United States Steel Corp. (X), whose colleagues include AK Steel (AKS) and Nucor Corp. (NUE), was sold off by investors on Tuesday after the company released its first-quarter results. The stock dropped $3.44, or 5.7%, to $56.63. Volume was strong.

The company is definitely far away from the 52-week low, but it unfortunately is also significantly under the 52-week high of $70.95. The one-year chart shows an up-and-down pattern that isn't necessarily for every investor. Indeed, the most recent price action has been decidedly in the downward direction. Of course, that might mean the business is worth a look, especially when you take into account the ultimate bias towards an upward trend. Let's check out the Q1 numbers.

Continue reading U.S. Steel: A Buy After Q1 Earnings?

U.S. Steel: A Buy After Q1 Earnings? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

U.S. Steel (X - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company reported a fourth-quarter loss of $267 million, or $1.86 per share, on revenue of $3.35 billion. Analysts were expecting a loss of $1.44 per share on revenue of $3.09 billion. The company also forecast a first-quarter loss in line with fourth quarter results, whereas analysts are forecasting a loss of 44 cents per share. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on GE.

This morning, X opened at $52.66. So far today the stock has hit a high of $53.40 and a low of $50.37. As of 12:00, X is trading at $51.11, down $5.12 (-9.1%). The chart for X looks bearish and S&P gives X a negative 2 STARS (out of 5) sell ranking.

Continue reading U.S. Steel Dives on Q4 Loss, Q1 Outlook

U.S. Steel Dives on Q4 Loss, Q1 Outlook originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The steel stocks tend to go through boom and bust cycles depending on global economic activity; they have been pummeled over the last year, as the global economy slowed," notes turnaround expert George Putnam.

In his The Turnaround Letter, he explains, "But the news about steel is not all bad." Indeed, he believes some steel companies are poised for a turnaround. Here's his review of 6 leading steel production companies.

"Weakness in two big steel consuming industries, autos and construction, has been particularly troublesome for the steelmakers.

"However, there is evidence that steel inventories are gradually being worked off to low levels. There are also signs that economic activity in China, which is a huge consumer of steel, will not fall off as far as some economists initially feared.

Continue reading Steel: Six stocks with strong turnaround potential

Steel: Six stocks with strong turnaround potential originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"President Obama's proposed rebuilding plans are great news for steel and other industrial metals makers," says resource sector specialist Larry Edelson, who recommends a pair of beneficiaries: U.S. Steel Corp. (NYSE: X) and Alcoa (NYSE: AA).

The editor of Real Wealth newsletter explains, "Obama has pledged to give the U.S. economy a massive shot in the arm with the biggest public works spending package this nation has seen in more than 50 years.

"Besides spending on road, bridge, school improvements and construction, the plan is likely to include upgrading our deteriorating electrical grid and greater investments in public transportation, among other infrastructure projects. The plan is also expected to create about 2.5 million jobs.

"While steel and other base metal prices have tanked sharply this year on slumping global demand, companies that produce the metals have staged some massive cutbacks in production and many have shuttered large chunks of their operations.

Continue reading Industrial metals: Strong plays on Obama's rebuilding plans

Industrial metals: Strong plays on Obama's rebuilding plans originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Arcelor Mittal (NYSE: MT), a global steel producer, is recently trading at $26.90 in pre-open trading, below its close of $31.70. MT reported Q3 EPS of $2.79 verses consensus of $4.01. MT December option implied volatility of 94 is above its 26-week average of 54 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Mechel Steel (NYSE: MTL) closed at $9.01 Tuesday. MTL is a Russian mining, steel and power company. MTL December option implied volatility of 177 is above its 26-week average of 88 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

US Steel (NYSE: X) is recently trading at $38.75 in pre-open trading, below its close of $41.17. X November option implied volatility of 97 is above its 26-week average of 71 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Options Update: Steel producers volatility elevated on decreasing revenue; MT, MTL, X originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Global Q & A: Conserve your resources

Global Q & A: Conserve your resources originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Robust Growth with Record Numbers

The company recently announced second-quarter results and upped its dividend. Net income of $668 million soared past the previous year's $302 million. During the past 5 consecutive quarters, earnings per share were on average about 9% ahead of analyst expectations, with the most recent results coming in at an impressive 49.5% above expectations.

Commenting on results, U. S. Steel Chairman and CEO John P. Surma said, "We recorded the highest quarterly sales and net income in U. S. Steel's history during the second quarter as all three reportable segments posted record results, reflecting strong operating performance and favorable global pricing dynamics."

Higher Income

Growth & Income: United States Steel Corporation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

US Steel (X) boosted by updated Nucor outlook originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Earthquake recovery can change China

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Earthquake recovery can change China originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 14 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Coach and US Steel reflect supply and demand

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Coach and US Steel reflect supply and demand originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: The X factor

Cramer on BloggingStocks: The X factor originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

US Steel (NYSE: X) closed at $114.54. Soleil says, "We expect a blowout in the second and third quarters, assuming that a strike doesn't occur on September 1, when the company's domestic labor contract with the USWA expires." X April option implied volatility of 65 is above its 26-week average of 52 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risk.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Option Update: US Steel April implied volatility elevated at 65 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Wachovia upgraded Abbott Lab (NYSE: ABT) to Outperform from Market Perform as they believe their earlier concerns have been addressed. Past concerns included the potential for a negative outcome from the FDA panel on Xience and slowing prescription growth of lead drug Humira.
  
• Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) were raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Keefe Bruyette citing recent government actions to stabilize the mortgage markets.
  
• Micromet (NASDAQ: MITI) was upgraded at RBC Capital to Outperform from Sector Perform as they expect positive data for its lead candidate, MT103, by year-end.

• ThinkEquity raised Atheros Comm (NASDAQ: ATHR) to Buy from Accumulate.
  
• Goldman upgraded US Steel (NYSE: X) to Buy from Neutral.
  
• General Electric (NYSE: GE) was upgraded at Merrill to Buy from Neutral.

Analyst upgrades: GE, X, ABT, FNM, FRE and MITI originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

US Steel (X) drops on economic worries originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

U.S. Steel (X) yo-yos on economic worries, rate cut originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

U.S. Steel (X) crushed by unemployment data originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Friedman Billings resumed coverage of Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE) and Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) with Outperform ratings and a $30 target and a $46 target and Applebee's (NASDAQ: APPB) with a Market Perform rating and $25.50 target.
  
• American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC) was initiated with a Buy rating and $33 target at Jefferies, as they believe repeat orders for wind turbine electrical systems could drive rapid revenue growth from 2008-2010.
  
• CIBC resumed coverage of First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) with a Sector Performer rating, as they believe shares are already pricing in the company's 2009 EPS potential.

• Morgan Stanley resumed coverage of Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) with an Underweight rating.
  
• US Steel (NYSE: X) was initiated with a Sector Performer rating and $117 target at CIBC.
  
• JP Morgan started SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR) with an Overweight rating and Evergreen Solar (ESLR) with a Neutral rating.

Analyst initiations: Restaurant sector, AMSC and FSLR originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Shares of US Steel (NYSE: X) are down 6% today. No one on Wall Street seemed to think much of the company's earnings.

Is it any wonder? The company reported third-quarter 2007 net income of $269 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, compared to second-quarter 2007 net income of $302 million, or $2.54 per diluted share, and third-quarter 2006 net income of $417 million, or $3.42 per diluted share. Total revenue rose slightly from $4.1 billion in the third quarter last year to $4.35 billion this year.

US Steel also said it expected poor results in the current quarter. Part of the issue driving down net income was the cost of an acquisition. The latest results included a charge of 23 cents a share for inventory acquired as part of the company's purchase in June of Lone Star Technologies Inc.

US Steel blamed imports from China for keeping its prices to customers low. Higher commodities prices also hurt the firm.

The problem for US Steel now is that China pressures and higher commodities prices are not likely to abate. That puts the company in a bind. Its shares trade in the middle of its 52-week range, changing hands today at a bit above $105. But if price and margin pressures stay as they are as 2008 begins, the stock could move back toward its recent lows around $80 reached just last August.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage

US Steel (X) loses its strength originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

US Steel(NYSE:X) is recently down $6.93 to $105.56. X reported Q3 EPS of $2.50 verses consensus estimates of $2.63. Goldman SCO say's "4Q guidance weak." X call option volume of 4,419 contracts compares to put volume of 3,214 contracts. X November option implied volatility of 45 is above its 26-week average of 40 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

WellCare Health(NYSE:WCG) volatility at 179 as WCG near three-year low on investigation. WCG is recently down $2.32 to $26.31. On 10/24 The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on 10/24/07 that law enforcement personnel with the FBI, the U.S. Office of Inspector General and Florida Attorney Generals Medicaid fraud control unit participated in the execution of a federal search warrant of WCG's Florida headquarters. WCG will report EPS on 11/5. WCG November option implied volatility of 179 is above its 26-week average of 46 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

Daily options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Option update 10-30-07: US Steel sells off EPS & Fundamentals originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• VNUS Medical Technologies (NASDAQ: VNUS) patent infringement lawsuit against Angiodynamics (NASDAQ: ANGO), Diomed Holdings (AMEX: DIO), Vascular Solutions (NASDAQ: VASC) begins.
• Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) to report Q3 earnings; conference call at 8:30am.

• Sirius Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) to report Q3 earnings; conference call at 8am.
• MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) to report Q3 earnings; conference call at 11am.
• U.S. Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) to report Q3 earnings; conference call at 2pm.

• Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) to report Q3 earnings; conference call at 8am.
• Smith Micro Software (NASDAQ: SMSI) to report Q3 earnings; conference call at 2pm.

• PDUFA date for Forest Laboratories (NYSE: FRX) and Mylan Laboratories' (NYSE: MYL) Nebivolol for hypertension.
• Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) to report October sales at 1pm.
• General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) to report October sales at 2pm.

• PDUFA Date for Sciele Pharma's (NASDAQ: SCRX) Sular formulation
• PDUFA Date for GlaxoSmithKline's (NYSE: GSK) Variza for major depression disorder

Market highlights for next week: Earnings releases continue... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.