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Form 8-K Filing

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

October 19, 2005
(Date of earliest event reported)

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


Delaware 		 
1-5725 		 
38-1872178
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation) 		  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)


 
1900 West Loop South, Suite 1500, Houston, Texas 		 
77027 		 
  (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)  

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   713-961-4600



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
  [   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  [   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  [   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  [   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

This information shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

On October 19, 2005, Quanex Corporation issued a press release (the "Press Release") providing earnings guidance for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2005. The foregoing is qualified by reference to the Press Release which is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

    Exhibit 99.1.       Press release dated October 19, 2005

SIGNATURE

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

    QUANEX CORPORATION
(Registrant)
October 19, 2005
(Date) 		  /s/   TERRY M. MURPHY
Terry M. Murphy
Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

  Exhibit Index
  99.1 Press release dated October 19, 2005






Quanex Corporation Quarterly Update -- Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2005

EXHIBIT 99.1

Quanex Corporation Quarterly Update -- Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2005

Expects Record Fourth Quarter Diluted EPS From Continuing Operations of $1.50 - $1.55

HOUSTON, Oct. 19, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Quanex Corporation (NYSE:NX), an industry-leading manufacturer of value-added engineered materials and components for the vehicular products and building products markets, announced today that it expects to report record fiscal fourth quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations when results are announced on December 2, 2005. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to be in the range of $1.50 to $1.55, compared to the $0.77 the Company reported in the year-ago quarter. The current range includes an estimated $0.25 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations benefit from the combination of a LIFO inventory valuation adjustment and a change in the Company's annualized effective tax rate.

The Vehicular Products segment expects to report lower net sales, but record fiscal fourth quarter operating income, compared to year-ago results. Reduced sales are the result of inventory drawdowns by customers, which lowered steel bar demand. Operating income is up, the result of improved spreads, due in part to a richer product mix. Primary market drivers for the segment are North American light vehicle builds and heavy duty truck builds.

The Building Products segment expects to report record fiscal fourth quarter net sales and operating income compared to the year-ago period, the result of healthy housing demand (two million annualized starts), strong remodeling activity, and the inclusion of operating results from the Company's acquisition of Mikron Industries (12/09/04). Adversely impacting the segment's operating income are higher raw material costs at its discrete manufacturing businesses. Primary market drivers are housing starts and remodeling activity.

Quanex is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NX. For further information, visit the Company's website at www.quanex.com.

Statements that use the words "expect," "should," "may," "could," "will," "might," or similar words reflecting future expectations or beliefs are forward-looking statements. The statements above are based on Quanex's current expectations. Actual results or events may differ materially from this press release. Factors that could impact future results may include, without limitation, the effect of both domestic and global economic conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and the availability and cost of raw materials. For a more complete discussion of factors that may affect the Company's future performance, please refer to the Company's most recent 10-K filing of December 21, 2004, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in particular, the sections titled "Private Securities Litigation Reform Act" contained therein.

The Quanex Corporation logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1117 

CONTACT:
Quanex Corporation
Jeff Galow
(713) 877-5327