United States Steel Corporation Reports 2013 First Quarter Results

PITTSBURGH, April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) reported a first quarter 2013 net loss of $73 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared to a fourth quarter 2012 net loss of $50 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, and a first quarter 2012 net loss of $219 million, or $1.52 per diluted share. Adjusted net loss for the first quarter 2013 was $51 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, excluding an after-tax charge of $22 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, related to repurchases of $542 million principal amount of our 4.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2014, reducing the outstanding principal amount for these notes to $321 million.  Adjusted net loss for the fourth quarter 2012 was $59 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, excluding a $9 million favorable settlement related to a supplier contract dispute. Adjusted net income for the first quarter 2012 was $110 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, excluding a $399 million loss on the sale of U. S. Steel Serbia (USSS); a $58 million gain on the sale of transportation assets; and a $12 million gain on property tax settlements.

Commenting on results, U. S. Steel Chairman and CEO John P. Surma said, "Total reportable segment and Other Businesses operating results improved compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 despite the difficult global economic environment and very competitive steel market conditions." 

The company reported first quarter 2013 reportable segment and Other Businesses income from operations of $94 million, or $17 per ton, compared to income from operations of $59 million, or $11 per ton, in the fourth quarter of 2012 and income from operations of $295 million, or $52 per ton, in the first quarter of 2012.

Net interest and other financial costs in the first quarter of 2013 includes a $34 million pre-tax charge related to repurchases of $542 million principal amount of our 4.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2014.  Additionally, net interest and other financial costs includes a foreign currency remeasurement loss of $9 million, or $0.06 per diluted share. 

For the first quarter 2013, we recorded a tax provision of $7 million on our pre-tax loss of $66 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 March 31, 2013, U. S. Steel had $733 million of cash and $2.5 billion of total liquidity compared to $570 million of cash and $2.4 billion of total liquidity at December 31, 2012. 

Reportable Segments and Other Businesses

Flat-rolled segment results were slightly lower than the fourth quarter primarily due to increased operating costs. Shipments for the first quarter increased slightly versus the fourth quarter while average realized prices were comparable.  Lead times throughout the first quarter of 2013 remained short and afforded buyers the opportunity to limit their order book exposure, preventing upward movement in spot market prices.  Higher operating costs in the first quarter reflect the absence of several smaller favorable fourth quarter items partially offset by lower raw materials costs and decreased repairs and maintenance costs in the first quarter.

First quarter results for our European segment improved compared to the fourth quarter due to a significant increase in shipments.  Shipments increased due to additional value-added volume and improved spot market activity associated with service center and distributor restocking.  Average realized prices were comparable to the fourth quarter as increased spot market prices were offset by a higher mix of hot-rolled shipments and the effect of lower firm contract prices.  Operating costs increased due primarily to higher raw materials costs.    

First quarter results for our Tubular segment improved compared to the fourth quarter due to decreased operating costs and increased shipments partially offset by lower average realized prices.  Shipments increased as distributors began replenishing inventory while prices were lower due to the available supply of tubular products and decreased drilling activity.  Operating costs decreased primarily due to improved operating efficiencies, decreased repairs and maintenance costs and lower substrate costs.

Outlook

Commenting on U. S. Steel's outlook for the second quarter, Surma said, "We expect total reportable segment and Other Businesses operating results to be near breakeven.  Results for our Tubular segment are projected to be comparable with the first quarter; however we expect lower results from our Flat-rolled and European segments."

While we project North American flat-rolled market conditions for the second quarter to be comparable to the first quarter, we expect an operating loss for our Flat-rolled segment primarily due to higher operating costs.  Operating costs are projected to increase due primarily to higher repairs and maintenance costs as well as higher natural gas costs offset by lower raw materials costs.  Repairs and maintenance costs are projected to be $75 million higher in the second quarter due to maintenance projects already largely completed at Gary Works and Lake Erie Works.  Average realized prices, including the effect of a more favorable product mix, are expected to be comparable to the first quarter while shipments are projected to decrease slightly.  The labor agreement covering our Lake Erie Works expired on April 15, 2013 and a successor agreement has not been reached.  U. S. Steel Canada implemented a lockout of represented employees effective April 28, 2013.

Second quarter results for our European segment are projected to decline compared to the first quarter due to higher raw materials costs, primarily iron ore.  Shipments and average realized euro-based prices are expected to be comparable to the first quarter as decreases in spot market prices are expected to be offset by the positive effect of a higher volume of value-added shipments.

We expect second quarter results for our Tubular segment to be comparable to the first quarter. Shipments are expected to increase compared to the first quarter to support a higher level of drilling activity while average realized prices are projected to be slightly lower, mainly due to increased shipments of welded product. Operating costs are expected to decrease due to operating efficiencies related to higher production volumes.

Operating profit from Other Businesses is expected to increase approximately $30 million due to a real estate sale expected to occur in the second quarter.

We expect a minimal tax provision/benefit in the second quarter primarily due to the full valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in Canada.

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This release contains forward-looking statements with respect to market conditions, operating costs, shipments and prices.  Although we believe that we are experiencing a gradual economic recovery, there are signs of continued economic issues, including the European sovereign debt and domestic fiscal situations.  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 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 resolution of the Lake Erie Works contract; (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, 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) fiscal instability; (p) political issues; (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.  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, 2012, 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 first quarter earnings on Tuesday, April 30, 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