SCHEDULE: BlackRock Boosts Olympic Steel Stake to 10.8%

BlackRock, Inc. has disclosed an increased passive ownership stake of 10.8% in Olympic Steel Inc., holding 1,208,488 common shares.

Summary

• BlackRock, Inc. reported beneficial ownership of 1,208,488 shares of Olympic Steel Inc. common stock as of September 30, 2025.
• This ownership represents 10.8% of the total outstanding common shares of Olympic Steel Inc.
• BlackRock holds sole voting power over 1,188,615 shares and sole dispositive power over 1,208,488 shares.
• The filing is an Amendment No. 20 to a Schedule 13G, indicating a change in ownership from a previous filing.
• BlackRock certifies that the securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of changing or influencing control of Olympic Steel Inc.
• Several BlackRock subsidiaries, including BlackRock Fund Advisors, are identified as beneficially owning shares, with BlackRock Fund Advisors owning 5% or greater of the outstanding shares.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: BlackRock's significant and passive ownership stake of 10.8% in Olympic Steel Inc. suggests a long-term investment perspective from a major institutional investor, which can be viewed positively by the market.

Positives

• Increased institutional ownership by a major asset manager like BlackRock can signal confidence in Olympic Steel Inc.'s long-term prospects.
• A significant passive stake by BlackRock may provide a degree of stability to the shareholder base.

Risks

• No specific risks related to Olympic Steel Inc. are disclosed in this ownership filing; the primary risk is the general market risk associated with holding common stock.

Future Outlook

NA

Management Comments

• I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under 240.14a-11.

Industry Context

This filing indicates a significant institutional investor, BlackRock, maintains a substantial passive stake in Olympic Steel Inc., a company operating in the steel industry. Such large institutional holdings are common for publicly traded companies and reflect BlackRock's role as a major asset manager investing across various sectors. The passive nature of the stake, as certified by BlackRock, suggests it is held for investment purposes rather than to exert control over the company's operations or strategic direction.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The disclosure of a significant institutional investor like BlackRock holding a 10.8% stake may instill confidence and potentially attract other institutional investors, contributing to market stability.
• Management: BlackRock's passive stake indicates no immediate intent to influence control, allowing current management to continue executing their strategy without direct pressure from this specific shareholder.

Next Steps

• Olympic Steel Inc. will continue its operations.
• BlackRock, Inc. will continue to monitor its investment in Olympic Steel Inc. and file further amendments to Schedule 13G if its ownership percentage changes significantly.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing indicates a significant, passive institutional investment by BlackRock, which is generally a positive signal of confidence in Olympic Steel Inc. However, a Schedule 13G filing primarily discloses ownership and does not provide new financial performance data or strategic updates that would warrant a 'buy' or 'sell' recommendation. The 'hold' recommendation reflects the stability implied by a major institutional investor maintaining a substantial stake, without new information to suggest a change in investment thesis.

Keywords

Olympic Steel Inc., BlackRock, Institutional Ownership, Common Stock, Schedule 13G, Beneficial Ownership, Steel Industry, Investment, Equity