GrafTech International (NYSE:EAF) Announces Earnings Results

GrafTech International (NYSE:EAF) released its earnings results on Friday. The company reported ($1.47) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($1.46) by ($0.01), Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $127.36 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 Stock Up 5.0%

Shares of EAF opened at $7.45 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $194.18 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.10 and a beta of 1.84. The business’s 50 day moving average is $7.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.06. GrafTech International has a 52-week low of $4.92 and a 52-week high of $20.32.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on EAF shares. Wall Street Zen raised shares of GrafTech International from a “strong sell” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 9th. Zacks Research lowered GrafTech International from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and issued a $10.00 target price on shares of GrafTech International in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of GrafTech International from a “sell (e+)” rating to a “sell (d-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on GrafTech International from $6.00 to $8.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $10.67.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On GrafTech International

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Intesa Sanpaolo Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of GrafTech International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Prelude Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of GrafTech International during the third quarter worth $192,000. Caption Management LLC bought a new position in shares of GrafTech International in the 3rd quarter worth about $192,000. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp bought a new position in shares of GrafTech International in the 4th quarter worth about $281,000. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in shares of GrafTech International by 6,249.2% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 20,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $310,000 after buying an additional 19,685 shares during the period. 92.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

GrafTech International Company Profile

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.