United States Steel Corporation Reports 2011 Third Quarter Results

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• Net income of $22 million, or $0.15 per diluted share.  Adjusted net income of $118 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, excluding $96 million of net foreign currency losses, primarily related to the accounting remeasurement of the intercompany loans.
• Segment income from operations of $295 million, reflecting a strong performance by our Flat-rolled segment and our Tubular segment's best results since the fourth quarter of 2008
• Shipments of 5.5 million tons and net sales of $5.1 billion were in line with second quarter 2011
• Operating results and net sales reflect a significant improvement from the third quarter of 2010
• Maintained strong liquidity position with $270 million of cash and $1.9 billion of total liquidity

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) reported third quarter 2011 net income of $22 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared to a second quarter 2011 net income of $222 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, and a third quarter 2010 net loss of $51 million, or $0.35 per diluted share.

Commenting on results, U. S. Steel Chairman and CEO John P. Surma said, "Our operating results for the third quarter reflected strong performances by our Flat-rolled and Tubular segments.  Our Flat-rolled segment made more than $200 million despite the challenges of a less than robust economy in North America.  Tubular segment results improved significantly compared to the second quarter, driven by increased shipments, improved average realized prices and lower substrate costs.  U. S. Steel Europe results continue to reflect the difficult economic situation in Europe, particularly in Southern Europe."

The company reported third quarter income from operations of $199 million, compared to income from operations of $300 million in the second quarter of 2011 and a loss from operations of $138 million in the third quarter of 2010.  

Postretirement benefit expenses increased in 2011 as compared to 2010, reflecting higher amortization of unrecognized losses and lower asset returns, both of which relate to a lower market-related value of assets caused by the recognition of remaining deferred 2008 investment losses.

Net interest and other financial costs in the third quarter of 2011 included a foreign currency loss that decreased net income by $96 million, or 57 cents per diluted share.  The net loss primarily resulted from the accounting remeasurement of a $1.6 billion U.S. dollar-denominated intercompany loan to a European subsidiary, partially offset by gains on euro-U.S. dollar derivatives activity.  This compares to a foreign currency gain that increased net income by $37 million, or 21 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2011 and a foreign currency gain that increased net income by $139 million, or 96 cents per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2010. Net interest and other financial costs in the first nine months of 2011 included a foreign currency gain that increased net income by $21 million, or 13 cents per diluted share.  Through October 21, fourth quarter-to-date net interest and other financial costs for 2011 include a foreign currency gain that increased net income by $31 million.  

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded a tax provision of $114 million on pre-tax income of $272 million.  The tax provision does not reflect any tax benefit for pre-tax losses in Canada and Serbia, which are jurisdictions where we have recorded a full valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, and also does not reflect any tax provision or benefit for certain foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses that are not recognized in any jurisdiction.  

As of September 30, 2011, U. S. Steel had $270 million of cash and $1.9 billion of total liquidity as compared to $393 million of cash and $1.8 billion of total liquidity at June 30, 2011.  

U. S. Steel Canada's United Steelworkers-represented employees at our Hamilton Works ratified a new three-year labor agreement on October 15, 2011.  The terms of the agreement include, among other provisions, closing the defined benefit pension plan to new employees and the elimination of cost of living indexing for current and future participants.

Reportable Segments and Other Businesses

Management believes segment income from operations is a key measure in evaluating company performance.  U. S. Steel's reportable segments and Other Businesses reported income of $295 million, or $54 per ton, in the third quarter of 2011, compared with income of $396 million, or $72 per ton, in the second quarter of 2011 and a loss of $65 million, or $12 per ton, in the third quarter of 2010.    

Flat-rolled income from operations for the third quarter was $53 per ton compared to $95 per ton in the second quarter.  The decrease was driven largely by lower average realized prices due to weaker spot market prices and volume, reflecting increased capacity in the United States as well as the effects of high import levels that continued to arrive.  Our costs for raw materials remained stable, reflecting our iron ore, coal and coke positions.  While we continued to operate Hamilton Works' coke batteries, the iron and steelmaking and finishing facilities remained idled throughout the quarter due to the labor dispute that was resolved in October.  We incurred approximately $40 million in idle facility carrying costs in both the second and third quarters of 2011.  The raw steel capability utilization rate in the third quarter was 74 percent for the Flat-rolled segment, a decrease of seven percent from the second quarter.  Excluding Hamilton Works, the raw steel capability utilization was 81 percent for the third quarter.

Third quarter 2011 results for U. S. Steel Europe (USSE) were lower than the second quarter of 2011 primarily due to lower average realized prices as a result of a weaker spot market caused by the difficult economic conditions in Europe, particularly Southern Europe.  Raw materials costs were in line with the second quarter and other operating costs decreased primarily related to reduced maintenance and outage spending partially offset by increased energy costs.  We recorded lower of cost or market inventory charges of approximately $15 million in the third quarter compared to approximately $10 million in the second quarter.  We continue to face particular challenges in Serbia, including complete reliance on purchased coke, a less favorable product mix, a slower recovery in the Balkan region and pressure from lower-priced imports.  In response to reduced spot market prices and weak demand, a blast furnace in Serbia that was idled during the second quarter remained idled throughout the third quarter and our European raw steel capability utilization rate for the third quarter decreased to 71 percent.  

Tubular results improved significantly from the second quarter of 2011 and represented the Tubular segment's most profitable quarter since the fourth quarter of 2008.  Average realized prices increased by nine percent to $1,699 per ton and shipments increased by 13 percent to 481 thousand tons as demand for energy-related tubular products rose during the quarter, primarily due to the continued strength of horizontal oil-directed drilling.  The improved results also reflected lower substrate costs in the form of hot-rolled bands supplied by our Flat-rolled segment.  

Outlook

Commenting on U. S. Steel's outlook for the fourth quarter, Surma said, "Our Tubular operations are expected to have another strong performance as operating results are expected to be in line with the third quarter.  We expect to report lower operating results in the fourth quarter for our North American Flat-rolled and European operations as a result of the slow and uneven economic recovery in those regions."

We expect our Flat-rolled results to reflect an operating loss in the fourth quarter.  Average realized prices and shipments are expected to decline as a result of cautious purchasing patterns created by the uncertain economic outlook and increasing domestic supply.  The expected lower fourth quarter prices reflect lower average realized prices on spot market business and our index-based contracts, which will incorporate the decrease from the second to the third quarter in published market price assessments.  These market factors are expected to bring our operating results down to around a break-even level prior to the effects of increased maintenance outages and Hamilton Works' labor agreement and facility restart costs. With reduced capacity utilization due to market conditions, we are taking the opportunity to perform maintenance outages, resulting in additional costs of approximately $50 million compared to the third quarter.  With the ratification of a new three-year labor agreement at Hamilton Works on October 15, 2011, we expect to restart the steel finishing facilities in a staged process late in the fourth quarter.  In addition to the idled facility carrying costs, we expect to incur approximately $30 million in costs related to the ratification of the Hamilton Works labor agreement and associated facility restart costs.  U. S. Steel will continue to adjust its operating configuration in response to market demand.

We expect the fourth quarter results for our European segment to decrease compared to the third quarter 2011.  Shipments and average realized prices are expected to decline as market demand softens in response to the uncertain economic conditions in Europe, particularly Southern Europe.  Operating costs are expected to decrease compared to the third quarter, reflecting lower spending and lower raw materials costs.  The idled blast furnace at U. S. Steel Serbia is not expected to operate during the fourth quarter.  

Tubular fourth quarter 2011 results are expected to be in line with the strong performance achieved in the third quarter as the demand for oil country tubular goods (OCTG) remains strong.  Average realized prices are expected to be comparable to the third quarter and shipments are expected to be slightly lower as distributors actively control their inventory levels going into year end, particularly for non-OCTG products.  

This release contains forward-looking statements with respect to market conditions, operating costs, shipments, prices, capital spending, and employee benefit costs and payments.  Although we believe that we are in the early stages of a gradual economic recovery, U. S. Steel cannot control or predict the extent and timing of economic recovery.  U. S. Steel has incurred costs to rebuild working capital during the recovery and we may continue to incur additional working capital costs primarily related to the increases in raw materials prices, but we cannot accurately forecast the amount of such costs.  Other more normal factors that could affect market conditions, costs, shipments and prices for both North American and European operations include: (a) foreign currency fluctuations and related activities; (b) global product demand, prices and mix; (c) global and company steel production levels; (d) plant operating performance; (e) natural gas, electricity, raw materials and transportation prices, usage and availability; (f) international trade developments, including agency decisions on petitions and sunset reviews; (g) the impact of fixed prices in energy and raw materials contracts (many of which have terms of one year or longer) as compared to short-term contract and spot prices of steel products; (h) changes in environmental, tax, pension and other laws; (i) the terms of collective bargaining agreements, including the new labor agreement covering our Hamilton Works operations; (j) employee strikes or other labor issues; and (k) U.S. and global economic performance and political developments.  Domestic steel shipments and prices could be affected by import levels and actions taken by the U.S. Government and its agencies, including those related to CO2 emissions and climate change and shale gas development.  Economic conditions and political factors in Europe and Canada that may affect USSE's and U. S. Steel Canada's results include, but are not limited to: (l) taxation; (m) nationalization; (n) inflation; (o) government instability; (p) political unrest; (q) regulatory actions; and (r) quotas, tariffs, and other protectionist measures.  Factors that may affect our decisions on strategic initiatives include, among other things: (s) the cost and availability of capital; (t) the anticipated cost of additional facilities (whether built or acquired); and (u) current and anticipated product demand in the automotive and shale natural gas markets and availability of alternative products for such applications.  Factors that may affect our ability to construct new facilities include: (v) levels of cash flow from operations; (w) general economic conditions; (x) business conditions; (y) cost and availability of capital; (z) receipt of necessary permits; and (aa) unforeseen hazards such as contractor performance, material shortages, weather conditions, explosions or fires.  We present adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share, which are non-GAAP measures, to better enable investors and others to assess our results and compare them with our competitors without the distorting impact of the accounting remeasurement of the intercompany loan.  Additionally, the effect of the accounting remeasurement is not considered in the management of our business. The tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, is based on an estimated annual effective rate, which requires management to make its best estimate of annual pretax income or loss.  During the year, management regularly updates forecasted annual pretax results for the various countries in which we operate based on changes in factors such as prices, shipments, product mix, plant operating performance and cost estimates.  To the extent that actual 2011 pretax results for U.S. and foreign income or loss vary from estimates applied at the end of the most recent interim period, the actual tax provision or benefit recognized in 2011 could be materially different from the forecasted amount used to estimate the tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  In accordance with "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, cautionary statements identifying important factors, but not necessarily all factors, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements have been included in U. S. Steel's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and in subsequent filings for U. S. Steel.

A Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited), Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (Unaudited), Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) and Preliminary Supplemental Statistics (Unaudited) for U. S. Steel are attached.

The company will conduct a conference call on third quarter earnings on Tuesday, October 25, at 2 p.m. EDT.  To listen to the webcast of the conference call, visit the U. S. Steel website, www.ussteel.com, and click on "Overview" then "Current Information" under the "Investors" section.

For more information on U. S. Steel, visit our website at www.ussteel.com.

SOURCE United States Steel Corporation