
Proceeds from trade financing arrangements		—			35,307
Payments on trade financing arrangements		(16,311	)		(23,267	)
Short-term borrowings, net change		(581	)		(13,959	)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		—			238,400
Payments on long-term debt		(1,441	)		(90,250	)
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans		17,007			15,919
Dividends paid		(10,146	)		(6,842	)
Debt reacquisition and issuance costs		—			(4,989	)
Treasury stock acquired		(50,675	)		—

Net Cash From (Used By) Financing Activities		(23,413	)		218,306
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash		749			896

Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents		(55,352	)		(14,489	)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year		123,559			75,058

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	68,207		$	60,569

* As restated (see Note F — Credit Arrangements)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)


	Common Stock							Accumulated									Treasury Stock
					Additional			Other			Unearned
	Number of				Paid-In			Comprehensive			Stock			Retained			Number of
(in thousands, except share data)	Shares		Amount		Capital			Income			Compensation			Earnings			Shares			Amount			Total

Balance, September 1, 2004		32,265,166	$	161,326	$	7,932		$	12,713		$	—		$	524,126			(2,987,202	)	$	(45,470	)	$	660,627

Comprehensive income:
Net earnings for nine months ended May 31, 2005															202,041									202,041
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $122									12,999															12,999
Unrealized loss on hedges, net of taxes of $(147)									(854	)														(854	)

Comprehensive income																								214,186

Cash dividends															(10,146	)								(10,146	)
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans						2,668												1,953,714			14,339			17,007
Treasury stock acquired																		(1,944,610	)		(50,675	)		(50,675	)
Restricted stock awarded						306						(434	)					16,000			128			—
Amortization of restricted stock												108												108
Tax benefits from stock plans						10,809																		10,809
Two-for-one stock split		32,265,166		161,326		(9,390	)								(151,936	)		(2,819,590	)					—

Balance, May 31, 2005		64,530,332	$	322,652	$	12,325		$	24,858		$	(326	)	$	564,085			(5,781,688	)	$	(81,678	)	$	841,916

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

NOTE A — QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States on a basis consistent with that used in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the year ended August 31, 2004, and include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of earnings, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for the periods indicated. These Notes should be read in conjunction with such Form 10-K. The results of operations for the three and nine month periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

NOTE B — ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Stock-Based Compensation

The 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, as amended with stockholder approval in January 2005, provides for annual awards of equity compensation to non-employee directors. This award can either be in the form of a nonqualified stock option grant for 12,000 shares or a restricted stock award of 2,000 shares. On January 27, 2005, the Company issued an aggregate of 16,000 shares of common stock to eight non-employee directors under that plan. This restricted stock award will be expensed using the accelerated method over its two year vesting period. The related pre-tax compensation expense was $81 thousand and $108 thousand for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005, respectively. Prior to vesting, the directors will receive any dividends on the restricted stock.

The Company accounts for stock options granted to employees and directors using the intrinsic value-based method of accounting. Under this method, the Company does not recognize compensation expense for the stock options because the exercise price is equal to the market price of the underlying stock on the date of the grant. If the Company had used the fair value-based method of accounting, net earnings and earnings per share would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts listed in the table below. The Black-Scholes option pricing model was used to calculate the pro forma stock-based compensation costs. For purposes of the pro forma disclosures, the assumed compensation expense is amortized over the options’ vesting periods.


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	May 31,						May 31,
(in thousands, except share data)	2005			2004			2005			2004

Net earnings, as reported	$	71,741		$	50,884		$	202,041		$	84,667
Stock-based compensation expense		49			—			68			—
Pro forma stock-based compensation cost		(538	)		(1,062	)		(1,787	)		(1,714	)

Pro forma net earnings	$	71,252		$	49,822		$	200,322		$	82,953


Net earnings per share, as reported:
Basic	$	1.20		$	0.88		$	3.41		$	1.48
Diluted	$	1.14		$	0.84		$	3.26		$	1.43
Pro forma net earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.19		$	0.86		$	3.38		$	1.45
Diluted	$	1.14		$	0.83		$	3.23		$	1.40

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, requiring that the compensation cost relating to stock options and other share-based compensation transactions be recognized at fair value in financial statements. Statement No. 123(R) is effective for the Company for its quarter ending November 30, 2005. Historically, the pro forma stock-based compensation expense has not had a material effect on the Company’s pro forma net earnings or net earnings per share. Management is still evaluating the impact of the adoption of Statement No. 123(R) on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

On July 8, 2005, the Company issued 254,200 shares of restricted stock to employees. This restricted stock vests over three years. Also, on July 8, 2005, the Company issued stock appreciation rights (SARs) relating to the appreciation in 516,240 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $24.62 per share. These SARs vest over a 3-year period.

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Intangible Assets

The total gross carrying amounts of the Company’s intangible assets that were subject to amortization were $12.2 million and $14.1 million at May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004, respectively. There were no significant changes in either the components or the lives of intangible assets during the three or nine months ended May 31, 2005. Aggregate amortization expense for the three months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004 was $331 thousand and $295 thousand, respectively. Aggregate amortization expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004 was $1.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

Inventory Costs

In November 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151, Inventory Costs, which specifies that certain abnormal costs must be recognized as current period charges. Management does not believe that this Statement, which is effective for inventory costs incurred after September 1, 2005, will materially affect the Company’s results of operations or financial position .

Asset Retirement Obligations

In March 2005, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143 (FIN 47). This Interpretation clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity and a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation must be recognized when incurred or acquired if it can be reasonably estimated. This Interpretation also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. FIN 47 is effective as of the Company’s fiscal year ending August 31, 2006. Management is evaluating the potential impact of FIN 47 on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

Reclassifications

Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform to the classifications used in the current period.

NOTE C — ACQUISITIONS

On November 4, 2004, the Company acquired substantially all of the operating assets of the J. L. Davidson Company’s rebar fabricating facility located in Rialto, California. The Company paid $2.9 million in cash and executed notes payable of $2.3 million for this acquisition. The following summarizes the allocation of the purchase price (in thousands):


Inventories	$	681
Property, plant and equipment		4,550

	$	5,231

On December 3, 2003, the Company’s Swiss subsidiary acquired 71.1% of the outstanding shares of Huta Zawiercie, S.A. (CMCZ), of Zawiercie, Poland, for 200 million Polish Zlotys (PLN) ($51.9 million) cash on the acquisition date. In connection with the acquisition, the Company also assumed debt of 176 million PLN ($45.7 million) and acquired $3.8 million in cash. CMCZ operates a steel minimill which manufactures rebar, wire rod and merchant bar products.

On December 23, 2003, the Company acquired 100% of the stock of Lofland Acquisition, Inc. (Lofland) for $48.8 million cash. Lofland was the sole stockholder of the Lofland Company and subsidiaries which operate steel reinforcing bar fabrication and construction-related product sales facilities.

The following pro forma financial information for the nine months ended May 31, 2004, reflects the consolidated results of operations of the Company as if the acquisitions of CMCZ and Lofland had taken place on September 1, 2003 (in thousands, except share data):

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


Net sales	$	3,421,936
Net earnings	$	85,660
Diluted net earnings per share	$	1.45

The pro forma information includes primarily adjustments for amortization of acquired intangible assets, depreciation expense based upon the new basis of property, plant and equipment, and interest expense for assumed debt. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations as they would have been had the transactions been effected on the assumed date .

NOTE D — SALES OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

The Company has an accounts receivable securitization program which it utilizes as a cost-effective, short-term financing alternative. Under this program, the Company and several of its subsidiaries periodically sell certain eligible trade accounts receivable to the Company’s wholly-owned consolidated special purpose subsidiary (CMCR). CMCR is structured to be a bankruptcy-remote entity. CMCR, in turn, sells undivided percentage ownership interests in the pool of receivables to affiliates of two third-party financial institutions. On April 20, 2005, the agreement with the financial institution affiliates was extended to April 14, 2006. CMCR may sell undivided interests of up to $130 million, depending on the Company’s level of financing needs.

At May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004, accounts receivable of $250 million and $236 million, respectively, had been sold to CMCR. The Company’s undivided interest in these receivables (representing the Company’s retained interest) was 72% and 83% at May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004, respectively. At May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004, the financial institution buyers owned $70 million and $40 million in undivided interests in CMCR’s accounts receivable pool, which was reflected as a reduction in accounts receivable on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The average monthly amounts of undivided interests owned by the financial institution buyers were $34.9 million and $22.8 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

In addition to the securitization program described above, the Company’s international subsidiaries periodically sell accounts receivable without recourse. Uncollected accounts receivable that had been sold under these arrangements and removed from the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $69.8 million and $58.7 million at May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004, respectively. The average monthly amounts of outstanding international accounts receivable sold were $63.8 million and $23.0 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Discounts (losses) on domestic and international sales of accounts receivable were $1.2 million and $116 thousand for the three months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004 these discounts were $3.0 million and $564 thousand, respectively. These losses primarily represented the costs of funds and were included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

NOTE E — INVENTORIES

Before deduction of last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory valuation reserves of $128.1 million and $92.2 million at May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004, respectively, inventories valued under the first-in, first-out method approximated replacement cost. The majority of the Company’s inventories are in finished goods, with minimal work in process. Approximately $75.3 million and $58.1 million were in raw materials at May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004, respectively.

For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005, the Company refined its method of estimating its interim LIFO reserve by using quantities and costs at quarter end. The resulting LIFO expense was recorded in its entirety during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005. At May 31, 2004, the Company had estimated both inventory quantities and costs that were expected at the end of fiscal year 2004 for these LIFO calculations, and recorded the expense for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2004 on a pro-rata basis.

NOTE F — CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

In May 2005, the Company increased its commercial paper program to permit maximum borrowings of up to $400 million, an increase from the prior level of $275 million. It is the Company’s policy to maintain contractual bank credit lines equal to 100% of the amount of all commercial paper outstanding. On May 23, 2005, the Company

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

amended and restated its unsecured revolving credit agreement to (1) extend the maturity of the facility from August 6, 2006 to May 23, 2010, (2) increase the facility to $400 million from $275 million, (3) reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio (as defined) requirement from three to two and one-half times, and (4) increase the maximum debt/capitalization (as defined) requirement from 55% to 60%. The agreement provides for interest based on Bank of America’s prime rate and facility fees of 12.5 basis points per annum.

At May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004, no borrowings were outstanding under the Company’s commercial paper program or the related revolving credit agreement. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at May 31, 2005.

The Company has numerous informal credit facilities available from domestic and international banks. These credit facilities are priced at bankers’ acceptance rates or on a cost of funds basis. Amounts outstanding on these facilities relate to accounts payable settled under documentary letters of credit.

In October 2003, one of the Company’s international subsidiaries (the Subsidiary) entered into a financing arrangement with an independent third party lender for the sole purpose of advancing funds for steel purchases to a key supplier of which the Company owns an 11% interest (the Supplier). The 30 million Euro financing agreement is secured by a market-based supply agreement between the Subsidiary and the Supplier. The financing agreement terminates October 31, 2006. On July 7, 2005, the supply agreement term was extended to December 31, 2010. The lender is to be repaid after the product is delivered in conformance with the supply agreement, and the Subsidiary is not liable for repayment of the principal and/or interest unless and until it has received conforming deliveries of the products from the Supplier. At May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004, liabilities to the lender of $8.1 million (6.5 million Euro) and $24.0 million (19.7 million Euro), respectively, were recorded as short- and long-term trade financing arrangements and the advances to the Supplier were recorded as current and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. In October 2004, the Company determined that this trade financing arrangement had been incorrectly accounted for off-balance sheet in its fiscal 2004 interim financial statements. Although this commercial transaction has limited recourse, it should have been accounted for as a financial liability with the corresponding advance to the supplier included in other assets. The fiscal year 2004 interim condensed consolidated statements of earnings were not affected. The Company’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended May 31, 2004 has been restated as follows (in thousands):


	As
	Previously			As
	Reported			Restated

Net Cash Flows Used By Operating Activities	$	(82,227	)	$	(103,267	)

Net Cash From Financing Activities		197,266			218,306

The total amounts of purchases from the Supplier (including those under this trade financing arrangement) were $188.8 million and $100.2 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Long-term debt was as follows:


	May 31,			August 31,
(in thousands)	2005			2004

7.20% notes due 2005	$	10,069	*	$	10,246
6.80% notes due 2007		50,000			50,000
6.75% notes due 2009		100,000			100,000
5.625% notes due 2013		200,000			200,000
CMCZ term note due 2009		45,045			41,096
Other		4,310			3,278

		409,424			404,620
Less current maturities		22,515			11,252

	$	386,909		$	393,368

* Interest rate swaps in effect resulted in an estimated LIBOR-based floating annualized rate of 5.70% at May 31, 2005.

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

During the nine months ended May 31, 2004, the Company repurchased $90 million of its 7.20% notes due in 2005. The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $3.1 million relating to these repurchases, which was included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended May 31, 2004. Also, in November 2003, the Company issued $200 million of its 5.625% notes due in November 2013.

In March 2004, CMCZ borrowed 150 million PLN ($38.4 million) under a five-year term note to refinance a portion of its notes payable. Interest is accrued at the Warsaw Interbank Offered Rate (WIBOR) plus 1.25% and was fixed at 7.31% for the three months ended December 26, 2004, 7.86% for the three months ended March 29, 2005 and 7.15% for the three months ending June 27, 2005. The term note has scheduled semi-annual payments beginning in September 2005 and is collateralized by CMCZ’s fixed assets. In March 2004, CMCZ also entered into a revolving credit facility with maximum borrowings of 60 million PLN ($18.0 million) bearing interest at WIBOR plus 0.8% and collateralized by CMCZ’s accounts receivable. On December 9, 2004, the facility was increased to 120 million PLN ($36.0 million), and on March 2, 2005, it was extended for one year. At May 31, 2005, no amounts were outstanding under this facility. The term note and the revolving credit facility contain certain financial covenants for CMCZ. CMCZ was in compliance with these covenants at May 31, 2005. There are no guarantees by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for any of CMCZ’s debt.

Interest of $23.7 million and $17.1 million was paid in the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

NOTE G — INCOME TAXES

Income taxes of $79.5 million and $20.2 million were paid in the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Reconciliations of the United States statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rates were as follows:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	May 31,						May 31,
	2005			2004			2005			2004

Statutory rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State and local taxes		2.8			0.8			2.3			1.4
Extraterritorial Income Exclusion (ETI)		(0.2	)		(1.7	)		(0.3	)		(1.5	)
Foreign rate differential		2.1			(6.2	)		(0.6	)		(4.3	)
Other		0.3			0.1			0.5			0.4

Effective rate		40.0	%		28.0	%		36.9	%		31.0	%

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (AJCA), which was signed into law on October 22, 2004, provides significant changes in the U.S. tax law including an 85% dividend deduction incentive to repatriate undistributed foreign subsidiaries’ earnings. The Company has the option to apply this provision to qualified repatriated earnings during its fiscal years ending August 31, 2005 or 2006. The AJCA also includes provisions for the phase-out of the ETI, replacing it with a phased-in special domestic manufacturing deduction beginning in the fiscal year ending August 31, 2006. The Company is analyzing the potential impact of the AJCA, including assessing business requirements, economic costs and foreign statutory requirements associated with repatriation of foreign earnings. However, due to the preliminary stage of this assessment and lack of specific regulatory guidance, it is not feasible at this time to determine the amount (if any) of foreign earnings that may be repatriated or the potential impact that the AJCA may have on the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company will complete its assessment within a reasonable timeframe after additional regulatory guidance and information is published.

NOTE H — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

On November 22, 2004, the Company declared a two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100% stock dividend on the Company’s common stock payable January 10, 2005 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2004. This resulted at the record date in the issuance of 32,265,166 additional shares of common stock and a transfer of $9.4 million from additional paid in capital and $151.9 million from retained earnings. All per share and weighted average share amounts in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been restated to reflect this stock split. The Company also increased its quarterly cash dividend from five to six cents per share on

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

the increased number of shares resulting from the stock dividend effective with the January 31, 2005 dividend payment.

In calculating earnings per share, there were no adjustments to net earnings to arrive at earnings for the three or nine months ended May 31, 2005 or 2004. The reconciliation of the denominators of the earnings per share calculations are as follows:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				May 31,
	2005		2004		2005		2004

Shares outstanding for basic earnings per share		59,801,749		58,054,908		59,332,329		57,208,324
Effect of dilutive securities-stock options/ purchase plans/restricted stock		2,934,075		2,214,524		2,689,167		2,133,564

Shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share		62,735,824		60,269,432		62,021,496		59,341,888

All stock options with total share commitments of 5,107,202 at May 31, 2005, were dilutive based on the average share price for the quarter then ended of $30.09. Stock options with total share commitments of 1,780,644 at May 31, 2004, were anti-dilutive based on the average share price for the quarter then ended of $14.73. All stock options expire by 2012.

The Company purchased 1,944,610 shares during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005, at an average cost of $26.06 per share. On May 23, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 2,000,000 additional shares of the Company’s common stock.

NOTE I — DERIVATIVES AND RISK MANAGEMENT

The Company’s worldwide operations and product lines expose it to risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and metals commodity prices. The objective of the Company’s risk management program is to mitigate these risks using futures or forward contracts (derivative instruments). The Company enters into metal commodity forward contracts to mitigate the risk of unanticipated declines in gross margin due to the volatility of the commodities’ prices, and enters into foreign currency forward contracts, which match the expected settlements for purchases and sales denominated in foreign currencies. Also, when its sales commitments to customers include a fixed price freight component, the Company occasionally enters into freight forward contracts to minimize the effect of the volatility of ocean freight rates. The Company designates only those contracts which closely match the terms of the underlying transaction as hedges for accounting purposes. These hedges resulted in an immaterial amount of ineffectiveness in the statements of earnings for the three or nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004. Certain of the foreign currency and all of the commodity and freight contracts were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, although management believes they are essential economic hedges.

The following chart shows the impact on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings of the changes in fair value of these economic hedges:


	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	May 31,					May 31,
	2005		2004			2005			2004
(in thousands)	Earnings		(Expense)			Earnings			(Expense)

Net sales (foreign currency instruments)	$	1,020	$	1,948		$	(242	)	$	375
Cost of goods sold (commodity and freight instruments)		997		(101	)		(81	)		1,170

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

The Company’s derivative instruments were recorded as follows on the condensed consolidated balance sheets:


	May 31,		August 31,
(in thousands)	2005		2004

Derivative assets (other current assets)	$	3,254	$	2,909
Derivative liabilities (other payables)		2,634		1,700

The following table summarizes activities in other comprehensive income (losses) related to derivatives classified as cash flow hedges held by the Company during the nine months ended May 31, 2005 (in thousands):


Change in market value (net of taxes)	$	(770	)
(Gain) losses reclassified into net earnings, net		(84	)

Other comprehensive loss — unrealized loss on derivatives	$	(854	)

During the twelve months following May 31, 2005, negligible losses are anticipated to be reclassified into net earnings as the related capital expenditure is placed into service, and an additional $112 thousand in gains will be reclassified as interest expense related to the interest rate swap.

All of the instruments are highly liquid, and none are entered into for trading purposes.

NOTE J — CONTINGENCIES

See Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies, to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2004. In the ordinary course of conducting its business, the Company becomes involved in litigation, administrative proceedings and governmental investigations, including environmental matters. Management believes that adequate provision has been made in the condensed consolidated financial statements for the potential impact of these issues, and that the outcomes will not significantly impact the results of operations or the financial position of the Company, although they may have a material impact on earnings for a particular quarter.

In May and June 2004, the Company’s primary and secondary transformers at its SMI Texas melt shop failed. On February 4, 2005, the Company submitted a claim with its property damage and business interruption insurance carrier in the amount of $20.2 million subject to future adjustment including a deductible. The Company recorded $4.5 million (in net sales) for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 representing the minimum amount received to-date by the insurance carrier to compensate the Company for property damage and the interruption of business operations, including lost profits and additional expenditures incurred. Management is unable to estimate the total amount that will ultimately be recovered from insurance for these failures.

On August 18, 2003, the Company’s new electric arc furnace transformer failed at its SMI South Carolina melt shop after only six days in operation. After the failure of the new transformer, the Company’s former transformer was reinstalled. On November 16, 2004, the Company filed a claim with its insurance carrier in the amount of $18.1 million (subsequently reduced to $17.7 million) subject to future adjustment including a deductible. The Company recorded the receipt from the insurance carrier of $4.0 million (in net sales) during the nine months ended May 31, 2005 representing the minimum amount expected to be required to compensate it for the interruption of business operations, including lost profits and additional expenditures incurred. Management is unable to estimate the total additional amount that will ultimately be received under the policy.

In January 2005, one of the Company’s international subsidiaries entered into a guarantee agreement with a bank in connection with a $30 million advance by an affiliate of the bank to one of the subsidiary’s suppliers. The subsidiary has entered into an offtake agreement with the supplier with a total purchase commitment of $45 million. The subsidiary’s maximum exposure under the guarantee is $3 million (except in an event of default by the subsidiary under the offtake agreement). The fair value of the guarantee is negligible.

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

NOTE K — BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The following is a summary of certain financial information by reportable segment:


	Three Months Ended May 31, 2005
										Marketing		Corporate
	Domestic					Domestic				and		and
(in thousands)	Mills		CMCZ			Fabrication		Recycling		Distribution		Eliminations			Consolidated

Net sales-unaffiliated customers	$	266,926	$	105,501		$	391,986	$	217,589	$	744,777	$	(528	)	$	1,726,251
Intersegment sales		77,071		4,476			243		21,299		26,460		(129,549	)		—

Net sales		343,997		109,977			392,229		238,888		771,237		(130,077	)		1,726,251


Adjusted operating profit (loss)		57,048		(9,811	)		43,294		15,712		21,834		(3,541	)		124,536


	Three Months Ended May 31, 2004
									Marketing		Corporate
	Domestic				Domestic				and		and
(in thousands)	Mills		CMCZ		Fabrication		Recycling		Distribution		Eliminations			Consolidated

Net sales-unaffiliated customers	$	244,907	$	133,719	$	283,874	$	226,371	$	518,337	$	(2	)	$	1,407,206
Intersegment sales		79,177		18,116		930		16,269		17,667		(132,159	)		—

Net sales		324,084		151,835		284,804		242,640		536,004		(132,161	)		1,407,206


Adjusted operating profit (loss)		25,496		32,564		3,044		22,543		12,494		(7,922	)		88,219


	Nine Months Ended May 31, 2005
										Marketing		Corporate
	Domestic					Domestic				and		and
(in thousands)	Mills		CMCZ			Fabrication		Recycling		Distribution		Eliminations			Consolidated

Net sales-unaffiliated customers	$	729,460	$	330,737		$	1,049,188	$	622,727	$	2,117,684	$	2,840		$	4,852,636
Intersegment sales		214,134		9,998			567		61,141		83,152		(368,992	)		—

Net sales		943,594		340,735			1,049,755		683,868		2,200,836		(366,152	)		4,852,636


Adjusted operating profit (loss)		143,774		(2,038	)		92,463		55,560		68,418		(13,809	)		344,368

Goodwill — May 31, 2005		306		—			27,006		3,230		—		—			30,542

Total assets — May 31, 2005		453,938		253,143			590,304		144,562		727,012		69,369			2,238,328


	Nine Months Ended May 31, 2004
									Marketing		Corporate
	Domestic				Domestic				and		and
(in thousands)	Mills		CMCZ		Fabrication		Recycling		Distribution		Eliminations			Consolidated

Net sales-unaffiliated customers	$	600,960	$	222,586	$	713,312	$	522,061	$	1,246,238	$	116		$	3,305,273
Intersegment sales		186,614		43,740		5,090		42,346		33,264		(311,054	)		—

Net sales		787,574		266,326		718,402		564,407		1,279,502		(310,938	)		3,305,273


Adjusted operating profit (loss)		56,090		38,785		7,536		45,979		27,586		(21,062	)		154,914

Goodwill — May 31, 2004		306		—		27,331		2,930		—		—			30,567

Total assets — May 31, 2004		425,829		250,617		466,873		151,073		555,108		54,279			1,903,779

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

The following table provides a reconciliation of consolidated adjusted operating profit to net earnings:


	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	May 31,					May 31,
(in thousands)	2005			2004		2005			2004

Net earnings	$	71,741		$	50,884	$	202,041		$	84,667
Minority interests		(2,354	)		6,941		(1,406	)		8,155
Income taxes		46,345			22,539		117,329			41,800
Interest expense		7,608			7,739		23,426			19,728
Discounts on sales of accounts receivable		1,196			116		2,978			564

Adjusted operating profit	$	124,536		$	88,219	$	344,368		$	154,914

The following presents external net sales by major product and geographic area for the Company:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				May 31,
(in thousands)	2005		2004		2005		2004

Major product information:
Steel products	$	1,087,208	$	876,447	$	3,148,218	$	2,013,207
Ferrous scrap		78,701		108,025		265,151		239,043
Nonferrous scrap		138,137		116,691		352,650		278,983
Industrial materials		240,527		146,550		589,288		380,655
Other products		181,678		159,493		497,329		393,385

Net sales	$	1,726,251	$	1,407,206	$	4,852,636	$	3,305,273


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				May 31,
(in thousands)	2005		2004		2005		2004

Geographic area:
United States	$	1,040,687	$	880,097	$	2,784,110	$	2,140,046
Europe		277,607		244,772		983,864		463,853
Asia		235,228		143,624		638,202		373,590
Australia/New Zealand		122,386		91,378		299,939		236,776
Other		50,343		47,335		146,521		91,008

Net sales	$	1,726,251	$	1,407,206	$	4,852,636	$	3,305,273

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

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the year ended August 31, 2004.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

See Note E — Inventories, to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Prior to this fiscal year ending August 31, 2005, each quarter we estimated the quantities and costs for the year in calculating the annual effect of valuing our inventories under the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. The resulting estimate was pro-rated across the current and remaining quarters of the fiscal year. For greater accuracy, we have changed our method of estimating quarterly expense and now estimate the LIFO effect using quantities and costs as of each quarter end. The resulting effect is recorded in its entirety each quarter. Except as discussed above, our critical accounting policies are not different from the information set forth in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended August 31, 2004 and are, therefore, not presented herein.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				May 31,
(in millions)	2005		2004		2005		2004

Net sales	$	1,726.3	$	1,407.2	$	4,852.6	$	3,305.3
Net earnings		71.7		50.9		202.0		84.7
EBITDA		144.6		99.4		399.5		198.5

In the table above, we have included a financial statement measure that was not derived in accordance with GAAP. We use EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) as a non-GAAP performance measure. In calculating EBITDA, we exclude our largest recurring non-cash charge, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA provides a core operational performance measurement that compares results without the need to adjust for federal, state and local taxes which have considerable variation between domestic jurisdictions. Tax regulations in international operations add additional complexity. Also, we exclude interest cost in our calculation of EBITDA. The results are, therefore, without consideration of financing alternatives of capital employed. We use EBITDA as one guideline to assess our unleveraged performance return on our investments. EBITDA is also the target benchmark for our long-term cash incentive performance plan for management. Reconciliations to net earnings are provided below:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				May 31,
(in millions)	2005		2004		2005		2004

Net earnings	$	71.7	$	50.9	$	202.0	$	84.7
Interest expense		7.6		7.7		23.4		19.7
Income taxes		46.3		22.5		117.3		41.8
Depreciation and amortization		19.0		18.3		56.8		52.3

EBITDA	$	144.6	$	99.4	$	399.5	$	198.5

Our EBITDA does not include interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. Because we have borrowed money in order to finance our operations, interest expense is a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate revenues. Because we use capital assets, depreciation and amortization are also necessary elements of our costs. Also, the payment of income taxes is a necessary element of our operations. Therefore, any measures that exclude these elements have material limitations. To compensate for these limitations, we believe that it is appropriate to consider both net earnings determined under GAAP, as well as EBITDA, to evaluate our performance. Also, we separately analyze any significant fluctuations in interest expense, depreciation and amortization and income taxes.

Overview Our EBITDA increased by 45% to $144.6 million and by 101% to $399.5 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005, respectively, as compared to 2004. The following financial events were significant during our third quarter ended May 31, 2005:

• Our record third quarter 2005 net earnings reflected seasonally improved construction markets which were partially offset by softening in some global markets.

• Increases in our selling prices and margins resulted in significantly higher adjusted operating profits in all of our segments, except for recycling and our minimill in Poland (CMCZ).

• Our domestic steel mills’ adjusted operating profit increased due to much higher selling prices and metal margins, which more than offset a decline in finished goods shipments compared to the prior year’s third quarter.

• Selling prices, margins and shipments at CMCZ decreased as compared to 2004 due largely to the relatively strong Polish Zloty which limited its exports and weak construction activity in Western Europe, notably Germany, which encouraged more competition in Poland.

• Adjusted operating profit in our domestic fabrication segment increased significantly due to higher selling prices, margins and increased shipments.

• Ferrous and nonferrous scrap prices were volatile with ferrous decreasing and nonferrous increasing during the third quarter 2005 as compared to 2004. Total domestic scrap processed and shipped decreased in 2005.

• Adjusted operating profit in our marketing and distribution segment increased significantly due to robust demand across multiple product lines and geographic areas.

• Our overall effective tax rate increased to 40% as compared to 28% in 2004 due to shifts in profitability among tax jurisdictions.

We continued to benefit in our third quarter ended May 31, 2005 from our long-enacted strategy of vertical integration and diversification. While global economic growth moderated, our end-use markets in the United States remained healthy. The Chinese government took steps to slow the growth rate of fixed investment in certain sectors and to reduce steel exports which resulted in near-term softening of global steel markets. Poor market conditions in western Europe (especially in Germany and Italy) created downward pressure on prices for steel, as well as slowing of shipments at the mill level. On the other hand, ferrous scrap and freight costs moderated.

SEGMENT OPERATING DATA

See Note K — Business Segments, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

We use adjusted operating profit (loss), to compare and evaluate the financial performance of our segments. Adjusted operating profit is the sum of our earnings before income taxes, minority interests and financing costs. Adjusted operating profit is equal to earnings before income taxes for our domestic mills and domestic fabrication segments because these segments require minimal outside financing. The following tables show our net sales and adjusted operating profit (loss) by business segment:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	May 31,						May 31,
(in thousands)	2005			2004			2005			2004

NET SALES:
Domestic mills	$	343,997		$	324,084		$	943,594		$	787,574
CMCZ*		109,977			151,835			340,735			266,326
Domestic fabrication**		392,229			284,804			1,049,755			718,402
Recycling		238,888			242,640			683,868			564,407
Marketing and distribution		771,237			536,004			2,200,836			1,279,502
Corporate and eliminations		(130,077	)		(132,161	)		(366,152	)		(310,938	)

	$	1,726,251		$	1,407,206		$	4,852,636		$	3,305,273

* Acquired December 3, 2003

** Acquired Lofland December 23, 2003


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	May 31,						May 31,
(in thousands)	2005			2004			2005			2004

ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS):

Domestic mills	$	57,048		$	25,496		$	143,774		$	56,090
CMCZ*		(9,811	)		32,564			(2,038	)		38,785
Domestic fabrication**		43,294			3,044			92,463			7,536
Recycling		15,712			22,543			55,560			45,979
Marketing and distribution		21,834			12,494			68,418			27,586
Corporate and eliminations		(3,541	)		(7,922	)		(13,809	)		(21,062	)

* Acquired December 3, 2003

** Acquired Lofland December 23, 2003

Domestic Mills We include our four domestic steel and our copper tube minimills in our domestic mills segment. Our domestic mills segment’s adjusted operating profit for the three months ended May 31, 2005 increased by $31.6 million (124%) as compared to 2004 on $19.9 million (6%) more net sales. For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, adjusted operating profit increased by $87.7 million (156%) on $156.0 million (20%) more net sales as compared to 2004. Net sales and adjusted operating profit were higher due to higher selling prices which resulted in increased metal margins (our average selling price less our average cost of scrap used in production) for our domestic steel mills.

Selling prices for our domestic steel minimills increased significantly for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004 due to strong global demand for steel. Our higher selling prices were only partially offset by increases in steel scrap purchase and other input costs. Therefore, our overall metal margins increased for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005. Average scrap purchase costs were higher than last year due primarily to increased world demand for ferrous scrap. However, ferrous scrap purchase prices decreased significantly late in our third quarter.

The table below reflects steel and ferrous scrap prices per ton:


	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				Increase					May 31,				Increase
	2005		2004		$		%			2005		2004		$		%

Average mill selling price (total sales)	$	476	$	409	$	67		16	%	$	478	$	354	$	124		35	%
Average ferrous scrap purchase price		175		171		4		2	%		182		145		37		26	%
Average metal margin		276		221		55		25	%		270		199		71		36	%

Overall, the mills’ production levels (tons melted and rolled) for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 decreased as compared to 2004 as we controlled our inventory levels. Shipments decreased for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004 due to reduced orders from distributor customers with excessive inventories as well as deferred purchases by end-users in anticipation of possibly lower prices. The table below reflects our domestic steel minimills’ operating statistics (tons in thousands):


	Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				(Decrease)						May 31,				(Decrease)
	2005		2004		Amount			%			2005		2004		Amount			%

Tons melted		587		613		(26	)		(4	)%		1,671		1,741		(70	)		(4	)%
Tons rolled		544		581		(37	)		(6	)%		1,562		1,662		(100	)		(6	)%
Tons shipped		607		632		(25	)		(4	)%		1,659		1,807		(148	)		(8	)%

All of our domestic steel minimills, except SMI Arkansas, were more profitable for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004 because the increases in selling prices more than offset higher scrap purchase costs and the impact of lower shipments. SMI Arkansas incurred increased rail input costs and utilized more billets (a higher-priced alternative to rail) during the three months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004. During the nine months ended May 31, 2005, SMI Arkansas incurred $2.3 million LIFO expense as compared to $210 thousand LIFO income in 2004. Adjusted operating profits for our domestic steel minimills were as follows (dollars in thousands):


	Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				Increase (Decrease)						May 31,				Increase (Decrease)
	2005		2004		$			%			2005		2004		$			%

SMI Texas	$	24,142	$	4,147	$	19,995			482	%	$	59,900	$	15,590	$	44,310			284	%
SMI South Carolina		15,154		4,659		10,495			225	%		36,749		7,280		29,469			405	%
SMI Alabama		11,094		8,437		2,657			31	%		29,579		14,589		14,990			103	%
SMI Arkansas		1,189		2,111		(922	)		(44	)%		4,389		4,455		(66	)		(1	)%

LIFO income for our domestic steel mills was $6.3 million during the three months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to $5.7 million LIFO expense in 2004. Our total utility costs were about the same in 2005 as compared to 2004. Our ferroalloys costs increased $2.9 million in 2005 as compared to 2004. Our costs for graphite electrodes increased slightly for the three months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004. SMI Alabama received a $1.5 million utility refund during the three months ended May 31, 2004.

During the nine months ended May 31, 2005, SMI Texas and SMI South Carolina recorded $4.5 million and $4.0 million, respectively, from insurance recoveries (see Note J — Contingencies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Overall, our domestic steel mills recorded $19.7 million LIFO expense in 2005 as compared to $8.8 million in 2004. Utility expenses increased by $1.4 million in 2005 as compared to 2004. Electricity decreased by $490 thousand due to a utility credit at SMI Texas and lower usage at SMI Texas and SMI South Carolina. Electric rates were consistent in 2005 as compared to 2004. Natural gas costs increased by $1.9 million due to significantly higher rates in 2005 as compared to 2004, although year-to-date natural gas usage decreased 8%. Costs for ferroalloys increased by $14.6 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004, due largely to higher demand from U.S. mills, the impact of the weaker U.S. dollar and higher ocean freight costs on these imported items.

The table below reflects our copper tube minimill’s prices per pound and operating statistics:


	Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				Increase (Decrease)						May 31,				Increase (Decrease)
	2005		2004		Amount			%			2005		2004		Amount			%

Pounds shipped (in millions)		18.0		19.5		(1.5	)		(8	)%		50.1		52.0		(1.9	)		(4	)%
Pounds produced (in millions)		14.5		17.1		(2.6	)		(15	)%		46.8		49.6		(2.8	)		(6	)%
Average selling price	$	1.93	$	1.89	$	0.04			2	%	$	1.88	$	1.63	$	0.25			15	%
Average copper scrap purchase price	$	1.42	$	1.26	$	0.16			13	%	$	1.34	$	1.05	$	0.29			28	%
Average metal margin	$	0.51	$	0.63	$	(0.12	)		(19	)%	$	0.54	$	0.58		($0.04	)		(7	)%

Our copper tube minimill’s adjusted operating profit was $1.7 million for the three months ended May 31, 2005, as compared to $2.4 million in 2004. For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, our copper tube minimill’s adjusted operating profit decreased $1.4 million (22%) to $4.9 million. Demand from our commercial and residential end- users was relatively steady. However, our average copper scrap purchase cost increased more than our average selling price resulting in decreased metal margins in 2005. Our shipments and production for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 decreased as compared to 2004. Some customer manufacturing has moved offshore and plastic has substituted for copper in some plumbing applications. Our copper tube mill recorded $1.7 million LIFO income and $355 thousand LIFO expense for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to $3.4 million and $5.9 million LIFO expense in 2004, respectively.

CMCZ On December 3, 2003, our Swiss subsidiary acquired 71.1% of the outstanding shares of Huta Zawiercie, S.A. (CMCZ), a steel minimill in Zawiercie, Poland.

The following table reflects CMCZ’s operating statistics and average prices per short ton:


	Three Months Ended													Nine Months Ended
	May 31,						Increase (Decrease)							May 31,
	2005			2004			Amount				%					2005
Tons melted (thousands)		219			402			(183	)			(46	)%		750
Ton rolled (thousands)		198			311			(113	)			(36	)%		606
Tons shipped (thousands)		244			328			(84	)			(26	)%		704
Average mill selling price (total sales)		1,313	PLN		1,774	PLN		(461	)	PLN		(26	)%		1,502	PLN
Average ferrous scrap purchase price		607	PLN		765	PLN		(158	)	PLN		(21	)%		786	PLN
Average metal margin		596	PLN		880	PLN		(284	)	PLN		(32	)%		625	PLN
Average mill selling price(total sales)	$	417		$	450		$	(33	)			(7	)%	$	458
Average ferrous scrap purchase price	$	182		$	195		$	(13	)			(7	)%	$	214
Average metal margin	$	189		$	223		$	(34	)			(15	)%	$	191

CMCZ recorded net sales of $110.0 million for the three months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to $151.8 million in 2004. Net sales were $340.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2005. The change in foreign currency exchange rates increased net sales by $22.6 million for the three months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004. However, overall net sales for the three months ended May 31, 2005 decreased by $41.8 million (28%) as compared to 2004. CMCZ reported an adjusted operating loss of $9.8 million for the three months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to an adjusted operating profit of $32.6 million in 2004. For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, CMCZ reported an adjusted operating loss of $2.0 million. Selling prices, metal margins and shipments decreased significantly in 2005 as compared to 2004. Although the weather improved seasonally, construction activity was weak in Western Europe (especially in Germany and Italy), which led to greater competition in Poland. Our ability to export CMCZ’s products from Poland to other key international markets was limited due to the strong Polish Zloty, especially relative to the Euro. During the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005, we recorded $6.6 million and $9.7 million, respectively, to writedown CMCZ’s finished goods inventory to its net realizable value due to lower selling prices and an overstocked inventory position due to weak winter sales. Also, the change in foreign currency exchange rates increased our adjusted operating loss by $1.5 million for the three months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004.

Domestic Fabrication Our domestic fabrication plants’ shipments and average selling prices per ton were as follows:


	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				Increase					May 31,				Increase
	2005		2004		Amount		%			2005		2004		Amount		%
Tons shipped (in thousands)		347		341		6		2	%		971		877		94		11	%
Average selling price*	$	864	$	625	$	239		38	%	$	845	$	591	$	254		43	%

excluding stock and buyout sales

Our domestic fabrication businesses reported an adjusted operating profit of $43.3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to an adjusted operating profit of $3.0 million in 2004. Net sales were $392.2 million in 2005, an increase of $107.4 million (38%) as compared to 2004. Our adjusted operating profit increased in 2005 as compared to 2004 due primarily to significantly higher average selling prices in all of our product areas (rebar fabrication, construction-related products, steel fence posts, steel joists, cellular beams, structural steel and heat treating) and more stable input costs. Market conditions were excellent, enabling us to obtain the higher selling prices and increase overall shipments to meet demand. We recorded $149 thousand of LIFO income in our domestic fabrication segment for the three months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to $10.3 million LIFO expense in 2004. We recorded an impairment charge of $2.9 million (in selling, general and administrative expenses) during the three months ended May 21, 2004 attributable to certain assets of our former cellular beam facility in Virginia.

Our domestic fabrication segment’s adjusted operating profit increased to $92.5 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to $7.5 million in 2004. Our net sales increased by $331.4 million (46%) in 2005 as compared to 2004. These increases in net sales and profitability were due to higher average selling prices, favorable input costs, and more tons shipped in 2005 as compared to 2004. On December 23, 2003, we acquired 100% of the stock of the Lofland Company (Lofland). During the first four months of 2005, this acquisition accounted for $38.1 million and $1.6 million in net sales and adjusted operating profit, respectively, and also accounted for 56 thousand tons shipped during the same period. Our LIFO expense was $9.1 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to $13.2 million in 2004.

Recycling Our recycling segment reported adjusted operating profits of $15.7 million and $55.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to adjusted operating profits of $22.5 million and $46.0 million in 2004. Net sales for the three months and nine months ended May 31, 2005 were 2% lower and 21% higher, respectively, at $238.9 million and $683.9 million, as compared to 2004. Gross margins decreased by 10% for the three months ended May 31, 2005, as compared to 2004. Although our adjusted operating profit decreased in the third quarter 2005 as compared to our record in 2004, 2005 was our second most profitable third quarter ever. The ferrous scrap market was extremely volatile during the three months ended May 31, 2005. Ferrous scrap selling prices decreased significantly from the beginning to the end of the quarter. Also, our ferrous scrap shipments decreased due to production cutbacks and cautious buying by our steel mill customers. For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, gross margins increased 17% as compared to 2004. Our average ferrous sales price on a year-to-date basis increased due to strong domestic and export markets as compared to 2004. Year-to-date 2005 ferrous shipments decreased as compared to 2004. During the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005, our nonferrous selling prices and shipments increased due to higher demand for aluminum, copper and stainless steel scrap. However, selling prices for aluminum scrap decreased significantly in May 2005 due to problems in the U. S. auto sector, high petroleum costs, and other global economic conditions.

The following table reflects our recycling segment’s average selling prices per ton and tons shipped (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				Increase (Decrease)						May 31,				Increase (Decrease)
	2005		2004		Amount			%			2005		2004		Amount			%

Ferrous sales price	$	184	$	192	$	(8	)		(4	)%	$	200	$	165	$	35			21	%
Nonferrous sales price	$	1,698	$	1,534	$	164			11	%	$	1,609	$	1,367	$	242			18	%
Ferrous tons shipped		491		570		(79	)		(14	)%		1,424		1,493		(69	)		(5	)%
Nonferrous tons shipped		76		72		4			6	%		215		190		25			13	%
Total volume processed and shipped*		869		972		(103	)		(11	)%		2,519		2,544		(25	)		(1	)%

Includes our processing plants affiliated with our domestic steel mills.

Our LIFO expense was $1.8 million and $3.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to $582 thousand and $2.9 million expense in 2004.

Marketing and Distribution Our marketing and distribution segment’s net sales increased by $235.2 million (44%) and $921.3 million (72%), respectively, for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations caused $15.0 million and $48.0 million of these increases. Our adjusted operating profits for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 were all-time records of $21.8 million and $68.4 million, respectively, as compared to $12.5 million and $27.6 million in 2004. The increases in our net sales and adjusted operating profits were due primarily to overall higher shipments and selling prices for our broad array of product lines in 2005 as compared to 2004. Shipments and margins increased significantly in 2005 as compared to 2004 for aluminum, copper, brass and stainless steel products. However, our sales of steel products declined in certain markets. Our 2005 sales, shipments and profits for industrial materials and products including minerals, ores, refractories, ferroalloys and various metals and alloys were at record levels because of globally strong demand from the metals industry and short supply. Our value-added downstream and processing businesses were also more profitable in 2005 as compared to 2004. Sales to and within the United States, Asia (including China), Australia and Europe increased in 2005 as compared to 2004. Our LIFO expense was $4.0 million and $3.8 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to $5.0 million and $5.1 million in 2004. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations increased our adjusted operating profits by $640 thousand for the three months ended May 31, 2005 and had a negligible impact for the nine months ended May 31, 2005. During the nine months ended May 31, 2004, we recognized a $1.5 million gain on our forward purchase of Polish Zlotys related to our acquisition of CMCZ.

Corporate and Eliminations Discretionary items, such as bonuses and profit sharing, increased commensurate with our increased profitability for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004. During the nine months ended May 31, 2004, we incurred a $3.1 million charge from the repurchase of $90 million of our notes otherwise due in 2005.

CONSOLIDATED DATA

On a consolidated basis, the LIFO method of inventory valuation increased our net earnings by $1.5 million and decreased net earnings by $16.3 million (2 cents and 27 cents per diluted share) for the three months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, our after-tax LIFO expense was $23.4 million (38 cents per diluted share) as compared to $23.3 million (39 cents per diluted share) in 2004.

Our overall selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $7.9 million (7%) and increased by $60.7 million (23%), for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005, respectively, as compared to 2004. During the three months ended May 31, 2004, we accrued $11.3 million more in discretionary bonuses and for our long-term cash incentive performance plan, as compared to 2005 as profitability surged in the quarter. Most of the increases in selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004 were for discretionary bonuses and profit sharing accruals due to much higher earnings. Our acquisitions of CMCZ and Lofland accounted for $10.0 million of the increase for the nine months ended May 31, 2005. Our selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended May 31, 2004 included an asset impairment charge of $2.9 million. Also, we incurred losses on reacquisition of debt of $3.1 during the nine months ended May 31, 2004. Foreign currency fluctuations resulted in increases in selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.3 million and $917 thousand for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004.

Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2005 was slightly less than 2004. During the nine months ended May 31, 2005, our interest expense increased by $3.7 million, as compared to 2004, primarily due to increased discount costs on extended-term documentary letters of credit and higher average short-term borrowings at CMCZ. In addition, short-term interest rates increased more than 1% on an annualized basis during the nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004.

Our overall effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2005 increased to 40% as compared to 28% in 2004 due to a shift in profitability from low tax jurisdictions (Poland) to those domestic jurisdictions subject to state taxes. We anticipate that our effective tax rate for the year ending August 31, 2005 will be 36.9%.

CONTINGENCIES

See Note J – Contingencies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In the ordinary course of conducting our business, we become involved in litigation, administrative proceedings, governmental investigations including environmental matters, and contract disputes. We may incur settlements, fines, penalties or judgments and otherwise become subject to liability because of some of these matters. While we are unable to estimate precisely the ultimate dollar amount of exposure to loss in connection with these matters, we make accruals as amounts become probable and estimable. The amounts we accrue could vary substantially from amounts we pay due to several factors including the following: evolving remediation technology, changing regulations, possible third-party contributions, the inherent shortcomings of the estimation process and the uncertainties involved in litigation. Accordingly, we cannot always estimate a meaningful range of possible exposure. We believe that we have adequately provided in our financial statements for the estimable potential impact of these contingencies. We also believe that the outcomes will not significantly affect the long-term results of operations or our financial position. However, they may have a material impact on earnings for a particular period.

We are subject to federal, state and local pollution control laws and regulations in all locations where we have operating facilities. We anticipate that compliance with these laws and regulations will involve continuing capital expenditures and operating costs.

During the nine months ended May 31, 2005, we filed our insurance claim of $20.2 million, subject to future adjustment and including a deductible, for the failures of our transformers at SMI Texas in June 2004 and recorded an advance from the insurance carrier of $4.5 million (in net sales). Also, we filed our initial claim of $18.1 million (subsequently reduced to $17.7 million) subject to future adjustment including a deductible for reimbursement from our insurance carrier for the August 2003 transformer failure at SMI South Carolina and recorded an advance from the insurance carrier of $4.0 million (in net sales). Our ultimate total recoveries of these claims remains dependent on the resolution of issues regarding lost sales, prices, costs incurred and avoided, deductible amounts and other

factors. Therefore, we cannot reasonably estimate the amount of our total recoveries at this time.

NEAR-TERM OUTLOOK

Overall, our outlook is positive for our fourth quarter ending August 31, 2005. Assuming no additional income from the transformer insurance claims, we anticipate our fourth quarter LIFO diluted net earnings per share will be between $1.15 and $1.30. Our domestic steel mill metal margins should remain stable at relatively high levels. We have planned some downtime at the mills to control our inventories. We expect that our copper tube minimill will continue to be profitable, but at modest levels. We believe that CMCZ will return to profitability in spite of weaker steel market conditions in Europe. Selling prices in our domestic fabrication segment have continued to increase, material purchase costs have stabilized and demand for these products remains strong. Therefore, we expect our domestic fabrication segment to be more profitable during the fourth quarter of 2005 as compared to the third quarter. Our recycling segment’s net earnings will decrease due to lower ferrous scrap selling prices. We expect that our marketing and distribution segment should continue to be very profitable with increased shipments and margins in diversified markets and product lines compensating for decreases in sales of certain products. Recoveries from our South Carolina and Texas steel mill transformer insurance claims may be substantial, but the timing of recoveries and the ultimate total recoverable amounts are uncertain.

We anticipate that our capital spending for our fiscal 2005 will be $100 million, including acquisition costs for a shredder at CMCZ and a continuous caster project at our SMI Texas melt shop.

On October 1, 2004, the President signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act) which offers a limited window of opportunity to repatriate certain cash dividends from foreign subsidiaries at a reduced rate. We are currently evaluating the Act. Due to the uncertainties regarding the new legislation, we are evaluating all available alternatives. See Note G – Income Taxes, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

LONG-TERM OUTLOOK

The rapid expansion of a number of emerging economies has been a major catalyst for the strong steel and nonferrous markets around the world. Therefore, we believe that there is an enhanced prospect of significant long-term growth in demand for the global materials sector. We believe that we are well positioned to exploit long-term opportunities. We expect strong demand for our products due to continuing recovery in demand throughout the major global economies as well as continued growth in developing countries. Emerging countries often have a higher growth rate for steel and nonferrous metals consumption compared with developed countries. We believe that the demand will increase in Asia, particularly in China and India, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe.

We believe that there will be further consolidation in our industries, and we plan to continue to participate in a prudent way. The reasons for further consolidation include a historically inadequate return on capital for many companies, a high degree of fragmentation, the need to eliminate non-competitive capacity and more effective marketing.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We discuss liquidity and capital resources on a consolidated basis. Our discussion includes the sources and uses of our five operating segments and centralized corporate functions. We have a centralized treasury function and use inter-company loans to efficiently manage the short-term cash needs of our operating divisions. We invest any excess funds centrally.

We rely upon cash flows from operating activities, and to the extent necessary, external short-term financing sources for liquidity. Our short-term financing sources include the issuance of commercial paper, sales and securitization of accounts receivable, documentary letters of credit with extended terms, short-term trade financing arrangements and borrowing under our bank credit facilities. From time to time, we have issued long-term public and private debt. See Note F – Credit Arrangements, to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Our investment grade credit ratings and general business conditions affect our access to external financing on a cost-effective basis. Depending on the price of our common stock, we may realize significant cash flows from the exercise of stock options.

Moody’s Investors Service (P-2) and Standard & Poor’s Corporation (A-2) rate our $400 million commercial paper program in the second highest category. (See Note F – Credit Arrangements to the condensed consolidation financial statements.) To support our commercial paper program, we have an unsecured contractually committed revolving credit agreement with a group of banks. In May 2005, our $275 million facility was renewed and amended, resulting in an increase from $275 to $400 million. Our amended facility expires in May 2010. Under the Program, our commercial paper capacity is reduced by our outstanding standby letters of credit. The costs of our revolving

credit agreement may be impacted by a change in our credit ratings. Also, we have numerous informal, uncommitted, short-term credit facilities available from domestic and international banks. These credit facilities are available to support import letters of credit, foreign exchange transactions and, in certain instances, short-term working capital loans.

Our long-term public debt was $360.1 million at May 31, 2005 and is investment grade rated by Standard & Poors’ Corporation (BBB) and by Moody’s Investors Services (Baa2). We believe we have access to the public markets for potential refinancing or the issuance of additional long-term debt. During the nine months ended May 31, 2004, we repurchased $90 million of our 7.20% notes otherwise due in 2005 and issued $200 million of 5.625% notes due November 2013.

In March 2004, we refinanced the notes payable that we assumed upon the acquisition of CMCZ with a five year term note for 150 million PLN ($38.4 million) and a revolving credit facility with maximum borrowings of 60 million PLN ($18.0 million). During the three months ended May 31, 2005, we increased the revolving credit facility’s maximum borrowings to 120 million PLN ($36.0 million) and on March 2, 2005, extended its term by one year. The term note and the revolving credit facility are secured by the majority of CMCZ’s assets. There are no guarantees by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for any of CMCZ’s debt.

In order to facilitate certain trade transactions, we utilize letters of credit, advances and non-or limited-recourse trade financing arrangements to provide assurance of payment and advance funding to our suppliers. Letters of credit may be for prompt payment or for payment at a future date, conditional upon the bank finding the documentation presented to be in strict compliance with all terms and conditions of the letter of credit. Our banks issue these letters of credit under informal, uncommitted lines of credit which are in addition to the committed revolving credit agreement. In some cases, if our suppliers choose to discount the future-dated obligation we may absorb the discount cost. The trade financing arrangements consist of a financing agreement with a lender which is secured by a supply agreement with our supplier. The lender is repaid after the product is delivered to us in conformance with the supply agreement. We are not liable for repayment of the principal and/or interest to the bank unless we have received the conforming deliveries from the supplier.

Credit ratings affect our ability to obtain short- and long-term financing and the cost of such financing. If the rating agencies were to reduce our credit ratings, we would pay higher financing costs. In determining our credit ratings, the rating agencies consider a number of both quantitative and qualitative factors. These factors include earnings, fixed charges such as interest, cash flows, total debt outstanding, off-balance sheet obligations and other commitments, total capitalization and various ratios calculated from these factors. The rating agencies also consider predictability of cash flows, business strategy, industry condition and contingencies. Maintaining our investment grade ratings is a high priority for us.

Certain of our financing agreements include various covenants. Our amended revolving credit agreement contains financial covenants which require that we (a) not permit our ratio of consolidated long-term debt (including current maturities) to total capitalization (defined as stockholders’ equity less intangible assets plus long-term debt) to be greater than 0.60 to 1.00 at any time and, (b) not permit our quarterly ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense on a rolling twelve month basis to be less than 2.50 to 1.00. At May 31, 2005, our ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization was 0.34 to 1.00. Our ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 was 17.1 to 1.00, which exceeded the EBITDA ratio for the past twelve months. In addition, our credit agreement contains covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things:

• create liens;

• enter into transactions with affiliates;

• sell assets;

• in the case of some of our subsidiaries, guarantee debt; and

• consolidate or merge.

The indenture governing our long-term public debt contains restrictions on our ability to create liens, sell assets, enter into sale and leaseback transactions, consolidate or merge and limits the ability of some of our subsidiaries to incur certain types of debt or to guarantee debt. Also, our five-year term note at CMCZ contains certain covenants including debt to EBITDA, debt to equity and tangible net worth requirements (as defined for CMCZ only). We have complied with the requirements, including the covenants of our financing agreements as of and for the nine months ended May 31, 2005.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements For added flexibility, we may secure financing through sales of certain accounts receivable both in the U.S. and internationally. See Note D – Sales of Accounts Receivable, to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Our U.S. securitization program provides for such sales in an amount not to exceed $130 million, and our European and Australian subsidiaries can sell, without recourse, up to 25 million Great British pounds and 50 million Australian dollars of additional accounts receivable. We may continually sell accounts receivable on an ongoing basis to replace those receivables that have been collected from our customers. Our U.S. securitization program contains certain cross-default provisions whereby a termination event could occur should we default under another credit arrangement, and contains covenants requiring a maximum consolidated debt to capitalization ratio of 0.55 to 1.00 and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00. We were in compliance with these requirements as of and for the nine months ended May 31, 2005. On June 22, 2005, these covenants were amended to conform to the same requirements contained in our amended revolving credit agreement.

We use the securitization programs as sources of funding that are not reliant on either our short-term commercial paper programs or our revolving credit facility. As such, we do not believe that any reductions in the capacity or termination of the securitization programs would materially impact our financial position, cash flows or liquidity because we have access to other sources of external funding.

Our domestic mills, CMCZ and recycling businesses are capital intensive. Our capital requirements include construction, purchases of equipment and maintenance capital at existing facilities. We plan to invest in new operations, use working capital to support the growth of our businesses, and pay dividends to our stockholders.

We continue to assess alternative means of raising capital, including potential dispositions of under-performing or non-strategic assets. Any future major acquisitions could require additional financing from external sources such as the issuance of common or preferred stock.

Cash Flows Our cash flows from operating activities primarily result from sales of steel and related products, and to a lesser extent, sales of nonferrous metal products. We also sell and rent construction-related products and accessories. We have a diverse and generally stable customer base. We use futures or forward contracts as needed to mitigate the risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and metals commodity prices. See Note I – Derivatives and Risk Management, to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

The volume and pricing of orders from our U.S. customers in the manufacturing and construction sectors affects our cash flows from operating activities. The pace of economic expansion and retraction of major industrialized and emerging markets outside of the U.S. (especially China) also significantly affect our cash flows from operating activities. The weather can influence the volume of products we ship in any given period. Also, the general economy, the strength of the U.S. dollar, governmental action, and various others factors beyond our control influence our volume and prices. Periodic fluctuations in our prices and volumes can result in variations in cash flows from operations. Despite these fluctuations, we have historically relied on operating activities as a steady source of cash.

During the nine months ended May 31, 2005, we generated $33.2 million of net cash flows from our operating activities as compared to the $103.3 million of net cash flows used by our operating activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2004. During the three months ended May 31, 2005, $60.4 million of net cash flows were provided from our operating activities as compared to $1.3 million of net cash flows provided by our operating activities in 2004. Our net earnings were $117.4 million higher for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to 2004. Excluding the $20.4 million impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, our accounts receivable and inventories increased $297.1 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to an increase in these items of $431.3 million in 2004. Accounts receivable significantly increased in 2005, primarily due to higher selling prices and shipments. Most of the increases were in our domestic fabrication and marketing and distribution segments. Inventories increased primarily at our domestic steel mills, at our domestic fabrication facilities and in our marketing and distribution segment during the nine months ended May 31, 2005. The increase in inventories was primarily due to higher purchase costs and quantities. Our income taxes payable increased by $18.9 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2005 due to higher earnings as compared to 2004. Conversely, our accounts payable decreased by $5.5 million (excluding effects of foreign currency fluctuations) during the nine months ended May 31, 2005 due primarily to shorter payment terms with our vendors in domestic steel mills and lower scrap purchases at CMCZ. Also, during the nine months ended May 31, 2005, we utilized more documentary letters of credit in our marketing and distribution segment to obtain extended payment terms with our suppliers, which resulted in a decrease in our accounts payable.

We invested $67.9 million in property, plant and equipment during the nine months ended May 31, 2005 as compared to $33.2 million in 2004. We expect our capital spending for fiscal 2005 to be $100 million. We assess our capital spending each quarter and reevaluate our requirements based upon current and expected results. We had no major financing activities during the nine months ended May 31, 2005. In November 2003, we issued $200 million of long-term notes due in 2013. The proceeds from this offering were used to purchase $90 million of our notes otherwise due in 2005 and to finance our subsequent purchases of CMCZ and Lofland.

At May 31, 2005, 58,748,644 common shares were issued and outstanding with 5,781,688 held in our treasury. On January 10, 2005, we paid a two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100% stock dividend on our common stock. We also increased our quarterly cash dividend to 6 cents per common share on the increased number of shares resulting from the stock dividend. During the three months ended May 31, 2005, we purchased 1,944,610 of our common shares for our treasury at an average cost of $26.06 per share. See Note H – Stockholders’ Equity and Earnings per Share to our condensed consolidated financial statements. As these treasury share purchases occurred late in the third quarter, they did not significantly impact our basic or diluted earnings per share for the three or nine months ended May 31, 2005. During the twelve months following May 31, 2005, we are scheduled to repay $10 million in long-term debt principal when it matures in July 2005. Our $8.1 million trade financing arrangement will be liquidated with cash flows from our operating activities. At May 31, 2005, we had $60 million and $365 million capacity under our domestic accounts receivable securitization and commercial paper programs, respectively. Therefore, we believe that we have sufficient liquidity to enable us to meet our contractual obligations of $1.0 billion over the next twelve months, the majority of which are expenditures associated with normal revenue-producing activities, and to make the remainder of our planned capital expenditures of $100 million for fiscal 2005.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table represents our contractual obligations as of May 31, 2005:


	Payments Due By Period*
			Less than						More than
(dollars in thousands)	Total		1 Year		1-3 Years		3-5 Years		5 Years

Contractual Obligations:
Long-term debt⁽¹⁾	$	409,424	$	22,515	$	74,601	$	112,243	$	200,065
Trade financing arrangement^{(1) (2)}		8,071		2,904		5,167		—		—
Interest⁽³⁾		138,003		24,691		44,506		29,411		39,395
Operating leases⁽⁴⁾		85,771		19,127		29,783		16,720		20,141
Purchase obligations⁽⁵⁾		1,280,110		966,471		233,649		66,037		13,953

Total contractual cash obligations	$	1,921,379	$	1,035,708	$	387,706	$	224,411	$	273,554

We have not discounted the cash obligations in this table.

(1) Total amounts are included in the May 31, 2005 condensed consolidated balance sheet. See Note F, Credit Arrangements, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

(2) Payments will be due only if steel is delivered in conformance with the related supply agreement, for which purchase prices are negotiated in advance of each delivery.

(3) Interest payments related to our short-term debt are not included in the table as they do not represent a significant obligation as of May 31, 2005.

(4) Includes minimum lease payment obligations for non-cancelable equipment and real-estate leases in effect as of May 31, 2005.

(5) About 93% of these purchase obligations are for inventory items to be sold in the ordinary course of business. Most of the remainder is for supplies associated with normal revenue-producing activities.

Other Commercial Commitments We maintain stand-by letters of credit to provide support for certain transactions that our insurance providers and suppliers request. At May 31, 2005, we had committed $35.0 million under these arrangements. All of the commitments expire within one year.

In January 2005, we entered into a guarantee agreement to assist one of our Chinese coke suppliers to obtain pre-production financing from a bank. See Note J – Contingencies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements regarding the outlook for our financial results including net earnings, product pricing and demand, production rates, energy expense, interest rates, inventory levels, acquisitions and general market conditions. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as we “expect,” “anticipate” “believe,” “ought,” “should,” “likely,” “appear,”, “project,” “forecast,” “presume,” “will,” or other similar words or phrases of similar impact. There is inherent risk and uncertainty in any forward-looking statements. Variances will occur and some could be materially different from our current opinion. Developments that could impact our expectations include the following:

• construction activity,

• difficulties or delays in the execution of construction contracts resulting in cost overruns or contract disputes,

• metals pricing over which we exert little influence,

• interest rate changes,

• increased capacity and product availability from competing steel minimills and other steel suppliers including import quantities and pricing,

• court decisions,

• industry consolidation or changes in production capacity or utilization,

• global factors including political and military uncertainties,

• credit availability,

• currency fluctuations,

• energy and supply prices,

• disputes as to insurance coverage or the extent of lost income subject to reimbursement which could result in a lengthy delay or failure to obtain recovery under business interruption insurance,

• decisions by governments impacting the level of steel imports, and

• the pace of overall economic activity, particularly China.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information required hereunder for the Company is not materially different from the information set forth in Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2004, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission and is, therefore, not presented herein.

Also, see Note I – Derivatives and Risk Management, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. This term refers to the controls and procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, and they have concluded that as of that date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at ensuring that required information will be disclosed on a timely basis in our reports filed under the Exchange Act.

No change to our internal control over financial reporting occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Reference is made to the information incorporated by reference from Item 3. Legal Proceedings in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2004, filed November 12, 2004, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Item I. Legal Proceedings in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended February 28, 2005, filed April 8, 2005, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Total

Number of

Maximum

Number of

Purchased

Shares that

As Part of

May Yet Be

Total

Publicly

Purchased

Number of

Average

Announced

Under the

Price Paid

Plans or

Purchased

Per Share

Programs

As of March 1, 2005

1,944,610

(1)

March 1, 2005 – March 31, 2005

282

(2)

31.785

April 1, 2005 – April 30, 2005

1,213,900

26.51

1,213,900

May 1, 2005 – May 31, 2005

736,756

(3)

25.30

730,710

-0-

(1)

As of May 31, 2005

2,000,000

(4)

(1)		Shares available to be purchased under the Company’s Share Repurchase Program publicly announced March 17, 2003, as adjusted for two-for-one stock dividend paid in January, 2005. Share repurchases under this authorization were completed on May 13, 2005.

(2)		Shares tendered to the Company by employee stock option holders in payment of the option purchase price upon exercise.

(3)		Includes 6,046 shares tendered to the Company by employee stock option holders in payment of the option purchase price upon exercise.

(4)		Shares available to be purchased under the Company’s Share Repurchase Program publicly announced May 24, 2005.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not Applicable

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

Not Applicable

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

10.1 Amendment to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of June 22, 2005 (filed herewith).

31.1 Certification of Stanley A. Rabin, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Metals Company, pursuant to Section 302 to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

31.2 Certification of William B. Larson, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Commercial Metals Company, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

32.1 Certification of Stanley A. Rabin, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Metals Company, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

32.2 Certification of William B. Larson, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Commercial Metals Company, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).


	PAGE NO.
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004		2-3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings — Three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004		4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004		5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity — Nine months ended May 31, 2005		6

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		7-15

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		16-27

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		28

Item 4. Controls and Procedures		28

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Items 1 - 6		29-30

Signatures		31

Index to Exhibits		32
Certification Pursuant to Section 302
Certification Pursuant to Section 302
Certification Pursuant to Section 906
Certification Pursuant to Section 906
Amendment to Amended/Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 906
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 906


	May 31,			August 31,
(in thousands)	2005			2004

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	68,207		$	123,559
Accounts receivable (less allowance for collection losses of $16,643 and $14,626)		784,259			607,005
Inventories		740,410			645,484
Other		46,672			48,184

Total current assets		1,639,548			1,424,232

Property, plant and equipment:
Land, buildings and improvements		273,165			258,041
Equipment		843,247			810,801
Construction in process		42,079			21,688

		1,158,491			1,090,530
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(683,357	)		(639,040	)

		475,134			451,490
Goodwill		30,542			30,542
Other assets		93,104			81,782

	$	2,238,328		$	1,988,046


		COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY

July 11, 2005		/s/ William B. Larson

		William B. Larson
		Vice President
		& Chief Financial Officer

July 11, 2005		/s/ Malinda G. Passmore

		Malinda G. Passmore
		Controller

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	•		Our record third quarter 2005 net earnings reflected seasonally improved construction markets which were partially offset by softening in some global markets.

	•		Increases in our selling prices and margins resulted in significantly higher adjusted operating profits in all of our segments, except for recycling and our minimill in Poland (CMCZ).

	•		Our domestic steel mills’ adjusted operating profit increased due to much higher selling prices and metal margins, which more than offset a decline in finished goods shipments compared to the prior year’s third quarter.

	•		Selling prices, margins and shipments at CMCZ decreased as compared to 2004 due largely to the relatively strong Polish Zloty which limited its exports and weak construction activity in Western Europe, notably Germany, which encouraged more competition in Poland.

	•		Adjusted operating profit in our domestic fabrication segment increased significantly due to higher selling prices, margins and increased shipments.

	•		Ferrous and nonferrous scrap prices were volatile with ferrous decreasing and nonferrous increasing during the third quarter 2005 as compared to 2004. Total domestic scrap processed and shipped decreased in 2005.

	•		Adjusted operating profit in our marketing and distribution segment increased significantly due to robust demand across multiple product lines and geographic areas.

	•		Our overall effective tax rate increased to 40% as compared to 28% in 2004 due to shifts in profitability among tax jurisdictions.

	•		create liens;

	•		enter into transactions with affiliates;

	•		sell assets;

	•		in the case of some of our subsidiaries, guarantee debt; and

	•		consolidate or merge.

(1)		Total amounts are included in the May 31, 2005 condensed consolidated balance sheet. See Note F, Credit Arrangements, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

(2)		Payments will be due only if steel is delivered in conformance with the related supply agreement, for which purchase prices are negotiated in advance of each delivery.

(3)		Interest payments related to our short-term debt are not included in the table as they do not represent a significant obligation as of May 31, 2005.

(4)		Includes minimum lease payment obligations for non-cancelable equipment and real-estate leases in effect as of May 31, 2005.

(5)		About 93% of these purchase obligations are for inventory items to be sold in the ordinary course of business. Most of the remainder is for supplies associated with normal revenue-producing activities.

	•		construction activity,

	•		difficulties or delays in the execution of construction contracts resulting in cost overruns or contract disputes,

	•		metals pricing over which we exert little influence,

	•		interest rate changes,

	•		increased capacity and product availability from competing steel minimills and other steel suppliers including import quantities and pricing,

	•		court decisions,

	•		industry consolidation or changes in production capacity or utilization,

	•		global factors including political and military uncertainties,

	•		credit availability,

	•		currency fluctuations,

	•		energy and supply prices,

	•		disputes as to insurance coverage or the extent of lost income subject to reimbursement which could result in a lengthy delay or failure to obtain recovery under business interruption insurance,

	•		decisions by governments impacting the level of steel imports, and

	•		the pace of overall economic activity, particularly China.


Exhibit No.		Description of Exhibit
10.1		Amendment to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of June 22, 2005 (filed herewith).

31.1		Certification of Stanley A. Rabin, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Metals Company, pursuant to Section 302 to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

31.2		Certification of William B. Larson, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Commercial Metals Company, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

32.1		Certification of Stanley A. Rabin, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Metals Company, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

32.2		Certification of William B. Larson, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Commercial Metals Company, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).