CAS Simplify China A Shares Plus Income ETF

FRANKLIN PARK, Ill., Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A. M. Castle & Co. (AMEX:CAS), one of North America's leading metals and plastics distributors, announced today a new long-term debt structure as part of its overall plan to fund future growth. Included in this new debt refinancing structure is the sale of $75.0 million, aggregate principal amount, ten-year senior secured notes to certain affiliates of Prudential Financial. Proceeds from this new financing were immediately used to repay in full the Company's obligations under its former long-term senior secured notes. "With this refinancing, we were able to reduce and level our annual debt service cash outlays, extend maturities and achieve a 100 basis point reduction in our interest rates," explained Larry A. Boik, A. M. Castle's Chief Financial Officer. The Company will report a charge in the fourth quarter 2005 of approximately $5.1 million, or $0.18 per share (diluted), associated with the prepayment provisions and acceleration of deferred financing charges on its former senior secured long-term notes. Commenting on the refinancing, A. M. Castle's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, G. Thomas McKane, stated, "This new long-term financing, coupled with the $82.0 million revolving line of credit that was obtained in July 2005, gives us the flexibility and resources we were seeking to fund our future growth. The combination of the July revolver and this new long-term financing lowers our interest rate on our current long-term borrowings by a combined 250 basis points, or roughly $1.9 million annually." Details on the note agreement can be found within the Company's 8K filing dated November 21, 2005. About A. M. Castle & Co. Founded in 1890, A. M. Castle & Co. is a specialty metals and plastics distribution company serving the North American market, principally within the producer durable equipment sector. Its customer base includes many Fortune 500 companies as well as thousands of medium and smaller-sized firms spread across a wide spectrum of industries. Within its core metals business, it specializes in the distribution of carbon, alloy and stainless steels; nickel alloy; aluminum; copper and brass. Through its subsidiary, Total Plastics, Inc., the Company also distributes a broad range of value-added industrial plastics. Together, Castle operates over 50 locations throughout North America. Its common stock is traded on the American and Chicago Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CAS". Safe Harbor Statement / Regulation G Disclosure This release may contain forward-looking statements relating to future financial results. Actual results may differ materially as a result of factors over which the Company has no control. These risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on file with the Securities Exchange Commission. DATASOURCE: A. M. Castle & Co. CONTACT: G. Thomas McKane, Chairman & C.E.O. of A. M. Castle & Co., +1-847-349-2502, ; or, Investors, Katie Pyra of Ashton Partners, +1-312-553-6717,

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