Page 1 of 9



                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                 FORM 10-Q

                Quarterly Report Pursuant to SectionQUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 orOR 15(d) of the Securities
   Exchange Act ofOF
                     THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the quarterly period endedQuarter Ended       March 31, 199542000        Commission File Number  1-5415

                         A. M. Castle & Co.Co
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter.)charter)

             Delaware                                 36-0879160
(State or Other Jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. Employer Incorporation or Organization)          Identification No.)
 incorporation of organization)


    3400 North Wolf Road, Franklin Park, Illinois         60131
       (Address of Principal Executive Offices)        (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone, including area code:  708/code           847/455-7111


                               None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last year)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 daysdays.

Yes    [X]X        No [ ]


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practical date:practicable date.

          Class                         Outstanding at March 31, 2000
Common Stock, No Par Value                   - 11,090,00614,048,070 shares

as of April 30, 1995.                                                    Page 2 of 9


                            A. M. CASTLE & CO.




                      Part I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION



                                                                      Page
                                                                      Number
Part I.  Financial Information

          Item 1.   Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . .      3

                    Condensed Balance Sheets . . . . . . . . . . .      3

                    Comparative Statements of Cash Flows . . . . .      3

                    Comparative Statements of Income . . . . . . .      4

                    Notes to Condensed Financial Statements. . . .      5


          Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                    Conditions and Results of Operations . . . . 6 - 7.     6-7


Part II.  Other Information

          Item 1.   Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     8

        Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
                 Holders . . . . .Proceedings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       8

          Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.8-K . . . . . . .       8
                                                               Page 3 of 9


A. M. CASTLE & CO.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands except
per share data)
(unaudited)
Mar. 31  Dec. 31  Mar. 31
   Assets                                    1995     1994     1994 
   Cash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$  3,419  $    976  $  2,770
   Accounts receivable, net. . . . . . .  74,282    58,892    55,510
   Inventories (principally on last-in,
    first-out basis. . . . . . . . . . .  96,990    98,215    94,068
        Total current assets . . . . . .$174,691  $158,083  $152,348
   Prepaid expenses and other assets . .  12,957    13,854    10,919
   Fixed assets, net . . . . . . . . . .  42,220    41,190    40,570
        Total assets . . . . . . . . . .$229,868  $213,127  $203,837
   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . .$ 73,403  $ 61,282   $48,054
   Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . .  11,983    14,704     9,598
   Income taxes payable. . . . . . . . .   7,492     2,321     2,946
   Current portion of long-term debt . .   3,768     3,831     5,010
        Total current liabilities. . . .  96,646    82,138    65,608
   Long-term debt, less current portion.  33,837    38,531    54,903
   Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . .   7,696     7,772     8,034
   Post retirement benefit obligations .   2,558     2,525     2,528
   Stockholders' equity. . . . . . . . .  89,131    82,161    72,764
        Total liabilities and stockholders'
        equity . . . . . . . . . . . . .$229,868  $213,127  $203,837

   SHARES OUTSTANDING. . . . . . . . . .  11,081    11,079   10,964*
   BOOK VALUE PER SHARE. . . . . . . . .$   8.04  $   7.42  $  6.62*
   WORKING CAPITAL . . . . . . . . . . .$ 78,045  $ 75,945  $86,740 
   WORKING CAPITAL PER SHARE . . . . . .$   7.04  $   6.85  $  7.90*

   CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                (Unaudited)    
   (Dollars in thousands)                        For the Three Months
                                                   Ended March 31,  
   Cash flows from operating activities:             1995      1994 
     Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $  8,246  $  3,642 
     Depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      1,092     1,186 
     Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      1,005       556 
        Cash provided from operating
        activities before working
        capital changes. . . . . . . . . . . .     10,343     5,384 
     (Increase) decrease in working capital. .        256      (331)
   Net cash provided from (used by) operating
    activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     10,599     5,053 
   Cash flows from investing activities:
     Capital expenditures, net of sale
     proceeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (2,122)      156 
   Net cash provided from (used by) investing
     activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (2,122)      156
March 31, Dec. 31, March 31, ASSETS 2000 1999 1999 Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,568 $ 2,578 $ 4,399 Accounts receivable, net . . . . . . 101,197 83,352 89,793 Inventories (principally on last-in, first-out basis) . . . . . . . . . . 175,471 169,618 205,793 Total current assets . . . . . . . $ 279,236 $255,548 $ 299,985 Prepaid expenses and other assets. . 63,469 60,716 58,370 Fixed assets, net. . . . . . . . . . 95,986 97,077 99,210 Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . $ 438,691 $413,341 $ 457,565 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . $ 112,370 $102,976 $ 103,048 Accrued liabilities. . . . . . . . . 15,678 17,230 15,980 Income taxes payable . . . . . . . . 7,098 4,876 5,370 Current portion of long-term debt . 3,577 3,915 3,702 Total current liabilities. . . . . $ 138,723 $128,997 $128,100 Long-term debt, less current portion 138,290 122,625 165,831 Deferred income taxes. . . . . . . . 16,692 16,356 15,919 Post retirement benefit obligations 2,179 3,552 3,767 Stockholders' equity . . . . . . . . 142,807 141,811 143,948 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 438,691 $413,341 $ 457,565 SHARES OUTSTANDING . . . . . . . . . 14,048 14,046 14,044 BOOK VALUE PER SHARE . . . . . . . . $ 10.17 $ 10.10 $ 10.25 WORKING CAPITAL. . . . . . . . . . . $140,513 $126,551 $ 171,885 WORKING CAPITAL PER SHARE. . . . . . $ 10.00 $ 9.01 $ 12.24 DEBT TO CAPITAL. . . . . . . . . . . 49.8% 47.2% 54.1% CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands) For the Three Months Ended March 31, Cash flows from operating activities: 2000 1999 Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,766 $ 2,755 Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,438 2,408 Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3,661) 1,725 Cash provided from operating activities before working capital changes. . . . . . . . . . . . 2,543 6,888 (Increase) decrease in working capital . . . . (14,031) 10,668 Net cash provided from (used by) operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (11,488) 17,556 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures, net of sales proceeds. . (1,079) (6,745) Net cash provided from (used by) investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,079) (6,745) Cash flows from financing activities: Long-term borrowings, net. . . . . . . . . . . 15,327 (6,545) Dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,742) (2,738) Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (28) (83) Net cash provided from (used by) financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,557 (9,366) Net increase (decrease) in cash. . . . . . . . . $ (10) $ 1,445 Cash - beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . 2,578 2,954 Cash - end of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,568 $ 4,399 Cash paid/(received) during period . . . . . . . Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,834 $ 2,999 Income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (253) $ (553)
Page 4 of 9 Cash flows from financing activities: Long-term borrowings, net . . . . . . . . (4,757) 3,546 Dividends paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,331) (876) Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 455 Net cash provided from (used by) financing activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6,034) (3,967) Net increase (decrease) in cash . . . . . . 2,443 1,242 Cash - beginning of year. . . . . . . . . 976 1,528 Cash - end of period. . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,419 $ 2,770 Supplemental disclosure on cash flow information: Cash paid (received) during the period: Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,082 $ 1,372 Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 294 $ 560 A. M. CASTLE & CO. COMPARATIVE STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in thousands, except tonnage and per share data) For the Three Months Ended (Unaudited) March 31, 1995 1994 Net sales . . . . . . . . $169,056 $133,848 Cost of material sold . . 121,757 97,501 Gross profit on sales . 47,299 36,347 Operating expenses. . . . 31,825 28,371 Depreciation expense. . . 1,092 1,186 Interest expense, net . . 747 874 Total . . . . . . . . . . 33,664 30,431 Income before taxes . . . 13,635 5,916 Income Taxes: Federal . . . . . . . . 4,336 1,836 State . . . . . . . . . 1,053 438 5,389 2,274 Net income. . . . . . . . 8,246 3,642 Net income per share. . . $ .74 $ .33 Financial Ratios: Return on sales . . . . 4.88% 2.72% Asset turnover. . . . . 2.94 2.63 Return on assets. . . . 14.35% 7.15% Leverage factor . . . . 2.80 2.93 Return on opening stockholders' equity . 40.15% 20.95% Other Data: Cash dividends paid . . $ 1,331 $ 876 Dividends per share . . .12 .08* Page 5 of 9 Average number of shares outstanding. . . . . . 11,080 10,950* Tons sold . . . . . . . 94,901 86,734 *Restated to reflect a 50% stock dividend. A. M. CASTLE & CO. COMPARATIVE STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in thousands, except tonnage and per share data) For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Unaudited) 2000 1999 Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $195,239 $183,460 Cost of material sold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135,945 126,635 Gross profit on sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59,294 56,825 Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,224 46,866 Depreciation and amortization expense. . . . . . . 2,438 2,408 Interest expense, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,304 2,893 Income before taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,328 4,658 Income Taxes: Federal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,052 1,560 State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 510 343 2,562 1,903 Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,766 $ 2,755 Net income per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .27 $ .20 Diluted income per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .27 $ .20 Financial Ratios: Return on sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.93% 1.50% Asset turnover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.78 1.60 Return on assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.43% 2.41% Leverage factor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.09 3.18 Return on opening stockholders' equity . . . . . 10.62% 7.65% Other Data: Cash dividends paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,742 $ 2,738 Dividends per share. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .195 $ .195 Average number of shares outstanding . . . . . . 14,048 14,044
Inventory determination under the LIFO method can only be made at the end of each fiscal year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO determinations, including those at March 31, 1995,2000, and March 31, 1994,1999, must necessarily be based on management's estimates of expected year endyear-end inventory levels and costs. Since future estimates of inventory levels and costs are subject to certain forces beyond the control of management, interim financial results are subject to fiscal year end LIFO inventory valuations. Current replacement cost of inventories exceeds book value by $58.1 million, $51.7$45.2 million and $46.0$46.4 million at March 31, 1995, December 31, 19942000 and March 31, 19941999, respectively. Taxes on income would become payable on any realization of this excess from reductions in the level of inventories. Page 65 of 9 A. M. CASTLE & CO. Notes to Condensed Financial Statements 1. Condensed Financial Statements The condensed financial statements included herein are unaudited, except for the balance sheet at December 31, 1994,1999, which is condensed from the audited financial statements at that date. The Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading; however, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the unaudited statements, included herein, contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, the cash flows, and the results of operations for the periods then ended. It is suggested that these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's latest annual report on Form 10- K.10-K. The 19952000 interim results reported herein may not necessarily be indicative of the results of operations for the full year 1995.2000. 2. Common Stock andEarnings Per Share Information Net incomeIn accordance with SFAS No. 128 "Earnings per Share" below is a reconciliation of the basic and diluted earnings per share computationscalculations for the periods reported (dollars and shares in thousands):
First Quarter 2000 1999 Net Income $ 3,766 $ 2,755 Weighted average common shares outstanding 14,048 14,044 Dilutive effect of outstanding employee and directors' common stock options - 7 Diluted common shares outstanding 14,048 14,051 Basic earnings per share $ .27 $ .20 Diluted earnings per share $ .27 $ .20 Outstanding employee and directors' common stock options having no dilutive effect 89 536
3. Segments The Company has reviewed the business activities of its divisions and subsidiaries in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 131. The Company has concluded that its business activities fall into one identifiable business segment as approximately 95% of all revenues are based onderived from the weighted average numberdistribution of sharesits specialty metals products. These products are purchased, warehoused, processed and sold using essentially the same systems, facilities, sales force and distribution network. Page 6 of common stock outstanding during the respective periods. On July 28, 1994, the Company declared a 50% stock dividend, which was effected as a 3 for 2 stock split. The additional shares were distributed August 28, 1994 to shareholders of record August 12, 1994. All per share amounts presented have been restated to reflect the effect of the 50% stock dividend.9 Item 2. Management's Discussion andAnd Analysis ofOf Financial Condition andAnd Results Of Operations. Results of Operations Results of Operations _____________________ The first quarter of 1995 was a record quarter for A. M. Castle & Co. Net income of $8.2 million exceeded the Company's "previous best" of $4.6 million generated in the second quarter of 1988. A strong economy provided a positive environment for a significant upturn in prices and an increased level of sales activity. Other factors which had a major impact on earnings were an increase in gross margin percentage and continued aggressive management of all expenses. First quarter 1995 sales totaled a record $169.1 million, a 26.3% increase over the first quarter of 1994's sales of $133.8 million. Sales unit volume, expressed in tons sold, increased by 9.4% over Page 7 of 9 the same period. Favorable pricing and sales mix caused the sales increase in dollars to outpace the increase in tons sold. Gross margin percentage increased to 28.0% as compared to 27.2%Operating results for the first quarter of 2000 were up 37% compared to 1999's first quarter. The Company earned $3.8 million ($.27 per share) as compared to $2.8 million ($.20 per share) in the comparable quarter last year. Results were favorably affected by an easing of pricing pressures versus last year's first quarter during which market conditions were relatively depressed. The Company's margin improvement program has continueddecreased interest expense noted below also had a favorable affect. Quarterly sales totaled $195.2 million, representing a 6.4% increase from the first Quarter of 1999 sales of $183.5 million. The increase was due primarily to produce favorable results. In terms of dollars,an 11% increase in tons sold offset by a 2% decrease in average selling prices. Gross profit for the quarter increased by $2.5 million (4.3%) to $59.3 million due mainly to sales volume increases which where offset by a decrease in the total gross profit increased by almost $11.0 million over the first quarter of last year. Of this amount, approximately $5.7 million wasmargin percentage from 31.0% to 30.4%. Although mill prices are stronger,there is some expected short-term market compression due to higher prices, $3.8 million due to increased physical volume and the balance due to changes in sales mix and cost savings from sourcing arrangements. Operatingfairly rapid price increase. First quarter operating expenses were up by approximately $3.4$1.4 million (12.0%) over the comparable period last year. As a percentage of sales, however, first quarter 1995 operating expenses decreased to 18.8% from 21.1% for the first quarter of 1994. The expense increases experienced during the quarter were in volume driven and profit related expense categories. Expenses that increased due to the 9.4% rise in physical volume were warehouse wages, overtime, trucking expenses, commercial freight, and repairs and maintenance. Accruals for incentive and profit sharing expense were up significantly due to our record profits. Depreciation expense decreased to $0.1 million (7.9%(2.9%) as compared to the first quarter of 1994 primarilylast year. The increases are due to increased volume related expenses and payroll related expenses due to the salereorganization of one of the Company's facilities. First quarter depreciation and leaseback of equipment purchased in 1994 and 1993, which had the effect of reducing depreciation expense and increasing rental expense. Rentalamortization expense is included in operating expenses, which were discussed above. Interestcomparable to last year. Net interest expense was down byfor the first quarter decreased approximately $0.1$.6 million due(20.4%) as compared to lower debt levels. Total funded borrowing decreased by $22.3 million since the first quarter of 1994.1999. The debt reduction serveddecline reflects the Company's ongoing initiative to keep interest expenseuse cash flow to pay down even though interest rates have increased due to Federal Reserve rate hikes.debt. Liquidity and Capital Resources _______________________________ The Company has managed to control working capital needs despite the upward pressure generatedAccounts receivable increased by $11.4 million from the continued increase in business activity. Accounts receivable rose by $18.8 millionfirst quarter of last year mainly due to the sharply increased sales volume. Net inventory however, was only updecreased by $2.9$30.3 million as the Company continued its effortscompared to hold inventory levels down despite thelast year's values due to increased sales volume. Trade payables were up by approximately $25.3 million as a result of deferred terms negotiated with several vendors.activity and programmed reductions. Total bank and long term borrowinglong-term debt decreased by $22.3$27.5 million as compared to the balanceMarch 31, 1999. The decrease was mainly the result of the inventory reduction mentioned above. The Company's debt to capital ratio was 49.8% as of March 31, 2000 compare to 54.1% at March 31, 1994.1999. Net worth decreased $1.1 million from the prior year's quarter. Although the Company has remained profitable over the past four quarters, the depressed economic conditions in 1999 resulted in dividends exceeding earnings for this period. A turnaround in this condition has occurred in the first quarter of this year with net worth increasing by $1.0 from the December 31,1999 value. Page 7 of 9 The Company has unused committed and uncommitted lines of bank credit of $137.0$135.5 million as of March 31, 1995 as2000 compared to $104.2$121.5 million asat March 31, 1994.1999. Year-2000 Issues There have been no significant systems or other Year 2000 problems suffered during the first quarter of 2000 and there are no significant problems anticipated in the future, either internally or from third parties. Although many 1999 technology projects were deferred, it is not anticipated that the resumption of project work will have a material adverse affect on the Company's liquidity requirements. Page 8 of 9 Part II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings There are no material legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidentalIncidental to the business of the Registrant. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders (a) None Item 6. Exhibits and Reports ofon Form 8-K (a) None (b) No reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the quarter for which this report is filed. Page 9 of 9 SIGNATURES __________ Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. A. M. Castle & Co. (Registrant) Date: May 5, 19957, 2000 By: /ss// ss/J.A. Podojil J. A. Podojil J. A. Podojil- Treasurer/Controller (Mr. Podojil is the Chief Accounting Officer and has been authorized to sign on behalf of the Registrant).Registrant.)