Apr. 2, 2025 at 2:02 PM ET6 min read

Is Cleveland-Cliffs Stock Poised for Growth?

Tim BohenAvatar
Written by Tim Bohen
Reviewed by Ben Sturgill Fact-checked by Ellis Hobbs

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.’s stocks have been trading up by 6.79 percent, driven by impactful strategic business developments.

Key Market Movements

  • A groundbreaking incentive introduced by Cleveland-Cliffs promises up to a $1,000 reward for about 30,000 workers, encouraging them to purchase new American cars made with the company’s steel in 2025.

Candlestick Chart

Live Update At 13:02:40 EST: On Wednesday, April 02, 2025 Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. stock [NYSE: CLF] is trending up by 6.79%! Discover the key drivers behind this movement as well as our expert analysis in the detailed breakdown below.

  • In a strategic move, Cleveland-Cliffs has decided to temporarily close its steel mill in Dearborn while revamping operations at the Cleveland C6 blast furnace. This allows them to rebalance capacity, boosting efficiency by reducing workforce numbers by roughly 1,200 employees.

  • The continuous support for existing steel and aluminum tariffs lays a positive foundation for the future of Cleveland-Cliffs, aligning it with other similar industries, offering a stable outlook.

Earnings Overview and Financial Insights

As Tim Bohen, lead trainer with StocksToTrade says, “A good trade setup checks all the boxes—volume, trend, catalyst. Don’t trade if you’re missing pieces of the puzzle.” This advice is crucial for traders to keep in mind while analyzing potential trades in the market. A successful trade requires a thorough examination of these key elements to build confidence and enhance the probability of a positive outcome. When traders fail to ensure all these pieces are in place, they risk entering trades that are not well-supported, which can lead to unfavorable results. It’s essential for traders to be vigilant and strategic in evaluating each opportunity, making sure that their trade criteria are fulfilled before proceeding.

Cleveland-Cliffs has recently weathered a turbulent period, but their balance sheet hints that better days might be on the horizon. The total assets are at a robust $20.9B, while debts hover around $7B—a level indicative of a significant debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The company’s revenue landed at $19.18B, though marked by a revenue growth decline of 2.1% over the past three years. Despite these setbacks, gross margins strikingly stand at 100%. A net loss of $447M in net income from the recent quarterly reports paints a less rosy picture.

Analyzing the cash flow report reveals significant allocations of cash towards capital expenditures and debt adjustments. Although the free cash flow indicates a deficit of $677M, this may signal a strategy centered around disciplined financial restructuring and long-term asset investment. A noteworthy aspect is that despite having a lower immediate cash position, the company’s thorough control over working capital remains evident.

More Breaking News

Trading data conveys that CLF stocks closed at $8.65 on Apr 2, 2025, after experiencing fluctuations ranging from a high of $8.7 to a low of $7.89 earlier that day. Regular trading activity denotes a relatively stable, albeit modest, trading range which could suggest potential consolidation and a basis for future growth.

Headwinds and Tailwinds: Navigating Change and Opportunity

Cleveland-Cliffs is boldly navigating through changes with moves like shutting down Dearborn’s steel mill temporarily. This is not a sign of surrender; rather, it’s an emblem of strategic adaptation. By paring down operations there and re-energizing the Cleveland C6 blast furnace, the company seeks operational efficiency. Such changes, paralleled with workforce management and idling iron ore operations, underscore a capacity management strategy rather than an overall reduction. This provides an opportunity to emerge as a leaner, more productive business.

Furthermore, the continuing favor for existing U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs becomes an underpinning strength. These tariffs create a protective shield from international competition, allowing domestic producers like Cleveland-Cliffs to stay competitive without undue price pressures from foreign competitors. This has a direct implication on the market’s perception of Cleveland-Cliffs’ long-term growth potential and stability.

The $1,000 incentive for almost 30,000 employees to get American cars integrated with Cliffs’ steel is not only a marketing coup but a step in galvanizing domestic market loyalty. It binds employees closer to the company ethos and encourages them to directly invest in the ecosystem that sustains their livelihood, fostering a culture of mutual benefit that can translate into increased productivity and morale.

Challenges and Prospects: Looking Beyond the Quarterly Numbers

As observers, we see in Cleveland-Cliffs a company slowly reshaping itself amidst industrial shifts. While short-term financial health reveals the strain of an evolving market landscape, key metrics suggest potential upside. With innovations in strategy like incentivizing employees and refined operational focus, Cleveland-Cliffs appears to be setting the groundwork for future success.

Steering through operating losses takes a concentrated approach on improving efficiency. The path to profitability involves managing intensive capital expenditure, ensuring that each dollar invested returns a higher value. With careful tactical adjustments and a keen eye on reshaping its market footprint, Cleveland-Cliffs seems committed to unlocking shareholder value and sustained growth.

Summary with Financial Insights

Advancing through economic lows, Cleveland-Cliffs is on a journey to reclaim its position with strategic pivots and incentives that invigorate market trust. While short-term data might tell a tale of immediate challenges, the company’s longer horizon strategy may well provide a narrative of eventual triumph. The bullish outlook hitches on these strategic adjustments and market regulations fostering a defining competitive advantage. As Tim Bohen, lead trainer with StocksToTrade, says, “For me, trading is more about managing risk than finding the next big mover.” This perspective resonates as we stand witness to these shifts, where Cleveland-Cliffs’ future carries a promise imbued by calculated risk-taking and an insightful anticipation of industrial needs.

This is stock news, not investment advice. StocksToTrade News delivers real-time stock market updates tailored to highlight the key catalysts driving short-term price movements. Our coverage is designed for active traders and investors who thrive in fast-moving markets, with a focus on volatile sectors like penny stocks, AI stocks, Robinhood stocks and other momentum plays. From earnings reports and FDA approvals to mergers, new contracts, and unusual trading volume, we break down the events that can spark significant price action.

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