CAS Simplify China A Shares Plus Income ETF

FRANKLIN PARK, Ill., April 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A. M. CASTLE & CO. (AMEX:CAS), a North American distributor of highly engineered metals and plastics, today reaffirmed the Company's previous statements that it expected sales to grow in the mid single digit range, exclusive of pricing impacts, during 2006. "The aerospace, oil and gas, power generation, mining and heavy equipment markets continue to demonstrate particular strength," said Michael Goldberg, President and CEO of A. M. Castle & Co. "When combined with our Plastics business and our Mexico subsidiary, we believe we are positioned to have 40% to 50% of our revenue base growing at near double-digit rates in 2006, with the balance of our business growing at a more modest pace," stated Goldberg. The Company's Vice President of Finance and CFO, Larry Boik, added, "Our commitment to improving our cost structure over the last several years should also positively impact our ability to capture greater incremental operating profits on each new dollar of sales. We would expect to see incremental operating profits of 10-15 cents for each new dollar of sales." He continued, "This combined with our lower interest expense, due to the restructured balance sheet, and recognizing that 2005 included an abnormal charge to earnings of 16 cents per share related to the refinancing of the Company's long-term debt, points to a strong earnings outlook for A. M. Castle in 2006." About A. M. Castle & Co. Founded in 1890, A. M. Castle & Co. is a specialty metals and plastics distribution company serving the North American market, principally within the producer durable equipment sector. Its customer base includes many Fortune 500 companies as well as thousands of medium and smaller-sized firms spread across a wide spectrum of industries. Within its core metals business, it specializes in the distribution of carbon, alloy and stainless steels; nickel alloy; and aluminum. Through its subsidiary, Total Plastics, Inc., the Company also distributes a broad range of value-added industrial plastics. Together, Castle operates over 50 locations throughout North America. Its common stock is traded on the American and Chicago Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CAS". Safe Harbor Statement / Regulation G Disclosure This release may contain forward-looking statements relating to future financial results. Actual results may differ materially as a result of factors over which the Company has no control. These risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on file with the Securities Exchange Commission. DATASOURCE: A. M. Castle & Co. CONTACT: Larry A. Boik, Vice President-Finance & CFO, A. M. Castle & Co., +1-847-349-2576, or ; or Analyst Contact, Katie Pyra, Ashton Partners, +1-312-553-6717, or

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