United States Steel Corporation Reports 2012 Second Quarter Results

PITTSBURGH, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

• Reportable segment and Other Businesses income from operations of $330 million compared to $295 million for the first quarter  
• Significantly improved European results with a return to profitability 
• Net income was $101 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to a first quarter loss of $219 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, which included a $399 million after-tax loss on the sale of U. S. Steel Serbia 
• Second quarter shipments of 5.4 million tons and net sales of $5.0 billion  
• Maintained strong liquidity position with $565 million of cash and $2.4 billion of total liquidity 

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) reported second quarter 2012 net income of $101 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to a first quarter 2012 net loss of $219 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, and second quarter 2011 net income of $222 million, or $1.33 per diluted share.  Adjusted second quarter 2012 net income was $112 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, excluding an $11 million after-tax early redemption premium on our $300 million 5.65% Senior Notes due 2013.  Adjusted first quarter 2012 net income was $110 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, excluding a $399 million after-tax loss on the sale of U. S. Steel Serbia; a $58 million after-tax gain on the sale of transportation assets; and a $12 million after-tax gain on property tax settlements.  Adjusted second quarter 2011 net income was $185 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, excluding $37 million of net foreign currency gains, primarily related to the accounting remeasurement of a U.S. dollar denominated intercompany loan to a European entity.

Commenting on results, U. S. Steel Chairman and CEO John P. Surma said, "We reported good operating results for the second quarter reflecting positive results from all three of our operating segments.  Our Flat-rolled and Tubular segments had solid results considering the very fragile nature of the U.S. economic recovery.  U. S. Steel Europe returned to profitability with significantly improved results but continues to be challenged by the economic situation in the region."

The company reported second quarter 2012 reportable segment and Other Businesses income from operations of $330 million, compared with income of $295 million in the first quarter of 2012 and income of $396 million in the second quarter of 2011.  

For the second quarter 2012, we recorded a tax provision of $70 million on our pre-tax income of $171 million.  The tax provision does not reflect any tax benefit for pre-tax losses in Canada, which is a jurisdiction where we have recorded a full valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. 

As of June 30, 2012, U. S. Steel had $565 million of cash and $2.4 billion of total liquidity.  

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 had income from operations of $330 million, or $61 per ton, in the second quarter of 2012, compared with income of $295 million, or $52 per ton, in the first quarter of 2012 and income of $396 million, or $72 per ton, in the second quarter of 2011.

Flat-rolled second quarter results were comparable to the first quarter.  The benefits of an $8 per ton increase in average realized prices more than offset the effects of lower shipments, which reflected the adverse effect of a large increase in flat-rolled imports.  Maintenance costs increased by $40 million over the first quarter, primarily related to scheduled blast furnace and other maintenance projects.  Reduced energy costs in the second quarter partially offset the increased maintenance costs.

While the economic conditions in Europe remained challenging, second quarter results for our European segment improved significantly compared to the first quarter. Average realized prices increased due to higher spot market and quarterly contract prices. Operating costs decreased in the second quarter as a result of lower raw materials and energy costs.  U. S. Steel Kosice shipments and utilization rates remained in line with the first quarter as modest end user increases in demand were offset by weaker spot market sales.  The restocking that drove first quarter spot market sales moderated as service centers and distributors reduced purchases to match real demand.  Additionally, first quarter results included a $17 million operating loss from our former Serbian operations.

Tubular second quarter income from operations decreased compared to the first quarter.  Shipments of 493 thousand tons were approximately 7 percent lower than the record levels of the first quarter as distributors rebalanced their inventory to reflect lower forecasts for drilling activity and we carried out a planned facility outage.  Average realized prices of $1,706 per ton remained near first quarter levels.

Outlook

Commenting on U. S. Steel's outlook for the third quarter, Surma said, "We expect total reportable segment and Other Businesses operating results to be positive in the third quarter but below our second quarter results, reflecting the continued weakness in the North American, European and emerging market economies. Average realized prices are expected to be lower for all three operating segments with total reportable segment shipments slightly lower than the second quarter. Our Tubular segment is expected to continue its trend of solid operating profits."

We expect near break-even results for our Flat-rolled segment in the third quarter due to lower average realized prices.  Proceeds are expected to be lower compared to the second quarter as spot and index-based contract prices decrease. While average realized spot prices are projected to be lower for the third quarter, spot transaction prices are expected to increase as the quarter progresses.  Shipments for our Flat-rolled segment are expected to be comparable to the second quarter, as end user demand appears stable and supply chain inventories remain balanced. Operating costs are expected to be comparable to the second quarter.

We expect our European segment results to remain positive but lower than the second quarter reflecting the continued economic challenges in Europe.  Average realized prices are expected to decrease compared to the second quarter as lower spot market prices carry over into the third quarter.  Shipments are expected to be lower as service centers and distributors maintain a conservative buying pattern to minimize inventory and Europe enters its summer holiday period.  Operating costs should be comparable to the second quarter.

We expect third quarter 2012 results for our Tubular segment to be in line with the second quarter results. Shipments are expected to be lower as end users continue to adjust their drilling plans due to economic uncertainty and concern over energy prices.  Similarly, average realized prices are projected to decline as supply has outpaced demand, mainly due to a substantial increase of imported products.  Operating costs are expected to decrease compared to the second quarter due to lower substrate and facility maintenance costs.

We are currently negotiating with the United Steelworkers for a new labor agreement covering most of our domestic operations.  The current agreement expires on September 1, 2012.  We anticipate reaching a competitive agreement without a work stoppage.

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 experiencing a gradual economic recovery, there are signs of continued economic issues in Europe and U. S. Steel cannot control or predict the impact.  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 court decisions, legislation and agency decisions on petitions and sunsets; (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; (j) employee strikes or other labor issues, in particular the outcome of our currently pending labor negotiations; 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, climate change and shale gas development.  Economic conditions and political factors in Europe and Canada that may affect U. S. Steel Europe'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.  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 items not allocated to segments.  Additionally, the effect of the items not allocated to segments is not considered in the management of our business. 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, 2011, 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 second quarter earnings on Tuesday, July 31, at 3 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

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