Jefferies has reiterated its Buy rating on US Steel (NYSE:X) with a steady price target of $41.00.
The firm's analysis followed US Steel's guidance for third-quarter earnings per share between $0.44 and $0.48, which aligns with Jefferies' own estimate of $0.44 per share.
Additionally, US Steel forecasted its adjusted EBITDA to be around $300 million, consistent with its previous guidance range of $275 million to $325 million.
The report highlighted US Steel's ongoing projects and potential deals. The company continues to anticipate the Big River 2 start-up in the fourth quarter.
Furthermore, efforts to finalize the Nippon transaction in the second half of the year are ongoing, although the firm noted it might ultimately be blocked.
Jefferies' commentary on US Steel's valuation considered the potential roadblocks facing the company.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the completion of the Nippon transaction, the firm sees inherent value in US Steel's shares at the current market price, even if the company remains independent.
In other recent news, US Steel has provided an updated financial outlook, reaffirming its third-quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) forecast at $300 million.
This aligns with the company's previous projection, as well as KeyBanc's and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS)'s estimates. The company expects an increase in earnings from its Europe segment, while forecasting declines in the Flat Rolled, Mini Mill/Big River, and Tubular segments.
Additionally, US Steel plans to commence operations of the new Big River 2 facility in the fourth quarter, incurring about $40 million in related costs within the third quarter. KeyBanc has maintained its Sector Weight rating on US Steel, while Morgan Stanley has upheld its Overweight rating. GLJ Research also upgraded its rating for US Steel shares to Buy, indicating potential growth.
InvestingPro Insights
As US Steel navigates its strategic endeavors and financial forecasts, investors can gain additional insights by considering key metrics and analyst projections. With a market capitalization of $8.45 billion and a P/E ratio of 14.68, the company presents an interesting profile for potential investors. Analysts have noted concerns over weak gross profit margins, which currently stand at 11.42%, reflecting challenges in cost management or pricing power. Despite these concerns, US Steel has demonstrated a commitment to shareholder returns, maintaining dividend payments for 34 consecutive years, with a modest yield of 0.54%.
Looking at stock performance, US Steel's price movements have been quite volatile, with a 1-month total return of -6.41% and a 1-year total return of 16.76%, indicating the potential for both short-term risks and long-term gains. This volatility is a factor for investors to consider when evaluating the stock's fit within their portfolio. For further analysis and insights, investors can explore additional InvestingPro Tips on US Steel at InvestingPro, where several more tips are available to help inform investment decisions.
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