8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

April 20, 2005
(Date of earliest event reported)

QUANEX CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-5725	38-1872178
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1900 West Loop South, Suite 1500, Houston, Texas	77027
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   713-961-4600

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
	[   ]	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
	[   ]	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
	[   ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
	[   ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

This information shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

On April 20, 2005, Quanex Corporation issued a press release (the "Press Release") providing earnings guidance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. The foregoing is qualified by reference to the Press Release which is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Exhibit Index
99.1	Press release dated April 20, 2005

SIGNATURE

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	QUANEX CORPORATION (Registrant)
April 25, 2005 (Date)	/s/   TERRY M. MURPHY TERRY M. MURPHY Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

Quanex Corporation Quarterly Update -- Fiscal Second Quarter 2005

Expects Record Second Quarter Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations

HOUSTON, April 20, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Quanex Corporation (NYSE:NX), an industry-leading manufacturer of value-added engineered materials and components for the Vehicular Products and Building Products markets, announced today that it expects to report record fiscal second quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations when results are announced on May 26, 2005. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to be in the range of $1.80 to $1.85, compared to the $0.43 reported in the year ago quarter.

The Vehicular Products segment expects to report record second quarter net sales and operating income compared to the year ago quarter. Operating income for the segment is expected to be up significantly over the year ago quarter due to strong operating rates, moderating scrap costs and higher selling prices. Benefits from the integration of MACSTEEL Monroe were also significant. The segment's primary drivers are North American light vehicle builds and heavy duty truck builds.

The Building Products segment also expects to report record net sales and operating income for the second quarter compared to a year ago. Weather conditions adversely impacted its door and window components operations, but excellent market conditions in the aluminum sheet business and the addition of Mikron Industries (12/09/04) more than offset the impact. The segment's primary market drivers are housing starts and remodeling activity.

Statements that use the words "expect," "should," "may," "could," "will," "might," or similar words reflecting future expectations or beliefs are forward-looking statements. The statements above are based on Quanex's current expectations. Actual results or events may differ materially from this release. Factors that could impact future results may include, without limitation, the effect of both domestic and global economic conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and the availability and cost of raw materials. For a more complete discussion of factors that may affect the Company's future performance, please refer to the Company's most recent 10-K filing of December 21, 2004, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in particular the sections titled, "Private Securities Litigation Reform Act" contained therein.

Quanex is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NX. For further information, visit the Company's website at www.quanex.com.

The Quanex Corporation logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1117

CONTACT:
Quanex Corporation
Jeff Galow
  713-877-5327
Valerie Calvert
  713-877-5305