Worthington Steel (WS) shares surged 14.74% in pre-market trading on Thursday, following the release of its fiscal fourth-quarter financial results. The steel processing company reported earnings that slightly exceeded last year's figures and revenue that outperformed analyst expectations, despite a year-over-year decline.

For the quarter ended May 31, Worthington Steel posted earnings per share of $1.10, up from $1.06 in the same period last year. On an adjusted basis, earnings were $1.05 per share. The company's revenue for the quarter came in at $832.9 million, surpassing the $800.5 million forecast by analysts, although it was down from $911 million in the previous year. This better-than-anticipated performance, particularly in revenue, appears to have fueled investor optimism.

In a show of financial stability, Worthington Steel maintained its quarterly dividend at $0.16 per share, payable on September 26 to shareholders of record as of September 12. The company's ability to maintain its dividend despite the challenging economic environment may have further bolstered investor confidence. As the market digests these results, traders will be watching closely to see if this pre-market surge translates into sustained gains during the regular trading session.