GrafTech International (NYSE:EAF) Posts Earnings Results, Misses Expectations By $0.01 EPS

GrafTech International (NYSE:EAF) released its quarterly earnings results on Friday. The company reported ($1.47) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.46) by ($0.01), Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $127.36 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $125.02 million.

Here are the key takeaways from GrafTech International’s conference call:

• GrafTech said Q2 sales volume rose 8% year over year and production hit its highest quarterly utilization since 2022 at 74%, while management reaffirmed full-year sales growth expectations of 5% to 10%.
• The company’s pricing actions are starting to gain traction, with new customer commitments reportedly averaging more than 15% above pre-announcement levels, though most 2026 volume is already booked so the benefit will largely flow through over time.
• GrafTech reiterated its goal for a modest year-over-year reduction in cash COGS, helped by lower unit costs, higher utilization, and productivity improvements, despite inflation in energy, raw materials, and logistics.
• Management highlighted improving steel market conditions outside China and supportive trade policy, especially in the U.S. and Europe, as a key demand backdrop for graphite electrodes and a potential tailwind for future volumes.
• The company emphasized rising needle coke and decant oil costs tied to Middle East disruptions, but said its vertical integration and U.S.-based captive supply give it some protection and could support higher electrode pricing over time.

GrafTech International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE EAF opened at $7.45 on Friday. GrafTech International has a 1 year low of $4.92 and a 1 year high of $20.32. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $7.67 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $9.06. The company has a market cap of $194.16 million, a P/E ratio of -0.86 and a beta of 1.84.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On GrafTech International

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Intesa Sanpaolo Wealth Management bought a new position in GrafTech International in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of GrafTech International by 9.5% during the fourth quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 32,200 shares of the company’s stock worth $499,000 after acquiring an additional 2,800 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in shares of GrafTech International by 27.1% during the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 23,688 shares of the company’s stock valued at $368,000 after acquiring an additional 5,050 shares in the last quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC bought a new position in GrafTech International in the third quarter worth approximately $192,000. Finally, Caption Management LLC bought a new stake in GrafTech International during the 3rd quarter valued at $192,000. 92.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

EAF has been the subject of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an “underweight” rating on shares of GrafTech International in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Weiss Ratings raised GrafTech International from a “sell (e+)” rating to a “sell (d-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Wall Street Zen upgraded GrafTech International from a “strong sell” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, May 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and set a $10.00 target price on shares of GrafTech International in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered GrafTech International from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Friday, July 17th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $10.67.

About GrafTech International

GrafTech International (NYSE: EAF) is a leading global manufacturer of graphite electrodes and other specialty graphite products used primarily in electric arc furnaces (EAFs) for steel production. The company’s core offerings include ultrahigh-power, high-power and regular power electrodes, along with related accessories such as graphite shapes and heterogeneous carbon materials. These products play a critical role in steelmaking by conducting the high electrical currents required to melt scrap steel efficiently and with reduced environmental impact compared to traditional blast furnace methods.

With a manufacturing footprint spanning North America, Europe and Asia, GrafTech serves steel producers and foundries worldwide.