Kennametal vs US HRC Steel: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Kennametal Inc (KMT)

Q3 20265 Aug – 23 Sep 2026

▲3▼1

Kennametal's record results and new additive carbide grade drive optimism

Record fiscal 2026 results and strong guidance Kennametal reported Q4 adjusted EPS of $2.96, up 770% year over year, and sales up 43% to $737 million, beating estimates. It initiated fiscal 2027 guidance with EPS of $4.15–$5.15 and sales of $3.33–$3.45 billion, boosting investor confidence.
This is the core positive fundamental news that directly lifts KMT's price.
New additive tungsten carbide grade KAF82 Kennametal launched KAF82, the first commercially scaled additive tungsten carbide grade for metal cutting tools. Two automotive OEMs already use it, and the company controls the powder supply, giving it a competitive edge and reducing tungsten use.
This innovation opens new markets and strengthens KMT's competitive position, supporting future growth.
Cash flow turns negative on tungsten inventory Despite record profits, operating cash flow swung from $208 million positive to $4 million negative, and free cash flow from $121 million positive to $79 million negative, due to inventory built at high tungsten prices. This raises concerns about cash generation.
This is a real counterweight that could pressure the stock if cash flow remains weak.
Board additions bring strategic expertise Kennametal elected Dawne Hickton and Richard Harshman to its board. Hickton leads an additive manufacturing firm, and Harshman is a former CEO of ATI. Their experience could help guide strategy, though no immediate operational impact.
This governance change may improve long-term strategic direction, a mild positive.

August 20265 Aug – 23 Sep 2026

▲3▼1

Kennametal's record results and new additive carbide grade drive optimism

Record fiscal 2026 results and strong guidance Kennametal reported Q4 adjusted EPS of $2.96, up 770% year over year, and sales up 43% to $737 million, beating estimates. It initiated fiscal 2027 guidance with EPS of $4.15–$5.15 and sales of $3.33–$3.45 billion, boosting investor confidence.
This is the core positive fundamental news that directly lifts KMT's price.
New additive tungsten carbide grade KAF82 Kennametal launched KAF82, the first commercially scaled additive tungsten carbide grade for metal cutting tools. Two automotive OEMs already use it, and the company controls the powder supply, giving it a competitive edge and reducing tungsten use.
This innovation opens new markets and strengthens KMT's competitive position, supporting future growth.
Cash flow turns negative on tungsten inventory Despite record profits, operating cash flow swung from $208 million positive to $4 million negative, and free cash flow from $121 million positive to $79 million negative, due to inventory built at high tungsten prices. This raises concerns about cash generation.
This is a real counterweight that could pressure the stock if cash flow remains weak.
Board additions bring strategic expertise Kennametal elected Dawne Hickton and Richard Harshman to its board. Hickton leads an additive manufacturing firm, and Harshman is a former CEO of ATI. Their experience could help guide strategy, though no immediate operational impact.
This governance change may improve long-term strategic direction, a mild positive.

Latest5 Aug – 23 Sep 2026

▲3▼1

Kennametal's record results and new additive carbide grade drive optimism

Record fiscal 2026 results and strong guidance Kennametal reported Q4 adjusted EPS of $2.96, up 770% year over year, and sales up 43% to $737 million, beating estimates. It initiated fiscal 2027 guidance with EPS of $4.15–$5.15 and sales of $3.33–$3.45 billion, boosting investor confidence.
This is the core positive fundamental news that directly lifts KMT's price.
New additive tungsten carbide grade KAF82 Kennametal launched KAF82, the first commercially scaled additive tungsten carbide grade for metal cutting tools. Two automotive OEMs already use it, and the company controls the powder supply, giving it a competitive edge and reducing tungsten use.
This innovation opens new markets and strengthens KMT's competitive position, supporting future growth.
Cash flow turns negative on tungsten inventory Despite record profits, operating cash flow swung from $208 million positive to $4 million negative, and free cash flow from $121 million positive to $79 million negative, due to inventory built at high tungsten prices. This raises concerns about cash generation.
This is a real counterweight that could pressure the stock if cash flow remains weak.
Board additions bring strategic expertise Kennametal elected Dawne Hickton and Richard Harshman to its board. Hickton leads an additive manufacturing firm, and Harshman is a former CEO of ATI. Their experience could help guide strategy, though no immediate operational impact.
This governance change may improve long-term strategic direction, a mild positive.

US HRC Steel (STEEL.COMM)

Q3 202624 Jun – 10 Sep 2026

▲2▼1

AI and reshoring demand support steel, but Chinese oversupply caps gains

AI infrastructure drives steel demand AI data centers need heavy structural steel for server racks, floors, and cooling. With 831 projects under construction globally, this new demand supports US HRC prices, especially for modern electric-arc producers like Nucor and Steel Dynamics.
This is a major new source of demand that lifts steel prices.
Capital shifts to real economy, boosting steel A strategist says US capitalism is moving from buybacks to building real assets like steel, copper, and power. This reshoring and supply-chain trend means more investment in steel capacity and higher demand for US HRC.
It signals a broad shift that increases steel demand and investment.
USMCA talks create tariff uncertainty US and Mexico will hold a fourth round of USMCA talks in September. Progress on steel trade is positive, but unresolved issues like Section 232 tariffs (50% on steel) and US content rules keep uncertainty high, which can sway steel prices both ways.
Trade policy directly affects steel flows and prices, and the outcome is unclear.
Chinese oversupply weighs on steel prices Thailand's construction material index shows steel prices fell 0.6% in August due to excess Chinese supply. This global glut, with projected excess capacity of 745 million tons by 2028, pressures US HRC prices by keeping a lid on global benchmarks.
It is a key counterweight that limits price gains from demand.

August 202624 Jun – 10 Sep 2026

▲2▼1

AI and reshoring demand support steel, but Chinese oversupply caps gains

AI infrastructure drives steel demand AI data centers need heavy structural steel for server racks, floors, and cooling. With 831 projects under construction globally, this new demand supports US HRC prices, especially for modern electric-arc producers like Nucor and Steel Dynamics.
This is a major new source of demand that lifts steel prices.
Capital shifts to real economy, boosting steel A strategist says US capitalism is moving from buybacks to building real assets like steel, copper, and power. This reshoring and supply-chain trend means more investment in steel capacity and higher demand for US HRC.
It signals a broad shift that increases steel demand and investment.
USMCA talks create tariff uncertainty US and Mexico will hold a fourth round of USMCA talks in September. Progress on steel trade is positive, but unresolved issues like Section 232 tariffs (50% on steel) and US content rules keep uncertainty high, which can sway steel prices both ways.
Trade policy directly affects steel flows and prices, and the outcome is unclear.
Chinese oversupply weighs on steel prices Thailand's construction material index shows steel prices fell 0.6% in August due to excess Chinese supply. This global glut, with projected excess capacity of 745 million tons by 2028, pressures US HRC prices by keeping a lid on global benchmarks.
It is a key counterweight that limits price gains from demand.

Latest24 Jun – 10 Sep 2026

▲2▼1

AI and reshoring demand support steel, but Chinese oversupply caps gains

AI infrastructure drives steel demand AI data centers need heavy structural steel for server racks, floors, and cooling. With 831 projects under construction globally, this new demand supports US HRC prices, especially for modern electric-arc producers like Nucor and Steel Dynamics.
This is a major new source of demand that lifts steel prices.
Capital shifts to real economy, boosting steel A strategist says US capitalism is moving from buybacks to building real assets like steel, copper, and power. This reshoring and supply-chain trend means more investment in steel capacity and higher demand for US HRC.
It signals a broad shift that increases steel demand and investment.
USMCA talks create tariff uncertainty US and Mexico will hold a fourth round of USMCA talks in September. Progress on steel trade is positive, but unresolved issues like Section 232 tariffs (50% on steel) and US content rules keep uncertainty high, which can sway steel prices both ways.
Trade policy directly affects steel flows and prices, and the outcome is unclear.
Chinese oversupply weighs on steel prices Thailand's construction material index shows steel prices fell 0.6% in August due to excess Chinese supply. This global glut, with projected excess capacity of 745 million tons by 2028, pressures US HRC prices by keeping a lid on global benchmarks.
It is a key counterweight that limits price gains from demand.