United States Steel, operating under ticker (X) announced on Sunday its decision to launch a comprehensive review of potential strategic paths for the company, driven by the reception of several unsolicited offers for segments of its operations or the entire business. CEO David Burritt revealed that the unsolicited proposals ranged from the potential acquisition of specific production assets to bids for the company as a whole.
The particulars of these strategic options, however, remain undisclosed. Assisting U.S. Steel in this pivotal moment are financial advisors Barclays Capital and Goldman Sachs (GS), while legal guidance is provided by Milbank LLP and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
Adding another layer to the unfolding narrative, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (CLF) divulged on Sunday their previously confidential bid to acquire U.S. Steel. Submitted on June 28, this proposal was subsequently turned down by U.S. Steel's board, deeming it "unreasonable." The bid specifics, as shared by Cleveland-Cliffs, entailed a cash offer of $17.50 combined with 1.023 shares of Cliffs stock for each share of U.S. Steel.
Amidst these acquisition considerations, U.S. Steel has been experiencing a surge in demand for its steel products, a phenomenon that has enabled the company to surpass profit estimates for the recently concluded quarter. To counterbalance the escalating costs tied to raw materials and energy, U.S. Steel has been progressively increasing its product prices.
U.S. Steel is also in the process of executing a substantial stock repurchase initiative. Within the second quarter, the company anticipates completing approximately $75 million in common stock buybacks. This falls under its overarching $500 million stock buyback authorization, highlighting U.S. Steel's commitment to shareholder value.
