United States Steel Corporation Provides First Quarter 2025 Guidance

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) today provided first quarter 2025 adjusted net earnings per diluted share guidance of ($0.53) to ($0.49). First quarter 2025 adjusted EBITDA is expected to be approximately $125 million.

Commenting on first quarter guidance, President and Chief Executive Officer David B. Burritt said, "Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $125 million is in line with our prior first quarter outlook. The North American Flat-Rolled segment's commercial strategy, combined with a strong emphasis on operational efficiencies and cost management, continues to drive strength within the segment. Our Mini Mill segment should see a sequential improvement based on increasing volumes from both Big River Steel (BRS) and Big River 2 (BR2). In Europe, the pricing environment has slightly improved, however demand remains subdued. We continue to manage our production levels in line with our customers' demand and our planned maintenance schedules. The Tubular segment continues to face pressure from the lagged impacts of a weak pricing environment, however, we remain optimistic for pricing improvements moving forward."

Burritt continued, "We remain extremely pleased with the outstanding customer feedback on the product quality of shipments from BR2 as it progresses towards full operating capacity and free cash flow generation this year. BR2 is expected to make a significant contribution to our 2025 EBITDA, with run-rate throughput expected during the second half of 2025 and full run-rate capability in 2026."

Burritt concluded, "We applaud President Trump's leadership and advocacy for the American steel industry in his recent tariff announcements. We continue to assess the benefit we expect from these tariff policies. Combined with the partnership with Nippon Steel, which includes investment commitments, technology transfer and innovation, U. S. Steel's future is extremely bright."

First Quarter Adjusted EBITDA Commentary

The Flat-Rolled segment's adjusted EBITDA is expected to be lower than the fourth quarter primarily driven by typical seasonal logistics constraints in the mining sector, which will unwind in the second quarter. We anticipate that higher average selling prices and increased volumes will partially offset this mining impact.

The Mini Mill segment's adjusted EBITDA is expected to be higher than the fourth quarter due to an increase in shipments. For the first quarter, we expect approximately $50 million in ramp-related impact from BR2. These costs are included in our first quarter adjusted EBITDA guidance for the Mini Mill segment.

The European segment's adjusted EBITDA is expected to improve compared to the fourth quarter, largely due to an increase in shipments, volume efficiencies and favorable raw material pricing, yet the sector will continue to face pressures from a challenging demand environment in Europe.

The Tubular segment's adjusted EBITDA is expected to be higher than the fourth quarter due to an increase in prime shipments and higher average selling prices.

Note: This reconciliation excludes the impact of the Company's quarterly adjustment related to the surplus VEBA assets and certain transaction-related costs. See Note 18 in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, for an explanation of the surplus VEBA assets. The excluded items are not expected to impact adjusted EBITDA.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains information regarding the Company that may constitute "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other securities laws, that are subject to risks and uncertainties. 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," "plan," "goal," "future," "will," "may" and similar expressions or by using future dates in connection with any discussion of, among other things, statements expressing general views about future operating or financial results, operating or financial performance, trends, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, anticipated cost savings, potential capital and operational cash improvements and changes in the global economic environment, anticipated capital expenditures, the construction or operation of new or existing facilities or capabilities and the costs associated with such matters, statements regarding our greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, as well as statements regarding the merger between the Company and Nippon Steel Corporation (the "Merger"), including the timing of the completion of the Merger. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future goals, plans and expectations about our prospects for the future and other 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 of the Company 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. In addition, forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Risks and uncertainties include without limitation: the ability of the parties to consummate the Merger on a timely basis or at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement and plan of merger relating to the Merger (the "Merger Agreement"); risks arising from litigation related to the Merger, either brought by or against the parties; the risk that the parties to the Merger Agreement may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the Merger in a timely manner or at all; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the Merger and related litigation; certain restrictions during the pendency of the Merger that may impact the Company's ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the risk that any announcements relating to the Merger could have adverse effects on the market price of the Company's common stock; the risk of any unexpected costs or expenses resulting from the Merger; the risk that the Merger and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of the Company to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, stockholders and other business relationships and on its operating results and business generally; and the risk the pending Merger could distract management of the Company. The Company directs readers to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2024, and the other documents it files with the SEC for other risks associated with the Company's future performance. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. All information in this report is as of the date above. The Company does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We present adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per diluted share, earnings 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, 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.

Adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain charges that are not part of the Company's core operations such as restructuring or asset impairments (Adjustment Items). We present adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings 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 events that can obscure underlying trends. U. S. Steel's management considers adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA as alternative measures of operating performance and not alternative measures of the Company's liquidity and believes these measures are 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, adjusted net earnings 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 Adjustment Items when evaluating the Company's financial performance. Adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for net earnings, earnings per diluted share or other financial measures as computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Founded in 1901, U. S. Steel delivers profitable and sustainable steel solutions. Propelled by its talented employees and an unwavering focus on safety, U. S. Steel serves the automotive, construction, appliance, energy, containers, and packaging industries with high value-added steel products. Steel production begins with our competitively advantaged iron ore production capabilities which fuel our integrated steelmaking facilities and investments in electric arc furnaces. To help our customers create the best products with the fewest emissions, we are committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. U. S. Steel is at the forefront of creating steels that are stronger, lighter, and better for the environment. This includes our proprietary XG3^® advanced high-strength steel, verdeX^® steel produced with 70-80% lower CO² emissions with a recycled content of up to 90%, and ultra-thin lightweight InduX™ steel for electric vehicles, generators, and transformers. U. S. Steel maintains operations across the United States and in Central Europe and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.ussteel.com and follow U. S. Steel on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.

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