Worthington Industries says market conditions in its Metal Framing segment haven't improved—due largely to the housing construction malaise—and it's unlikely it will be profitable anytime soon. The company's Dietrich Metal Framing division in Pittsburgh makes light-gauge steel framing and finishing products and systems for commercial and residential construction.

"With both sales volumes and selling prices weaker than anticipated, this business segment remains challenged by increased competition, the relative attractiveness of alternative materials pricing, and the residential building slowdown," the Columbus, Ohio, parent company says in an advisory to Wall Street.

In a nutshell, Worthington management has indicated that conditions in the metal framing segment haven't improved as previously expected because of such headwinds as the weakness in residential construction, competition from attractively priced substitutes (most likely low-priced lumber), and competition from other metal framing suppliers.