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PITTSBURGH - United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X), currently valued at $9.24 billion by market capitalization, has announced its first quarter 2025 financial guidance, projecting adjusted net earnings per diluted share to range between a loss of $0.53 and $0.49. The company expects its adjusted EBITDA for the quarter to be approximately $125 million. According to InvestingPro data, three analysts have recently revised their earnings estimates downward for the upcoming period, though the stock has shown remarkable strength with a 10.93% return over the past week.
President and CEO David B. Burritt provided insights into the company’s performance, highlighting the North American Flat-Rolled segment’s stability through a combination of strategic commercial efforts, operational efficiency, and cost management. The Mini Mill segment is anticipated to experience sequential improvement, driven by increased volumes from Big River Steel and its expansion, Big River 2. In Europe, while the pricing environment has seen marginal improvements, demand continues to be weak, prompting production adjustments to match customer demand and planned maintenance. InvestingPro analysis reveals the company’s challenges with gross profit margins at 10.41%, while operating with a relatively high beta of 1.86, indicating significant market sensitivity.
Burritt expressed satisfaction with customer responses to the product quality from Big River 2, which is on track to contribute significantly to the company’s 2025 EBITDA. He anticipates the facility to achieve run-rate throughput in the second half of 2025 and full capacity in 2026.
Additionally, Burritt acknowledged the positive impact of President Trump’s tariff policies on the American steel industry and the benefits expected from U.S. Steel’s partnership with Nippon Steel, including investment commitments and technology transfers.
In terms of segment performance, U.S. Steel anticipates the Flat-Rolled segment’s adjusted EBITDA to be lower than the previous quarter due to seasonal constraints in mining, which are expected to resolve by the second quarter. The Mini Mill segment’s adjusted EBITDA is projected to rise from the previous quarter, including an estimated $50 million in ramp-related costs from Big River 2. The European segment is also expected to see improved adjusted EBITDA, while the Tubular segment should benefit from increased prime shipments and higher average selling prices.
The company’s guidance includes detailed financial measures and reconciliations, such as projected net earnings, tax provisions, and adjustments to arrive at the adjusted EBITDA figure. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.
This financial guidance is based on a press release statement from United States Steel Corporation. With the stock trading near its 52-week high of $43.35 and showing strong momentum, investors seeking deeper insights can access comprehensive analysis through InvestingPro, which offers exclusive access to over 30 additional financial metrics and expert insights for U.S. Steel, including detailed valuation analysis and peer comparisons.
In other recent news, United States Steel Corporation’s merger with Nippon Steel Corporation faces significant hurdles. A motion filed by the U.S. Department of Justice has extended the briefing deadlines and rescheduled the oral argument in the ongoing litigation concerning the blocked merger. The merger, initially signed in December 2023, was prohibited by President Biden due to national security concerns, and both companies have challenged this decision in court. Ancora Holdings Group, a significant shareholder, is urging U.S. Steel to delay its 2025 Annual Meeting for more transparency regarding the merger and future company plans. Ancora suggests new leadership and directors to improve U.S. Steel’s performance and secure jobs. Meanwhile, executives from both U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel are seeking discussions with the Trump administration in hopes of salvaging the $15 billion merger. Nippon Steel has also announced plans to initiate discussions with the U.S. Department of Commerce to revive its bid, emphasizing the intertwined nature of financial and capital investments in the acquisition. These developments follow President Trump’s recent tariff increase on Canadian imports, which has impacted U.S. Steel’s market dynamics.
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