United States Steel Corporation Reports 2015 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results With Strong Liquidity and Positive Operating Cash Flow Under Challenging Market Conditions

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) reported a full-year 2015 net loss of $1.5 billion, or $10.32 per diluted share, which included items totaling $1.2 billion, or $8.53 per diluted share, that were excluded to arrive at adjusted net loss of $262 million, or $1.79 per diluted share.  These adjustments consist of charges of $426 million, or $2.92 per diluted share, primarily due to non-cash charges for restructuring and other strategic actions, a charge of $36 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, related to the retirement of our 2.75% Senior Convertible Notes, a non-cash impairment charge for an equity investment of $18 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, and a non-cash charge of $766 million, or $5.24 per diluted share, for a full valuation allowance related to the Company's domestic deferred tax assets.  For the full-year 2014, U. S. Steel reported net income of $102 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, which included net charges of $574 million, or $3.78 per diluted share, primarily due to non-cash charges for strategic actions.

Fourth quarter 2015 net loss of $999 million, or $6.83 per diluted share, compares to fourth quarter 2014 net income of $275 million, or $1.83 per diluted share, and a third quarter 2015 net loss of $173 million, or $1.18 per diluted share. 

For a description of the non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) measures and a reconciliation to net earnings (loss) attributable to U. S. Steel and earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes (EBIT) see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section.

Commenting on results, U. S. Steel President and Chief Executive Officer Mario Longhi said, "The $815 million of Carnegie Way benefits we realized in 2015 show that we continue to make significant progress on our journey toward our goal of achieving economic profit across the business cycle. Our progress is real and it is substantial, but our fourth quarter and full-year results show that it is not yet enough to fully overcome some of the worst market and business conditions we have seen."

Segment loss before interest and income taxes was $137 million, or $37 per ton, for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to segment loss before interest and income taxes of $40 million, or $10 per ton, in the third quarter of 2015 and segment earnings before interest and income taxes of $420 million, or $92 per ton, in the fourth quarter of 2014.

For the fourth quarter 2015, we recorded a tax provision of $606 million on our pre-tax loss of $393 million.  For the full-year 2015, we recorded a tax provision of $196 million on our pre-tax loss of $1.3 billion.  The tax provision for both periods includes the effects of a non-cash charge of $766 million for a full valuation allowance related to the Company's domestic deferred tax assets.  A tax valuation allowance is required under accounting principles to record the effect on income tax expense of a change in the potential future realization of our deferred tax assets.  The tax valuation allowance is subject to reversal upon the Company's return to sustained profitability.  The accounting treatment of this non-cash item has no effect on the ability of the Company to use its net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits in the future to reduce cash tax payments.  We do not expect to have a tax provision or benefit in 2016 on our domestic financial results.

Despite the significantly challenging market conditions, we maintained positive operating cash flow of $359 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.  After retiring $379 million of debt in 2015, U. S. Steel still had $755 million of cash and $2.4 billion of total liquidity as of December 31.

Segment Analysis

Fourth quarter results for our Flat-Rolled segment declined as compared to the third quarter primarily due to a decrease in average realized prices.  Imported flat-rolled products, much of which we believe are dumped and/or subsidized, continued to harm the domestic market, as they did for all of 2015, placing downward pressure on both our spot and our contract prices.  Our average realized prices declined during the fourth quarter by approximately $30 per ton, while fourth quarter shipments were comparable to third quarter.  Full-year Flat-Rolled segment results for 2015 declined from 2014 driven by lower shipments and average realized prices due primarily to the negative impact of imports, as described above, and high supply chain inventories partially offset by benefits provided by our Carnegie Way efforts.

European segment results remained positive but declined compared to the third quarter.  A decrease in average realized euro-based prices and shipments resulting from the negative effects of the continued surge of imports, much of which we believe are unfairly traded, were only partially offset by benefits from our Carnegie Way efforts and lower raw materials costs.  The strengthening U.S. dollar also had a negative impact on fourth quarter European segment results.  Full-year 2015 results for our European segment decreased from 2014 as the benefits from our Carnegie Way efforts could not counteract the negative price and foreign currency impacts described above.

Fourth quarter results for our Tubular segment declined as compared to the third quarter largely due to continued unfavorable market conditions and inefficiencies resulting from reduced production volumes.  Shipments and prices continue to be adversely impacted by reduced drilling activity caused by low energy prices and high levels of inventory in the supply chain.  Full-year Tubular segment results for 2015 decreased from 2014 primarily due to the negative impact of the high levels of tubular imports, much of which we believe are unfairly traded, and low energy prices which resulted in a decrease in shipments and average realized prices.  These adverse impacts were partially offset by benefits provided by our Carnegie Way efforts.

2016 Outlook   

Commenting on U. S. Steel's outlook for 2016, Longhi said, "We are facing significant headwinds and uncertainty in many of the markets we serve but remain focused on continuing to improve our cost structure, developing differentiated solutions for our customers and creating more reliable and agile operating capabilities. We have a strong and growing pipeline of Carnegie Way projects that will provide benefits in our operating segments and all other areas of our company. The substantive changes and improvements we are making continue to increase our earnings power. We are working hard every day to serve our customers and are well positioned to respond to improving market conditions."

At current market conditions, which include spot prices, import volumes and supply chain inventory levels, we would expect 2016 adjusted EBITDA to be near breakeven.

As overall market conditions improve during 2016, we would expect adjusted EBITDA to improve consistent with the pace and magnitude of any improvement in market conditions.

At current market conditions, we would expect lower results in each of our operating segments as compared to 2015. We would expect that the operating efficiencies related to our current facility configuration, lower raw materials, operating and overhead costs and additional Carnegie Way benefits would only partially offset the unfavorable effects of lower average realized prices and volumes.

We expect improved results for Other Businesses, primarily from real estate, and we expect lower post retirement benefits expenses.

Based on current market conditions, we expect approximately $500 million of cash benefits from working capital improvements in 2016, primarily related to better inventory management.

We present adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures, as additional measurements to enhance the understanding of our operating performance and facilitate a comparison with that of our competitors.

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 fourth quarter earnings on Wednesday, January 27, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard.  To listen to the webcast of the conference call, visit the U. S. Steel website, www.ussteel.com, and click on "Current Information" under the "Investors" section.

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

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains information that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in these sections.  Generally, we have identified such forward-looking statements by using the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "target," "forecast," "aim," "will" and similar expressions or by using future dates in connection with any discussion of, among other things, operating performance, trends, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, statements relating to volume growth, share of sales and earnings per share growth, and statements expressing general views about future operating results. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. It is possible that the Company's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the time made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made. Our Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our Company's historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the risks and uncertainties described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Supplementary Data - Disclosures About Forward-Looking Statements" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)

We present EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings (loss) and adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share, which are non-GAAP measures, as an additional measurement to enhance the understanding of our operating performance and facilitate a comparison with that of our competitors.  EBITDA is defined as earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net earnings (loss) are not, however, intended as alternative measures of operating results or cash flow from operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)