Commercial Metals Co. said it expects to post a net loss of $1.50 to $1.60 a share for the fiscal second quarter ended Feb. 28.

"This second quarter has been particularly difficult due to a combination of continued weak end-use demand in the nonresidential construction markets, unusually harsh winter conditions in the U.S. and Europe, and rapidly rising ferrous scrap prices which have outpaced finished goods prices," said Chairman and Chief Executive Murray McClean.

The estimated loss from continuing operations is forecast to be in the range of $130 million to $140 million, and includes $60 million in after-tax, one-time charges.

Analysts polled by FactSet were expecting a net loss of $32.3 million, on average.

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