SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario, March  31, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algoma Steel Group Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTL, TSX:ASTL) (&#34;Algoma&#34; or &#34;the Company&#34;), a leading Canadian producer of steel plate and hot rolled sheet products, today

ASTL

Algoma Steel Group Inc. Provides Guidance for the First Quarter 2026

Algoma Steel Projects Significant Q1 Loss Amid EAF Transition Challenges

<section class="insight" data-version="1">
  <section data-block="information">
    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario, March  31, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algoma Steel Group Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTL, TSX:ASTL) (&amp;#34;Algoma&amp;#34; or &amp;#34;the Company&amp;#34;), a leading Canadian producer of steel plate and hot rolled sheet products, today</p>
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  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>Algoma Steel expects quarterly losses due to a transition to electric arc furnace production. While short-term demand affects shipments, the long-term outlook may improve with lower emissions and cost efficiencies through EAF technology.</p>
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  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>Algoma Steel projects Q1 Adjusted EBITDA losses of $25M to $35M.</li><li>Steel shipments anticipated at 220,000 tons for the quarter.</li><li>Transition to electric arc furnace operation impacts cost structures.</li><li>CEO highlights long-term benefits from EAF technology amid demand softness.</li><li>Algoma&#039;s green steel brand, Volta™, is now in production.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>N/A (N/A)</strong>: No direct competitors mentioned; focus remains on Algoma&#039;s operational changes.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Corporate Developments</h3>
    <p>This fits under &#039;Corporate Developments&#039; as it discusses Algoma&#039;s strategic shift to electric arc furnace technology, which significantly impacts future operations and earnings.</p>
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  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>Projected Q1 Adjusted EBITDA losses could impact investor sentiment negatively.</li><li>Shipments of 220,000 tons indicate ongoing weakness in steel demand.</li><li>EAF transition poses both risks and long-term cost benefits that need to be monitored.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>Projected Adjusted EBITDA losses: negative CAD 25M to 35M.</li><li>Total anticipated shipments: 220,000 tons.</li><li>Capacity utilization adjustment estimated at CAD 90M to 95M.</li><li>Electric arc furnace transition represents nearly $1 billion investment.</li><li>EAF operation expected to reduce carbon emissions by about 70%.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>Despite near-term earnings volatility, consider ASTL as a long-term buy given its transition to EAF plants.</p>
  </section>
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<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/styles/gnw_nitf.css"></link><p align="justify">SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario, March  31, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algoma Steel Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ASTL">ASTL</a>, TSX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ASTL">ASTL</a>) ("Algoma" or "the Company"), a leading Canadian producer of steel plate and hot rolled sheet products, today provided guidance for its quarter ended March 31, 2026. Unless otherwise specified, all amounts are in Canadian dollars.</p>  <p align="justify">Total steel shipments for the quarter are expected to be approximately 220,000 tons and Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of negative $25 million to negative $35 million. The guidance for expected Adjusted EBITDA includes the benefit of a capacity utilization adjustment that is expected to be in the range of $90 million to $95 million. This represents the excess fixed costs incurred in the quarter despite lower production volumes as the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) ramps up.</p>  <p align="justify">Rajat Marwah, Chief Executive Officer of Algoma, commented, &#34;The first quarter of 2026 marked a defining moment in Algoma&#39;s transformation. With the wind-down of our blast furnace and coke oven operations now complete, we have fully transitioned to EAF steelmaking, the culmination of years of planning and close to $1 billion of investment. Our EAF is running around the clock, producing Volta&#x2122;, our sustainable low-carbon steel brand, at scale for the Canadian market. While near-term demand softness continues to weigh on shipment volumes, the structural cost improvements inherent to EAF steelmaking are expected to drive meaningful sequential improvement in Adjusted EBITDA. As Canada&#39;s only producer of discrete plate, we are well-positioned to serve growing demand across infrastructure, construction, and defense, and to build on the foundation we have put in place.&#34;</p>  <p align="justify"><strong>Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements</strong></p>  <p align="justify">This news release contains "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including statements regarding anticipated improvements in Adjusted EBITDA, ability to serve growing demand across infrastructure, construction, and defense, expected future demand for steel, Algoma's transition to EAF steelmaking, the Company's expected reduction in carbon emissions following completion of the EAF project, Algoma's future as a leading producer of green steel, t Algoma's modernization of its plate mill facilities, transformation journey, ability to deliver greater and long-term value, ability to offer North America a secure steel supply and a sustainable future, and investment in its people, and processes, and statements regarding the Company's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "hope," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "design," "pipeline," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document. Readers should also consider the other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" in Algoma's Annual Information Form, filed by Algoma with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities (available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at <a href="http://www.sedarplus.com" title="www.sedarplus.com">www.sedarplus.com</a>) and with the SEC, as part of Algoma's Annual Report on Form 40-F (available at <a href="http://www.sec.gov" title="www.sec.gov">www.sec.gov</a>), as well as in Algoma's current reports with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Algoma assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.</p>  <p><strong>About Algoma Steel Group Inc.</strong></p>  <p align="justify">Based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Algoma is a leading Canadian producer of high-quality plate and sheet steel products, proudly supporting critical sectors including energy, defense, automotive, shipbuilding, and infrastructure. Guided by a purpose to build better lives and a greener future, Algoma is shaping the next generation of sustainable steelmaking in Canada.</p>  <p align="justify">With the transition to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking and a modernized plate mill, Algoma is redefining how steel is made in Canada. Powered by Ontario's clean electricity grid, this transformation represents one of the largest industrial decarbonization initiatives in North America and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 70%. These advancements provide stability for continued investment in diversification projects aligned with Canada's evolving needs.</p>  <p align="justify">This new chapter also introduces Volta&#x2122;, the brand for all steel produced through Algoma's EAF technology. Volta delivers the same trusted performance customers rely on, with significantly lower emissions—produced safely, sustainably, and proudly in Canada.</p>  <p align="justify">Building on more than a century of steelmaking expertise, Algoma continues to invest in its people, processes, and technologies to strengthen domestic supply chains and deliver responsible, Canadian-made steel that helps build a better tomorrow.</p>  <p align="justify"><strong>Non-GAAP Financial Measures</strong></p>  <p align="justify">To supplement our financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with IFRS&#xAE; Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") ("IFRS Accounting Standards"), we use certain non-GAAP measures to evaluate the performance of Algoma. These terms do not have any standardized meaning prescribed within IFRS Accounting Standards and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS Accounting Standards measures by providing a further understanding of our financial performance from management's perspective. Accordingly, they should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS Accounting Standards.</p>  <p align="justify">Adjusted EBITDA, as we define it, refers to net income (loss) before amortization of property, plant, equipment and amortization of intangible assets, finance costs, interest on pension and other post-employment benefit obligations, income taxes, foreign exchange loss (gain), finance income, carbon tax, changes in fair value of IPO and LETL Warrants, earnout and share-based compensation liabilities and derivative, share-based compensation related to the Company's Omnibus Long Term Incentive Plan, certain inventory adjustments, impairment loss, legal settlement, severance costs and stranded inventory. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by revenue for the corresponding period. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flow from operations, as defined by IFRS Accounting Standards, and should not be considered as alternatives to net profit (loss) from operations, or any other measure of performance prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards. Adjusted EBITDA, as we define and use it, may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA as defined and used by other companies. We consider Adjusted EBITDA to be a meaningful measure to assess our operating performance in addition to IFRS Accounting Standards. It is included because we believe it can be useful in measuring our operating performance and our ability to expand our business and provide management and investors with additional information for comparison of our operating results across different time periods and to the operating results of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is also used by analysts and our lenders as a measure of our financial performance. In addition, we consider Adjusted EBITDA margin to be a useful measure of our operating performance and profitability across different time periods that enhance the comparability of our results. However, these measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation from, or as alternatives to, net income, cash flow from operations or other data prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. Because of these limitations, such measures should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to invest in business growth or to reduce indebtedness. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our IFRS Accounting Standards results using such measures only as supplements to such results. See the financial tables below for a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA.</p> <img alt="" class="__GNW8366DE3E__IMG" src="https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti?nf=OTY4MjA0NyM3NTEzODQ4IzIyMjIwNjQ="></img> <br></br><img alt="" src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/MjUyZGZmNTAtNGRlZS00N2ExLWIzMTctOWU5YWE3NjgwMmNkLTEyMzM2MTctMjAyNi0wMy0zMS1lbg==/tiny/Algoma-Steel-Inc.png" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></img><pre>For more information, please contact:

Michael Moraca
Chief Financial Officer
Algoma Steel Group Inc.
Phone: 705.945.3300
E-mail: IR@algoma.com</pre><p><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/238d9cba-286c-4536-817b-07cce07aef66"><img src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/238d9cba-286c-4536-817b-07cce07aef66/small/algoma-steel-logo-full-colour-rgb-900px-w-72ppi-png.png" border="0" width="150" height="39" alt="Primary Logo"></img></a></p>

Algoma Steel expects quarterly losses due to a transition to electric arc furnace production. While short-term demand affects shipments, the long-term outlook may improve with lower emissions and cost efficiencies through EAF technology.

Algoma Steel Group Inc. Provides Guidance for the First Quarter 2026

AI Summary

Sentiment Rationale

Trading Thesis

Market-Moving

Key Facts

Companies Mentioned

Corporate Developments

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