Insteel Industries reported a strong first quarter with net sales increasing by 22.6% to $119.6 million and net earnings rising to $8.1 million, or $0.42 per share, driven by robust construction activity and wider spreads between selling prices and raw material costs.
Net earnings increased to $8.1 million, or $0.42 per share, from $0.6 million, or $0.03 per share, in the same period a year ago.
Net sales increased 22.6% to $119.6 million from $97.6 million in the prior year quarter.
Shipments increased 21.6% year-over-year, while average selling prices increased by 1.0%.
Gross margin widened 1,020 basis points to 16.6% from 6.4% in the prior year quarter.
The company is cautiously optimistic for 2021, but the outlook remains subject to uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 effects on the economy and related uncertainties with respect to funding availability for non-residential construction projects.