United States Steel Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2018 Results

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) reported second quarter 2018 net earnings of $214 million, or $1.20 per diluted share. Adjusted net earnings were $262 million, or $1.46 per diluted share. This compares to second quarter 2017 net earnings of $261 million, or $1.48 per diluted share. Adjusted net earnings for second quarter 2017 were $189 million, or $1.07 per diluted share.


Earnings Highlights

	Quarter Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)	2018		2017		2018		2017
Net Sales	$	3,609	$	3,144	$	6,758	$	5,869
Segment earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes
Flat-Rolled	$	224	$	220	$	257	$	132
U. S. Steel Europe	115		55		225		142
Tubular	(35)		(29)		(62)		(86)
Other Businesses	17		9		28		22
Total segment earnings before interest and income taxes	$	321	$	255	$	448	$	210
Other items not allocated to segments	(20)		72		(10)		37
Earnings before interest and income taxes	$	301	$	327	$	438	$	247
Net interest and other financial costs	75		82		193		163
Income tax provision (benefit)	12		(16)		13		3
Net earnings	$	214	$	261	$	232	$	81
Earnings per diluted share	$	1.20	$	1.48	$	1.30	$	0.46

Adjusted net earnings (a)	$	262	$	189	$	319	$	44
Adjusted net earnings per diluted share (a)	$	1.46	$	1.07	$	1.79	$	0.25
Adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) (a)	$	451	$	376	$	706	$	468

(a) Please refer to the non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this document for the reconciliation of these amounts.

Commenting on U. S. Steel's results, President and Chief Executive Officer David B. Burritt said, "In the second quarter, our team performed well by responding quickly to customer demand. We restarted steelmaking at Granite City ahead of schedule and safely ramped up production and shipments faster than planned. In addition, a very strong shipping performance in late June enabled us to deliver higher than expected earnings."

2018 Guidance

Commenting on U. S. Steel’s guidance for 2018, Burritt said, "The success to date of our ongoing $2 billion asset revitalization program, as well as our earnings power in the current market, makes us increasingly optimistic about future investments that will drive long-term profitable growth.”

We currently expect that third quarter 2018 adjusted EBITDA will be approximately $525 million. We expect our Flat-rolled segment results to continue to improve as more of our adjustable contract and spot shipments realize the benefit of second quarter increases in index prices, partially offset by higher planned outage costs. We expect results for our Tubular segment to turn positive as selling price increases catch up to the rising substrate costs we saw in the first half of the year. We expect results for our European segment to be lower in the third quarter, primarily due to planned outages that coincide with normal seasonal customer demand patterns.

Based on our progress to date, we are increasing full-year 2018 adjusted EBITDA guidance to approximately $1.85 - $1.90 billion.The Company will conduct a conference call on second quarter 2018 earnings on Thursday, August 2, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight. To listen to the webcast of the conference call, and to access the company's slide presentation and prepared remarks, visit the U. S. Steel website, www.ussteel.com, and click on the “Investors” section. Replays of the conference call will be available on the website after 10:30 a.m. on August 2.

Please refer to the non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this document for the reconciliation of Guidance net earnings to consolidated Guidance adjusted EBITDA.



UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
PRELIMINARY SUPPLEMENTAL STATISTICS (Unaudited)

				Quarter Ended				Six Months Ended
				June 30,				June 30,
				2018		2017		2018		2017
OPERATING STATISTICS
	Average realized price: (a)
		Flat-Rolled ($/net ton)		819		742		780		731
		U. S. Steel Europe ($/net ton)		707		620		707		607
		U. S. Steel Europe (euro/net ton)		593		563		584		561
		Tubular ($/net ton)		1,449		1,234		1,420		1,173
	Steel Shipments (thousands of net tons): (a)
		Flat-Rolled		2,584		2,497		5,118		4,901
		U. S. Steel Europe		1,156		1,157		2,283		2,266
		Tubular		201		180		382		324
			Total Steel Shipments	3,941		3,834		7,783		7,491

	Intersegment Shipments (thousands of net tons):
		Flat-Rolled to Tubular		65		94		132		94
		U. S. Steel Europe to Flat-Rolled		22		25		22		47
	Raw Steel Production (thousands of net tons):
		Flat-Rolled		2,841		2,711		5,626		5,425
		U. S. Steel Europe		1,308		1,285		2,600		2,543
	Raw Steel Capability Utilization: (b)
		Flat-Rolled		67%		64%		67%		64%
		U. S. Steel Europe		105%		103%		105%		103%

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
	Flat-Rolled			$	142	$	47	$	318	$	72
	U. S. Steel Europe			17		20		38		34
	Tubular			13		4		24		11
	Other Businesses			1		2		1		3

		Total		$	173	$	73	$	381	$	120

(a) Excludes intersegment shipments. (b) Based on annual raw steel production capability of 17.0 million net tons for Flat-Rolled and 5.0 million net tons for U. S. Steel Europe.



UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

		Quarter Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)		2018		2017		2018		2017
NET SALES		$	3,609	$	3,144	$	6,758	$	5,869

OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
	Cost of sales (excludes items shown below)	3,121		2,723		5,929		5,282
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	92		67		170		148
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	130		121		258		258
	Earnings from investees	(19)		(16)		(22)		(20)
	Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc.	—		(72)		—		(72)
	Restructuring and other charges	—		(1)		—		32
	Net gain on disposal of assets	(17)		—		(16)		(1)
	Other expense (income), net	1		(5)		1		(5)

	Total operating expenses	3,308		2,817		6,320		5,622

EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND INCOME TAXES		301		327		438		247
Net interest and other financial costs (a)		75		82		193		163

	EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	226		245		245		84
Income tax provision (benefit)		12		(16)		13		3

Net earnings		214		261		232		81
	Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	—		—		—		—
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO
	UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION	$	214	$	261	$	232	$	81

COMMON STOCK DATA:

Net earnings per share attributable to
United States Steel Corporation stockholders:
	Basic	$	1.21	$	1.49	$	1.32	$	0.46
	Diluted	$	1.20	$	1.48	$	1.30	$	0.46
Weighted average shares, in thousands
	Basic	177,027		174,797		176,594		174,521
	Diluted	178,903		176,028		178,485		176,319
Dividends paid per common share		$	0.05	$	0.05	$	0.10	$	0.10

(a) Includes $17 million and $14 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $34 million and $32 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of postretirement benefit expense (other than service cost) related to the retrospective presentation change of net periodic benefit cost of our defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefits as a result of the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits on January 1, 2018.



UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
CASH FLOW STATEMENT (Unaudited)

			Six Months Ended
			June 30,
(Dollars in millions)			2018		2017
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
	Net earnings		$	232	$	81
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization		258		258
	Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc.		—		(72)
	Restructuring and other charges		—		32
	Loss on debt extinguishment		74		1
	Pensions and other postretirement benefits		37		31
	Deferred income taxes		(1)		2
	Net gain on disposal of assets		(16)		(1)
	Working capital changes		(242)		(199)
	Income taxes receivable/payable		(2)		20
	Other operating activities		(47)		90
		Total	293		243

Cash used in investing activities:
	Capital expenditures		(381)		(120)
	Disposal of assets		1		—
	Other investing activities		(1)		—
		Total	(381)		(120)

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities:
	Issuance of long-term debt, net of financing costs		640		—
	Repayment of long-term debt		(874)		(108)
	Receipts from exercise of stock options		33		13
	Dividends paid		(18)		(18)
	Taxes paid for equity compensation plans		(8)		(10)
		Total	(227)		(123)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			(10)		10

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			(325)		10
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the year (a)			1,597		1,555

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period (a)			$	1,272	$	1,565

(a) Includes restricted cash in the beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts as a result of the retrospective adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash on January 1, 2018.



UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

		June 30		Dec. 31
(Dollars in millions)		2018		2017
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,231	$	1,553
Receivables, net		1,656		1,379
Inventories		1,848		1,738
Other current assets		77		85
	Total current assets	4,812		4,755
Property, plant and equipment, net		4,401		4,280
Investments and long-term receivables, net		498		480
Intangible assets, net		162		167
Other assets		185		180

	Total assets	$	10,058	$	9,862

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		$	2,331	$	2,170
Payroll and benefits payable		386		347
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt		4		3
Other current liabilities		181		201
	Total current liabilities	2,902		2,721
Long-term debt, less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs		2,541		2,700
Employee benefits		692		759
Other long-term liabilities		317		361
United States Steel Corporation stockholders' equity		3,605		3,320
Noncontrolling interests		1		1

	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	10,058	$	9,862


UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA

		Quarter Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
(Dollars in millions)		2018		2017		2018		2017
Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA
	Net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation	$	214	$	261	$	232	$	81
	Income tax provision (benefit)	12		(16)		13		3
	Net interest and other financial costs	75		82		193		163
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	130		121		258		258
	EBITDA	431		448		696		505
	Gain on equity investee transactions	(18)		—		(18)		—
	Granite City Works restart costs	36		—		36		—
	Granite City Works adjustment to temporary idling charges	2		—		(8)		—
	Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc.	—		(72)		—		(72)
	Loss on shutdown of certain tubular assets	—		—		—		35
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	451	$	376	$	706	$	468


UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS

		Quarter Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) (a)		2018		2017		2018		2017
Reconciliation to adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to United States Steel Corporation
	Net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation	$	214	$	261	$	232	$	81
	Gain on equity investee transactions	(18)		—		(18)		—
	Granite City Works restart costs	36		—		36		—
	Granite City Works adjustment to temporary idling charges	2		—		(8)		—
	Loss on debt extinguishment and other related costs	28		—		77		—
	Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc.	—		(72)		—		(72)
	Loss on shutdown of certain tubular assets	—		—		—		35
	Total adjustments	48		(72)		87		(37)
	Adjusted net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation	$	262	$	189	$	319	$	44

Reconciliation to adjusted diluted net earnings (loss) per share
	Diluted net earnings per share	$	1.20	$	1.48	$	1.30	$	0.46
	Gain on equity investee transactions	(0.10)		—		(0.10)		—
	Granite City Works restart costs	0.20		—		0.20		—
	Granite City Works adjustment to temporary idling charges	0.01		—		(0.04)		—
	Loss on debt extinguishment and other related costs	0.15		—		0.43		—
	Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc.	—		(0.41)		—		(0.41)
	Loss on shutdown of certain tubular assets	—		—		—		0.20
	Total adjustments	0.26		(0.41)		0.49		(0.21)
	Adjusted diluted net earnings per share	$	1.46	$	1.07	$	1.79	$	0.25

(a) The adjustments included in this table have been tax effected at a 0% tax rate due to the recognition of a full valuation allowance.



UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA GUIDANCE
				Year Ended		Year Ended
		Quarter Ended		Dec. 31		Dec. 31
		Sept. 30		2018		2018
(Dollars in millions)		2018		(Low end of range)		(High end of range)
Reconciliation to Projected Adjusted EBITDA Included in Guidance
	Projected net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation included in Guidance	$	288	$	925	$	975
	Estimated income tax expense	22		50		50
	Estimated net interest and other financial costs	61		315		315
	Estimated depreciation, depletion and amortization	129		520		520
	Gain on equity investee transactions	—		(18)		(18)
	Granite City Works blast furnace B restart costs	—		36		36
	Estimated Granite City Works blast furnace A restart costs	25		30		30
	Granite City Works adjustment to temporary idling charges	—		(8)		(8)
	Projected adjusted EBITDA included in Guidance	$	525	$	1,850	$	1,900

We present adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share, earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures, as additional measurements to enhance the understanding of our operating performance. We believe that EBITDA, considered along with net earnings (loss), is a relevant indicator of trends relating to our operating performance and provides management and investors with additional information for comparison of our operating results to the operating results of other companies. EBITDA is also used by analysts to refine and improve the accuracy of their financial models that utilize enterprise value.

Adjusted net earnings (loss) and adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share are non-GAAP measures that exclude the effects of gains (losses) on the sale of ownership interests in equity investees, facility restart costs, gains (losses) associated with our retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc., restructuring charges, significant temporary idling charges and debt extinguishment and other related costs that are not part of the Company's core operations. Adjusted EBITDA is also a non-GAAP measure that excludes the effects of gains (losses) on the sale of ownership interests in equity investees, facility restart costs, gains (losses) associated with our retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc., restructuring charges and significant temporary idling charges. We present adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA to enhance the understanding of our ongoing operating performance and established trends affecting our core operations, by excluding the effects of gains (losses) on the sale of ownership interests in equity investees, facility restart costs, gains (losses) associated with our retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc., restructuring charges, significant temporary idling charges and debt extinguishment and other related costs that can obscure underlying trends. U. S. Steel's management considers adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA as alternative measures of operating performance and not alternative measures of the Company's liquidity. U. S. Steel’s management considers adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA useful to investors by facilitating a comparison of our operating performance to the operating performance of our competitors. Additionally, the presentation of adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA provides insight into management’s view and assessment of the Company’s ongoing operating performance, because management does not consider the adjusting items when evaluating the Company’s financial performance or in preparing the Company’s annual financial guidance. Adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for net earnings (loss), earnings (loss) per diluted share or other financial measures as computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. 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.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains information that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27 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 those sections. Generally, we have identified such forward-looking statements by using the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “forecast,” “aim,” “should,” “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” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. References to "we," "us," "our," the "Company," and "U. S. Steel," refer to United States Steel Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.