WHX CORP
10-Q, 1998-05-15
STEEL WORKS, BLAST FURNACES & ROLLING MILLS (COKE OVENS)
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                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


/X/  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended                       March 31, 1998
                              --------------------------------------------------


/ /  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ------------------ to ---------------------------


     For Quarter Ended March 31, 1998            Commission File Number 1-2394


                                 WHX CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          Delaware                                  13-3768097
   (State of Incorporation)                       (I.R.S. Employer
                                                 Identification No.)

             110 East 59th Street
              New York, New York                        10022
   (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip code)


        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-355-5200


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes /X/  No / /

The number of shares of Common  Stock issued and  outstanding  as of May 8, 1998
was 18,769,922 which includes redeemable common shares.
<PAGE>
                                 WHX CORPORATION
                            AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                                                                     1998                    1997
                                                                                                     ----                    ----
                                                                                                   (In thousands except per share)
<S>                                                                                               <C>                     <C>      
NET SALES                                                                                         $ 304,078               $ 113,632

OPERATING COSTS
        Cost of goods sold                                                                          269,657                 141,152
        Depreciation                                                                                 20,504                  11,337
        Selling, administrative and general expense                                                  18,276                  16,318
                                                                                                  ---------               ---------

                                                                                                    308,437                 168,807
                                                                                                  ---------               ---------

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                                                                              (4,359)                (55,175)

        Interest expense on debt                                                                      9,847                   6,457
        Other income (expense)                                                                       15,783                  (1,019)
                                                                                                  ---------               ---------

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES                                                                            1,577                 (62,651)

        Tax provision (benefit)                                                                         489                 (21,927)
                                                                                                  ---------               ---------

NET INCOME (LOSS)                                                                                     1,088                 (40,724)

Dividend requirement for Preferred Stock                                                              5,152                   5,201
                                                                                                  ---------               ---------

NET INCOME (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK                                                      $  (4,064)              $ (45,925)


Income (loss) per share of common stock:

       Basic income(loss) per share of common stock                                               $   (0.21)              $   (1.92)
                                                                                                  =========               =========

       Income (loss) per share of common stock                                                    $   (0.21)              $   (1.92)
                                                                                                  =========               =========
      -- assuming dilution
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>

                                 WHX CORPORATION
                            AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     March 31,          December 31,
                                                                                                     1998                   1997
                                                                                                  (Dollars and shares in thousands)
<S>                                                                                              <C>                    <C>        
ASSETS
Current Assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents                                                                $      --              $     1,002
        Short term investments                                                                       833,896                581,550
        Trade receivables - net                                                                       57,606                 44,993
        Inventories:
             Finished and semi-finished products                                                     200,943                178,450
             Raw materials                                                                            79,370                103,735
             Other materials and supplies                                                             20,448                 19,811
             Excess of LIFO over current cost                                                        (17,239)               (17,239)
                                                                                                 -----------            -----------
                                                                                                     283,522                284,757

        Other current assets                                                                          21,172                 26,581
                                                                                                 -----------            -----------
                                   Total current assets                                            1,196,196                938,883

Property, plant and equipment at cost, less
        accumulated depreciation and amortization                                                    726,137                738,660
Deferred income taxes                                                                                196,644                196,966
Intangible asset-pensions                                                                             76,714                 76,714
Other non-current assets                                                                             125,205                119,180
                                                                                                 -----------            -----------
                                                                                                 $ 2,320,896            $ 2,070,403
                                                                                                 ===========            ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
        Trade payables                                                                           $   139,996            $   123,872
        Short-term borrowings                                                                        598,994                366,418
        Deferred income taxes - current                                                               32,196                 32,196
        Other current liabilities                                                                     93,937                 86,559
        Long-term debt due in one year                                                                   619                    466
                                                                                                 -----------            -----------
                                   Total current liabilities                                         865,742                609,511

Long-term debt                                                                                       354,554                350,453
Pension liability                                                                                    172,767                166,652
Other employee benefit liabilities                                                                   429,026                427,124
Other liabilities                                                                                     49,955                 49,979
                                                                                                 -----------            -----------
                                                                                                   1,872,044              1,603,719
                                                                                                 -----------            -----------
Redeemable Common Stock - 327 shares
        and 360 shares                                                                                 4,163                  4,808
                                                                                                 -----------            -----------

Stockholders' Equity:
        Preferred Stock - $.10 par value -
             5,883 shares                                                                                589                    589
        Common Stock - $.01 par value - 18,415
             shares and 19,074 shares                                                                    184                    193
        Accumulated other
             comprehensive income                                                                     19,935                 24,237
        Additional paid-in capital                                                                   591,627                602,657
        Accumulated earnings (deficit)                                                              (167,646)              (163,582)
                                                                                                 -----------            -----------
                                                                                                     444,689                464,094
Less treasury stock - 0 shares and 205 shares                                                              0                 (2,218)
                                                                                                 -----------            -----------
Total stockholders' equity                                                                           444,689                461,876
                                                                                                 -----------            -----------

                                                                                                 $ 2,320,896            $ 2,070,403
                                                                                                 ===========            ===========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
                                 WHX CORPORATION
                            AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                                                                           1998              1997
                                                                                                           ----              ----
                                                                                                           (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                                                                     <C>               <C> 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
        Net income (loss)                                                                               $   1,088         $ (40,724)
        Non cash expenses:
             Depreciation and amortization                                                                 20,756            11,420
             Other postemployment benefits                                                                  2,150              --
             Income taxes                                                                                     322           (21,927)
             Equity income in affiliated companies                                                           (974)             (931)
             Pension expense                                                                                5,556              --
        Decrease  (increase)  in  working  capital  elements  net of  effect  of
                  acquisition:
             Trade receivables                                                                            (26,849)           10,784
             Trade receivables sold                                                                        15,500              --
             Inventories                                                                                    2,105           (21,025)
             Other current assets                                                                           5,463            (2,913)
             Trade payables                                                                                16,124             5,203
             Other current liabilities                                                                      7,221            14,980
             Short term investments - trading                                                            (234,233)         (158,433)
             Trading account borrowings                                                                   267,432           199,921
        Other items - net                                                                                     887            (3,990)
                                                                                                        ---------         ---------

             Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                           82,548            (7,635)
                                                                                                        ---------         ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
        Short term investments-available for sale                                                         (22,418)           (3,522)
        Plant additions and improvements                                                                   (7,478)           (2,554)
        Acquisition of Clinch-on Corporation                                                               (8,335)             --
        Dividends from affiliates                                                                           5,000             2,500
                                                                                                        ---------         ---------

             Net cash used in
                   investing activities                                                                   (33,231)           (3,576)
                                                                                                        ---------         ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
        Payments on long-term borrowings                                                                      (66)           (1,987)
        Short term borrowings (payments)                                                                  (34,856)           (1,263)
        Preferred stock purchased                                                                            --              (8,020)
        Common stock purchased                                                                            (10,050)           (7,646)
        Letter of credit collateralization                                                                    415               400
        Preferred stock dividends paid                                                                     (5,152)           (5,201)
        Redemption of common stock                                                                           (610)              (92)
                                                                                                        ---------         ---------

             Net cash used in financing activities                                                        (50,319)          (23,809)
                                                                                                        ---------         ---------

DECREASE IN CASH AND
        CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                                                   (1,002)          (35,020)

Cash and cash equivalents
        at beginning of period                                                                              1,002            35,020
                                                                                                        ---------         ---------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
        AT END OF PERIOD                                                                                $    --           $    --
                                                                                                        =========         =========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>

                                 WHX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

GENERAL

                 The  consolidated  balance  sheet as of  March  31,  1998,  the
        consolidated  statement of operations and the consolidated  statement of
        cash flows for the three  month  periods  ended March 31, 1998 and 1997,
        have been  prepared  by the  Company  without  audit.  In the opinion of
        management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated
        financial  position at March 31, 1998 and the results of operations  and
        changes in cash flows for the periods presented have been made.

                 Certain information and footnote  disclosures normally included
        in financial  statements  prepared in accordance with generally accepted
        accounting  principles  have been  condensed or omitted.  This quarterly
        report on Form 10-Q  should be read in  conjunction  with the  Company's
        audited  consolidated  financial  statements for the year ended December
        31, 1997.  The results of operations for the period ended March 31, 1998
        are not  necessarily  indicative of the  operating  results for the full
        year.

                 The  preparation  of financial  statements in  conformity  with
        generally accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management to make
        estimates and assumptions  that affected the reported  amounts of assets
        and liabilities  and disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities at
        the  date of the  financial  statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of
        revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could
        differ from those estimates.

BUSINESS SEGMENT

                 The Company has primarily  been engaged in one line of business
        and has one  industry  segment,  which  is the  making,  processing  and
        fabricating of steel and steel products.  The Company's products include
        hot  rolled  and  cold  rolled  sheet,   and  coated  products  such  as
        galvanized, prepainted and tin mill sheet. The Company also manufactures
        a variety of fabricated steel products  including roll formed corrugated
        roofing,  roof deck, form deck,  floor deck,  bridge form, steel framing
        and  related  accessories  and  other  products  used  primarily  by the
        construction, highway and agricultural markets.

NOTE 1 - HANDY & HARMAN ACQUISITION

                 On April 13, 1998,  the Company  completed the  acquisition  of
        Handy & Harman  and  merged  it with a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of the
        Company,  with Handy & Harman as the surviving  entity.  The transaction
        has a  total  value  of  approximately  $603.6  million,  including  the
        assumption of approximately $185.7 million in debt. The Company financed
        the  transaction  through  cash on hand and a private  placement of debt
        securities of the Company.
<PAGE>

                The following pro forma  disclosure is presented as if the Handy
        &  Harman  acquisition  had  occurred  on  January  1 of the  respective
        periods.

                                                 Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                 -----------------------
                                                 1998            1997
                                                 ----            ----
                                             (in thousands, except per share)
           Revenue                            $424,410         $218,564
           Net loss                             (1,819)         (44,242)
           Basic and diluted loss per share:      (.37)           (2.07)

NOTE 2 - 10 1/2% SENIOR NOTES

                 On March 31, 1998,  the Company  announced  that it had entered
        into a  definitive  purchase  agreement  for the sale of $350.0  million
        principal amount of 10 1/2% Senior Notes due 2005 in a Rule 144A Private
        Placement to qualified  institutional buyers. The closing on the private
        placement  of 10 1/2%  Senior  Notes  occurred  April 7,  1998.  The net
        proceeds  of $340.4  million  from the  offering  were used to finance a
        portion of the  acquisition  of Handy & Harman and  related  transaction
        expenses.  The 10 1/2% Senior Notes have not been  registered  under the
        Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable state securities laws.
        The Company has filed a  registration  statement  related to an exchange
        offer for the Senior Notes under the Securities Act of 1933.

NOTE 3 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

                 In 1997 the Company  adopted SFAS No. 128,  Earnings per Share.
        The  computation  of basic  earnings  per common share is based upon the
        average  shares of  Common  Stock  outstanding.  In the  computation  of
        earnings per common share -- assuming  dilution in the first  quarter of
        1998 and 1997, the conversion of preferred shares and redeemable  common
        stock  and  exercise  of  options  and   warrants   would  have  had  an
        anti-dilutive  effect.  Previously  reported  first quarter 1997 EPS has
        been  restated.  A  reconciliation  of the income and shares used in the
        computation follows:

RECONCILIATION OF INCOME AND SHARES IN EPS CALCULATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    For the Quarter Ended March 31, 1998
                                                              Income                  Shares               Per-
                                                            (Numerator)           (Denominator)           Amount
                                                                  (in thousands, except per-share amount)
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>                 <C>
Net income                                                           $1,088
Less: Preferred stock dividends                                       5,152
BASIC AND DILUTED EPS
     Income (loss) available to common stockholders                $(4,064)           18,942              $(0.21)
                                                                   ========           ======              =======
</TABLE>

         The assumed conversion of stock options, preferred stock and redeemable
common stock would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    For the Quarter Ended March 31, 1998
                                                              Income                  Shares               Per-
                                                            (Numerator)           (Denominator)           Amount
                                                                  (in thousands, except per-share amount)
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>                 <C>
Net income (loss)                                                    $(40,724)
Less: Preferred stock dividends                                         5,201
BASIC AND DILUTED EPS
     Income (loss) available to common stockholders                  $(45,925)        23,881              $(1.92)
                                                                     =========        ======              =======
</TABLE>

         The assumed conversion of stock options, preferred stock and redeemable
common stock would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share.



<PAGE>
         Outstanding  stock  options  granted  to  officers,  directors  and key
employees totaled 4.1 million shares of common stock at March 31, 1998.

REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK

                  Certain  present and former  employees of the Company have the
        right to sell their redeemable  common stock to the Company at prices of
        $15 or $20 per share  depending on years of service,  age and retirement
        date.  Holders can sell any or all of their redeemable common stock into
        the public market, provided, however, that stock sales on any day cannot
        be more than 20% of the  number of shares  publicly  traded  during  the
        previous day. As of March 31, 1998 redeemable  common stock  outstanding
        totaled 326,729 shares.

NOTE 4 - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

                  The  Company   adopted   Statement  of  Financial   Accounting
        Standards  No. 130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income"  (SFAS No. 130),
        effective  January 1, 1998.  This  Statement  establishes  standards for
        reporting and display of comprehensive  income and its components in the
        financial  statements.  The Company's  first quarter 1998  comprehensive
        loss of $1.7  million  consists of net income of $1.1  million and other
        comprehensive loss of $2.8 million,  net of tax related to an unrealized
        loss on  available-for-sale  securities.  The comprehensive loss for the
        comparable period in 1997 of $40.3 million consists of net loss of $40.7
        million  and  other  comprehensive  income  of $.4  million,  net of tax
        related to an unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities.

NOTE 5 - SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS

                  Net unrealized holding losses on trading  securities  included
        in net income for the first  quarter of 1998 and 1997 were $7.4  million
        and $4.3 million, respectively.

NOTE 6 - SALES OF RECEIVABLES

                  Accounts  receivable  at March 31, 1998 and 1997 exclude $84.5
        million  and  $45.0  million,  respectively,   representing  uncollected
        accounts  receivable  sold  with  recourse  limited  to  the  extent  of
        uncollectible  balances.  Fees paid by the Company under such  agreement
        range from 6.25% to 8.5% of the outstanding  amount of receivables sold.
        Based on the Company's collection history, the Company believes that the
        credit risk associated with the above arrangement is immaterial.

NOTE 7 - REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

                  On December 28, 1995,  Wheeling-Pittsburgh  Steel  Corporation
        ("WPSC")  entered into a Second  Amended and Restated  Revolving  Credit
        Facility  ("RCF")  with  Citibank,  N.A. as agent.  The RCF, as amended,
        provides  for  borrowings  for  general  corporate  purposes  up to $150
        million and a $35 million sub-limit for Letters of Credit.

                  The RCF  expires on May 3, 1999.  Interest  rates are based on
        the Citibank  prime rate plus 1.0% and/or a Eurodollar  rate plus 2.25%,
        but the margin over the prime rate and the Eurodollar rate can fluctuate
        based upon performance. A commitment fee of .5% is charged on the unused
        portion.  The  letter  of credit  fee is 2.25%  and is also  performance
        based.

                  Borrowings  are  secured  primarily  by 100%  of the  eligible
        inventory of WPSC,  Pittsburgh-Canfield  Corporation  ("PCC"),  Wheeling
        Construction Products, Inc. ("WCPI") and Unimast, Inc. ("Unimast"),  and
        the terms of the RCF contain  various  restrictive  covenants,  limiting
        among other things dividend payments or other distribution of assets, as
        defined  in  the  RCF.  Certain  financial  covenants   associated  with
        leverage,  net worth, capital spending,  cash flow and interest coverage
        must be maintained.  Borrowings outstanding against the RCF at March 31,
        1998 totaled $56.1 million.  Letters of credit outstanding under the RCF
        were $10.0 million at March 31, 1998.


<PAGE>

                  In August  1994 WPSC  entered  into a  separate  facility  for
        letters of credit up to $50 million. At March 31, 1998 letters of credit
        totaling $8.9 million were outstanding under this facility.  The letters
        of credit are  collateralized  at 105% with U.S.  Government  securities
        owned by the Company, and are subject to an administrative charge of .4%
        per annum on the amount of outstanding letters of credit.

NOTE 8 - CONTINGENCIES

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

                  The Company has been  identified as a potentially  responsible
        party under the Comprehensive  Environmental Response,  Compensation and
        Liability Act  ("Superfund")  or similar state statutes at several waste
        sites. The Company is subject to joint and several  liability imposed by
        Superfund on potentially  responsible  parties. Due to the technical and
        regulatory  complexity  of  remedial  activities  and  the  difficulties
        attendant to identifying  potentially responsible parties and allocating
        or determining liability among them, the Company is unable to reasonably
        estimate  the ultimate  cost of  compliance  with  Superfund  laws.  The
        Company believes,  based upon information currently available,  that the
        Company's  liability  for clean up and  remediation  costs in connection
        with the  Buckeye  reclamation  will be between  $3.0  million  and $4.0
        million. At six other sites (MIDC Glassport, United Scrap Lead, Tex-Tin,
        Breslube Penn,  Four County  Landfill and Beazor) the Company  estimates
        costs to aggregate up to $700,000.  The Company is currently funding its
        share of remediation costs.

                  The Company, as are other industrial manufacturers, is subject
        to increasingly  stringent  standards  relating to the protection of the
        environment.  In order to facilitate compliance with these environmental
        standards,   the  Company  has   incurred   capital   expenditures   for
        environmental  control projects aggregating $6.8 million,  $12.4 million
        and  $3.0  million  for  1996,  1997  and the  first  quarter  of  1998,
        respectively.  The  Company  anticipates  spending  approximately  $41.3
        million in the  aggregate  on major  environmental  compliance  projects
        through the year 2000,  estimated to be spent as follows:  $13.4 million
        in 1998,  $15.9  million in 1999 and $12.0  million in 2000.  Due to the
        possibility of  unanticipated  factual or regulatory  developments,  the
        amount  of  future   expenditures  may  vary   substantially  from  such
        estimates.

                  Non-current  accrued  environmental  liabilities totaled $10.6
        million at December  31,  1997 and March 31,  1998.  As new  information
        becomes available,  including information provided by third parties, and
        changing  laws and  regulation,  the  liabilities  are  reviewed and the
        accruals  adjusted  quarterly.  Management  believes,  based on its best
        estimate, that the Company has adequately provided for remediation costs
        that might be incurred or penalties  that might be imposed under present
        environmental laws and regulations.

                  Based upon  information  currently  available,  including  the
        Company's prior capital expenditures,  anticipated capital expenditures,
        consent  agreements  negotiated  with  Federal  and state  agencies  and
        information   available   to  the  Company  on  pending   judicial   and
        administrative   proceedings,   the   Company   does  not   expect   its
        environmental  compliance and liability costs,  including the incurrence
        of additional fines and penalties,  if any, relating to the operation of
        its  facilities,  to have a  material  adverse  effect on the  financial
        condition or results of operations of the Company.  However,  as further
        information  comes into the  Company's  possession,  it will continue to
        reassess such evaluations.
<PAGE>
PART I

ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

GENERAL

                        On March 31,  1998,  the Company  announced  that it had
entered into a definitive purchase agreement for the sale of $350.0 million
principal  amount  of 10 1/2%  Senior  Notes  due  2005 in a Rule  144A  Private
Placement  to  qualified  institutional  buyers.  The  closing  on  the  private
placement of 10 1/2% Senior Notes  occurred  April 7, 1998.  The net proceeds of
$340.4  million  from  the  offering  were  used to  finance  a  portion  of the
acquisition  of Handy & Harman and  related  transaction  expenses.  The 10 1/2%
Senior  Notes have not been  registered  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
amended,   or  applicable  state  securities  laws.  The  Company  has  filed  a
registration  statement  related to an exchange offer for the Senior Notes under
the Securities Act of 1933.

            On April 13, 1998 the Company  completed the  acquisition of Handy &
Harman ("H&H") and merged it with a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company. The
transaction has a total value of  approximately  $603.6  million,  including the
assumption of  approximately  $185.7 million in debt.  The Company  financed the
transaction through cash on hand and the private placement of $350 million of 10
1/2% Senior Notes of the Company.

            In connection with the  Acquisition,  the waivers of certain lenders
to maintain the H&H Revolving Credit Facility (as defined) through June 30, 1998
were  obtained.  The Company  intends to obtain the consent and/or waiver of the
lenders to the  continuation of the H&H Revolving Credit Facility after June 30,
1998 or replace the H&H Revolving  Credit Facility with a new credit facility on
substantially similar terms, although there can be no assurance that the Company
will be successful in obtaining a replacement  credit facility on  substantially
similar terms.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

            Net sales for the first  quarter of 1998 totaled  $304.1  million on
shipments  of steel  products  totaling  587,672  tons.  Net sales for the first
quarter of 1997  totaled  $113.6  million on  shipments  of  153,842  tons.  The
increase in net sales and  shipments of steel  products  primarily  reflects the
effect of a strike by the United  Steelworkers  of America in the prior  period.
During  the  strike,  no  products  were  being  produced  or  shipped  at eight
facilities  which  represented  approximately  80% of the  tons  shipped  by the
Company on an annual basis. The new labor agreement  resulted in the elimination
of 850 jobs,  directly affecting operating costs. The first quarter 1998 results
reflect  the  re-start  of  operations  and  the  progression  toward  achieving
pre-strike  production and shipping levels. Steel prices on the products shipped
decreased 2.7% from the comparable period in 1997.

            First quarter 1998 operating  costs increased to $308.4 million from
$168.8 million in 1997 first  quarter.  Operating cost per ton decreased to $525
per ton in the 1998 first quarter from $1,098 per ton in the 1997 first quarter.
The increase in operating costs reflects the effects of the strike on the volume
of steel  products  produced and shipped in the first quarter of 1997. The lower
operating  costs per ton shipped  reflects  higher  production  levels and lower
fixed cost per ton during the first  quarter of 1998,  while  completion  of the
door rehabilitation  program at the #8 coke battery adversely affected operating
costs. The Company produced 623,714 tons of raw steel in the 1998 first quarter,
setting a new production  record at its Steubenville  complex.  There was no raw
steel produced in the 1997 first quarter.

            Depreciation  expense increased $9.2 million to $20.5 million in the
first quarter of 1998 from $11.3 million in the comparable period in 1997 due to
the  effects of the strike on  production  in the first  quarter of 1997 and the
higher levels of raw steel  production and its effect on the units of production
depreciation method.


<PAGE>

            Selling, administrative and general expense for the first quarter of
1998  increased  $2.0  million  to  $18.3  million  from  $16.3  million  in the
comparable  period in 1997 due primarily to lower expenses  incurred  during the
strike.

            Interest  expense for the first quarter 1998  increased $3.4 million
to $9.8  million  from the  comparable  period in 1997 due to  higher  levels of
long-term debt.

            Other income  (expense)  increased $16.8 million to $15.8 million in
the first quarter of 1998,  compared to a loss of $1.0 million in the 1997 first
quarter.  The  increase  is due to  realized  gains on  short-term  investments,
partially offset by a lower return on mark-to-market short-term investments.

            The 1998 first  quarter tax provision  reflects an estimated  annual
 effective tax rate of 31% compared to the 1997 first quarter effective tax rate
 of 35%.

            Net income for the 1998 first  quarter  totaled $1.1  million,  or a
loss of $0.21 per share of common stock after deduction of preferred  dividends.
The 1997 first  quarter net loss totaled $40.7  million,  or a loss of $1.92 per
share of common stock after deduction of preferred dividends.
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL POSITION

            Net cash flow provided by operating activities for the first quarter
of 1998  totaled  $82.5  million.  Short term  trading  investments  and related
short-term  borrowings are reported as cash flow from  operating  activities and
provided a net $33.2 million of funds in the 1998 first quarter. Working capital
accounts  (excluding cash,  short term  investments,  short-term  borrowings and
current maturities of long term debt) provided $19.6 million of funds.  Accounts
receivable  increased by $26.8 million  (excluding a $15.5 million sale of trade
receivables  under the  Receivables  Facility),  trade payables  increased $16.1
million and other  current  liabilities  increased  $7.2  million.  Inventories,
valued principally by the LIFO method for financial reporting purposes,  totaled
$283.5  million at March 31, 1998, a decrease of $1.2 million from  December 31,
1997. The increase in accounts receivable is due to increased shipments.

            In the first  quarter  of 1998,  $7.5  million  was spent on capital
improvements   including  $3.0  million  on  environmental   control   projects.
Continuous and substantial capital and maintenance expenditures will be required
to  maintain  and  where  necessary,  upgrade  operating  facilities  to  remain
competitive,  and to  comply  with  environmental  control  requirements.  It is
anticipated that necessary capital expenditures including required environmental
expenditures in future years will approximate depreciation expense and represent
a material use of operating funds.

            On  December  28,  1995,   Wheeling-Pittsburgh   Steel  Corporation,
("WPSC")  entered into a new Revolving  Credit Facility ("the  Revolving  Credit
Facility")  with Citibank,  N.A. as agent.  The Revolving  Credit  Facility,  as
amended,  provides for  borrowing for general  corporate  purposes of up to $150
million.  The  Revolving  Credit  Facility  expires  May 3,  1999.  Interest  is
calculated  at a Citibank  prime rate plus 1.0%  and/or a  Eurodollar  rate plus
2.25%.  Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured  primarily by
eligible inventory and requires that WPSC maintain a specified level of tangible
net worth.  The  Revolving  Credit  Facility  has  certain  financial  covenants
restricting  indebtedness,   liens  and  distributions.   Borrowings  under  the
Revolving Credit Facility at March 31, 1998 totaled $56.1 million.

            In August 1994, WPSC entered into a separate facility for letters of
credit up to $50  million.  At March 31, 1998  letters of credit  totaling  $8.9
million  were  outstanding  under  this  facility.  The  letters  of credit  are
collateralized at 105% with U.S. Government securities owned by the Company, and
are  subject  to an  administrative  charge  of .4% per  annum on the  amount of
outstanding letters of credit.

            In November 1997,  Wheeling-Pittsburgh  Corporation,  a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company,  ("WPC") issued $275.0 million  principal amount of 9
1/4% Senior Unsecured Notes to qualified  institutional  buyers pursuant to Rule
144A  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933.  WPC filed a  registration  statement
related to an exchange  offer for the 9 1/4% Senior  Notes under the  Securities
Act of 1933.

            In November  1997 WPC also entered into a Term Loan  Agreement  with
DLJ Capital Funding,  Inc., as syndication agent, pursuant to which WPC borrowed
$75 million.  The Term Loan  Agreement  matures on November  15,  2006.  Amounts
outstanding  under the Term  Loan  Agreement  bear  interest  at either  (i) the
Alternate  Base Rate (as defined  therein)  plus 2.25% or (ii) the LIBO Rate (as
defined  therein)  plus  3.25%,   determined  at  the  Company's  option.  WPC's
obligations  under the Term Loan  Agreement  will be  guaranteed  by WPC's  then
outstanding present and future operating subsidiaries.

            The  proceeds  from  the 9 1/4%  Senior  Notes  and  the  Term  Loan
Agreement  were used to defease  $266.2  million of 9d% Senior Secured Notes due
2003 and to pay down borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

            Under the  terms of the new  labor  agreement,  WPSC  established  a
Defined Benefit Pension Plan ("DB Plan")  covering its hourly  employees.  As of
December 31, 1997, WPSC had an unfunded  accumulated  pension benefit obligation
for the DB Plan of approximately $167.3 million, of which approximately 75% must
be funded over the next five years.  In accordance with ERISA  regulations,  the
Company  would  not  have  had to make  significant  contributions  to fund  the
obligations of the new plan in 1998, but would be required to fund $31.4 million
in the first quarter of 1999. However, as 


<PAGE>

a result of the acquisition of Handy & Harman and its  significantly  overfunded
pension  plans,  this  funding  obligation  may  be  significantly   reduced  or
eliminated and is not classified as a current liability.

            As of March 31, 1998, the Company had repurchased on the open market
and retired  11.3 million  shares of its Common  Stock and .6 million  shares of
Preferred  Stock since the repurchase  program was initiated in October 1994 for
an aggregate purchase price of approximately  $140.6 million.  In the 1998 first
quarter  the  Company  repurchased  795,607  shares  of  Common  Stock for $10.1
million.  The Company may,  from time to time,  continue to purchase  additional
shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

LIQUIDITY

            As  of  March  31,  1998,   the  Company  had  cash  and  short-term
investments, net of related investment borrowings of $234.9 million.

            Short-term  liquidity is dependent,  in large part, on cash on hand,
investments,  general  economic  conditions and their effect on steel demand and
prices.  Long-term  liquidity is dependent upon the Company's ability to sustain
profitable  operations and control costs during periods of low demand or pricing
in order to sustain  positive  cash flow.  The  Company  satisfies  its  working
capital  requirements  through  cash  on  hand,  investments,   the  Receivables
Facility,  borrowing  availability under the Revolving Credit Facility and funds
generated from operations. The Company believes that such sources, together with
borrowings under Handy & Harman's  revolving  credit facility,  will provide the
Company for the next twelve  months with the funds  required to satisfy  working
capital  and  capital  expenditure  requirements.   External  factors,  such  as
worldwide  steel  production  and  demand and  currency  exchange  rates,  could
materially  affect the Company's  results of  operations.  During the 1998 first
quarter, the Company had minimal activity with respect to futures contracts, and
the  impact  of  such  activity  was not  material  on the  Company's  financial
condition or results of operations.

            The Company began a Year 2000 compliance  project in July 1995. This
project  encompasses  business  systems,   mainframe  processor  systems,  plant
operating systems, end-user computing systems, wide-area and voice networks, and
building  and plant  environmental  systems.  Included in the project  plan is a
review and Year 2000 compliance assurance program with customers, suppliers, and
other  constituents.  System  inventories  through  out the  Company  are  being
reviewed  and work is in  progress  to ensure  that such  systems  are Year 2000
compliant.  Management  believes,  based on a  current  review  and the  ongoing
effort,  that all relevant  computer  systems will be Year 2000 compliant by the
second quarter of 1999.  Management  believes that the cost of this project will
not be material to the Company's financial condition or results of operation

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD

            In  March  1998,   the  American   Institute  of  Certified   Public
Accountants  issued  Statement of Position  98-1,  "Accounting  for the Costs of
Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" ("SOP 98-1"). SOP 98-1
addresses costs incurred in connection with the  implementation  of internal-use
software,  and  specifies  the  circumstances  under which such costs  should be
capitalized  or expensed.  The Company will be required to adopt SOP 98-1 in the
first quarter of 1999. At this time, management has not determined the impact of
adoption  of SOP  98-1 on the  Company's  results  of  operations  or  financial
position.

                                     *******

        When  used  in the  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis,  the  words
"anticipate",  "estimate"  and  similar  expressions  are  intended  to identify
forward-looking  statements  within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, which are intended to be covered by the
safe harbors created thereby.  Investors are cautioned that all  forward-looking
statements  involve risks and uncertainty,  including  without  limitation,  the
ability of the Company to develop  market and sell its products,  the effects of
competition  and pricing,  the impact of the  acquisition  of Handy & 
<PAGE>
Harman and Company and industry  shipment levels.  Although the Company believes
that the assumptions  underlying the forward-looking  statements are reasonable,
any of the  assumptions  could be  inaccurate,  and  therefore,  there can be no
assurance that the  forward-looking  statements included herein will prove to be
accurate.
<PAGE>
PART II OTHER INFORMATION


Item 6.(a)            EXHIBITS

                      27 Financial Data Schedule




    6.(b)             REPORT ON FORM 8-K

                      None

<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES


        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

<PAGE>
                                   WHX CORPORATION


                                   /s/  Arnold Nance
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Arnold Nance
                                        Vice President-Finance
                                        (Principal Accounting Officer)

May 15, 1998

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                5
<LEGEND>
The schedule  contains  summary  financial  information  extracted  from the WHX
Corporation  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  as of  March  31,  1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                     1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                    MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                                                    0
<SECURITIES>                                                        833,896
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        57,606
<ALLOWANCES>                                                          1,269
<INVENTORY>                                                         283,522
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  1,196,196
<PP&E>                                                            1,126,224
<DEPRECIATION>                                                      400,087
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    2,320,896
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                               865,742
<BONDS>                                                             354,554
<COMMON>                                                                184
                                                     0
                                                             589
<OTHER-SE>                                                          611,562
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                      2,320,896
<SALES>                                                             304,078
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                    304,078
<CGS>                                                               269,657
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                       308,437
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                    9,847
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                       1,577
<INCOME-TAX>                                                            489
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                   1,088
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                          1,088
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                       (0.21)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        (0.21)
        

</TABLE>


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