BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, Ohio - GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:EAF), a manufacturer of graphite electrode products, has announced it is back in compliance with the New York Stock Exchange's (NYSE) listing standards. The company had previously been notified of non-compliance due to its stock price falling below the exchange's minimum requirement.
On August 7, 2024, GrafTech was informed by the NYSE that its average stock price had dropped below the $1.00 threshold over a 30-day trading period, which ended on August 5, 2024. This decline placed the company at risk of being delisted from the exchange.
However, as of October 31, 2024, GrafTech successfully raised its average closing share price to at least $1.00 over the subsequent 30 trading-day period. With this achievement, the company has addressed the concerns regarding its stock performance and maintained its listing on the NYSE.
GrafTech is known for its role in producing graphite electrode products that are crucial in the manufacturing of electric arc furnace steel and other metals. The company boasts a competitive edge with its low-cost, high-capacity manufacturing facilities and is notably vertically integrated into petroleum needle coke, a key raw material for graphite electrode production.
The information is based on a press release statement from GrafTech International Ltd. It's important to note that while the company has made forward-looking statements regarding its financial projections and operational plans, these are based on current estimates and expectations, and actual results may differ materially. GrafTech has cautioned that these forward-looking statements should not be seen as guarantees of future performance.
In other recent news, GrafTech International experienced a notable development as HEG Limited, an Indian graphite electrode manufacturer, increased its ownership in the company to 8.3%. This was revealed in a recent press release and a Schedule 13G filing. The investment is regarded as passive according to the filing. Citi has maintained its Neutral stance on GrafTech, with a price target set at $1, despite Resonac/Showa Denko announcing a 20% increase in electrode prices due to previously unsustainable low prices.
GrafTech has also been contending with industry headwinds while targeting growth in the electric vehicle (EV) market. BMO Capital Markets adjusted its outlook on the company, lowering the stock's price target but keeping a Market Perform rating. The firm expects pricing pressures, scheduled maintenance, and elevated energy costs to impact GrafTech's results in the second half of the year.
In terms of financial performance, GrafTech reported a net loss of $15 million and an adjusted EBITDA of $14 million for the second quarter. Despite this, the company saw a 6% sequential improvement in sales volume and anticipates an increase in sales volume for the full year. GrafTech continues to manage its production capacity and working capital, focusing on safety, sustainability, and EV market initiatives. These are some of the recent developments for GrafTech International.
InvestingPro Insights
GrafTech International Ltd.'s recent compliance with NYSE listing standards comes amid a challenging financial landscape for the company. According to InvestingPro data, GrafTech's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 stood at $570.05 million, with a concerning revenue growth decline of -34.91% over the same period. This aligns with an InvestingPro Tip indicating that analysts anticipate a sales decline in the current year.
Despite the recent stock price recovery, GrafTech's financial health remains a concern. The company's operating income margin for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 was -13.44%, reflecting operational challenges. This is further underscored by an InvestingPro Tip suggesting that GrafTech operates with a significant debt burden and may have trouble making interest payments on its debt.
On a more positive note, GrafTech's stock has shown strong returns over the last month and three months, with price total returns of 15.43% and 191.87% respectively, as per InvestingPro data. This recent performance improvement has likely contributed to the company regaining NYSE compliance.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 13 additional tips for GrafTech International Ltd., providing deeper insights into the company's financial position and market performance.
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