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Insteel Q3 Earnings Dip Amidst Rising Costs
23 Jul
Summary
- Insteel reported $9 million in net earnings for Q3, down from $15.2 million year-over-year.
- Shipments rose 1.7% but were moderated by wet weather and project delays.
- Average selling prices increased 8.1% due to higher operating costs.

Insteel Industries' third quarter of fiscal year 2026 saw net earnings fall to $9 million, or $0.46 per share, a decrease from $15.2 million, or $0.78 per share, in the same period last year. Higher operating costs significantly impacted the company's financial performance.
Despite the earnings dip, underlying demand trends remained positive. Third-quarter shipments increased by 1.7% compared to the previous year, bolstered by infrastructure activity. However, the broader private nonresidential construction market continues to show weakness. Wet weather and scheduling delays on several customer projects, including those for data centers, tempered the pace of shipments during the quarter.
Average selling prices rose by 8.1% year-over-year and 2.3% sequentially. This increase reflects pricing adjustments implemented over the past year to counteract rising expenses for steel wire rod, freight, and other operational costs. The company views project delays as timing-related and believes underlying demand remains robust.