SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549




FORM 11-K



[X]      Annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
         of 1934

         For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000

         Commission File Number 1-5725

A.       Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from
         that of the issuer named below:

         Quanex Corporation 401 (k) Savings Plan


B.       Name of the issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the
         address of its principal executive office:

         Quanex Corporation
         1900 West Loop South, Suite 1500
         Houston, TX 77027





                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


The Benefits Committee
Quanex Corporation
Houston, Texas

Re: Quanex Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits
of the Quanex Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan ("the Plan") as of December 31,
2001 and 2000, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for
benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31,
2001 and 2000, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the
years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America.

Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of
investments as of December 31, 2001 is presented for the purpose of additional
analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is
supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and
Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the
Plan's management. This supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in our audits of the basic financial statements and, in our
opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation
to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE, LLP
- --------------------------
DELOITTE & TOUCHE, LLP

Houston, Texas
June 19, 2002





                               QUANEX CORPORATION
                     QUANEX CORPORATION 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN

                 STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS


DECEMBER 31, --------------------------- 2001 2000 ------------ ------------ Assets: Investments at fair value (see Note C) $ 50,742,841 $ 50,179,949 Participant loans 1,670,509 1,745,996 Employee contributions receivable 261,698 317,473 Employer contributions receivable 254,788 206,740 ------------ ------------ 516,486 524,213 ------------ ------------ Net assets available for benefits $ 52,929,836 $ 52,450,158 ============ ============
See notes to financial statements. QUANEX CORPORATION QUANEX CORPORATION 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------- 2001 2000 ------------ ------------ Investment income: Interest and dividends $ 1,126,935 $ 3,697,748 Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments (see Note C) (4,009,823) (4,605,444) ------------ ------------ (2,882,888) (907,696) ------------ ------------ Contributions: Employer (net of forfeitures) 2,933,084 2,069,235 Employee 3,065,957 5,255,888 ------------ ------------ 5,999,041 7,325,123 ------------ ------------ Interest on participant loans 150,458 126,481 ------------ ------------ Total additions 3,266,611 6,543,908 ------------ ------------ Benefit payments 2,924,878 4,335,196 Administrative fees (see Note D) 8,472 6,997 ------------ ------------ Total deductions 2,933,350 4,342,193 ------------ ------------ Transfers between plans (see Note G) 146,417 94,851 ------------ ------------ Increase in net assets available for benefits 479,678 2,296,566 Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year 52,450,158 50,153,592 ------------ ------------ End of year $ 52,929,836 $ 52,450,158 ============ ============
See notes to financial statements. SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AT END OF YEAR EIN: 38-1872178; PN 017 QUANEX CORPORATION QUANEX CORPORATION 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2001
Shares/ Current Par Value Cost Value ------------ ------------ ------------ * Fidelity Puritan Fund 41,486 $ 776,868 $ 733,061 * Fidelity Magellan Fund 107,541 10,898,924 11,207,877 * Fidelity Contrafund 132,259 6,188,904 5,656,719 * Fidelity Growth & Income Fund 248,051 8,318,123 9,272,135 * Fidelity Independence Fund 161,278 3,697,162 2,543,358 * Fidelity Overseas Fund 18,856 679,352 517,032 * Fidelity Balanced Fund 227,559 3,365,875 3,390,623 * Fidelity Blue Chip Fund 46,212 2,405,232 1,984,341 * Fidelity Asset Manager Fund 15,146 259,546 234,764 * Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund 44,452 1,130,129 1,218,883 * Fidelity Government Money Market Fund 8,515,042 8,515,042 8,515,042 Templeton Foreign Fund 44,768 454,086 414,102 Neuberger & Berman Partners Trust Fund 8,681 147,301 139,064 ------------ ------------ Total Mutual Fund Assets 46,836,544 45,827,001 * Quanex Corporation unitized common stock 166,106 1,685,586 2,199,246 * Fidelity Common/Commingled trust 2,716,594 2,716,594 2,716,594 Participant loans (bearing interest rates from 7.85% to 10.50%, maturing within five to seven years) 1,670,509 1,670,509 ------------ ------------ Total Investments $ 52,909,233 $ 52,413,350 ============ ============
* Party-in-Interest QUANEX CORPORATION 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001 AND 2000 A. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN The following description of the Quanex Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Plan"), formerly the Nichols 401(k) Savings Plan, provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan document for more complete information. (1) General. The Plan, sponsored by Quanex Corporation (the "Company"), was established on October 1, 1987, and was amended and restated in its entirety effective January 1, 1998. The Plan is a defined contribution plan that is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). It covers substantially all salaried and non-union hourly employees at the Nichols Aluminum divisions and Engineered Products divisions, employees of Temroc Metals, Inc., and bargaining unit employees at the Lincolnshire, Illinois plant. The assets of the Plan are held in trust by Fidelity Management Trust Company ("Fidelity" or the "Trustee"). The Benefits Committee (the "Committee"), appointed by the Company's Board of Directors, serves as the Plan administrator. Effective February 14, 2000, the employees of Nichols Aluminum - Golden, Inc. became participants in the Plan. Effective June 1, 2000, the employees of Imperial Products, Inc. became participants in the Plan. Effective July 1, 2001, the employees of Temroc Metals, Inc. became participants in the Plan. (2) Contributions. Beginning January 1, 2002, participants may elect to contribute up to 50% of compensation (15% before January 1, 2002) as defined by the Plan agreement. The Bargaining unit employees at the Lincolnshire, Illinois plant are limited to a 15% contribution of compensation. The Company makes contributions on behalf of employees who have at least one year of service. The Company contribution is based on Company profits and is calculated based on a percentage of the employee's compensation. (3) Participant Accounts. Each participant's account is credited with the participant's contribution, the employer's contribution, and an allocation of investment income. Investment income allocations are based on individual participant account balances as of the end of the period in which the income is earned. (4) Vesting. Participants are immediately vested in their voluntary contributions and earnings thereon. Vesting in the employer contribution is based on years of credited service. A participant is 20% vested for each year of credited service and fully vested after five years. If a participant terminates employment prior to becoming fully vested, the nonvested portion of the employer contributions are immediately forfeited by the participant and utilized to reduce future employer contributions. (5) Payment of Benefits. The Plan is intended for long-term savings but provides for early withdrawals and loan arrangements under certain conditions. Upon termination of service, a participant may elect to receive a cash lump-sum distribution equal to the amount of vested benefits in his or her account. Terminated participants with account balances of less than $5,000 will automatically receive a lump sum distribution. (6) Loans. Loans may be granted to a participant of the Plan at the Committee's discretion. Loan terms range up to five years or seven years if used for the purchase of a primary residence. The loans bear a reasonable rate of interest established by the Committee. Interest on the loan is allocated to the borrower's participant account. B. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (1) Accounting Basis. The financial statements of the Plan are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (2) Investment Valuation. The Plan recognizes net appreciation or depreciation in the fair value of its investments. Investments are reflected at fair value in the financial statements. Fair value of mutual fund assets is determined using a quoted net asset value. Fair value for Quanex Corporation common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, is determined by using the last recorded sales price. The recorded value of the common/commingled trust is at face value, which is fair value. (3) Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and changes therein and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. (4) Administrative Expenses. The Company pays the administrative expenses of the Plan, except loan set up and carrying fees and redemption fees imposed on certain Fidelity funds. (5) Payment of Benefits. Benefit payments are recorded when paid. C. INVESTMENTS The following are investments that represent 5 percent or more of the Plan's net assets.
December 31, 2001 December 31, 2000 Shares Amount Shares Amount ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Fidelity Magellan Fund 107,541 $ 11,207,877 90,729 $ 10,823,981 Fidelity Contrafund 132,259 5,656,719 124,184 6,106,141 Fidelity Growth & Income Fund 248,051 9,272,135 233,125 9,814,545 Fidelity Independence Fund 161,278 2,543,358 141,445 3,113,197 Fidelity Balanced Fund 227,559 3,390,623 191,699 2,911,908 Fidelity Government Money Market Fund 8,515,042 8,515,042 7,954,206 7,954,206 Fidelity Common/Commingled Trust 2,716,594 2,716,594 1,022,009 1,022,009 Quanex unitized common stock 166,106 2,199,246 474,485 4,564,544
During the years ended 2001 and 2000, the Plan's investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated / (depreciated) in value as follows:
2001 2000 ------------ ------------ Mutual funds $ (4,850,622) $ (4,757,756) Quanex unitized common stock 840,799 152,312 ------------ ------------ $ (4,009,823) $ (4,605,444) ============ ============
D. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Certain Plan investments are shares of mutual funds managed by Fidelity. Fidelity is the trustee as defined by the Plan and, therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions. Fees paid by the Plan for the investment management services amounted to $8,472 and $6,997 for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. In addition, the Plan invests in shares of Quanex Corporation unitized common stock. Quanex Corporation is the Plan sponsor as defined by the Plan and, therefore, these transactions also qualify as party-in-interest transactions. As of December 31, 2001 and 2000, the value of Quanex Corporation unitized common stock held by the Plan was $2,199,246 and $4,564,544, respectively. E. PLAN TERMINATION Although it has not expressed any intention to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to terminate the Plan at any time subject to the provisions set forth in ERISA. In the event of Plan termination, the assets held by the Trustee under the Plan will be valued and fully vested, and each participant will be entitled to distributions respecting his or her account. F. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS The Plan is subject to specific rules and regulations related to employee benefit plans under the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service. The Plan has received a favorable letter of tax determination dated December 22, 1994. As such, the Plan is a qualified trust under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and, as a result, is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code. The Company believes the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code. The Company believes the Plan was qualified and the related trust was tax-exempt as of the financial statement dates. G. TRANSFER OF ASSETS Account balances of $(183,855) and $94,851 were transferred between the Plan and the Quanex Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan for Hourly Employees in plan years 2001 and 2000, respectively. The assets of the Temroc Metals, Inc. Nonbargaining unit Employees' 401(k) Plan, totaling $330,272, were transferred to the Plan on July 2, 2001. H. SUBSEQUENT EVENT Effective June 1, 2002, the employees of Colonial Craft, Inc. became participants in the Plan. SIGNATURES The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Quanex Corporation 401 (k) Savings Plan Date: June 28, 2002 /s/ Viren M. Parikh ------------------- Viren M. Parikh, Benefits Committee INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION - ------- ----------- 23.1 Independent Auditor's Consent

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
33-54081 of Quanex Corporation on Form S-8 of our report dated June 19, 2002,
appearing in this Annual Report on Form 11-K of the Quanex Corporation 401 (k)
Savings Plan for the year ended December 31, 2001.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
- -------------------------
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Houston, Texas
June 28, 2002