[Ferro-Alloys.com]

 

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) reported fourth quarter 2023 net loss of $80 million, or $0.36 per diluted share and adjusted net earnings was $167 million, or $0.67 per diluted share. This compares to fourth quarter 2022 net earnings of $174 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, and adjusted net earnings for the fourth quarter 2022 was $235 million, or $0.89 per diluted share.

 

Full-year 2023 net earnings was $895 million, or $3.56 per diluted share, and adjusted net earnings was $1,195 million, or $4.73 per diluted share. This compares to full-year 2022 net earnings of $2,524 million, or $9.16 per diluted share, and adjusted net earnings for 2022 were $2,785 million, or $10.06 per diluted share.

 

Commenting on the Company’s performance, U. S. Steel President and Chief Executive Officer David B. Burritt said, "We ended the year with another quarter of strong financial and operational performance, and we did it safely, setting yet another year of record best safety performance. 2023 was a pivotal year in the history of U. S. Steel as our strategic alternatives review process culminated in the signing of a definitive merger agreement with Nippon Steel Corporation. I’m grateful to our talented and hardworking team for successfully serving our stockholders and customers and continuing to execute on our strategic goals while the strategic alternatives review process was conducted. We are excited by the opportunities afforded by the Nippon Steel and U. S. Steel combination. It is the right transaction not only for U. S. Steel stockholders, but also for our employees and customers. U. S. Steel will retain its iconic name and headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reinforcing its commitment to employees, customers, and local communities. The combination of two innovative steel companies strengthens the competitive landscape of the steel industry. We are looking forward to the closing of the transaction, which we expect will be in the second or third quarter 2024."

 

Commenting on the Company’s strategic investments, Burritt said, "We continue to execute on our Best for All strategic investments. Last month, we produced our first direct reduced-grade pellets from our investment at our Keetac facility in Minnesota. These DR-grade pellets are feedstock for direct reduced iron, or DRI, a critical input for sustainable steelmaking. This is the latest in a string of successful investment start-ups like our pig iron investment in Indiana. We remain on-track for the start-up of the two remaining strategic projects in 2024 – our dual galvalume®/galvanized coating line in Arkansas at Big River Steel in the second quarter of 2024 and our new state-of-the-art mini mill, Big River 2, in the second half of 2024. Our team at Big River has adeptly managed supply chain, weather, and inflationary challenges throughout the construction period. Our Board has authorized additional capital to ensure BR2 is completed successfully. The Company now expects total capital spend for BR2 will be approximately $3.2 billion."

 

Burritt concluded, "Our hard work over many years is paying off with notable accomplishments. We are entering 2024 with momentum. Lead times are extended reflecting broad customer demand, and our operations are running at high levels of utilization to efficiently fill customers’ orders." (finance.yahoo)