IW 50 Best: U.S. Steel Expects Return to Profitability

April 29, 2010
Improved flat-rolled steel demand helps narrow loss.

United States Steel Corp. is one of the latest steelmakers to report improved financial results as steel demand and prices increase.

The Pittsburgh-based manufacturer said on April 27 that it expects to post a profit in the second quarter as losses narrowed to $157 million, or $1.10 per share, compared with a $439 million, or $4.78-per-share loss during the year-earlier period. Revenue increased to $3.9 billion from $2.75 billion in the year-ago quarter.

"We reported a significantly reduced overall loss in first-quarter 2010 as compared to fourth-quarter 2009 mainly due to improving business conditions and a strong operating performance for our flat-rolled segment," Chairman and CEO John Surma said. "In Europe, we returned to profitability and our tubular segment had another strong quarter."

United States Steel Corp.
At A Glance


United States Corp.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Primary Industry: Fabricated Metal Products
Number of Employees: 43,000
2008 In Review
Revenue: $23.75 billion
Profit Margin: 8.89%
Sales Turnover: 1.48
Inventory Turnover: 8.27
Revenue Growth: 40.78%
Return On Assets: 13.51%
Return On Equity: 38.19%
Earlier in the quarter the company announced that it would incur a $27 million deferred tax charge related to health-care reform legislation. The charge offset a $30 million tax benefit during the quarter.

The flat-rolled segment, which provides steel for industries such as the automotive, appliance and construction sectors, benefited from higher prices, increased shipments and operating efficiencies, the company said. Shipments increased 12% to 3.6 million net tons and average realized prices rose to $654 per net ton, an increase of $21 per ton from the year-earlier period.

The company's flat-rolled segment operated at 94% of available raw steel capability during the quarter.

U.S. Steel's European operations realized shipment increases of 22%.

Decreased inventories in key markets, such as the auto industry and service centers, should help the company return to profitability in the second quarter, Surma said.

"We anticipate being profitable in all three of our operating segments in the second quarter of 2010 as gradually improving business conditions should be reflected in our operating results, most notably for our flat-rolled segment," Surma said. "We continue to experience healthy order rates from most of our end markets, resulting in increased production levels."

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About the Author

Jonathan Katz | Former Managing Editor

Former Managing Editor Jon Katz covered leadership and strategy, tackling subjects such as lean manufacturing leadership, strategy development and deployment, corporate culture, corporate social responsibility, and growth strategies. As well, he provided news and analysis of successful companies in the chemical and energy industries, including oil and gas, renewable and alternative.

Jon worked as an intern for IndustryWeek before serving as a reporter for The Morning Journal and then as an associate editor for Penton Media’s Supply Chain Technology News.

Jon received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Kent State University and is a die-hard Cleveland sports fan.

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