Middletown steelmaker AK Steel Corp. Tuesday reported a net loss of $11.8 million, or a loss of 11 cents per share, for the first quarter of 2012, well below net earnings of $8.7 million, or 8 cents a share, reported for the same quarter in 2011.

Net sales for the quarter were put at about $1.508 billion on shipments of more than 1.3 million tons, compared to sales of $1.581 billion on shipments of just over 1.4 million tons for the same quarter a year ago, AK said.

AK put its operating profit for the most recent quarter at $4.1 million, or $3 per ton, compared to an operating profit of $19.5 million, or $14 per ton, for the first quarter of 2011. For the final quarter of 2011, the company saw a operating loss of $300.7 million, or $213 per ton.

“We continued to experience a slow, but steady, improvement in market conditions during the first quarter, which helped AK Steel achieve an operating profit,” James Wainscott, AK chairman, president and chief executive, said in a statement Tuesday. “Additionally, our employees once again turned in outstanding performances in the hallmarks of our company — safety, quality and productivity.”

AK expects net income in the second quarter of 2012.

Based in Butler County’s West Chester Twp., AK has a steel plant in Middletown.