20052006

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 20052006

 

Commission file number 1-16811

 

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 25-1897152
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2800

(Address of principal executive offices)

Tel. No. (412) 433-1121

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:

 


Title of Each Class  Name of Exchange on which Registered

United States Steel Corporation

Common Stock, par value $1.00

7% Series B Mandatory Convertible

             Preferred Shares

10% Senior Quarterly Income Debt Securities

  

 

New York Stock Exchange, Chicago Stock Exchange,

Pacific Exchange

New York Stock Exchange

New York Stock Exchange


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes    ü     No            

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes             No    ü    

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for at least the past 90 days.  Yes    ü    No            

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.          ü

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

Large accelerated filer      ü     Accelerated filer               Non-accelerated filer              

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes             No    ü    

 

Aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 20052006 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter): $3.9$8.6 billion. The amount shown is based on the closing price of the registrant’s Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape on that date. Shares of Common Stock held by executive officers and directors of the registrant are not included in the computation. However, the registrant has made no determination that such individuals are “affiliates” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

There were 108,832,518118,487,727 shares of U. S. Steel Corporation Common Stock outstanding as of February 27, 2006.26, 2007.

 

Documents Incorporated By Reference:

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 20062007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated into Part III.


INDEX

 

      

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  3

PART I

   
   Item 1.  

BUSINESS

  4
   Item 1A.  

RISK FACTORS

  22
   Item 1B.  

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

  27
   Item 2.  

PROPERTIES

  28
   Item 3.  

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

  29
   Item 4.  

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

  3536
      

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

  3536

PART II

   
   Item 5.  

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

  3637
   Item 6.  

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

  3839
   Item 7.  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  3940
   Item 7A.  

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

  6463
   Item 8.  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

  F-1
   Item 9.  

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

  6765
   Item 9A.  

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

  6765
   Item 9B.  

OTHER INFORMATION

  6765

PART III

   
   Item 10.  

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

  6866
   Item 11.  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

  6866
   Item 12.  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

  6967
   Item 13.  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

  6967
   Item 14.  

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

  6967

PART IV

   
   Item 15.  

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

  7068

SIGNATURES

  7775

GLOSSARY OF CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

  7876

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
DISCLOSURES ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  8077

TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES

  8380

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain sections of the Annual Report of United States Steel Corporation (U. S. Steel) on Form 10-K, particularly Item 1. Business, Item 3. Legal Proceedings, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, include forward-looking statements concerning trends or events potentially affecting U. S. Steel. These statements typically contain words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects” or similar words indicating that future outcomes are uncertain. In accordance with “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, these statements are accompanied by cautionary language identifying important factors, though not necessarily all such factors, that could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements. For additional factors affecting the businesses of U. S. Steel, see Item“Item 1A. Risk FactorsFactors” and “Supplementary Data – Disclosures About Forward-Looking Statements.” References in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “U. S. Steel”, “the Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to U. S. Steel and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated by the context.

PART I

 

Item 1. BUSINESS

 

U. S. Steel is an integrated steel producer with major production operations in the United States (U.S.) and Central Europe. An integrated producer uses iron ore and coke as primary raw materials for steel production. U. S. Steel has domestic annual raw steel production capability of 19.4 million net tons (tons) in the U.S. and Central European annual raw steel production capability of 7.4 million tons.tons in Central Europe. U. S. Steel is also engaged in several other business activities, most of which are related to steel manufacturing. These include the production of iron ore pellets from taconite (rock containing iron) in the United States and the production of coke in both the United States and Central Europe; and the production of iron ore pellets from taconite, transportation services (railroad and barge operations); and real estate operations.operations in the U.S.

 

Segments

 

During 2005,2006, U. S. Steel had three reportable operating segments: Flat-rolled Products (Flat-rolled), U. S. Steel Europe (USSE) and Tubular Products (Tubular). The results of several operating segments that do not constitute reportable segments are combined and disclosed in the Other Businesses category.

 

The Flat-rolled segment includes the operating results of U. S. Steel’s domesticNorth American integrated steel mills and equity investees involved in the production of sheet, tin mill products, and strip mill plate and rounds for Tubular, as well as all domestic coke production facilities.facilities in the U.S. These operations are principally located in the United States and primarily serve domestic customers in the service center, conversion, transportation (including automotive), container, construction and appliance markets. Effective May 20, 2003, the Flat-rolled segment includes the operating results of Granite City Works, Great Lakes Works, the Midwest Plant, ProCoil Company LLC (Procoil) and U. S. Steel’s equity interest in Double G Coatings Company L.P. (Double G), which were acquired from National Steel Corporation (National). In November 2003, U. S. Steel disposed of the Gary Works plate mill.

 

The acquisition of the assets of National on May 20, 2003, increased Flat-rolled’sFlat-rolled has annual raw steel production capability from 12.8 millions tons toof 19.4 million tons. Domestic rawRaw steel production was 16.4 million tons in 2006, 15.3 million tons in 2005 and 17.3 million tons in 2004 and 14.9 million tons in 2003, including results from the National assets following the acquisition. Domestic raw2004. Raw steel production averaged 84 percent of capability in 2006, 79 percent of capability in 2005 compared toand 89 percent of capability in 2004 and 88 percent of capability in 2003, recognizing the capability of National on a prorata basis.2004. All steel produced inby U. S. Steel’s domestic facilitiesSteel in the U.S. is continuous cast.

 

The USSE segment includes the operating results of U. S. Steel KosiceKošice (USSK), U. S. Steel’s integrated steel mill in Slovakia; and effective September 12, 2003, U. S. Steel Balkan (USSB), U. S. Steel’s integrated steel mill and other facilities in Serbia. Prior to September 12, 2003, this segment included the operating results of activities under certain agreements with the former owner of USSB. These agreements were terminated in conjunction with the USSB acquisition. USSE primarily serves customers in the central, western and westernsouthern European construction, conversion, service center, appliance, container, transportation (including automotive), and oil, gas and petrochemical markets. USSE produces and sells sheet, strip mill plate, tin mill and tubular precision tubeproducts, as well as heating radiators and specialty steel products.refractories.

 

The acquisition of USSB on September 12, 2003, increased USSE’sUSSE has annual raw steel production capability from 5.0 millions tons toof 7.4 million tons. USSE’s raw steel production was 7.1 million tons in 2006, 5.9 million tons in 2005 and 5.7 million tons in 2004 and 4.8 million tons in 2003, including results from USSB following the acquisition.2004. USSE’s raw steel production averaged 95 percent of capability in 2006, 80 percent of capability in 2005 compared toand 77 percent of capability in 2004 and 84 percent of capability2004. All steel produced in 2003, recognizing the capability of USSB on a prorata basis.U. S. Steel’s European facilities is continuous cast.

 

The Tubular segment includes the operating results of U. S. Steel’s domestic tubular production facilities.facilities in the U.S. These operations produce and sell both seamless and electric resistance weld (ERW)welded tubular products.products and primarily serve customers in the oil, gas and petrochemical markets. Tubular has the annual capability to produce 1.91.8 million tons of tubular products. The transfer price for steel rounds supplied by Flat-rolled is set at the beginning of the year based on expected total production costs and may be adjusted quarterly if actual production costs warrant.

 

All other U. S. Steel businesses not included in reportable segments are reflected in Other Businesses. These businesses are involved in the production and sale of iron ore pellets, transportation services and the management and development of real estate. Effective May 20, 2003, Other Businesses include

The transfer value of steel rounds and bands supplied to Tubular by Flat-rolled and the operating resultstransfer value of iron ore pellet operations in Keewatin, Minnesota and the Delray Connecting Railroad Company, which were acquired from National. Priorpellets supplied to the sale on June 30, 2003 of U. S. Steel’s coal mines and related assets,Flat-rolled by Other Businesses were involved inare set at the mining, processingbeginning of the year based on expected total production costs and sale of coal.

U. S. Steel controls domestic iron ore properties having proven and probable iron ore reserves in grades that canmay be processed by U. S. Steel’s domestic operations. At year-end 2005, these reserves were estimated to be 808 million recoverable short tons. All reserves are located in Minnesota. Approximately 20 percent of these reserves are owned and the remaining 80 percent are leased. Current lease expiration dates vary from five to sixty years in the future, with the largest expiring in 2058. Leases are routinely revised and extended.

U. S. Steel’s transportation business provides rail and barge transportation services to a number of U. S. Steel’s domestic facilities as well as other domestic customers in the steel, coal, chemicals, oil refining and forestadjusted quarterly if actual production industries.costs warrant.

 

For further information, see Note 63 to the Financial Statements.

Financial and Operational Highlights

 

Net Sales by Segment

Includes National Steel facilities from the date of acquisition on May 20,

2003, and USSB from the date of acquisition on September 12, 2003.

 

The following table sets forth the total net sales of U. S. Steel by segment for each of the last three years.

 

(Dollars in millions, excluding intersegment sales) 2005   2004   2003(a)

Flat-rolled(b)(c)

 $8,813   $9,827   $6,401

USSE

  3,336    2,839    1,817

Tubular

  1,546    941    573

Straightline(c)

          138
  

   

   

Total sales from reportable segments

  13,695    13,607    8,929

Other Businesses(d)

  344    368    399
  

   

   

Net sales

 $14,039   $13,975   $9,328
(a)Includes National from the date of acquisition on May 20, 2003, and USSB from the date of acquisition on September 12, 2003.
(b)Includes net sales from the 1314B Partnership effective January 1, 2004.
(c)As of January 1, 2004, residual results of Straightline are included in the Flat-rolled segment. Prior year results have not been restated as, prior to December 31, 2003, Straightline had a separate management structure and was a different entity than residual Straightline.
(d)Includes net sales from the management of mineral resources prior to February 2004, when U. S. Steel sold substantially all of the remaining mineral interests administered by our real estate business, and from the sale of coal prior to June 30, 2003, when U. S. Steel sold its coal mining business.
(Dollars in millions, excluding intersegment sales) 2006   2005   2004

Flat-rolled

 $9,607   $8,813   $9,827

USSE

  3,968    3,336    2,839

Tubular

  1,798    1,546    941
  

   

   

Total sales from reportable segments

  15,373    13,695    13,607

Other Businesses

  342    344    368
  

   

   

Net sales

 $15,715   $14,039   $13,975

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

 

Includes National Steel facilities from the date of acquisition on May 20,

2003, and USSB from the date of acquisition on September 12, 2003.

Income (Loss) from Operations by Segment(a)

 

The following table sets forth income (loss) from operations by segment for each of the last three years.

 

 Year Ended December 31,

 
   Adjusted(b)

  Year Ended December 31,

 
(Dollars in Millions) 2005 2004 2003  2006 2005 2004 

Flat-rolled(c)

 $602  $1,185  $(54)

Flat-rolled

 $600  $602  $1,185 

USSE

  502   439   214   714   502   439 

Tubular

  528   197   (25)  631   528   197 

Straightline(c)

        (70)
 


 


 


 


 


 


Total income from reportable segments

  1,632   1,821   65   1,945   1,632   1,821 

Other Businesses

  43   58   15   129   43   58 
 


 


 


 


 


 


Segment income from operations

 $1,675  $1,879  $80   2,074   1,675   1,879 

Retiree benefit expenses

  (267)  (257)  (107)  (243)  (267)  (257)

Other items not allocated to segments:

  

Workforce reduction charges

  (21)  (20)  (17)

Out of period adjustments

  (15)      

Asset impairment charge

  (5)      

(Loss)/gain from sale of certain assets

  (5)     43 

Environmental remediation at previously sold facility

     (20)   

Stock appreciation rights

     1   (23)

Property tax settlement gain

  70            70    

Stock appreciation rights

  1   (23)  (75)

Workforce reduction charges

  (20)  (17)  (621)

Environmental remediation at previously sold facility

  (20)      

Income from sale of certain assets

     43   47 

Gain on timber contribution to pension plan

        55 

Asset impairments

        (57)

Litigation items

        (25)

Costs related to Straightline shutdown

        (16)
 


 


 


 


 


 


Total income (loss) from operations

 $1,439  $1,625  $(719)

Total income from operations

 $1,785  $1,439  $1,625 
(a)See Note 63 to the Financial Statements for reconciliations and other disclosures required by FASStatement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131.

(b)Adjusted from amounts previously reported due to the change in inventory accounting method at USSK. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.

(c)As of January 1, 2004, residual results of Straightline are included in the Flat-rolled segment. Prior year results have not been restated as, prior to December 31, 2003, Straightline had a separate management structure and was a different entity than residual Straightline.

 

Steel Shipments

 

Includes National Steel facilities from the date of acquisition on May 20,

2003, and USSB from the date of acquisition on September 12, 2003.

Steel Shipments by Product

 

 

Steel Shipments by Product and Segment

 

The following tables set forthtable displays steel shipment data for U. S. Steel by segment and product for 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003.2004. Such data does not include shipments by joint ventures and other equity investees of U. S. Steel or shipments from Straightline for 2003.Steel.

 

(Thousands of Tons)

 

 Flat-rolled

 USSE

 Tubular

 Total

Product – 2006

 

Hot-rolled Sheets

 4,195 2,327  6,522

Cold-rolled Sheets

 4,479 1,535  6,014

Coated Sheets

 4,083 415  4,498

Tin Mill Products

 1,318 587  1,905

Tubular

  150 1,191 1,341

Semi-finished and Plates

 105 1,247  1,352
 
 
 
 

TOTAL

 14,180 6,261 1,191 21,632
 Flat-rolled

 USSE

 Tubular

 Total

 
 
 
 

Product – 2005

  

Hot-rolled Sheets

 3,779 1,960  5,739 3,779 1,960  5,739

Cold-rolled Sheets

 4,343 1,383  5,726 4,343 1,383  5,726

Coated Sheets

 3,657 405  4,062 3,657 405  4,062

Tin Mill Products

 1,388 561  1,949 1,388 561  1,949

Tubular

  140 1,156 1,296  140 1,156 1,296

Semi-finished and Plates

 129 762 891 129 762  891
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TOTAL

 13,296 5,211 1,156 19,663 13,296 5,211 1,156 19,663
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Product – 2004

  

Hot-rolled Sheets

 5,164 2,215  7,379 5,164 2,215  7,379

Cold-rolled Sheets

 4,587 1,172  5,759 4,587 1,172  5,759

Coated Sheets

 4,286 396  4,682 4,286 396  4,682

Tin Mill Products

 1,443 510  1,953 1,443 510  1,953

Tubular

  158 1,092 1,250  158 1,092 1,250

Semi-finished and Plates

 155 589  744 155 589  744
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TOTAL

 15,635 5,040 1,092 21,767 15,635 5,040 1,092 21,767
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Product – 2003

 

Hot-rolled Sheets

 4,495 1,777  6,272

Cold-rolled Sheets

 4,072 1,221  5,293

Coated Sheets

 3,215 383  3,598

Tin Mill Products

 1,105 320  1,425

Tubular

  145 882 1,027

Semi-finished and Plates

 630 1,003  1,633
 
 
 
 

TOTAL

 13,517 4,849 882 19,248
 
 
 
 

Steel Shipments by Market

 

 

Steel Shipments by Market and Segment

 

The following tables set forthtable displays steel shipment data for U. S. Steel by segment and major market for 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003.2004. Such data does not include shipments by joint ventures and other equity investees of U. S. Steel or shipments from Straightline for 2003.Steel. No single customer accounted for more than 10 percent of gross annual revenues; however, Tubular has one customer that accounts for more than 10 percent of its segment revenues.

 

(Thousands of Tons)

 

 Flat-rolled

 USSE

 Tubular

 Total

Major Market – 2006

 

Steel Service Centers

 3,241 1,367 1 4,609

Further Conversion – Trade Customers

 1,820 1,267 1 3,088

– Joint Ventures

 1,808   1,808

Transportation (Including Automotive)

 2,517 439 1 2,957

Construction and Construction Products

 1,263 1,526  2,789

Containers

 1,317 566  1,883

Appliances and Electrical Equipment

 1,198 512  1,710

Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals

  41 1,073 1,114

Export

 628  115 743

All Other

 388 543  931
 
 
 
 

TOTAL

 14,180 6,261 1,191 21,632
 Flat-rolled

 USSE

 Tubular

 Total

 
 
 
 

Major Market – 2005

  

Steel Service Centers

 3,172 807 4 3,983 3,172 807 4 3,983

Further Conversion:

 

Trade Customers

 1,638 1,302 1 2,941

Joint Ventures

 1,744   1,744

Further Conversion – Trade Customers

 1,638 1,302 1 2,941

– Joint Ventures

 1,744   1,744

Transportation (Including Automotive)

 2,449 372 2 2,823 2,449 372 2 2,823

Construction and Construction Products

 1,079 1,109  2,188 1,079 1,109  2,188

Containers

 1,297 531  1,828 1,297 531  1,828

Appliances and Electrical Equipment

 1,031 402  1,433

Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals

  33 1,055 1,088  33 1,055 1,088

Export

 515  94 609 515  94 609

All Other

 1,402 1,057  2,459 371 655  1,026
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TOTAL

 13,296 5,211 1,156 19,663 13,296 5,211 1,156 19,663
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Major Market – 2004

  

Steel Service Centers

 4,270 1,050 6 5,326 4,270 1,050 6 5,326

Further Conversion:

 

Trade Customers

 1,952 1,060 1 3,013

Joint Ventures

 2,017   2,017

Further Conversion – Trade Customers

 1,952 1,060 1 3,013

– Joint Ventures

 2,017   2,017

Transportation (Including Automotive)

 2,557 314 2 2,873 2,557 314 2 2,873

Construction and Construction Products

 1,774 1,090  2,864 1,774 1,090  2,864

Containers

 1,361 456  1,817 1,361 456  1,817

Appliances and Electrical Equipment

 829 328  1,157

Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals

  40 987 1,027  40 987 1,027

Export

 531  96 627 531  96 627

All Other

 1,173 1,030  2,203 344 702  1,046
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TOTAL

 15,635 5,040 1,092 21,767 15,635 5,040 1,092 21,767
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Major Market – 2003

 

Steel Service Centers

 4,165 797 9 4,971

Further Conversion:

 

Trade Customers

 1,526 1,293 50 2,869

Joint Ventures

 1,728 12  1,740

Transportation (Including Automotive)

 2,151 359 2 2,512

Construction and Construction Products

 1,309 1,226  2,535

Containers

 1,092 359  1,451

Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals

 32 40 692 764

Export

 484  129 613

All Other

 1,030 763  1,793
 
 
 
 

TOTAL

 13,517 4,849 882 19,248
 
 
 
 

Business Strategy

 

U. S. Steel’s strategy is based on our stated aspiration to be a conservative, responsible company that generates a competitive return on capital and meets our financial and stakeholder obligations. Within this value framework, our business strategy is to continue to increase our value-added product mix; to expand our global business platform; to improve our capital structure and strengthen our balance sheet; to improve our reliability and cost competitiveness; and to become a world leader in safety performance.and environmental performance; and to attract and retain a diverse workforce with the talent and skills needed for our long-term success.

 

In North America, we are focused on providing value-added steel products to our target markets where we believe that our leadership position, production and processing capabilities and technical service provide a competitive advantage. These products include advanced high strength steel and coated sheets for the automotive and appliance industries, sheets for the manufacture of motors and electrical equipment, galvanized and Galvalume® sheets for the construction industry, improved tin mill products for the container industry and oil country tubular goods. We significantly expanded our domestic value-added capability and strengthened our position in the automotive, container and construction industries with the 2003 acquisition of substantially all of the integrated steelmaking assets of National.

 

ThroughIn Europe, our November 2000 purchase of USSK in Slovakia, we initiated a major offshore expansion into the European market. We extended our presence in Central Europe in 2003 with the acquisition of USSB in Serbia. Our strategy is to be a leading European steel producer and thea prime supplier of steel to growing European markets, to growexpand our customer base in Europe by providing reliable delivery of high-quality steel and to invest in value-added facilities, including an automotive hot-dip galvanizing line at USSK that is currently under construction and scheduled for start-upstarted up in earlyFebruary 2007.

 

We will assess domesticU.S. and international expansion opportunities, including raw materials,material facilities, in light of changing global steel market conditions and long-term customer needs in order to maximize shareholder value; however, current high valuations reduce the appeal of a number of available opportunities. While we have most recently pursued expansion throughvalue. We may consider 100 percent acquisition we may also participate in future expansion throughopportunities, joint ventures acquisitions of less than 100 percent equity interests and other means.

 

Over the last three years, weWe have taken a balanced approach to allocation of our capital resources and free cash flow. We have made strategic investments domestically and in Europe, increased our capital expenditures in order to enhance our infrastructure as well as to take advantage of cost reduction and value-added market opportunities, improvedreduced our capital structure,debt, voluntarily funded our employee benefit obligations, increased our common stock dividends, repurchased our common stock and enhanced our liquidity.

 

For example, we acquired National and USSB in 2003. Subsequently, we have more than doubled our average annual capital spending over the 2003 level, focusing on investments such as tin mill, dynamo and automotive galvanizing facilities at USSK; the quench and temper line at Lorain Tubular Operations; major blast furnace projects at Gary Works, Granite City Works, USSK and USSB; refurbishing the steelmaking shop at USSB; upgrades to our ironmaking and cokemaking facilities in the U.S. and several significant environmental projects worldwide.projects. In 2004, we redeemed $259 million of certain senior notes with the proceeds from an equity offering of eight million common shares and retired $281 million of USSK long-term debt. In late 2006 and early 2007, we purchased $328 million of our 10 3/4% Senior Notes due August 1, 2008 and redeemed $49 million of our 10% Senior Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2031 with available cash. These debt enhancingreductions have enhanced our balance sheet, reducingreduced our interest cost and improvingimproved our maturity schedule. Over the last three years, we made voluntary contributions of $500$565 million to our main domestic defined benefit pension plan and $80$136 million to a qualified trust to fundour trusts for retiree medicalhealth care and life obligations.insurance. We increased our quarterly common stock dividend twice in 2005, doublingfour times over the last two years, quadrupling it from 5 cents per share to 1020 cents per share. We have repurchased 5.813.1 million shares of common stock for $254$696 million an average price of $43.55 per share.since our stock repurchase program was initially authorized in July 2005. Finally, we improved our liquidity by approximately $1.2$1.4 billion aftersince the National Steel and USSB acquisitions in 2003.

 

The acquisition of the National acquisitionSteel facilities and the 2003 labor agreements with the United Steelworkers of America (USWA)(USW) covering all of our domesticproduction facilities in the U.S. enabled us to achieve a major reductionproductivity-oriented improvement in the cost structure of our domesticU.S. business. We are now focusing on administrative cost reductionscompleted voluntary workforce reduction programs in our European operations.the U.S. in 2003 and at USSK in 2005, and began one at USSB in 2006. The first phase of the USSB program will be completed in the first quarter of 2007. The second phase of the program, which will be implemented in the first half of 2007, is expected to result in a reduction of no more than five percent of the workforce. Other ongoing cost improvement efforts include logistics and supply chain management improvements, global procurement initiatives, centralized processed products management and maintenance supplies management.

We are currently pursuing the potential company-wide benefits of implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to help us operate more efficiently. The implementation of an ERP system would provide the opportunity to streamline, standardize and centralize business processes in order to maximize cost effectiveness, efficiency and control across our global operations.

The foregoing statements of belief are forward-looking statements. Predictions regarding future cost savings are subject to uncertainties. Factors that may affect the amount of cost savings include the availability of a trained and optimally-sized workforce to operate our businesses and our ability to implement and maintain our cost reduction strategy.strategies. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements.

 

We significantly improved our safety performance in 2005.2006. On a global basis our OSHA recordable rate improved by 42%30 percent and we achieved a 65%26 percent reduction in the days away from work cases compared to 2004.2005.

Given the large number of employees eligible for retirement in the near future (see “Risk Factors – Other Risk Factors applicable to U. S. Steel”), recruiting, developing and retaining a diverse workforce and a world-class leadership team are crucial to the long-term success of our company.

 

We have also entered into a number of joint ventures with domestic and international partners to take advantage of market or manufacturing opportunities.

 

Steel Industry Background and Competition

 

The global steel industry is cyclical, and highly competitive and has historically has been characterized by excess world supply, which has restricted the ability of U. S. Steel and the industry to raise prices during periods of economic growth and resist price decreases during periods of economic contraction. In 2004, worldwide supply and demand were more in balance and supply was constrained by the availability of raw materials largely due to growing demand in China. This led to substantial price increases that continued into early 2005. Starting in the second quarter, excess service center inventory levels began to exert downward pressure on flat-rolled spot prices. Prices have strengthened recently as worldwide supply and demand returned to a more balanced position. U. S. Steel reduced production to respond to lower demand during much of 2005, and it has been reported that a number of domestic and international competitors did so as well. Current flat-rolled price levels are not nearly as high as those experienced in early 2005 and in late 2004. Supply and demand relationships worldwide are heavily influenced by supply and demand in China.overcapacity.

 

U. S. Steel is the seventhsixth largest steel producer in the world, the second largest integrated steel producer in North America and one of the largest integrated flat-rolled producers in Central Europe. U. S. Steel competes with many domesticU.S. and foreigninternational steel producers. Competitors include integrated producers which, like U. S. Steel, use iron ore and coke as primary raw materials for steel production, and mini-mills, which primarily use steel scrap and, increasingly, iron-bearing feedstocks as raw materials.

Mini-mills typically enjoy certain competitive advantages in the markets in which they compete throughrequire lower capital expenditures for construction of facilities and non-unionized work forces withmay have lower total employment costs.costs; however, these competitive advantages may be more than offset by the cost of scrap when scrap prices are high. Some mini-mills utilize thin slab casting technology to produce flat-rolled products and are increasingly able to compete directly with integrated producers of flat-rolled products, who are able to manufacture a broader range of products. Depending on market conditions, including market conditions for steel scrap, the production generated by flat-rolled mini-mills can have an adverse effect on U. S. Steel’s selling pricesSteel provides defined benefit pension and/or other postretirement benefits to approximately 88,000 retirees and shipment levels. beneficiaries. Mini-mills and most of our other competitors do not have comparable fixed retiree obligations.

Also, international competitors may have lower labor costs than U.S. producers and some are owned, controlled or subsidized by their governments, allowing their production and pricing decisions to be influenced by political and economic policy considerations, as well as prevailing market conditions. We also face competition in many markets from producers of materials such as aluminum, cement, composites, glass, plastics and wood.

Due primarily to growth in worldwide steel production, especially in China, prices for steelmaking commodities such as steel scrap, coal, coke and iron ore escalated to unprecedented levels in 2004 and these commodities remain very expensive. U. S. Steel’sOur balanced domestic raw materials position in the U.S. and limited dependence on purchased steel scrap has helped the competitive position of U. S. Steel’s domesticour U.S. operations. The steel industry also faces competition in many markets from producers of materials such as aluminum, cement, composites, glass, plastics and wood.

U. S. Steel has approximately 46,000 active employees worldwide and provides defined benefit pension and/or other postretirement benefits to approximately 114,000 retirees and beneficiaries. Domestic integrated producers that have emerged from bankruptcy proceedings and mini-mills do not have comparable fixed retiree obligations.

 

Steel imports to the United States, which reached all-time highs in 2006, accounted for an estimated 2531 percent of the domesticU.S. steel market in 2006, 25 percent in 2005 and 26 percent in 2004 and 19 percent in 2003. Foreign competitors typically have lower labor costs, and are often owned, controlled or subsidized by their governments, allowing their production and pricing decisions to be influenced by political and economic policy considerations as well as prevailing market conditions.2004. Increases in future levels of imported steel could reduce future market prices and demand levels for domestic steel.steel produced in our U.S. facilities.

 

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) are currently conducting five yearrecently completed their five-year “sunset” reviews of existing trade relief in four proceedings that include products of interestpertaining to U. S. Steel: Seamless Standard, Line and Pressure Pipe (SSLPP); Tin-Coated and Chromium-Coated Steel Sheet (Tinplate); Welded Pipe and Tube (Welded Pipe) and Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products (Corrosion-Resistant) and Carbon Cut to Length Plate (Cut to Length Plate). In these proceedings, the agencies will determine whether the existing trade relief should remain in effect.

The SSLPPCorrosion-Resistant proceeding involvesinvolved anti-dumping orders against product from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea; and countervailing duty orders against product from France and South Korea, all of which were put in place in 2000 against large diameter product from Japan and Mexico and small diameter product from the Czech Republic, Japan, Romania and South Africa.1993. The DOC has completed its investigations, findinghad found that dumping and subsidization would be likely to continue or recur if any of these orders is revoked. TheOn December 14, 2006, the ITC will hold a hearing in March 2006 and thereafter decide whetherrendered its decision that material injury to the domestic industry would be likely to continue or recur if any of the orders isfrom Germany or

South Korea were to be revoked.

The Tinplate proceeding involves an anti-dumping order put in place in 2000 against product from Japan. The DOC has completed its investigations, finding It also found that dumpingmaterial injury would not be likely to continue or recur if this order is revoked. The ITC will hold a hearing in April 2006 and thereafter decide whether injury to the domestic industry would be likely to continue or recur ifupon revocation of any of the other orders. Thus, the orders isfrom Germany and South Korea remain in place, while the other orders have been revoked. We are appealing the ITC’s determinations regarding Australia, Canada, France and Japan.

 

The Welded PipeCut to Length Plate proceeding includesinvolves both anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders against product from Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom; and antidumping orders against Finland, Germany, Poland, Romania and Taiwan, most of which were put in place in 1992 against product from Brazil, South Korea, Mexico and Taiwan.1993, with the exception of Taiwan which has been in place since 1979. The DOC has completed its investigations, findinghad found that dumping would be likely to continue or recur if any of these orders is revoked. TheOn December 14, 2006, the ITC will hold a hearing in May 2006 and thereafter decide whetherrendered its decision that material injury to the domestic industry would not be likely to continue or recur ifupon revocation of any of the orders. Thus, all the orders ishave been revoked.

 

The Corrosion-ResistantDOC and the ITC are currently conducting five year “sunset” reviews of other existing trade relief of interest to U. S. Steel: Seamless Pipe, Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG), Hot-Rolled Steel Products (Hot-Rolled) and Welded Large Diameter Line Pipe (Line Pipe).

The Seamless Pipe proceeding involves anti-dumping orders against product from Australia, Canada, France, Germany,Argentina, Brazil and Germany. The OCTG proceeding involves anti-dumping orders against product from Argentina, Italy, Japan, Korea and Mexico. All of these orders were imposed in 1995. The ITC conducted an injury hearing on seamless pipe on February 8, 2007 and the OCTG proceeding is scheduled for April 12, 2007. The ITC votes on these cases are scheduled for April 19, 2007 and May 31, 2007, respectively. The orders against OCTG from Argentina and Mexico are subject to various challenges and appeals before the U.S. Court of International Trade, NAFTA binational panels and a World Trade Organization review panel. Adverse decisions in these cases could cause those orders to be prematurely terminated.

The Hot-Rolled proceeding involves anti-dumping orders against product from Argentina, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Romania, South KoreaAfrica, Taiwan, Thailand and Ukraine; and countervailing duty orders against product from France, GermanyArgentina, India, Indonesia, South Africa and South Korea, all of whichThailand. These orders were putimposed in place in 1993.2001. The DOC is engaged in its investigations to determine whether dumping would be likely to continue or recur if any of thesethe orders is revoked. The ITC is expected towill hold its injury hearing in this matter in abouton September 2006.19 and September 20, 2007, and will vote on November 15, 2007.

 

Other sunset reviews that will be initiated in 2006 are: Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina, Italy, Japan, Korea and Mexico and SeamlessThe Line Pipe from Argentina, Brazil and Germany (both in June 2006); Hot-Rolled Sheet and Strip from Argentina, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand and Ukraine (August 2006); and Welded Large Diameter Line Pipeproceeding involves antidumping orders against product from Japan and Mexico (November 2006).Mexico. These orders were imposed in December 2001 and February 2002, respectively. The DOC is engaged in investigations to determine whether dumping would be likely to continue or recur if any of the orders is revoked. The ITC will hold its injury hearing in the second half of 2007.

 

U. S. SteelWe cannot predict the impact of these rulings on future levels of imported steel or on our financial results. We expect to continue to experience high levels of competition from imports and will continue to monitor imports closely and file anti-dumping and countervailing duty petitions if unfairly traded imports adversely impact, or threaten to adversely impact, financial results.

 

U. S. Steel’s domestic businesses in the U.S. are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the storage, handling, emission and discharge of environmentally sensitive materials. U. S. Steel believes that itsour major domestic and many European integrated steel competitors are confronted by substantially similar conditions and thus does not believe that itsour relative position with regard to such competitors is materially affected by the impact of environmental laws and regulations. However, the costs and operating restrictions necessary for compliance with environmental laws and regulations may have an adverse effect on U. S. Steel’s competitive position with regard to domestic mini-mills, and some foreign steel producers and producers of materials which compete with steel, all of which may not be required to undertake equivalent costs in their operations. In addition, the specific impact on each competitor may vary depending on a number of factors, including the age and location of its operating facilities and its production methods. U. S. Steel is also responsible for remediation costs related to itsour prior disposal of environmentally sensitive materials. Domestic integrated facilities thatMost of our competitors have emerged from bankruptcy proceedings, mini-mills and other competitors generally do not have similarfewer historic liabilities. For further information, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings – Environmental Proceedings” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Environmental Matters, Litigation and Contingencies.”

USSK and USSB conduct business primarily in Centralcentral, western and Westernsouthern Europe and are subject to market conditions in those areas which are influenced by many of the same factors that affect domestic markets, as well as matters peculiarspecific to international markets such as quotas and tariffs. USSK and USSB are affected by worldwide overcapacity in the steel industry, the cyclical nature of demand for steel products and the sensitivity of that demand to worldwide general economic conditions. In particular, USSK and USSB are subject to economic conditions, environmental regulations and political factors in Europe, which if changed could negatively affect results of operations and cash flow. These economic conditions, environmental regulations and political factors include, but are not limited to, taxation, nationalization, inflation, currency fluctuations, increased regulation, limits on emissions (see “Environmental Matters” for a discussion regarding carbon dioxide emissions limits, which are

applicable to European Union (EU) member countries), limits on production, and quotas, tariffs and other protectionist measures. USSK and USSB are affected by the volatility of raw materials prices, and USSB has recently been affected by curtailments of natural gas available infrom the one pipeline that supplies Serbia. USSKUSSE is also subject to foreign currency exchange risks because its revenues are primarily in euros and its costs are primarily in U.S. dollars, and Slovak koruna. USSB is subject to foreign currency exchange risks because its revenues are primarily in euros and Serbian dinars and its costs are primarily in U.S. dollarskoruna and Serbian dinars.

 

Facilities and Locations

 

Flat-rolled

 

With the exception of the Fairfield pipe mill, the operating results of all the facilities within U. S. Steel’s domestic integrated steel mills in the U.S. are included in Flat-rolled. These facilities include Gary Works, Great Lakes Works, Mon Valley Works, Granite City Works and Fairfield Works.

 

Gary Works, located atin Gary, Indiana, has annual raw steel production capability of 7.5 million tons. Gary Works has three coke batteries, four blast furnaces, six steelmaking vessels, a vacuum degassing unit and four continuous slab casters. In January 2006, we completed a major repair and rebuild of our largest blast furnace, which is located at Gary Works. Gary Works generally consumes all the coke it produces and sells several coke by-products. Finishing facilities include a hot strip mill, two pickling lines, two cold reduction mills, three temper mills, a double cold reduction line, two tin coating lines, an electrolytic galvanizing line and a hot dip galvanizing line. Principal products include hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated sheets and tin mill products. Gary Works also produces strip mill plate. The Midwest Plant and East Chicago Tin are operated as part of Gary Works.

 

The Midwest Plant, located in Portage, Indiana, finishes primarily hot-rolled bands. Midwest facilities include a pickling line, two cold reduction mills, two temper mills, a double cold reduction mill, two hot dip galvanizing lines, a tin coating line and a tin-free steel line. Principal products include tin mill products and hot dip galvanized, cold-rolled and electrical lamination sheets. Midwest was acquired from National.

 

East Chicago Tin is located in East Chicago, Indiana. Facilities include a pickling line, a cold reduction mill, a temper mill, a tin coating line and a tin-free steel line.

 

Great Lakes Works, located in Ecorse and River Rouge, Michigan, has annual raw steel production capability of 3.8 million tons. Great Lakes facilities include three blast furnaces, two steelmaking vessels, a vacuum degassing unit, two slab casters, a hot strip mill, a high-speed pickling line, a tandem cold reduction mill, a temper mill, an electrolytic galvanizing line and a hot dip galvanizing line. Principal products include hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated sheets. Great Lakes Works was acquired from National.

 

Mon Valley Works consists of the Edgar Thomson Plant, located in Braddock, Pennsylvania; the Irvin Plant, located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania; the Fairless Plant, located in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania; and Clairton Works, located in Clairton, Pennsylvania. Mon Valley Works has annual raw steel production capability of 2.9 million tons. Facilities at the Edgar Thomson Plant include two blast furnaces, two steelmaking vessels, a vacuum degassing unit and a slab caster. Irvin Plant facilities include a hot strip mill, two pickling lines, a cold reduction mill, a temper mill, a hot dip galvanizing line and a hot dip galvanizing/Galvalume® line. The Fairless Plant operates a hot dip galvanizing line. Principal products from Mon Valley Works include hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated sheets, as well as coke and coke by-products produced at Clairton Works.

 

Clairton Works is comprised of twelve coke batteries, two of which are operated for the Clairton 1314B Partnership (1314B Partnership), which is discussed below. Clairton (including the 1314B Partnership) produced 4.3 million tons of coke in 2005, 4.3 million tons in 2004 and 4.5 million tons in 2003. Approximately 7679 percent of annual2006 production (including the 1314B Partnership) was consumed by U. S. Steel facilities in 2005 and the remainder was sold to or swapped with other domestic steel producers. Several coke by-products are sold to the chemicals and raw materials industries.

U. S. Steel is the sole general partner of and owns an equity interest in the 1314B Partnership. As general partner, U. S. Steel is responsible for operating and selling coke and coke by-products from the partnership’s two coke batteries located at U. S. Steel’s Clairton Works.batteries. U. S. Steel’s share of profits during 20052006 was 45.75 percent. U. S. Steel consolidates the results of the 1314B Partnership in itsour financial statements.

Granite City Works, located in Granite City, Illinois, has annual raw steel production capability of 2.8 million tons. Granite City’s facilities include two coke batteries, two blast furnaces, two steelmaking vessels, two slab casters, a hot strip mill, a pickling line, a tandem cold reduction mill, a hot dip galvanizing line and a hot dip galvanizing/Galvalume® line. Granite City Works generally consumes all the coke it produces and sells several coke by-products. Principal products include hot-rolled and coated sheets. Granite City Works was acquired from National.

 

Fairfield Works, located in Fairfield, Alabama, has annual raw steel production capability of 2.4 million tons. Fairfield Works facilities included in Flat-rolled are a blast furnace, three steelmaking vessels, a vacuum degassing unit, a slab caster, a rounds caster, a hot strip mill, a pickling line, a cold reduction mill, two temper/skin pass mills, a hot dip galvanizing line and a hot dip galvanizing/Galvalume® line. Principal products include hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated sheets, and steel rounds for Tubular.

 

ProCoil Company LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary located in Canton, Michigan, slits, cuts to length and cutspress blanks steel coils to desired specifications, provides laser welding services and warehouses material to service automotive customers. ProCoil was acquired from National.

 

U. S. Steel participates in a number of joint ventures which are included in Flat-rolled, most of which are conducted through subsidiaries or other separate legal entities. All such joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method. The significant joint ventures and other investments are described below, all of which are 50 percent owned except Feralloy Processing Company (FPC) and Acero Prime, S.R.L. de C.V. (Acero Prime), in which U. S. Steel holds 49 percent and 40 percent interests, respectively. For financial information regarding joint ventures and other investments, see Note 1510 to the Financial Statements.

 

U. S. Steel and Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. (POSCO) of South Korea participate in a joint venture, USS-POSCO Industries (USS-POSCO), located in Pittsburg, California. The joint venture markets high quality sheet and tin mill products, principally in the western United States. USS-POSCO produces cold-rolled sheets, galvanized sheets, tin plate and tin-free steel from hot bands principally provided by U. S. Steel and POSCO, which each provide about 50 percent of its requirements. Total shipments by USS-POSCO were 1.4 million tons in 2006, 1.2 million tons in 2005 and 1.4 million tons in 2004 and 1.2 million tons in 2003.2004.

 

U. S. Steel and Kobe Steel, Ltd. of Japan participate in a joint venture, PRO-TEC Coating Company (PRO-TEC). PRO-TEC owns and operates two hot-dip galvanizing lines in Leipsic, Ohio, which primarily serve the automotive industry. PRO-TEC’s annual capability is approximately 1.2 million tons. U. S. Steel supplies PRO-TEC with all of its requirements of cold-rolled sheets and markets all of its products. Total shipments by PRO-TEC were 1.2 million tons in 2006, 1.1 million tons in 2005 2004 and 2003.1.2 million tons in 2004.

 

U. S. Steel and Severstal North America, Inc. participate in Double Eagle Steel Coating Company (DESCO), a joint venture which operates an electrogalvanizing facility located in Dearborn, Michigan. The facility can coat both sides of sheet steel with free zinc or zinc alloy coatings, primarily for use in the automotive industry. DESCO processes steel supplied by each partner and each partner markets its share of the output. In 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003,2004, DESCO’s total production was 645 thousand tons, 693 thousand tons and 650 thousand tons, and 683 thousand tons, respectively, of electrogalvanized steel.respectively.

 

U. S. Steel and Mittal Steel Co. NV participate in the Double G Coatings Company, L.P. (Double G) joint venture, a hot dip galvanizing and Galvalume® facility located near Jackson, Mississippi, which primarily serves the construction industry. U. S. Steel’s interest was acquired from National on May 20, 2003. Double G’s production was 286 thousand tons in 2006, 234 thousand tons in 2005 and 316 thousand tons in 2004 and 288 thousand tons in 2003.2004.

 

U. S. Steel and Worthington Industries, Inc. participate in a joint venture known as Worthington Specialty Processing, which operates a steel processing facility in Jackson, Michigan. The plant is operated by Worthington Industries, Inc. The facility is capable of processing master steel coils into both slit coils and sheared first operation blanks including rectangles, trapezoids, parallelograms and chevrons. It is designed to meet specifications for the

automotive, appliance, furniture and metal door industries. In 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003,2004, Worthington Specialty Processing shipments were 271 thousand tons, 342 thousand tons and 326 thousand tons, and 282 thousand tons, respectively.

U. S. Steel and Olympic Steel, Inc. participate in a joint venture to process laser welded sheet steel blanks, Olympic Laser Processing (OLP). Due to challenging business conditions, it was decided in January 2006 to shut down OLP.

 

FPC,Feralloy Processing Company (FPC), a joint venture between U. S. Steel and Feralloy Corporation, converts coiled hot strip mill plate into sheared and flattened plates for shipment to customers. The plant, located in Portage, Indiana, has a temper mill linked to a cut-to-length leveling line. The line provides stress-free, leveled product with a superior surface finish. FPC provides processing services to the joint venture partners and other steel consumers and service centers. FPC had annual revenues of $8.9 million in 2006, $6.6 million in 2005 and $5.1 million in 2004 and $3.4 million in 2003.2004.

 

Chrome Deposit Corporation (CDC), a joint venture between U. S. Steel and Court Holdings, reconditions finishing work rolls, which require grinding, chrome plating, and/or texturing. The rolls are used on rolling mills to provide superior finishes on steel sheets. CDC has seven locations across the United States, with all locations near major steel mills. In 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003,2004, CDC had annual revenues of $19.9 million, $18.3 million $19.9 million and $19.0$19.9 million, respectively.

 

U. S. Steel, along with Feralloy Mexico, S.R.L. de C.V. and Mitsui Development Co., Inc., participates in a joint venture, Acero Prime. Acero Prime operates in Mexico with facilities in San Luis Potosi and Ramos Arizpe, and a leased warehouse in Toluca. Acero Prime provides slitting, warehousing and logistical services.

 

U. S. Steel carriesowns a Research and Technology Center located in Munhall, Pennsylvania where we carry out a wide range of applied research, development and technical support functions at a leased Research and Technology Center located in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. In 2006, the research, development and technical support functions currently performed in Monroeville will be relocated to a newly-acquired facility in Munhall, Pennsylvania.functions.

 

U. S. Steel also owns an automotive technical center in Troy, Michigan. This 43,000 square foot facility brings together automotive sales, service, distribution and logistics services, product technology and applications research ininto one location. Much of U. S. Steel’s work in developing new grades of steel to meet the demands of automakers for high-strength, light-weight and formable materials is carried out at this location.

 

USSE

 

USSE consists of USSK, USSB and several subsidiaries of each.

 

USSK is headquartered at its integrated facility in Kosice,Košice, Slovakia, which has annual raw steel production capability of 5.0 million tons. This facility has two coke batteries, three blast furnaces, four steelmaking vessels, a vacuum degassing unit, two dual strand casters, a hot strip mill, two pickling lines, two cold reduction mills, a temper mill, a temper/double cold reduction mill, two hot dip galvanizing lines, two tin coating lines, three dynamo lines and a color coating line.

In addition, USSK owns 100 percent Construction of Walzwerk Finow GmbH, locatedan automotive quality hot-dip galvanizing line was completed in eastern Germany, which producesFebruary 2007 and ships about 90 thousand tons per year of welded precision steel tubes and cold-rolled specialty shaped sections from both cold-rolled and hot-rolled product supplied primarily by USSK.start-up is progressing. USSK also has facilities for manufacturing heating radiators, spiral welded pipe and refractories.

In addition, USSK has a full service research laboratory. In conjunction with our research facility in Munhall, Pennsylvania, the USSK lab supports Centers of Excellence specialty efforts in cokemaking, electrical steels, design and instrumentation, and ecology.

 

USSB has an integrated plant in Smederevo, Serbia which has annual raw steel production capability of 2.4 million tons. Facilities at this plant include two blast furnaces, three steelmaking vessels, two slab casters, a hot strip mill, a pickling line, a cold reduction mill, a temper mill and a temper/double cold reduction mill. Other facilities include a tin mill in Sabac, a limestone mine in Kucevo and a river port and a foundry,in Smederevo, all located in Serbia.

 

Tubular

 

Seamless products are produced on a mill located at Fairfield Works in Fairfield, Alabama, and on two mills located in Lorain, Ohio. ERWThe Fairfield mill has annual production capability of 750 thousand tons and is supplied with steel rounds exclusively from Fairfield Works. The Lorain mills have combined annual production capability of 780 thousand tons and purchase steel rounds from Fairfield Works and other external sources. Electric resistance welded products are produced on a mill located in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, which is operated by Camp-Hill Corporation. The McKeesport mill has annual production capability of 315 thousand tons and purchases flat-rolled products from Mon Valley Works and other U. S. Steel locations.

Other Businesses

U. S. Steel’s Other Businesses are involved in the production and sale of iron-bearing taconite pellets, transportation services and the management and development of real estate.

 

U. S. Steel’s iron ore pellet operations are located at Mt. Iron (Minntac) and Keewatin (Keetac), Minnesota. During 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003,2004, these operations produced 22.1 million, 22.3 million 22.9 million and 18.622.9 million tons of iron ore pellets, respectively, including those produced at Keewatin after its acquisition in May 2003.respectively.

 

U. S. Steel owns 100 percent of Transtar, Inc. Transtar and its subsidiaries (the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company in Illinois and Indiana; the Lake Terminal Railroad Company in Ohio; Union Railroad Company and McKeesport Connecting Railroad Company in Pennsylvania; the Birmingham Southern Railroad Company, Fairfield Southern Company, Inc., Mobile River Terminal Company, and Warrior and Gulf Navigation Company, all located in Alabama; and Delray Connecting Railroad Company in Michigan, which was acquired from National)Michigan) comprise U. S. Steel’s transportation business.

 

U. S Steel owns, develops and developsmanages various real estate assets, which include approximately 200,000 acres of surface rights primarily in Alabama, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. In addition, U. S. Steel participates in joint ventures that are developing real estate projects in Alabama, Illinois and Maryland.

 

Raw Materials and Energy

 

Historically, supplies of raw materials and energy used to produce steel werehave been more than sufficient and costs were relatively stable. In the past several years there has been a tightening of raw material availability and substantial increases in costs. As an integrated producer, U. S. Steel’s primary raw materials are iron units in the form of iron ore or taconite, carbon units in the form of coal and coke (which is produced from coal) and steel scrap. The amounts of such raw materials needed to produce a ton of steel will fluctuate based upon the specifications of the final steel products, the quality of raw materials and, to a lesser extent, differences among steel producing equipment. In broad terms, U. S. Steel estimates that it consumes about 1.4 tons of coal to produce one ton of coke and that it consumes over 1.2 tons of iron ore pellets and a little less than 0.4 tons of coke for each ton of raw steel produced. While we believe that these estimates are useful for planning purposes, substantial variations occur. They are presented in order to give a general sense of raw material consumption related to steel production.

 

Iron Ore

 

 

 

With the iron ore facilities at Minntac and Keetac, which contain an estimated 808786 million short tons of recoverable reserves, U. S. Steel has the capability of being completely self-sufficient for its domestic iron ore requirements to support blast furnace production.production in the U.S. Recoverable tons means the tons of product that can be used internally or delivered to a customer after considering mining and beneficiation or preparation losses. Any surplus pellet production is sold to domestic and foreign consumers, including USSE. Depending on market conditions and transportation costs, internal iron ore requirements may be satisfied by the purchase of pellets from third parties, permitting the sale of additional pellets on the open market.

 

USSE purchases most of its iron ore requirements from third parties, but has also purchased iron ore from U. S. Steel’s domestic iron ore facilities. U. S. Steel believesfacilities in the U.S. We believe that supplies of iron ore, adequate to meet USSE’s needs, are available at competitive market prices. The main sources of iron ore for USSE are Russia and Ukraine, with supplemental supplysupplies coming from Slovakia, Venezuela and Brazil.

Coal

 

All of U. S. Steel’s domestic coal requirements in the U.S. are purchased from third parties. U. S. Steel believesWe believe that supplies of coal adequate to meet itsour domestic needs are available from third parties at competitive market prices. Coal supplies were disrupted during late 2003 and throughout 2004 largely due to the declarations of force majeure by several of U. S. Steel’s major coal suppliers. Supplies were disruptedsuppliers, and in early 2005 due to river lock closures resulting from flooding. U. S. Steel has entered into contracts at competitive market prices for itsour domestic coal requirements in 2006.2007.

 

USSK’s coal requirements are purchased from third parties. U. S. Steel believesWe believe that supplies of coal adequate to meet USSK’s needs are available from third parties at competitive market prices. The main sources of coal for USSK include Poland, the Czech Republic, the United States, Russia and Ukraine. USSK has entered into contracts at competitive market prices for its coal requirements in 2006.2007. USSB, which purchases coke, does not currently require coal to support its operations.

 

Coke

 

 

Domestically,In the U.S., U. S. Steel operates cokemaking facilities at itsour Clairton, Pennsylvania; Gary, Indiana; and Granite City, Illinois locations. These facilities have the capability to supply the majority of U. S. Steel’s domestic metallurgical coke requirements for blast furnace production. A prior relationship with a coke facility adjacent toproduction in the Great Lakes Works expired at year-end 2005.U.S. Blast furnace coal injection processes at Gary Works, Great Lakes Works and Fairfield Works reduce U. S. Steel’s domestic coke requirements. U. S. SteelWe routinely sellssell or swaps aportionswap a portion of the coke production from itsour Clairton facility. To the extent that it is necessary or appropriate considering existing needs and/or applicable transportation costs, coke is purchased from or swapped with domesticU.S. and international suppliers or other end-users. Weend-users.We are evaluating alternatives to add cokemaking capacityfacilities and to enhance energy recovery efficiencies.recoveries.

 

USSK operates a cokemaking facility that primarily serves the steelmaking operations at USSK. Depending on market conditions and operational schedules, USSK may purchase small quantities of coke on the open market and may occasionally supply a portion of USSB’s needs. Blast furnace coal injection processes at USSK reduce its coke requirements. USSB purchases predominantlysources substantially all of its coke requirements from third party suppliers. U. S. Steel believesWe believe that supplies of coke, adequate to meet USSK’s and USSB’s needs, are available at competitive market prices. The main sources of coke for USSK and USSB in 20062007 are expected to be Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Bosnia, Hungary, China and the Czech Republic.

Limestone

 

All domestic limestone requirements in the U.S. are purchased from third parties. U. S. Steel believesWe believe that supplies of limestone adequate to meet itsour domestic needs are readily available from third parties at competitive market prices.

 

All limestone requirements for USSK are purchased from a third party under a long-term contract. USSB sourcesWe source approximately 50 percent of itsUSSB’s limestone requirements from third party suppliers with the balance coming from production from a limestone mine under itsour direct control. U. S. Steel believesWe believe that supplies of limestone adequate to meet USSB’s needs are available from third parties at competitive market prices.

 

Zinc and Tin

We believe that supplies of zinc and tin required to fulfill our requirements for U.S. and European operations are available from third parties at competitive market prices.

Scrap and Other Materials

 

SuppliesWe believe that supplies of steel scrap tin, zinc and other alloying and coating materials required to fulfill U. S. Steel’sour requirements for domesticU.S. and European operations are available from third parties at competitive market prices. Generally, approximately 40 percent of U. S. Steel’sour scrap requirements is internally generated through its normal operations. U. S. Steel utilizes some hedging and derivative purchasing practices with regard to domestic requirements for tin and zinc.

 

Natural Gas

 

 

U. S. Steel purchasesWe purchase all of its domesticour natural gas requirements from third parties. U. S. Steel believesWe believe that supplies of natural gas adequate to meet its domesticour U.S. needs are available from third parties at competitive market prices. Currently, aboutAbout 60 percent of U. S. Steel’sour domestic natural gas purchases are based on solicited bids, on a monthly basis, from various vendors; approximately 15 percent are made through long-term contracts; and the remainder are made daily. U. S. Steel utilizes some hedging and derivativepurchasing practicesdaily or with regard tophysical forward positions. We have executed physical forward positions consistent with anticipated domestic requirementsbusiness needs for natural gas because of the volatility of natural gas markets. As shown in the graph,domestic natural gas prices have increased significantly over the last several years.

 

USSK and USSB purchase their natural gas requirements from third parties. U. S. Steel believesWe believe that supplies of natural gas, adequate to meet USSE’s needs, are normally available from third parties at competitive market prices. Natural gas prices in Slovakia and Serbia have been less volatile than in the U.S.; however, prices increased in 20042005 and 20052006 and are expected to increase again in 2006. USSB has recently2007. We experienced curtailments of its natural gas supplies.supplies at USSB in early 2006. Serbia relies upon a single pipeline system for its natural gas, making USSB and other industrial customers in Serbia vulnerable to disruptions in this system.

 

Commercial Sales of Product

 

U. S. Steel characterizes itsour sales as contract if sold pursuant to an agreement with defined pricing and a one year or longer duration, and as spot if sold pursuant to a shorter term contract. In 20052006 approximately 50%, 25%50 percent, 25 percent and 5%5 percent of sales by Flat rolled,Flat-rolled, USSE and Tubular, respectively, were contract sales. U. S. Steel does not consider sales backlog to be a meaningful measure since volume commitments in most contracts are based on each customer’s specific monthly orders.

Environmental Matters

 

U. S. Steel maintains a comprehensive environmental policy overseen by the Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee of the U. S. Steel Board of Directors. The Environmental Affairs organization has the responsibility to ensure that U. S. Steel’s operating organizations maintain environmental compliance systems that are in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The Executive Environmental Committee, which is comprised of officers of U. S. Steel, is charged with reviewing itsour overall performance with various environmental compliance programs. Also, U. S. Steel, largely through the American Iron and Steel Institute and the International Iron and Steel Institute, continues its involvementis involved in the development of various air, water and waste regulations with federal, state and local governments and international stakeholders concerning the implementation of cost effective pollution reductionenvironmental strategies.

 

The domestic businesses of U. S. SteelSteel’s businesses in the U.S. are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. These environmental laws and regulations include the Clean Air Act (CAA)

with respect to air emissions; the Clean Water Act (CWA) with respect to water discharges; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) with respect to solid and hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal; and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) with respect to releases and remediation of hazardous substances. In addition, all states where U. S. Steel operates have similar laws dealing with the same matters. These laws are constantly evolving and becoming increasingly stringent. The ultimate impact of complying with existing laws and regulations is not always clearly known or determinable due in part to the fact that certain implementing regulations for laws such as RCRA and the CAA have not yet been promulgated orand in certain instances are undergoing revision. These environmental laws and regulations, particularly the CAA, could result in substantially increased capital, operating and compliance costs.

 

U. S. Steel has incurred and will continue to incur substantial capital, operating and maintenance, and remediation expenditures as a result of environmental laws and regulations. In recent years, these expenditures have been mainly for process changes in order to meet CAA obligations and similar obligations in Europe, although ongoing compliance costs have also been significant. To the extent these expenditures, as with all costs, are not ultimately reflected in the prices of U. S. Steel’s products and services, operating results will be adversely affected.reduced. U. S. Steel believes that itsour major domestic and many European integrated steel competitors are confronted by substantially similar conditions and thus does not believe that its relative position with regard to such competitors is materially affected by the impact of environmental laws and regulations. However, the costs and operating restrictions necessary for compliance with environmental laws and regulations may have an adverse effect on U. S. Steel’sour competitive position with regard to domestic mini-mills, and some foreign steel producers and producers of materials which compete with steel, all of which may not be required to undertake equivalent costs in their operations. In addition, the specific impact on each competitor may vary depending on a number of factors, including the age and location of its operating facilities and its production methods. U. S. Steel is also responsible for remediation costs related to itsour prior disposal of environmentally sensitive materials. Domestic integrated facilities thatMost of our competitors have emerged from bankruptcy proceedings, mini-mills and other competitors generally do not have similarfewer historic liabilities.

 

USSK is subject to the environmental laws of Slovakia and the European Union (EU). The environmental requirements of Slovakia and the EU are comparable to domestic environmental standards. USSK’s environmental expensesstandards in 2005 included fees and/or penalties totaling approximately $8 million.the U.S. There are no legal proceedings pending against USSK involving environmental matters. USSK has entered into an agreement with the Slovak government to bring its facilities into environmental compliance in order to meet environmental standards as established from time to time by Slovak law. Onea current compliance project isfor a primary dedusting system forat Steel Shop No. 2 to meet air emission standards for particulates. TheseThe Slovak government has established November 30, 2007 as a new deadline for USSK to meet compliance standards are applicable January 1, 2007at Steel Shop No. 2, and USSK is attemptinganticipates meeting these standards prior to complete the project by this deadline; however, project completion is currently anticipated for the first quarter 2007. Failure to meet the applicable deadline could result in the imposition of corrective measures by the Slovak Ministry of Environment (Ministry).deadline.

 

While the United States has not ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the European Commission (EC), in order to provide EU member states a mechanism for fulfilling their Kyoto commitments, has established establishes its own CO2limits for every EU member state. In 2004, the EC approved a national allocation plan (NAP I) for Slovakia that reduced Slovakia’s originally proposed CO2 allocation by approximately 14 percent, and following that decision the Slovak Ministry of the Environment (Ministry) imposed an 8 percent reduction to the amount of CO2 allowances originally requested by USSK. Subsequently, USSK filed legal actions againsagainst the EC and the Ministry

challenging these reductions. In addition, USSK is evaluating a number of alternatives ranging from purchasing CO2 allowances needed to reducing steel production, and it is not currently possible to predict the impact of these decisions on USSK. However, the actualcover its anticipated shortfall of allowances for the initialNAP I allocation period (2005 through 2007) will depend upon a number of internal and external variables and the effect of that shortfall on USSK cannot be predicted at this time.. Based on the fair value of purchased credits and current market value of CO2 allowances remaining to be purchased for the anticipated shortfall of allowances related to production in 2005,through December 31, 2007, a long-term other liability of $4$7 million has been charged to income and recordedwas recognized on the balance sheet. Domestically, whilesheet as of December 31, 2006. On November 29, 2006, the EC issued a decision that Slovakia would be granted 25 percent fewer CO2 allowances than were requested in Slovakia´s NAP II, for the allocation period 2008 through 2012. Both Slovakia and USSK have filed legal actions against the EC to challenge this decision. The Ministry has not yet allocated Slovakia’s CO2 allowances to companies within Slovakia for the NAP II period. The potential financial and/or operational impacts of NAP II are not currently determinable.

While ratification of the Kyoto Protocol does not seem likely in the near term,U.S. has not occurred, there remains the possibility that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may impose limitations on greenhouse gases.gases may be imposed. The impact on U. S. Steel’sour domestic operations cannot be estimated.estimated at this time.

 

USSB is subject to the environmental laws of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro.Serbia. These laws are currently less restrictive than either the EU or U.S. standards, but this is expected to change over the next several years in anticipation of possible EU accession. Under the terms of the acquisition, USSB will be responsible for only those costs and liabilities associated with environmental events occurring subsequent to the completion of an environmental baseline study. The study was completed in June 2004 and submitted to the Government of Serbia in accordance with the terms of the acquisition.Serbia.

For further information, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings – Environmental Proceedings” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Environmental Matters, Litigation and Contingencies.”

 

Air

 

The CAA imposes stringent limits on air emissions with a federally mandated operating permit program and civil and criminal enforcement sanctions. The principal impact of the CAA on U. S. Steel is on the cokemaking and primary steelmaking operations, as described in this section.

 

The CAA requires the regulation of hazardous air pollutants and development and promulgation of Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standards. It was determined in 1995 that the Chrome Electroplating MACT did not apply to steel mill sources; however, theThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that MACT standards applicable to these sources would be forthcoming. To date, there has been no action taken. U. S. Steel facilities that potentially would be affected are the electrolytic tinning lines at Gary Works and the tin-free steel lines at East Chicago Tin and the Midwest Plant. The EPA MACT standards for integrated iron and steel plants requirerequired compliance by May 22, 2006. The taconite iron ore processing MACT requiresrequired compliance by October 30, 2006. U. S. Steel anticipates that additionaladded emissions control equipment will be needed to comply with the taconite iron ore processing MACT at Minntac. Keetac has installed an air scrubber for that purpose. Costs associated with compliance with these MACT standards are included in the capital expenditures disclosed in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Environmental Matters, Litigation and Contingencies.”

 

The CAA specifically addressed the regulation and control of coke oven batteries. U. S. Steel has elected to comply with the Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) standards and believes it will be able to meet the current LAER standards. The LAER standards are expected to be further revised in 2010 and additional health risk-based standards are expected to be adopted in 2020. The Phase II Coke MACT for pushing, quenching and battery stacks requiresrequired compliance by April 14, 2006. The EPA is developing regulations to address Regional Haze, the impact of which could be significant to U. S. Steel, but the cost cannot be reasonably estimated until the final regulations are promulgated and, more importantly, the states implement their State Implementation Plans covering their standards. For additional information regarding significant enforcement actions, capital expenditures and costs of compliance, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings – Environmental Proceedings” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Environmental Matters, Litigation and Contingencies.”

 

In July 1997, EPA announced a new standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) under the CAA National Ambient Air Quality Standards. At the same time, it promulgated the new eight-hour ozone standard. It is anticipated that these programs could result in significant cost to U. S. Steel, however it is impossible to estimate the magnitude of these costs at this time as the programs are beginning to be developed and implementation is not expected until between 2010 and 2020.

Water

 

U. S. Steel maintains the necessary discharge permits as required under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program of the CWA, and conducts itsour operations to be in compliance with such permits. For

additional information regarding enforcement actions, capital expenditures and costs of compliance, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings – Environmental Proceedings” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Environmental Matters, Litigation and Contingencies.”

 

Solid Waste

 

U. S. Steel continues to seek methods to minimize the generation of hazardous wastes in itsour operations. RCRA establishes standards for the management of solid and hazardous wastes. Besides affecting current waste disposal practices, RCRA also addresses the environmental effects of certain past waste disposal operations, the recycling of wastes and the regulation of storage tanks. Corrective action under RCRA related to past waste disposal activities is discussed below under “Remediation.” For additional information regarding significant enforcement actions, capital expenditures and costs of compliance, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings – Environmental Proceedings” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Environmental Matters, Litigation and Contingencies.”

 

Remediation

 

A significant portion of U. S. Steel’s currently identified environmental remediation projects relate to the remediation of former and present operating locations. A number of these locations were sold by U. S. Steel and

are subject to cost-sharing and remediation provisions in the sales agreements. Projects include completion of the remediation of the Grand Calumet River, remediation of the former Geneva Works and the closure and remediation of permitted hazardous and non-hazardous waste landfills.

 

U. S. Steel is also involved in a number of remedial actions under CERCLA, RCRA and other federal and state statutes, particularly third party waste disposal sites where disposal of U. S. Steel-generated material occurred, and it is possible that additional matters may come to itsour attention which may require remediation. For additional information regarding remedial actions, capital expenditures and costs of compliance, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings – Environmental Proceedings” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Environmental Matters, Litigation and Contingencies.”

 

Property, Plant and Equipment Additions

 

For property, plant and equipment additions, including capital leases, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Financial Condition, Cash Flows and Liquidity – Cash Flows” and Notes 1611 and 2520 to the Financial Statements.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2005,2006, U. S. Steel had approximately 22,000 employees totaled approximately 21,000 domesticallyin the United States and approximately 25,00022,000 in Europe. Most domestic hourly employees of U. S. Steel’s steel, coke and iron ore pellet facilities in the U.S. are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the USWA,USW, which expires in September 2008 and contains a no-strike provision. At Granite City Works, employees who work in the cokemaking and blast furnace operations are represented by the International Chemical Workers Union; and a small number of employees are represented by the Bricklayers and Laborers International unions. Agreements with these unions expire in November and December 2008, and also contain no-strike provisions. Domestic hourlyHourly employees engaged in transportation activities in the U.S. are represented by the USWAUSW and other unions and are covered by collective bargaining agreements with varying expiration dates. In Europe, most represented employees at USSK are represented by the OZ Metalurg union and are covered by an agreement that expires in December 2007, which is subject to annual wage negotiations. Most2007. Represented employees at USSB are represented by three unions and are covered by a three-year collective bargaining agreement that expires in November 2006, which is also subject2009. Wage increases have been agreed to for all three years; therefore, there will be no annual wage negotiations. On February 10, 2006, USSB and two of the three unions agreed to the hourly base earnings for 2006 and signed an annex to the collective bargaining agreement. As of the date of this filing, the largest labor union at USSB had not agreed to the negotiated 2006 hourly base earnings or signed the annex.

 

Available Information

 

U. S. Steel’s Internet address iswww.ussteel.com.www.ussteel.com U. S. Steel posts its. We post our annual report on Form 10-K, itsour quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and itsour proxy statement to itsour web site as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). U. S. SteelWe also postspost all press releases and earnings releases to itsour web site.

All other filings with the SEC are available via a direct link on the U. S. Steel web site to the SEC’s web site,www.sec.gov.

 

Also available on the U. S. Steel web site are U. S. Steel’s Corporate Governance Principles, our Code of Ethical Business Conduct and the charters of the Audit & Finance Committee, Compensation & Organization Committee and Corporate Governance & Public Policy Committee of the Board of Directors. These documents and the Annual Report on Form 10-K are also available in print to any shareholder who requests them. Such requests should be sent to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, United States Steel Corporation, 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-2800 (telephone: 412-433-4801).

 

U. S. Steel does not intend to incorporate the contents of any web site into this document.

 

Other Information

 

Information on net sales, depreciation, capital expenditures and income (loss) by reportable segments and for Other Businesses and on net sales and assets by geographic area are set forth in Note 63 to the Financial Statements.

For significant operating data for U. S. Steel for each of the last five years, see “Five-Year Operating Summary” on pages F-60F-53 and F-61.F-54.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Risk Factors Concerning the Steel Industry

 

Steel consumption is cyclical and worldwide overcapacity in the steel industry and the availability of alternative products have resulted in intense competition, which may have an adverse effect on profitability and cash flow.

 

Steel consumption is highly cyclical and generally follows general economic and industrial conditions both worldwide and in various smaller geographic areas. The steel industry has historically been characterized by excess world supply. Thissupply, which has led to substantial price decreases during periods of economic weakness, which have not been offset by commensurate price increases during periods ofweakness. Future economic strength.downturns could decrease the demand for our products. Substitute materials are increasingly available for many steel products, which further reduces demand for steel.

 

Rapidly growing demand and supply in China and other developing economies, which may increase faster than increases in demand, may result in additional excess worldwide capacity and falling steel prices.

 

Over the last several years, steel consumption in China and other developing economies such as India has increased at a rapid pace. Steel companies have responded by developing plans to rapidly increase steel production capability in these countries. Steel production, especially in China, has been expanding rapidly and couldappears to be well in excess of Chinese demand depending on continuing demand growth rates.demand. Because China is now the largest worldwide steel producer by a significant margin, any significant excess Chinese capacity excess could have a major impact on world steel trade and prices if this excess production is exported to other markets.

Increased imports of steel products into the U.S. could negatively affect domestic steel prices and demand levels and reduce profitability of domestic producers.

Steel imports to the United States accounted for an estimated 31 percent of the domestic steel market in 2006, 25 percent in 2005 and 26 percent in 2004. Foreign competitors may have lower labor costs, and some are owned, controlled or subsidized by their governments, which allows their production and pricing decisions to be influenced by political and economic policy considerations as well as prevailing market conditions. Increases in future levels of imported steel could reduce future market prices and demand levels for domestic steel. The recent expiration of a number of antidumping and countervailing duty orders may facilitate additional imports. Several more antidumping and countervailing duty orders applicable to steel products are currently under review by the relevant government agencies. Expiration of these orders could result in even greater import levels.

 

Increases in prices and limited availability of raw materials and energy may constrain operating levels and reduce profit margins.

 

Steel producers require large amounts of raw materials – iron ore or other iron containing material, steel scrap, coke, coal and coalzinc for integrated producers such as U. S. Steel, and scrap and zinc for mini-mill producers. Both integrated and mini-mill producers consume large amounts of energy. Over the last several years, prices for raw materials and energy, in particular natural gas and zinc, have increased significantly. In many cases these price increases have been a greater percentage than price increases for the sale of steel products. U. S. Steel and other steel producers have periodically been faced with problems in receivingobtaining sufficient raw materials and energy in a timely manner, resulting in production curtailments. USSB is dependent upon availability of natural gas in Serbia, which is dependent upon a single pipeline. Serbia has experienced major curtailments during periods of peak demand in Eastern Europe and Russia. These production curtailments and escalated costs have reduced profit margins and may continue to do so in the future.

Increased imports of steel products into the U.S. could negatively affect domestic steel prices and demand levels and reduce profitability of domestic producers.

Steel imports to the United States accounted for an estimated 25 percent of the domestic steel market in 2005, 26 percent in 2004 and 19 percent in 2003. Foreign competitors typically have lower labor costs, and are often owned, controlled or subsidized by their governments, which allows their production and pricing decisions to be influenced by political and economic policy considerations as well as prevailing market conditions. Import levels may also be impacted by decisions of government agencies under U.S. trade laws. Increases in future levels of imported steel could reduce future market prices and demand levels for domestic steel.

 

Environmental compliance and remediation could result in substantially increased capital requirements and operating costs.

 

Domestic steelSteel producers in the U.S. are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. These laws continue to evolve and are becoming increasingly stringent. The

ultimate impact of complying with such laws and regulations is not always clearly known or determinable because regulations under some of these laws have not yet been promulgated or are undergoing revision. Environmental laws and regulations, particularly the Clean Air Act, could result in substantially increased capital, operating and compliance costs.

 

International environmental requirements vary. While standards in the European Union (EU) and Japan are generally comparable to domesticU.S. standards, other nations have substantially lesser requirements that may give competitors in such nations a competitive advantage.

 

Unplanned equipment outages and other unforeseen disruptions may reduce our results of operations.

 

Our steel production depends on the operation of critical pieces of equipment, such as blast furnaces, casters and hot strip mills. It is possible that we could experience prolonged periods of reduced production due to unplanned equipment failures.failures at our facilities or those of our key suppliers. It is also possible that operations may be disrupted due to other unforeseen circumstances such as power outages, explosions, fires, floods, accidents and severe weather conditions. Availability of suppliesraw materials and delivery of products to customers could also be affected by logistical disruptions (shortages(such as shortages of barges, rail cars or rail cars)trucks). To the extent that lost production could not be compensated for at unaffected facilities and depending on the length of the outage, our sales and our unit production costs could be adversely affected.

 

Risk Factors concerningConcerning U. S. Steel Legacy Obligations

 

Many lawsuits have been filed against U. S. Steel involving asbestos-related injuries, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operation and cash flow.

 

U. S. Steel is a defendant in a large number of cases in which approximately 8,4003,700 claimants actively allege a variety of respiratory and other diseases based on alleged exposure to asbestos. Many of these cases involve multiple claimants (often hundreds or thousands) and defendants (typically from fifty to more than one hundred). It is possible that we may experience large judgments against us in the future that could have an impact upon the number of future claims filed against us and on the amount of future settlements, which would have an adverse impact on our profitability and cash flow.

 

Our retiree employee health care and retiree life insurance plan costs, most of which are unfunded obligations, and our pension plan costs in the U.S. are higher than those of many of our competitors. These plans create a competitive disadvantage and negatively affect our profitability and cash flow.

 

We maintain defined benefit retiree health care and life insurance and defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans covering most of our domesticU.S. employees and former employees upon their retirement. As of December 31, 2005,2006, approximately 114,000109,000 current employees, retirees and beneficiaries are receivingparticipating in the plans to receive pension and/or medical benefits. U. S. Steel’s underfunded benefit obligations for retiree medical and life insurance (other benefits) were $2.3$2.2 billion at year-end 2005.2006. Most of these underfunded obligationsour other benefits and pension benefits are subject to collective bargaining agreements with unionized workforces and will be subject to future negotiations. Other postretirement benefit expense isMinimum contributions to the main qualified pension plan are controlled under ERISA and other government regulations. Substantial cash contributions will be required to fund other benefits and pension benefits. Total costs for pension plans and other benefits are expected to be approximately $111$237 million in 2006.

2007.

Many domestic and international competitors do not provide defined benefit retiree health care and life insurance and pension plans, and other international competitors operate in jurisdictions with government sponsored health care plans that may offer them a cost advantage. Several domestic competitors provide defined contribution health care and pension plans with contributions increased based upon profitability. This will provide these competitors with a significant competitive advantage during periods of low profits.

 

Our defined benefit pensionU. S. Steel contributes to a multiemployer plan costs are higher than those of our competitors. These plans create a competitive disadvantage and negatively affect our profitability and cash flow.

covering pensions for unionized workers. We have noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering manylegal and contractual requirements for future funding of this plan, which will have a negative effect on our domestic employees and former employees upon their retirement. The funded statuscash flows. In addition, funding requirements for participants could increase as a result of these plans declined from an overfunded positionany underfunding of $1.2 billion at year-end 2001 to an underfunded position of $606 million at year-end 2005. Minimum contributions to these plans is controlled under ERISA and other government regulations and substantial cash contributions may be required. The amount of annual contributions may be substantially increased if Congress adopts pension reform legislation such as that currently under consideration. Pension benefits are subject to collective bargaining agreements with unionized workforces and will be subject to future negotiations.this plan.

Most domestic and international competitors do not provide defined benefit pension plans, but may provide defined contribution pension plans with contributions increasing based upon profitability. This will provide these competitors with a significant competitive advantage during periods of low profits.

We have higher environmental remediation costs than our competitors. This creates a competitive disadvantage and negatively affects our profitability and cash flow.

 

U. S. Steel is currently involved in approximately 60numerous remediation projects at currently operating facilities, facilities that have been closed or sold to third parties and other sites where material generated by U. S. Steel was deposited. In addition, there are numerous other former operating or disposal sites that could become the subject of remediation.

 

Environmental remediation costs and related cash requirements of many of our competitors may be substantially less than ours. Many international competitors do not face similar laws in the jurisdictions where they operate. Numerous domesticU.S. competitors have substantially shorter operating histories than we do, resulting in less exposure for environmental remediation. DomesticU.S. competitors that have obtained relief under the Bankruptcy Code may have been released from certain environmental obligations that existed prior to the bankruptcy filing.

 

Other Risk Factors applicableApplicable to U. S. Steel

We may be unable to recover cost increases as we supply customers with steel under long-term fixed price sales contracts.

Historically approximately 50 percent of U. S. Steel’s flat-rolled product sales in the United States have been based on sales contracts with durations of at least one year. These contracts generally have a fixed price or a price that will fluctuate with changes in a defined index. To the extent that raw materials, energy, labor or other costs increase over the terms of the various contracts, U. S. Steel may not be able to recover these cost increases from customers with fixed price agreements. U. S. Steel currently enters into forward purchases to establish future prices for a portion of our required natural gas and zinc needs; however, we remain at risk for our remaining requirements. We are also at risk in the event that future prices decline below the prices that the forward purchases have established.

Customer payment defaults could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Many of our customers operate in cyclical industries and could experience financial difficulties in times of economic downturn. In some cases, these difficulties may result in bankruptcy filings or cessation of operations. If customers experiencing financial problems default on paying amounts owed to us, we may not be able to collect these amounts or recognize expected revenue. Any material payment defaults by our customers could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Also, a material payment default could cause a default, or a reduction in the amount of receivables available for sale, under our receivables sale program.

 

The terms of our indebtedness may restrict our ability to pay dividends.

 

Under the terms of our 10 3/4% Senior Notes due 2008 and our 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2010 (collectively, the “Senior Notes”)(Senior Notes), we are not able to pay dividends on capital stock unless wemust meet certain restricted payment tests.tests in order to pay dividends or make certain investments.

 

The terms of our indebtedness and our accounts receivable program contain restrictive provisions that may limit our flexibility.

 

We have Senior Notes outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $726$378 million as of December 31, 2005.2006. The Senior Notes impose significant restrictions on us such as limits on additional borrowings and certain investments and the use of funds from asset sales. Our $600 million revolving credit agreement secured by inventory (Inventory Facility) prohibits us from selling certain principal properties and imposes additional restrictions if the amount available to be borrowed under that agreement is less than $100 million. Such restrictions include maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio and limitations on capital expenditures and investments. The Senior Notes, the revolving credit agreement and some of our other loan facilities and leases have provisions that may cause a default under one of these agreements to become a default under the others. These covenants may affect our ability to operate our business and may limit our ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities.

Rating agencies may downgrade our credit ratings, which would make it more difficult for us to raise capital and would increase our financial costs.

 

Any downgrade in our credit ratings wouldmay make raising capital more difficult, wouldmay increase the cost of future borrowings, and wouldmay affect the terms onunder which we purchase goods and services. In addition, the fees payable underservices, and may limit our receivables sales program would increase and the amountability to take advantage of receivables eligible for sale could be reduced.potential business opportunities.

 

“Change in control” clauses may require us to immediately purchase or repay debt.

 

Upon the occurrence of “change in control” events specified in our Senior Notes, inventory facilityInventory Facility and various other loan documents,contracts and leases, the holders of our indebtedness may require us to immediately purchase or repay that debt on less than favorable terms. We may not have the financial resources to make these purchases and repayments, and a failure to purchase or repay such indebtedness would trigger cross-acceleration clauses under the Senior Notes and other indebtedness.

 

We have deferred tax assets that we may not be able to realize.

 

As of December 31, 2005,2006, U. S. Steel had net federal, foreign and state deferred tax assets of $486$465 million. Although management believes that it is more likely than not that future operating results and tax planning strategies generating sufficient future taxable income can be utilized to realize the net deferred tax assets, there can be no assurance that we will be able to generate such results or implement these strategies.

 

Our international operations expose us to uncertainties and risks from abroad, which could negatively affect our results of operations.

 

USSK, located in the Slovak Republic,Slovakia, and USSB, located in Serbia, constitute nearly 28%28 percent of our total raw steel production capability, and accounted for 24%25 percent of net sales and 40 percent of income from operations for 2005.2006. Both USSK and USSB are subject to economic conditions and political factors in Europe, which if changed could negatively affect theirour results of operations and cash flow. Political factors include, but are not limited to, taxation, nationalization, inflation, currency fluctuations, increased regulation and quotas, tariffs and other protectionist measures. USSK and USSB are also subject to foreign currency exchange risks.

 

Any future international acquisitions would expose us to similar risks.

 

Natural gas supplies to USSB may be curtailed and such curtailments would have a negative effect on our profitability and cash flows.

USSB is dependent upon availabilityThe quantity of natural gas in Serbia, which is dependent upon a single pipeline. Serbia has experienced major curtailments during periods of peak demand in Eastern Europe. Such curtailments have forced USSB to interrupt steel production and finishing operations in the past and this could recur in the future.

The carbon dioxide emission limits establishedallowances awarded by the European Commission may limit the amount of steel that can be produced at USSK andor force USSK to purchase emissions allowances, negatively affectaffecting our results of operations and cash flow.

 

The European Commission (EC) has established a carbon dioxide (CO2) emission limitstrading scheme for EU member countries. Under this program Slovakia has received fewer CO2 emissions allowances than it requested for both the first period (2005 through 2007) and second period (2008 through 2012). The Slovak Ministry of the Environment, has reducedin turn, awarded USSK fewer allowances than USSK had requested for the amount of CO2 thatfirst period, and is likely to award USSK may emit.fewer allowances than requested for the second period. USSK is purchasing emissions allowances needed to cover its anticipated shortfall for the first period and, as to future periods, we may be required to reduce itsUSSK’s production or purchase emission credits,allowances, either of which may have a negative impact on income and cash flow. See “Item 1. Business – Environmental Matters.”

Adoption of greenhouse gas policies in the U.S. could negatively affect our results of operations and cash flows.

While ratification of the Kyoto protocol in the U.S. has not occurred, there remains the possibility that limitations on greenhouse gases may be imposed. Any such limitations could have a negative effect on income and cash flow.

 

Our business requires substantial expenditures for debt service, contingent obligations, capital investment, operating lease, capital commitmentsleases and maintenance expenditures that we may be unable to fulfill.fund.

 

With approximately $1.6 billion$1,025 million of debt outstanding as of December 31, 2005,2006, we have substantialsignificant debt service requirements. Interest and other financial costs, excluding foreign currency losses, interest income, capitalized

interest and the adjustment from the Gary property tax settlement, totaled $124 million in 2005 and are expected to be about the same in 2006; however, interest and other financial costs will change with changes to our capital structure.

Our operations are capital intensive. For the five-year period ended December 31, 2005,2006, total capital expenditures were $2.2$2.5 billion. USSK has a commitment to the Slovak government for a capital improvements program over a period commencing with the acquisition date and ending on December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2005, the remaining commitment under this program was $53 million. At December 31, 2005,2006, our domestic contract commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment totaled $82$186 million and we were obligated to make aggregate lease payments of $376$270 million under operating leases.

 

In addition to capital expenditures and lease payments, we spend significant amounts for maintenance of raw material, raw steel and steel-finishing production facilities, including periodic relines or rebuilds of our seventeen blast furnaces.

 

As of December 31, 2005,2006, we had contingent obligations consisting of indemnity obligations under active surety bonds, trusts and letters of credit totaling approximately $133$124 million, guarantees of approximately $10$2 million of indebtedness for unconsolidated entities and contractual purchase commitments under purchase orders and “take or pay” arrangements of approximately $3.9$2.9 billion, plus contingencies under the sale of our mining assets of approximately $79 million. As the general partner of the Clairton 1314B Partnership, L.P., we are obligated to fund cash shortfalls incurred by that partnership but may withdraw as the general partner if we are required to fund in excess of $150 million in operating cash shortfalls. As of December 31, 2005, we were also contingently liable for $2 million of debt and other obligations of Marathon.

 

Our business may not generate sufficient operating cash flow, or external financing sources may not be available in amounts sufficient, to enable us to service or refinance our indebtedness or to fund other liquidity needs. We intend indefinitely to reinvest undistributed foreign earnings overseas; however, if we need to repatriate funds in the future to satisfy our liquidity needs, the tax consequences would reduce income and cash flow.

 

U. S. Steel is exposed to uninsured losses.

 

U. S. Steel’s insurance coverage against catastrophic casualty and business interruption exposures contains certain common exclusions, substantial deductibles and self insurance retentions.

 

Our collective bargaining agreements may limit our flexibility.

 

The collective bargaining agreement with the USWAUSW contains provisions that prohibit us from pursuing any North American transaction involving steel or steel-related assets without the consent of the USWA,USW, grants the USWAUSW a right to bid on any sale of one or more facilities covered by the collective bargaining agreement, and requires us to make reasonable and necessary capital expenditures to maintain the competitive status of our domestic facilities.facilities and requires mandatory pre-funding of a trust for retiree health care and life insurance based on, among other factors, dividend and pension funding levels. That agreement also restricts our ability to trade, sell or use foreign-produced coke and iron ore in North America, and further requires that the ratio of non-USWAnon-USW employees to USWAUSW employees at our domestic facilities not exceed 1one to 5.five.

While other domestic integrated unionized steel producers have similar requirements in their agreements with the USW, some foreign and non-union domestic producers are not subject to such requirements.

 

Strikes, work stoppages and customer concern about the possibility of strikes, particularly upon the expiration of our major domestic collective bargaining agreement, could adversely impact our relationships with our customers which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, mini-mill producers, and certain foreign competitors and producers of comparable products do not have unionized work forces. This may place us at a competitive disadvantage.

 

While other domestic integrated unionized steel producers have similar requirements in their agreements with the USWA, foreign and non-union domestic producers are not subject to such requirements.

U. S. Steel is involved in multiemployer plans covering pensions and other postretirement benefit costs. We have legal and contractual requirements for future funding of these plans, which will have a negative effect on our cash flows. In addition, funding requirements for participants could increase as a result of any underfunding of these plans.

U. S. Steel is subject to work stoppages as a result of periodic labor negotiations at facilities in Europe.

Most employees at USSK and USSB are represented by unions pursuant to agreements that expire in December 2007 and November 2006, respectively, both of which are subject to annual wage rate negotiations. Any strike or work stoppage upon expiration of the current agreements or as a result of the inability to agree on annual wage rates could have significant negative effects on results of operations.

Customer payment defaults could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Many of our customers operate in cyclical industries and could experience financial difficulties in times of economic downturn. In some cases, these difficulties may result in bankruptcy filings or cessation of operations. If customers experiencing financial problems default on paying amounts owed to us, we may not be able to collect these amounts or recognize expected revenue. Any material payment defaults by our customers could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

There are risks associated with acquisitions.

 

The success of recent acquisitions and any future acquisitions will depend substantially on our ability to integrate the acquired operations successfully with existing operations. If we are unable to integrate new operations successfully, our financial results and business reputation could suffer. Recent acquisitions in the steel industry have involved prices significantly higher than the prices we paid for our recent acquisitions.acquisitions in 2003. Such prices will make it more difficult to achieve adequate financial returns. Additional risks associated with acquisitions are the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns, the potential loss of key employees and customers of the acquired companies, the possible assumption of unknown liabilities, potential disputes with the sellers, and the

inherent risks in entering markets or lines of business in which we have limited or no prior experience. International acquisitions may present unique challenges and increase the Company’s exposure to the risks associated with foreign operations.

 

Provisions of Delaware Law, our governing documents and our rights plan may make a takeover of U. S. Steel more difficult.

 

Certain provisions of Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and our rights plan could make more difficult or delay our acquisition by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise and the removal of incumbent directors. These provisions are intended to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids, even though such a transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price.

 

Approximately one third of U. S. Steel’s U.S.-based non-union workforce will be eligible for retirement in the next five years.

Over the last few years we have intensified our recruitment, training and retention efforts so that we may continue to optimally staff our operations. Failure to do so could negatively affect our future performance.

We may experience difficulties implementing our enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

We are currently pursuing the potential company-wide benefits of implementing an ERP system to help us operate more efficiently. This is a complex project which would occur in several phases over the next several years. There can be no assurance that we can successfully implement an ERP program without experiencing difficulties or that the program will improve our global operations. In addition, we cannot guarantee that the expected benefits of implementing an ERP system will be realized or that realized benefits will outweigh the costs of implementation.

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

Item 2. PROPERTIES

 

The following table lists U. S. Steel’s main properties, their locations and their products and services:

 

North American Operations    

Property


 

Location


 

Products and Services


Gary Works Gary, Indiana Sheets; Tin Mill;mill; Strip mill plate; Coke

Midwest Plant

 Portage, Indiana Sheets; Tin Millmill

East Chicago Tin

 East Chicago, Indiana Tin Millmill
Great Lakes Works Ecorse and River Rouge, Michigan Sheets
Mon Valley Works    

Irvin Plant

 West Mifflin, Pennsylvania Sheets

Edgar Thomson Plant

 Braddock, Pennsylvania Slabs

Fairless Plant

 Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania Galvanized sheets

Clairton Works

 Clairton, Pennsylvania Coke
Clairton 1314B Partnership(a) Clairton, Pennsylvania Coke
Granite City Works Granite City, Illinois Sheets; Coke
Fairfield Works Fairfield, Alabama Sheets; Tubular
ProCoil Company LLC Canton, Michigan Steel processing; Warehousing
USS-POSCO Industries(b) Pittsburg, California Sheets; Tin Millmill
PRO-TEC Coating Company(b) Leipsic, Ohio Galvanized sheets
Double Eagle Steel Coating Company(b) Dearborn, Michigan ElectrogalvanizedGalvanized sheets
Double G Coatings
Company, L.P.
(b)
 Jackson, Mississippi Galvanized and Galvalume® sheets
Worthington Specialty Processing(b) Jackson, Michigan Steel processing
Feralloy Processing
Company
(b)
 Portage, Indiana Steel processing
Chrome Deposit Corporation(b) Various Roll processing
Acero Prime, S.R.L. de C.V.(b) San Luis Potosi and Ramos Arizpe, Mexico Steel processing; Warehousing
Lorain Tubular Operations Lorain, Ohio Tubular
Minntac iron ore operations Mt. Iron, Minnesota Iron ore pellets
Keetac iron ore operations Keewatin, Minnesota Iron ore pellets
Transtar Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania Transportation services
International Operations    

Property


 

Location


 

Products and Services


U. S. Steel KosiceKošice Kosice,Košice, Slovakia Sheets; Tin Mill;mill; Strip mill plate; Tubular; Coke

Walzwerke Finow GmbH

Finow, GermanyPrecision steel tubes; Specialty shaped sections
U. S. Steel Balkan Smederevo, Sabac and Kucevo, Serbia 

Sheets; Tin Mill;mll; Strip mill plate; Limestone

(a)A consolidated partnership in which U. S. Steel owns less than 100 percent
(b)Equity investee

 

With the exception of properties acquired from National Steel on May 20, 2003 and our joint ventures, U. S. Steel or itsour predecessors have owned most of itsour domestic properties for at least 30 years with no material adverse claims asserted. In connection with the acquisition of National acquisition,Steel facilities, U. S. Steel obtained title reports and insurance covering each of the properties obtained. In addition, the Bankruptcy Court order provided that U. S. Steel acquired all of the assets free and clear of any liabilities, rights restrictions or other interests. In the case of the real property and buildings of USSK, certified copies of the property registrations were obtained and examined by local counsel prior to the acquisition. In the case of USSB, the Serbian bankruptcy law provides that USSBwe acquired itsUSSB’s assets free and clear of any prior claims.

Several steel production facilities are leased. The caster facility at Fairfield, Alabama is subject to a lease expiring in 2012, with an option to purchase or to extend the lease. A coke battery at Clairton, Pennsylvania is subject to a lease through 2012, at which time title will pass to U. S. Steel. This facility was subleased to the Clairton 1314B Partnership until July 2, 2004. A ladle metallurgy and caster facility at Ecorse, Michigan iswas subject to a lease expiring in 2007, with an option2007. In the fourth quarter of 2006, U. S. Steel committed to purchase the facility and, accordingly, this asset was included in property, plant and equipment at the end of the lease term.December 31, 2006. The electrolytic galvanizing facility at Ecorse, Michigan is subject to a lease expiring in 2007. In 2005, U. S. Steel made an irrevocable decision to purchase the electrolytic galvanizing facility at lease expiration. At Gary Works and the Midwest Plant in Indiana, U. S. Steel has a supply agreementsagreement for various utility services with third parties who owna company which owns a cogeneration facilitiesfacility located on U. S. Steel property. The Gary Works agreement expires in 2011 and includes a fixed buyout provision at the option of U. S. Steel. In the fourth quarter of 2005, U. S. Steel provided irrevocable notice to purchase the Gary Works cogeneration facility in the second quarter of 2006. The Midwest Plant agreement expires in 2013. The headquarters office space in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania used by U. S. Steel is leased through 2018.

 

For property, plant and equipment additions, including capital leases, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Financial Condition, Cash Flows and Liquidity – Cash Flows” and Notes 1611 and 2520 to the Financial Statements.

 

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

U. S. Steel is the subject of, or a party to, a number of pending or threatened legal actions, contingencies and commitments involving a variety of matters, including laws and regulations relating to the environment. Certain of these matters are included below in this discussion. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the financial statements. However, management believes that U. S. Steel will remain a viable and competitive enterprise even though it is possible that these contingencies could be resolved unfavorably.

 

Asbestos Litigation

 

As of December 31, 2006, U. S. Steel iswas a defendant in approximately 300 active cases involving approximately 3,700 plaintiffs (claims). At December 31, 2005, U. S. Steel was a defendant in approximately 500 active cases involving approximately 8,400 plaintiffs. ManyDuring 2006, settlements and dismissals resulted in the disposition of these cases involve multiple defendants (typically from fifty to more than one hundred defendants). approximately 5,150 claims and U. S. Steel paid approximately $8 million in settlements. New filings added approximately 450 claims.

More than 8,000,3,400, or approximately 9592 percent, of these claims are currently pending in jurisdictions which permit filings with massive numbers of plaintiffs. Of these claims, about 2,000 are pending in Mississippi and over 1,200 are pending in Texas. Based upon U. S. Steel’s experience in such cases, it believes that the actual number of plaintiffs who ultimately assert claims against U. S. Steel will likely be a small fraction of the total number of plaintiffs. Mississippi and Texas have amended their laws to curtail mass filings. As a consequence, the approximately 450 claims filed last year name either a single individual or a handful of individuals.

 

TheseHistorically, these claims against U. S. Steel fall into three major groups: (1) claims made under certain federal and general maritime laws by employees of the Great Lakes Fleet or Intercoastal Fleet, former operations of U. S. Steel; (2) claims made by persons who allegedly were exposed to asbestos at U. S. Steel facilities (referred to as “premises claims”); and (3) claims made by industrial workers allegedly exposed to products formerly manufactured by U. S. Steel. Most claims filed over the last several years have been premises claims. While U. S. Steel has excess casualty insurance, these policies have multi-million dollar self-insured retentions. To date, U. S. Steel has not received any payments under these policies relating to asbestos claims. In most cases, this excess casualty insurance is the only insurance applicable to asbestos claims.

 

These asbestos cases allege a variety of respiratory and other diseases based on alleged exposure to asbestos. U. S. Steel is currently a defendant in cases in which a total of approximately 150120 plaintiffs allege that they are suffering from mesothelioma. The potential for damages against defendants may be greater in cases in which the plaintiffs can prove mesothelioma. In many such cases in which claims have been asserted against U. S. Steel, the plaintiffs have been unable to establish any causal relationship to U. S. Steel or itsour products or premises. In addition, in many asbestos cases, the plaintiffs have been unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any identifiable injury or compensable loss at all; that any injuries that they have incurred did in fact result from alleged exposure to asbestos; or that such alleged exposure was in any way related to U. S. Steel or itsour products or premises.

In every asbestos case in which U. S. Steel is named as a party, the complaints are filed against numerous named defendants and generally do not contain allegations regarding specific monetary damages sought. To the extent that any specific amount of damages is sought, the amount applies to claims against all named defendants and in

no case is there any allegation of monetary damages against U. S. Steel. In 2005,Historically, approximately 42 percent of the cases filed against U. S. Steel stated that the damages sought exceeded the amount required to establish jurisdiction of the court in which the case was filed (jurisdictional amounts generally range from $25,000 to $75,000). Approximately 33 percent did not specify any damages at all, approximately 25 percent alleged damages of $1 million and less than half of one percent alleged damages exceeding $10 million. Historically, over 9089 percent of the cases against U. S. Steel did not specify any damage amount or stated that the damages sought exceeded the amount required to establish jurisdiction of the court in which the case was filed. (Jurisdictional amounts generally range from $25,000 to $75,000.) U. S. Steel does not consider the amount of damages alleged, if any, in a complaint to be relevant in assessing itsour potential exposure to asbestos liabilities. The ultimate outcome of any claim depends upon a myriad of legal and factual issues, including whether the plaintiff can prove actual disease, if any; actual exposure, if any, to U. S. Steel products; or the duration of exposure to asbestos, if any, on U. S. Steel’s premises. U. S. Steel has noted over the years that the form of complaint including its allegations, if any, concerning damages often depends upon the form of complaint filed by particular law firms and attorneys. Often the same damage allegation will be in multiple complaints regardless of the number of plaintiffs, the number of defendants, or any specific diseases or conditions alleged.

 

U. S. Steel aggressively pursues grounds for the dismissal of U. S. Steel from pending cases and litigates cases to verdict where it believeswe believe litigation is appropriate. U. S. Steel also makes efforts to settle appropriate cases, especially mesothelioma cases, for reasonable, and frequently nominal, amounts. At December 31, 2002, U. S. Steel had a total of approximately 14,100 active claims outstanding. In 2003, except for the aberrant result in the Madison County case referred to in the following paragraph, U. S. Steel settled 83 claims for a total of approximately $4.6 million, and had a total of 2,038 claims dismissed or otherwise resolved and added 514 new cases (or 2,856 new claims). At December 31, 2003, U. S. Steel had a total of approximately 14,800 active claims outstanding. During 2004, U. S. Steel paid approximately $14.6 million in settlements. These settlements and voluntary and involuntary dismissals resulted in the disposition of approximately 5,300 claims. New case filings added 1,464 claims. At December 31, 2004, U. S. Steel had a total of approximately 11,000 active claims outstanding. During 2005, U. S. Steel paid approximately $11 million in settlements. These settlements, along with review of case docket information for certain states and voluntary and involuntary dismissals, resulted in the disposition of approximately 3,800 claims. New case filings added approximately 1,200 claims.

 

On March 28, 2003, a jury in Madison County, Illinois returned a verdict against U. S. Steel for $50 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. U. S. Steel believes thatThe following table shows activity with respect to asbestos litigation over the court erred as a matter of law by failing to find that the plaintiff’s exclusive remedy was provided by the Indiana workers’ compensation law. U. S. Steel believes that this issue and other errors at trial would have enabled U. S. Steel to succeed on appeal. However, in order to avoid the delay and uncertainties of further litigation and the posting of a large appeal bond in excess of the amount of the verdict, U. S. Steel settled this case for an amount which was substantially less than the compensatory damages award and which represented a small fraction of the total award. This settlement is reflected in the results for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, and for the year ended December 31, 2003.last three years:

 

Management views the verdict and resulting settlement in the Madison County case as aberrational, and believes that the likelihood of similar results in other cases is remote, although not impossible. U. S. Steel has not experienced any material adverse change in its ability to resolve pending claims as a result of the Madison County settlement.

Year ended

December 31,

 Opening Number
of Claims
 Claims Dismissed,
Settled and Resolved
 New Claims Closing Number
of Claims
 Amounts Paid to
Resolve Claims
(in millions)

2004

 14,800 5,300 1,500 11,000 $14.6

2005

 11,000 3,800 1,200 8,400 $11.0

2006

 8,400 5,150 450 3,700 $8.0

 

The amount U. S. Steel has accrued for pending asbestos claims is not material to U. S. Steel’s financial position. U. S. Steel does not accrue for unasserted asbestos claims because it believeswe believe it is not possible to determine whether any loss is probable with respect to such claims or even to estimate the amount or range of any possible losses. Among the reasons that U. S. Steel cannot reasonably estimate the number and nature of claims against itus is that the vast majority of pending claims against itus allege so-called “premises” liability based exposure on U. S. Steel’s current or former premises. These claims are made by an indeterminable number of people such as truck drivers, railroad workers, salespersons, contractors and their employees, government inspectors, customers, visitors and even trespassers.

 

It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of asbestos-related lawsuits, claims and proceedings due to the unpredictable nature of personal injury litigation. Despite this uncertainty, and although U. S. Steel’s results of operations and cash flows for a given period could be adversely affected by asbestos-related lawsuits, claims and proceedings, management believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse

effect on the Company’s financial condition. Among the factors considered in reaching this conclusion are: (1) that U. S. Steel has been subject to a total of approximately 34,000 asbestos claims over the past 1415 years ended December 31, 2006 that have been administratively dismissed or are inactive due to the failure of the plaintiffs to present any medical evidence supporting their claims; (2) that over the last several years, the total number of pending claims has generally declined; (3) that it has been many years since U. S. Steel employed maritime workers or manufactured or sold asbestos containing products; and (4) U. S. Steel’s history of trial outcomes, settlements and dismissals, including such matters since thein Madison County, juryIllinois, where U. S. Steel lost a significant verdict in 2003. U. S. Steel has not seen any material differences in subsequent settlements in Madison County or elsewhere since that verdict and settlement in March 2003.management believes that the possibility of other such aberrational verdicts is remote, although not impossible.

 

The foregoing statements of belief are forward-looking statements. Predictions as to the outcome of pending litigation are subject to substantial uncertainties with respect to (among other things) factual and judicial determinations, and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements.

Environmental Proceedings

 

The following is a summary of the proceedings of U. S. Steel that were pending or contemplated as of December 31, 2005,2006, under federal and state environmental laws. Except as described herein, it is not possible to accurately predict the ultimate outcome of these matters.

 

CERCLA Remediation Sites

 

Claims under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and related state acts have been raised with respect to the cleanup of various waste disposal and other sites. CERCLA is intended to expedite the cleanup of hazardous substances without regard to fault. Potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for each site include present and former owners and operators of, transporters to and generators of the substances at the site. Liability is strict and can be joint and several. Because of various factors including the ambiguity of the regulations, the difficulty of identifying the responsible parties for any particular site, the complexity of determining the relative liability among them, the uncertainty as to the most desirable remediation techniques and the amount of damages and cleanup costs and the time period during which such costs may be incurred, it is impossible to reasonably estimate U. S. Steel’s ultimate cost of compliance with CERCLA.

 

Projections, provided in the following paragraphs, of spending for and/or timing of completion of specific projects are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions including, but not limited to, the factors provided in the preceding paragraph. To the extent that these assumptions prove to be inaccurate, future spending for, or timing of completion of environmental projects may differ materially from what was stated in forward-looking statements.

 

At December 31, 2005,2006, U. S. Steel had been identified as a PRP at a total of 1722 CERCLA sites.sites where liability is not resolved. Based on currently available information, which is in many cases preliminary and incomplete, management believes that U. S. Steel’s liability for cleanup and remediation costs in connection with 713 of these sites will be between $100,000 and $1 million per site, and for 8eight of these sites will be under $100,000.

 

At the remaining two sites,site, management expects thatestimates U. S. Steel’s share in the remainingfuture cleanup costs at each site will exceed $1to be $6.5 million, although it is not possible to accurately predict the amount of final allocation of such costs. The followingThat site is known as the Municipal & Industrial Disposal Co. site in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. In October 1991, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (PADER) placed the site on the Pennsylvania State Superfund list and began a summaryRemedial Investigation (RI), which was issued in 1997. U. S. Steel and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) signed a Consent Order and Agreement on August 30, 2002, under which U. S. Steel is responsible for remediation of this site. In 2003 the status of these sites:

1.In October 1991, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (PADER) placed the Municipal & Industrial Disposal Co. site in Elizabeth, Pa. on the Pennsylvania State Superfund list and began a Remedial Investigation (RI), which was issued in 1997. U. S. Steel and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) signed a Consent Order and Agreement on August 30, 2002, under which U. S. Steel is responsible for remediation of this site. In 2003 the Consent Order and Agreement became final. U. S. Steel estimates its future liability at the site to be $6.8 million.

2.

In November 1996, U. S. Steel received a CERCLA 104(e) request from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting information on the former waste oil processing site named

Breslube-Penn located in Coraopolis, PA. U. S. Steel joined a PRP group and entered into an Administrative Order on Consent along with six other PRPs to conduct a RI/Feasibility Study (FS). The RI has been completed and the FS, which was submitted to EPA, is currently being reviewed by EPA and PADEP. The total cost to implement a remediation project is not presently determinable. U. S. Steel’s share of the costs for this project will depend upon EPA’s selection of an alternative from the range of alternatives presented in the FS and the number of PRPs available to allocate the costs. U. S. Steel anticipates that more PRPs may be added to the group by EPA before the costs of remediation are allocated. U. S. Steel has an accrual of $1.0 millionConsent Order and Agreement became final. U. S. Steel is currently completing the remedial design for this site.

 

In addition, there are 1214 sites related to U. S. Steel where information requests have been received or there are other indications that U. S. Steel may be a PRP under CERCLA, but where sufficient information is not presently available to confirm the existence of liability or to make any judgment as to the amount thereof.

 

Other Remediation Activities

 

There are 43 additional sites where remediation is being sought under other environmental statutes, both federal and state, or where private parties are seeking remediation through discussions or litigation. Based on currently available information, which is in many cases preliminary and incomplete, management believes that liability for cleanup and remediation costs in connection with 5nine of these sites will be under $100,000 per site, another 16 sites have potential costs between $100,000 and $1 million per site, and 9seven sites may involve remediation costs between $1 million and $5 million. As described below, costs for remediation, investigation, restoration or compensation are estimated to be in excess of $5 million at two sites, in excess of $10 million at one site, in excess of $15 million at twothree sites, and in excess of $25$20 million at one site. Potential costs associated with remediation at the remaining 9five sites are not presently determinable.

 

Gary Works

 

On January 26, 1998, pursuant to an action filed by EPAthe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana titled United States of America v. USX, U. S. Steel entered

into a consent decree with EPA which resolved alleged violations of the Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit at Gary Works and provides for a sediment remediation project for a section of the Grand Calumet River that runs through Gary Works. Contemporaneously,As of December 31, 2006, project costs have amounted to $53.6 million. U. S. Steel anticipates doing additional dredging at a cost of $7.5 million. The Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU) will remain available to receive dredged materials from the Grand Calumet River and could be used for containment of approved material from other corrective measures conducted at Gary Works pursuant to the Administrative Order on Consent for corrective action. CAMU maintenance and wastewater treatment costs are anticipated to be an additional $2.1 million for the next five years. In 1998, U. S. Steel also entered into a consent decree with the public trustees, which resolves liability for natural resource damages on the same section of the Grand Calumet River. U. S. Steel will pay the public trustees $1.0 million at the end of the remediation project for future ecological monitoring costs, and U. S. Steel was obligated to purchase and restore several parcels of property that have been conveyed to the trustees. As of December 31, 2005, project costs have amounted to $52.5 million. U. S. Steel anticipates doing additional dredging at a cost of $8.4 million. U. S. Steel is presently in discussions with the dredging contractor and intends to meet with EPA in an effort to reduce the anticipated cost of this work.costs. In addition, to the sediment remediation project, U. S. Steel is obligated to perform, and has initiated, ecological restoration in this section of the Grand Calumet River. The costs required to complete the ecological restoration work are estimated to be $1.3$1.0 million. In total, the accrued liability for the above projects based on the estimated remaining costs was $11.6 million at December 31, 2006.

 

At Gary Works, U. S. Steel has agreed to close threetwo hazardous waste disposal sites, D5 and T2, and one site, D2/Refuse Area, where a solid waste disposal unit is combined with a hazardous waste disposal unit. The three sites are located on plant property with totalproperty. The related accrued liability for estimated costs to close each of the sites and perform groundwater monitoring is, $6.3 million for D5, $4.4 million for T2 and $8.7 million for D2/Refuse Area, at December 31, 2006.

On October 23, 1998, EPA issued a final Administrative Order on Consent addressing Corrective Action for solid waste management units throughout Gary Works. This order requires U. S. Steel to perform a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Investigation (RFI) and a Corrective Measure Study (CMS) at Gary Works. Reports of field investigation findings for Phase I work plans have been submitted to EPA. Two Phase II RFI work plans have been submitted to EPA for approval. Four self-implementing interim measures have been completed. Through December 31, 2006, U. S. Steel has spent approximately $23.6 million for the studies, work plans, field investigations and self-implementing interim measures. U. S. Steel continues implementation of one self-implementing interim measure. U. S. Steel is preparing a final proposal to EPA seeking approval for perimeter groundwater monitoring and has completed an investigation of sediments in the West Grand Calumet Lagoon. The costs to complete the Phase I work and implement the field investigations for the submitted Phase II work plans, the anticipated perimeter groundwater monitoring, investigation of the West Grand Calumet Lagoon and implementation of the self-implementing interim measure are estimated to be $19.0$3.8 million. U. S. Steel is also preparing a proposal to EPA seeking approval to implement Corrective Measures necessary to address soil contamination at Gary Works. Additionally, U. S. Steel has removed a number of abandoned drums recently discovered in the West Grand Calumet Lagoon, disposed of the materials at the CAMU and continues to assess the scope of removal for the remaining drums. U. S. Steel estimates the minimum cost of the Corrective Measures for soil contamination and drum removal to be approximately $3.8 million. Closure costs for the CAMU are estimated to be an additional $4.9 million. Until the remaining Phase I work and Phase II field investigations are completed, it is impossible to assess what additional expenditures will be necessary for Corrective Action projects at Gary Works. In total, the accrued liability for the above projects was $12.5 million at December 31, 2006, based on the estimated remaining costs. It is reasonably possible that additional costs of $30 million may be incurred at the West Grand Calumet Lagoon in combination with the two RCRA projects at Fairfield Works, the RCRA program at Lorain Tubular, the RCRA program at the Fairless plant and the project at Duluth Works discussed elsewhere in this section.

 

In October 1996, U. S. Steel was notified by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), acting as lead trustee, that IDEM and the U.S. Department of the Interior had concluded a preliminary investigation of potential injuries to natural resources related to releases of hazardous substances from various municipal and industrial sources along the east branch of the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Canal. U. S. Steel agreed to pay to the public trustees $20.5 million over a five-year period for restoration costs, plus $1.0 million in assessment costs. A Consent Decree memorializing this settlement was entered on the record by the court and thereafter became effective April 1, 2005. U. S. Steel paid itsour entire share of the assessment costs and $4.5 million of itsour share of the restoration costs to the public trustees in 2005. U. S. Steel paid an additional $4.0 million of our share of restoration costs plus interest in 2006. A balance of $16$12 million in restoration costs remains to be paid by U. S. Steel to complete itsour settlement obligations.

On October 23, 1998, EPA issued a final Administrative Order on Consent addressing Corrective Action for solid waste management units throughout Gary Works. This order requires U. S. Steel to perform a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Investigation (RFI) and a Corrective Measure Study (CMS) at Gary Works. All remaining Phase I work plans have been approved by EPA and reportsobligations remains as an accrued liability as of field investigation findings have been submitted to EPA. Two Phase II RFI work plans have been submitted to EPA for approval. Three self-implementing interim measures have been completed. Through December 31, 2005, U. S. Steel has spent approximately $21.2 million for the studies, work plans, field investigations and self-implementing interim measures. The cost to implement the remaining field investigations for the submitted work plans is estimated to be $2.8 million. Until they are completed, it is impossible to assess what additional expenditures will be necessary.2006.

On November 30, 1999, IDEM issued a notice of violation (NOV) alleging various air violations at Gary Works, including opacity violations at the No. 1 BOP and pushing violations at the four coke batteries. On August 21, 2002, IDEM issued a revised NOV, which supercedes the 1999 NOV and includes alleged violations at the blast furnaces, steel shops and coke batteries from 1998 to 2002. On December 27, 2005, IDEM issued a NOV which includes alleged violations at the No. 8 Blast Furnace and the Coke Batteries for the period of 2002 through 2005. U. S. Steel and IDEM signed an Agreed Order December 1, 2006. The costOrder requires a penalty payment of $571,400 that was paid in December 2006. The Order includes three Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) valued at $3.7 million. The Order also includes pushing compliance plans, a door work practice plan, a refractory repair plan, monitoring of flue caps, installation of two ambient monitors and compliance with all coke battery requirements.

Clairton

In March 2006, U. S. Steel met with Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) to discuss entering into a Consent Order to address compliance with the stack opacity limit at the pushing emission control baghouse for B Battery. No penalty amount was discussed, but a penalty of an undetermined amount is anticipated. U. S. Steel had already submitted a compliance plan to ACHD committing to the repair of 24 thru-walls. U. S. Steel received a draft Consent Order from ACHD on July 3, 2006, and is in discussions with ACHD to resolve this matter. A liability has not been recorded for this matter as the amount of the settlement of this matterpenalty is not currently indeterminable. An agreed order is being negotiated that may include a pushing compliance plan.determinable.

 

Midwest Plant

 

A former disposal area located on the east side of the Midwest Plant was designated a solid waste management unit (East Side SWMU) by IDEM before U. S. Steel acquired this plant from National Steel Corporation. After itsthe acquisition, U. S. Steel conducted further investigations of the East Side SWMU. As a result, U. S. Steel intends to submithas submitted a remediation alternativeClosure Plan to IDEM recommending an “in-place” closure of the East Side SWMU. The cost to close the East Side SWMU is expected to be $4.1 million.million, and was recorded as an accrued liability as of December 31, 2006.

 

Fairless Plant

 

In January 1992, U. S. Steel commenced negotiations with EPA regarding the terms of an Administrative Order on consent, pursuant to RCRA, under which U. S. Steel would perform a RFI and a CMS at itsour Fairless Plant. A Phase I RFI report was submitted during the third quarter of 1997. A Phase II/III RFI will be submitted following EPA approval of the Phase I report. While the RFI/CMS will determine whether there is a need for, and the scope of, any remedial activities at the Fairless Plant, U. S. Steel continues to maintain interim measures at the Fairless Plant and has completed investigation activities on specific parcels. No remedial activities are contemplated as a result of the investigations of these parcels. The cost to U. S. Steel to continue to maintain the interim measures and develop a Phase II/III RFI Work Plan is estimated to be $452,000.$458,000, and was recorded as an accrued liability as of December 31, 2006. It is reasonably possible that additional costs of $30 million may be incurred at this site in combination with the West Grand Calumet Lagoon at Gary Works, the two RCRA projects at Fairfield Works, the RCRA program at Lorain Tubular and the project at the Duluth Works discussed elsewhere in this section.

 

Fairfield Works

 

A consent decree was signed by U. S. Steel, EPA and Thethe U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and filed with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (United States of America v. USX Corporation) on December 11, 1997, under which U. S. Steel paid a civil penalty of $1.0 million, completed two Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs)SEPs at a cost of $1.75 million and initiated a RCRA corrective action program at the facility. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) assumed primary responsibility for regulation and oversight of the RCRA corrective action program at Fairfield Works, with the approval of EPA. The first Phase I RFI work plan was approved and field sampling for the work plan was completed in 2004. U. S. Steel submitted a Phase I RFI Report to ADEM in February 2005. ADEM approved the Phase I RFI Report and requested a Phase II RFI work plan. The cost to complete this study is estimated to be $102,000. In addition, U. S. Steel has developed a corrective measure implementation plan for remediation of Upper Opossum Creek. The cost to U. S. Steel for implementing thisdevelop and implement the Phase II RFI work plan is estimated to be $3.6 million.$819,000, and was recorded as an accrued liability as of December 31, 2006. U. S. Steel has completed the investigation and remediation of Lower Opossum Creek under a joint agreement with Beazer, Inc., whereby U. S. Steel has agreed to pay 30 percent of

the costs. U. S. Steel’s remaining share of the costs for sediment remediation is $418,000.$210,000. In January 1999, ADEM included the former Ensley facility site in Fairfield Corrective Action. Implementation of theBased on results from our Phase I fieldworkfacility investigation of Ensley, U. S. Steel has identified approximately 2.5 acres of land at the former coke plant for Ensley commenced in June 2004.remediation. The estimated cost to completeremediate this studyarea and close Ensley was recorded as an accrued liability of $1.5 million as of December 31, 2006. While U. S. Steel does not possess information necessary to estimate reasonably possible additional costs at this site, they may range from insignificant to substantial. In total, the accrued liability for the projects described above was $2.7 million at December 31, 2006, based on estimated remaining costs. It is approximately $338,000.

reasonably possible that additional costs of $30 million may be incurred at these sites in combination with the West Grand Calumet Lagoon at Gary Works, the RCRA project at the Fairless Plant, the RCRA program at Lorain Tubular and the project at Duluth Works discussed elsewhere in this section.

Lorain Tubular Operations

 

In 1997, USS/Kobe Steel Company (USS/Kobe), a former joint venture between U. S. Steel and Kobe Steel, Ltd. (Kobe) with steelmaking, bar producing and tubular operations in Lorain, Ohio, was the subject of a multi-media audit by EPA that included an air, water and hazardous waste compliance review. The tubular operations at Lorain are now operated by U. S. Steel as Lorain Tubular Operations. In 2005, U. S. Steel, the State of Ohio and EPA entered into a consent decree that settled an enforcement action taken by the United States and Ohio, which resolved all issues related to U. S. Steel’s operations. The Consent Decree was filed with the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division (United States of America and State of Ohio v. United States Steel Corporation), where it was entered November 29, 2005. Issues related to the company that retained the steelmaking and bar-producing facilities were resolved in its bankruptcy proceedings. In December 2005, U. S. Steel paid cash penalties totaling $100,025. Also in December 2005, U. S. Steel conducted a test of particulate emissions from itsour No. 3 Seamless Rotary Mill scrubber system to demonstrate compliance with itsour permit limitations. In addition, U. S. Steel has agreed to perform a SEP to do PCB transformer replacementreplace transformers with polychlorinated biphenals (PCBs) for a combined amount of approximately $395,000. Issues related$395,000, in connection with the settlement of this enforcement action. U. S. Steel completed the SEP in 2006. U. S. Steel anticipates submitting a final report in 2007 of the costs incurred implementing the SEP upon receipt of the remaining notification of destruction of the PCB transformers.

In September 2006, U. S. Steel received a letter from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) inviting U. S. Steel to enter into discussions about RCRA Corrective Action at the companyLorain Tubular facility. On December 15, 2006, U. S. Steel received a letter from Ohio EPA that retainedrequires U. S. Steel to complete an evaluation of human exposure and update the steelmakingprevious RCRA preliminary site assessment. $50,000 has been accrued for the costs of additional studies at this site. It is reasonably possible that additional costs of $30 million may be incurred at the Lorain Tubular Corrective Action program in combination with the West Grand Calumet Lagoon, the two RCRA projects at Fairfield Works, the RCRA program at the Fairless plant and bar-producing facilities were resolvedthe project at Duluth Works discussed elsewhere in its bankruptcy proceedings.this section.

 

Great Lakes Works

 

Effective February 14, 2005, U. S. Steel entered into a consent order with Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) related to Great Lakes Works that included the installation of a new bag house for B2 Blast Furnace, which has been completed; the installation of baffles at the Quench Tower, which has been completed; projects to reduce emissions from the steel-producing facilities; a civil penalty of $950,000, which has been paid; and a SEP at a cost of $200,000 for river bank improvements. Various construction projects are underway at the steel-producing facilities to improve emission capture and control. These projects are proceeding in compliance with the consent order schedule. Construction for the riverbank restoration SEP was completed in September 2005. On January 6, 2006, Great Lakes Works received a proposed administrative consent order (Order) from the MDEQMichigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) that alleged violations of NPDES permits at the facility. On February 13, 2007, MDEQ and U. S. Steel agreed to a revised Administrative Consent Order that resolves this matter. The Administrative Consent Order requires U. S. Steel to pay a civil penalty of $300,000 and reimburse MDEQ $50,000 in costs; and the Order identifies certain correctivecompliance actions desired by MDEQ tothat address the alleged violations and anticipates an undisclosed penalty amount.violations. Great Lakes Works had previouslyhas initiated work on some of these compliance actions, has completed some, and completedis committed to submitting plans or recommending options to MDEQ for others. Costs to complete the remaining corrective actions requested by MDEQ are presently not determinable. One of the correctivecompliance actions addresses three river basins along the Detroit River and U. S. Steel has undertaken a project to remove historic basin sediments from these areas. $800,000As of December 31, 2006, $1.1 million has been spent on the project, asand a liability of December 31, 2005. Costs$1.7 million has been recorded for estimated costs to complete the river basin project are estimatedproject. Another compliance action includes modifications to be $1.2 million. Great Lakes Works intendsthe Cold Mill Wastewater Treatment Plant where U. S. Steel has agreed to negotiate a settlementrehabilitate four clarifiers and two wastewater conveyance pipelines, upgrade the computer control system and evaluate other potential improvements of this matter with MDEQ in 2006.system. Some elements of this project have been completed at a cost of $1.4 million and U. S. Steel anticipates that it could spend an additional $5.1 million, most of which will be capitalized. Costs to complete the remaining compliance actions are presently not determinable.

Duluth Works

 

At the former Duluth Works in Minnesota, U. S. Steel spent a total of approximately $13.0$13.1 million for cleanup and agency oversight costs through June 30, 2005.December 31, 2006. The Duluth Works was listed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency under the Minnesota Environmental Response and Liability Act on its Permanent List of Priorities. EPA has consolidated and included the Duluth Works site with the St. Louis River and Interlake sites on EPA’s National Priorities List. The Duluth Works cleanup has proceeded since 1989. U. S. Steel is conducting an engineering study of the estuary sediments. Depending upon theThe method and extent of remediation at this site is presently unknown, therefore, future costs are presently unknown and indeterminable. Current studyStudy and oversight costs are currently estimated at $385,000.$368,000, and were recorded as an accrued liability as of December 31, 2006. These costs include risk assessment, sampling, inspections and analytical work, and development of a work plan and cost estimate to implement EPA five-year review recommendations. It is reasonably possible that additional costs of $30 million may be incurred at this site in combination with the West Grand Calumet Lagoon at Gary Works, the two RCRA projects at Fairfield Works, the RCRA program at Lorain Tubular and the RCRA program at the Fairless Plant discussed elsewhere in this section.

 

Granite City

 

Granite City Works received two NOVs, dated February 20, 2004 and March 25, 2004 for air violations at the coke batteries, the blast furnace and the steel shop. All of the issues have been resolved except for an issue relating to air emissions that occur when coke is pushed out of the ovens for which a compliance plan has been submitted to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). The IEPA referred the two NOVs to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office for enforcement. TheWe anticipate resolving this case is anticipated to be resolved by entering into a Consent Order, in early 2006, which will include a revised pushing compliance plan and a penalty. IEPA has proposed a civil penalty of $175,000. On September 14, 2005, the Illinois Attorney General filed a complaint in the Madison County Circuit Court, titled People of the State of Illinois ex. rel. Lisa Madigan vs. United States Steel Corporation, which included the issues raised in the two NOVs.

U. S. Steel submitted a counteroffer of $125,000 for the civil penalty. In December 2006, IEPA added to its complaint a release of coke oven gas in February 2006 and increased the proposed penalty an additional $20,000. U. S. Steel has recorded an accrued liability of $145,000 for this matter as of December 31, 2006.

Geneva Works

 

At U. S. Steel’s former Geneva Works, liability for environmental remediation, including the closure of three hazardous waste impoundments and facility-wide corrective action, has been allocated between U. S. Steel and Geneva Steel Company pursuant to an asset sales agreement and a permit issued by Utah Department of Environmental Quality. In December 2005, a third party purchased the Geneva site and assumed Geneva Steel Company’s rights and obligations under the asset sales agreement and the permit pursuant to a bankruptcy court order. U. S. Steel has reviewed environmental data concerning the site gathered by itself and third parties, has commenced the development of work plans that are necessary to begin field investigations and has begun remediation on some areas of the site for which U. S. Steel has responsibility. U. S. Steel estimates itshas recorded an accrued liability of $23.7 million as of December 31, 2006, for our estimated share of the remaining costs of remediation and post closure care of three hazardous waste impoundments to be $29.4 million.remediation.

 

Other

 

In February 2005, U. S. Steel’s lease for a third party to mine slag at the Gascola slag disposal site in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania was terminated. Current mining regulations require closure of the site. The cost to close the slag disposal site is estimated to be $2.8$2.9 million. This work will include contour of the highwalls and vegetative cover for the entire site.

 

In September 2001, U. S. Steel agreed to an Administrative Order on Consent with the State of North Carolina for the assessment and cleanup of a Greensboro, North Carolina fertilizer manufacturing site. The Order allocated responsibility for remediation costs among U. S. Steel and two other parties. The estimated remediation costs are $3.1 million. U. S. Steel’s estimated share of these costs is $788,000, based on the agreed allocation factor of 26 percent. In 2006, U. S. Steel is preparingsubmitted a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for the site for submittal to the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (NCDENR) that will propose limited soil removal andproposed monitored natural attenuation for groundwater beneath the site. The RAP is due to the NCDENR in April 2006.

On December 20, 2002, U. S. Steel received a letter from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) requesting U. S. Steel’s cooperation in cleaning up the National Zinc site located in Cherryvale, Kansas, a former zinc smelter operated by Edgar Zinc from 1898 to 1931. In April 2003, U. S. Steel and Salomon Smith Barney Holdings, Inc. (SSB), entered into a consent order to conduct an investigation and develop remediation alternatives. In 2004, a remedial action design report was submitted to and approved by KDHE. U. S. Steel anticipates that itsour 50 percent share of the costs necessary to complete the remedial design and implement the preferred remedy will be approximately $2.8$3.0 million. In 2005, KDHE and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asserted a claim against U. S. Steel and SSB (now called CitiGroup Global Market Holdings, Inc.) for natural resource damages at the site and nearby creek. The parties have agreed to settlement of this claim for a cash payment and U. S. Steel’s share is $247,875. On August 17, 2006, both parties received a demand from the U.S. Department of Justice for approximately $1.7 million for past costs incurred by EPA in cleaning up the site and surrounding residential yards, U. S. Steel’s share being 50 percent of the claim for past costs. U. S. Steel and CitiGroup signed a tolling agreement on the claim until May 31, 2007.

 

Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

Not applicable.

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

The executive officers of U. S. Steel and their ages as of February 1, 2006,2007, are as follows:

 

Name


Age

Title


Executive Officer Since


John J. Connelly

 5960 Senior Vice President–Strategic Planning and& Business DevelopmentApril 27, 2004

James D. Garraux

54General Counsel & Senior Vice President–Labor Relations & Environmental AffairsFebruary 1, 2007

John H. Goodish

 5758 Executive Vice President & Chief Operating OfficerDecember 31, 2001

Gretchen R. Haggerty

 5051 Executive Vice President & Chief Financial OfficerDecember 31, 2001

David H. Lohr

 5253 Senior Vice President–European Operations & President–U. S. Steel Kosice

Dan D. Sandman

Košice
 57Vice Chairman and Chief Legal & Administrative Officer, General Counsel and SecretaryJune 1, 2005

Larry G. Schultz

 5657 Vice President & ControllerDecember 31, 2001

Thomas W. Sterling

 5859 Senior Vice President–Human Resources and Business ServicesAdministrationAugust 1, 2003

John P. Surma Jr.

 5152 Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive OfficerDecember 31, 2001

 

All of the executive officers mentioned above have held responsible management or professional positions with U. S. Steel Marathon Oil Corporation or theirour subsidiaries for more than the past five years.

All of the executive officers identified above, with the exception of Messrs. Connelly, Lohr and Sterling, will hold office until the annual election of executive officers by the Board of Directors following the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or until his or her earlier resignation, retirement or removal. Messrs. Connelly, Lohr and Sterling will hold office until their resignation, retirement or removal.

PART II

 

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Common Stock Information

 

The principal market on which U. S. Steel common stock is traded is the New York Stock Exchange. U. S. Steel common stock is also traded on the Chicago Stock Exchange and the Pacific Exchange. Information concerning the high and low sales price for the common stock as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system and the frequency and amount of dividends paid during the last two years is set forth in “Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)” on page F-57.F-51.

 

As of January 31, 2006,2007, there were 27,42725,051 registered holders of U. S. Steel common stock.

 

The Board of Directors intends to declare and pay dividends on U. S. Steel common stock based on the financial condition and results of operations of U. S. Steel, although it has no obligation under Delaware law or the U. S. Steel Certificate of Incorporation to do so. After the separation from Marathon Oil Corporation, U. S. Steel established an initial quarterly dividend rate of $0.05 per share effective with the March 2002 payment. The quarterly dividend rate was increased to $.08 per share effective with the March 2005 payment, and increased to $.10 per share effective with the June 2005 payment, to $.15 per share effective with the June 2006 payment, and to $.20 per share effective with the December 2006 payment. The outstanding 7% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Shares (Series B Preferred) will mandatorily convertconverted into U. S. Steel common stock on June 15, 2006. Based upon the average closing price for U. S. Steel’s common stock over2006 at a prescribed period before the conversion, the numberrate of common shares that will be issued in exchange for the 5 million shares of Series B Preferred ranges from approximately 16.0 million to 19.2 million. As long as the average closing price of U. S. Steel’s common stock for the prescribed period is equal to or greater than $15.66 per share, the conversion rate will be 3.1928 common shares for each Series B Preferred share. Dividends on U. S. Steel common stock are limited to legally available funds and are subject to limitations under U. S. Steel’s debt obligations. For further information, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Financial Condition, Cash Flows and Liquidity – Liquidity.”

 

Shareholder Return Performance

The graph below compares the yearly change in cumulative total shareholder return of our common stock with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s (S&P’s) 500 Stock Index and the S&P Steel Index. The S&P Steel Index is comprised of U. S. Steel, Nucor Corporation, Allegheny Technologies Incorporated and Worthington Industries, Inc.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

In 2005,2006, no unregistered shares were issued.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table contains information about purchases by U. S. Steel of itsour equity securities during the period covered by this report.

 

Period Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   

Average Price

Paid per Share

   Total Number
Of Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
   

Maximum

Number of

Shares that

May Yet Be

Purchased

Under the
Plans

or Programs

January 1-31, 2005

           

February 1-28, 2005

           

March 1-31, 2005

           
  
   

   
   

Quarter ended March 31, 2005

           

April 1-30, 2005

           

May 1-31, 2005

 111,685   $39.27      

June 1-30, 2005

           
  
   

   
   

Quarter ended June 30, 2005

 111,685   $39.27      

July 1-31, 2005

           

August 1-31, 2005

 910,000   $42.04   910,000   7,090,000

September 1-30, 2005

 300,000   $44.27   300,000   6,790,000
  
   

   
   

Quarter ended September 30, 2005

 1,210,000   $42.59   1,210,000   6,790,000

October 1-31, 2005

 200,000   $36.30   200,000   6,590,000

November 1-30, 2005

 2,410,000   $40.15   2,410,000   4,180,000

December 1-31, 2005

 2,000,000   $48.90   2,000,000   2,180,000
  
   

   
   

Quarter ended December 31, 2005

 4,610,000   $      43.78   4,610,000   2,180,000
Period Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average Price
Paid per Share
   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
   Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet be
Purchased
Under the
Plans
or Programs

January 1-31, 2006

    $      8,000,000

February 1-28, 2006

    $      8,000,000

March 1-31, 2006

    $      8,000,000
  
   

   
   

Quarter ended March 31, 2006

    $      8,000,000

April 1-30, 2006

    $      8,000,000

May 1-31, 2006

 121,818   $63.65   100,000   7,900,000

June 1-30, 2006

 1,777,000   $62.33   1,777,000   6,123,000
  
   

   
   

Quarter ended June 30, 2006

 1,898,818   $62.41   1,877,000   6,123,000

July 1-31, 2006

 270,100   $64.74   270,100   5,852,900

August 1-31, 2006

 2,691,700   $59.77   2,691,700   3,161,200

September 1-30, 2006

 1,705,000   $58.96   1,705,000   1,456,200
  
   

   
   

Quarter ended September 30, 2006

 4,666,800   $59.76   4,666,800   1,456,200

October 1-31, 2006

 355,000   $61.54   355,000   8,000,000

November 1-30, 2006

 248,800   $67.43   248,800   7,751,200

December 1-31, 2006

 100,000   $74.20   100,000   7,651,200
  
   

   
   

Quarter ended December 31, 2006

 703,800   $      65.42   703,800   7,651,200

 

With the exception ofOf the shares repurchased in May 2005,2006, 21,818 were purchased pursuant to the exercise by 2002 Stock Plan participants of their right to elect Stock-for-Tax-Witholding in connection with the vesting of restricted shares under the plan.

The remainder of the above shares were purchased pursuant to the U. S. Steel Common Stock Repurchase Program, which was announced on July 26, 2005 and allowed for the repurchase of up to eight million shares of its common stock from time to time in the open market or privately negotiated transactions. The above purchases were all made in the open market. Since that time, the Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of additional shares. As of December 31, 2006, authority remained for the repurchase of approximately 7.7 million shares.

 

On January 31, 2006, U. S. Steel announced the replacement of this repurchase program with a new program having the authority to purchase up to eight million shares of its common stock. It is expected that the purchases will be made from time to time in open-market or privately negotiated transactions. The timing of such purchases will be determined by the company based upon a number of factors including the market price of United StatesU. S. Steel Corporation common stock; the availability and pursuit of strategic initiatives including investment and acquisition opportunities; operating cash flow and internal capital requirements; and general economic conditions in the United States and Europe.

Of the shares repurchased in May 2005, 48,638 were purchased pursuant to the exercise by Non-Officer Restricted Stock Plan participants of their right to elect Stock-for-Tax-Witholding in connection with the vesting of restricted shares under the plan, and the remainder were purchased pursuant to the exercise by 2002 Stock Plan participants of their right to elect Stock-for-Tax-Witholding in connection with the vesting of restricted shares under the plan.

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Dollars in millions (except per share data)           Dollars in millions (except per share data)          
   Adjusted(a)

   2006

 2005

 2004

 2003

 2002

Statement of Operations Data:

Statement of Operations Data:

 

Net sales(a)

Net sales(a)

 $15,715 $14,039 $13,975 $9,328  $6,949

Income (loss) from operations(b)

Income (loss) from operations(b)

  1,785  1,439  1,625  (719)  123

Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles(b)

Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles(b)

  1,374  910  1,121  (363)  81

Net income (loss)(b)

Net income (loss)(b)

  1,374  910  1,135  (420)  81

Per Common Share Data:

Per Common Share Data:

 

Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles(c) – basic

Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles(c) – basic

 $11.88 $7.87 $9.87 $(3.67) $0.83
 2005

 2004

 2003

 2002

 2001(b)

  

– diluted

  11.18  7.00  8.72  (3.67)  0.83

Statement of Operations Data:

 

Net sales(c)

 $    14,039 $    13,975 $    9,328  $    6,949 $    6,286 

Income (loss) from operations(d)

  1,439  1,625  (719)  123  (404)

Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles(d)

  910  1,121  (363)  81  (211)

Net income (loss)(d)

 $910 $1,135 $(420) $81 $(211)

Per Common Share Data:

 

Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles(e) – basic

 $7.87 $9.87 $(3.67) $0.83 $(2.37)

Net income (loss)(c) – basic

Net income (loss)(c) – basic

  11.88  7.87  10.00  (4.22)  0.83

– diluted

  7.00  8.72  (3.67)  0.83  (2.37)

– diluted

  11.18  7.00  8.83  (4.22)  0.83

Net income (loss)(e) – basic

  7.87  10.00  (4.22)  0.83  (2.37)

– diluted

  7.00  8.83  (4.22)  0.83  (2.37)

Dividends paid(f)

  0.38  0.20  0.20   0.20  0.55 

Dividends paid

Dividends paid

  0.60  0.38  0.20  0.20   0.20

Balance Sheet Data – December 31:

 

Balance Sheet Data – December 31:

 

Total assets

 $9,822 $11,064 $7,897  $7,991 $8,332 

Total assets

 $10,586 $9,822 $11,064 $7,897  $7,991

Capitalization:

 

Capitalization:

 

Debt(g)

 $1,612 $1,371 $1,933  $1,434 $1,466 

Debt(d)

Debt(d)

 $1,025 $1,612 $1,371 $1,933  $1,434

Stockholders’ equity

  3,324  4,074  1,151   2,042  2,501 

Stockholders’ equity

  4,365  3,324  4,074  1,153   2,044
 

 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 


 

Total capitalization

 $4,936 $5,445 $3,084  $3,476 $3,967 

Total capitalization

 $5,390 $4,936 $5,445 $3,086  $3,478
(a)Adjusted from amounts previously reported due to the change in inventory accounting method at USSK. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements and the Five-Year Financial Summary.
(b)Prior to December 31, 2001, U. S. Steel comprised an operating unit of USX Corporation, now named Marathon Oil Corporation. On December 31, 2001, U. S. Steel was capitalized through the issuance of 89.2 million shares of common stock to holders of USX-U. S. Steel Group common stock on a one-for-one basis. The balance sheet position as of December 31, 2001, reflects the financial position of U. S. Steel as a standalone entity. The income statement for the year ended December 31, 2001 represents a carve-out presentation of the businesses of U. S. Steel.
(c)For discussion of changes between the years 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003,2004, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The increase in net sales from 2003 to 2004 was mainly due to higher average realized prices and shipment volumes for all three reportable segments. Sales for Flat-rolled in 2004 benefited from the inclusion of sales from the acquired National Steel facilities for the entire year. Sales for USSE in 2004 benefited from the inclusion of USSB sales for the entire year. The increase in net sales from 2002 to 2003 primarily reflected higher shipment volumes for domestic sheet and tin products due to the acquisition of National acquisition,Steel facilities, increased prices and shipment volumes for USSE and increased prices for domestic sheet products. The improvement also reflected higher prices and volumes on commercial coke shipments, increased shipments of slabs and increased shipments for Straightline.Straightline Source. These were partially offset by lower coal revenue due to the sale of the mining assets, lower plate revenue due in part to the disposition of the Gary plate mill, and lower commercial shipments of iron ore pellets. The increase in net sales from 2001 to 2002 was primarily due to higher shipments and average realized prices for domestic sheet products; the absence of a $104 million impairment of receivables that was included in 2001; increased Straightline shipments as a result of a full year of operations; and higher average realized prices for USSK, which were partially due to foreign exchange effects.
(d)(b)For discussion of changes between the years 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003,2004, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The significant increase from 2003 to 2004 primarily reflected higher average realized prices for all three reportable segments and lower workforce reduction charges, partially offset by higher raw material costs. The decrease from 2002 to 2003 primarily reflected restructuring charges, higher pension and OPEBother benefits costs and increased compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights. The improvement from 2001 to 2002 was primarily due to improved operating efficiencies; higher average realized prices and shipment volumes for sheet products; lower asset impairments; lower energy costs; cost savings initiatives; and higher income from iron ore pellet and coal operations. These were partially offset by higher pension settlement losses; lower shipment volumes and average realized prices for tubular products; the absence of the gain on the Transtar reorganization, which occurred in 2001; and lower income from coke operations.
(e)(c)See Note 127 to the Financial Statements for the basis of calculating earnings per share.
(f)(d)For year 2001, represents dividends paid per share on USX–U. S. Steel Group common stock.
(g)For discussion of changes between the years 2005, 20042006 and 2003,2005 see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The increase from 2004 to 2005 primarily reflected amounts drawn against a one-year revolving credit facility at USSK that was entered into in order to facilitate the repatriation of $300 million in foreign earnings pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The decrease from 2003 to 2004 was mainly due to the retirement of USSK long-term debt in November 2004 and the redemption of certain senior notes in April 2004. The increase from 2002 to 2003 was mainly due to the issuance of $450 million of 9 3/4%9-3/4% senior notes in May 2003.

Item 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this document.

 

Certain sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis include forward-looking statements concerning trends or events potentially affecting the businesses of U. S. Steel. These statements typically contain words such as “anticipates,” “believes,��believes,” “estimates,” “expects” or similar words indicating that future outcomes are not known with certainty and are subject to risk factors that could cause these outcomes to differ significantly from those projected. In accordance with “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, these statements are accompanied by cautionary language identifying important factors, though not necessarily all such factors, that could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements. For discussion of risk factors affecting the businesses of U. S. Steel, see “Item 1A – Risk Factors” and “Supplementary Data – Disclosures About Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Overview

 

U. S. Steel, the seventhsixth largest steel producer in the world and the second largest integrated steel producer in North America, has a broad and diverse mix of products and customers. U. S. Steel uses iron ore, coal, coke, and steel scrap, zinc and tin to produce a wide range of steel products, concentrating on value-added steel products for customers with demanding technical applications in the automotive, appliance, container, industrial machinery, construction and oil and gas industries. In addition to its domesticour facilities in North America, U. S. Steel has significant operations in Central Europe through U. S. Steel KosiceKošice (USSK), located in Slovakia, and U. S. Steel Balkan (USSB), located in Serbia. U. S. Steel ‘s financial results are primarily determined by the combined effects of shipment volume, selling prices, production costs and product mix. The primary drivers for U. S. Steel are economic conditions in the United States, Europe and, to a lesser extent, other steel-consuming regions; the levels of worldwide steel production and consumption; pension and other postretirement benefits (OPEB) costs; and raw material (iron ore, coal, coke, steel scrap, zinc and tin) and energy (natural gas and electricity) costs.

 

U. S. Steel’s long-term success depends on our ability to implement our strategy to continue to increase our value-added product mix; to expand our global business platform; to improve our capital structure and strengthen our balance sheet; to improve our reliability and cost competitiveness; and to become a world leader in safety performance.and environmental performance; and to attract and retain a diverse workforce with the talent and skills needed for our long-term success. In North America, U. S. Steel is focused on providing value-added steel products to itsour target markets. In Europe, U. S. Steel’sour strategy is to be a leading producer and thea prime supplier of steel to growing European markets, to expand our customer base by providing reliable delivery of high quality steel and to invest in value-added facilities, including anthe automotive hot-dip galvanizing line that is currently under construction.started up in February 2007. For a fuller description of our strategy, see “Item 1. Business Description – Business Strategy.” Some of the other key issues which will impact the global steel industry, including U. S. Steel, are the sustainability of highercurrent steel prices; the cost of purchased raw materials and energy; the level of unfunded pension and OPEB liabilities;other benefits obligations; the magnitude and durability of the world economic recovery; the degree of further industry consolidation; and the impact of production and consumption of steel in China, which has resulted in volatility in steel raw material supplies and global steel supply and pricing. Steel imports to the United States in 2005 were lower than 2004 levels. Import levels2006 reached record highs and may increase again in 20062007 depending on the relative strength of the U.S. dollar, market pricing, consumption in the United States versus other regions and foreign production levels.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of U. S. Steel’s financial condition and results of operations is based upon U. S. Steel’s financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards generally accepted in the United States of America.(U.S.). The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at year-end, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the year. Management regularly evaluates these estimates, including those related to the carrying value of property, plant and equipment; valuation allowances for receivables, inventories and deferred income tax assets; liabilities for

deferred income taxes, potential tax deficiencies, environmental obligations, potential litigation claims and settlements; and assets and obligations related to employee benefits. ManagementManagement’s estimates are based on

historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from current expectations under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Management believes that the following are the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements.

 

Pensions and OPEBOther Benefits – The recording of net periodic benefit costs (credits) for defined benefit pensions and OPEB areother benefits is based on, among other things, assumptions of the expected annual return on plan assets, discount rate, escalation or other changes in retiree health care costs and plan participation levels. Changes in the assumptions or differences between actual and expected changes in the present value of liabilities or assets of U. S. Steel’s plans could cause net periodic benefit costs to increase or decrease materially from year to year as discussed below.

 

U. S. Steel bases its estimate of the annual expected return on plan assets on the historical long-term rate of return experienced by U. S. Steel’s plan assets, the investment mix of plan assets between debt, equities and other investments, and itsour view of market returns expected in the future. Based on a review of these factors, U. S. Steel has kept the expected annual return on pension plan assets for itsour main pension plan at 8.0 percent for 2006.2007.

 

The discount rate reflects the current rate at which the pension and other benefits liabilities could be effectively settled at the measurement date. In setting these rates, we utilize several Merrill Lynch Average AAA/AA Corporate Bond indexes and both the 30-year and the 10-year U. S. Treasury bond rates as a preliminary indication of interest rate movements and levels, and we also look to an internally calculated rate determined by matching our expected benefit payments to payments from a stream of AA or higher rated zero coupon corporate bonds theoretically available in the marketplace. Based on this evaluation at December 31, 2005,2006, U. S. Steel loweredincreased the discount rate used to measure both pension and OPEBother benefits obligations from 5.755.50 percent to 5.505.75 percent. LowerHigher discount rates increasedecrease the actuarial losses of the plans and will unfavorablyfavorably impact net periodic benefitpension and other benefits costs by approximately $6$9 million for pensions in 2006 principally due to the impact of required amortization amounts.2007.

 

U. S. Steel determines the escalation trend in per capita health care costs based on historical rate experience under U. S. Steel’s insurance plans. Assumed health care cost trend rates no longer have a significant effect on the amounts reported for U. S. Steel’s health care plans, other than the benefit plan offered to retired mineworkers, since a cost cap was negotiated in 2003 with the USWA, which freezes Steelworker retiree medical costs after the 2006 base year.USW. Most non-union benefits are limited to flat dollar payments that are not affected by escalation. For measurement purposes, U. S. Steel has assumed an initial escalation rate of 98.0 percent for 2006.2007. This rate is assumed to decrease gradually to an ultimate rate of 4.755.0 percent in 2013 and remain at that level thereafter.

 

Net periodic pension cost, excludingincluding multiemployer plans, is expected to total approximately $159$113 million in 2007 compared to $202 million in 2006. Total OPEBother benefits costs in 20062007 are expected to be approximately $111 million.$124 million compared to $110 million in 2006.

A sensitivity analysis of the projected incremental effect of a hypothetical 1/2 percent change in the significant assumptions used in the pension and OPEBother benefits calculations is provided in the following table:

 

  Hypothetical Rate
Increase (Decrease)


 
(In millions of dollars) (1/2%)    1/2% 

Expected return on plan assets

          

Incremental Increase (Decrease) in:

          

Expected pension costs for 2006

 $34    $(34)

Discount rate

          

Incremental Increase (Decrease) in:

          

Expected pension & OPEB costs for 2006

 $16    $(17)

Pension & OPEB liabilities at December 31, 2005

 $430    $(470)

Health care cost escalation trend rates

          

Incremental Increase (Decrease) in:

          

Expected OPEB costs for 2006

 $(8)   $9 
  Hypothetical Rate
Increase (Decrease)


 
(In millions of dollars) (1/2%)    1/2% 

Expected return on plan assets

          

Incremental increase (decrease) in:

          

Expected pension costs for 2007

 $35    $(35)

Discount rate

          

Incremental increase (decrease) in:

          

Expected pension & other benefits costs for 2007

 $19    $(19)

Pension & other benefits liabilities at December 31, 2006

 $446    $(411)

Health care cost escalation trend rates

          

Incremental increase (decrease) in:

          

Expected other benefits costs for 2007

 $(9)   $10 

 

Changes in the assumptions for expected annual return on plan assets and the discount rate do not impact the funding calculations used to derive minimum funding requirements for the pension plans. For further cash flow discussion, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Financial Condition, Cash Flows and Liquidity – Liquidity.”

 

Asset Impairments Asset impairments are recognized when the carrying value of those productive assets exceeds their aggregate projected undiscounted cash flows. These undiscounted cash flows are based on management’s long range estimates of market conditions and the overall performance associated with the individual asset or asset grouping. If future demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, or if the probability of disposition of the assets differs from that previously estimated by management, additional asset write-downs may be required.

 

Taxes U. S. Steel records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event that U. S. Steel were to determinedetermines that it would be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assetsasset valuation allowance would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should U. S. Steel determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of itsour deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets would be charged to income in the period such determination was made. U. S. Steel expects to generate future taxable income to realize the benefits of itsour net deferred tax assets.

 

U. S. Steel makes no provision for deferred U.S. and certain foreign income taxes on the undistributed earnings of USSK and other consolidated foreign subsidiariesUSSE because management intends, without regard to the one-time repatriation in 2005, indefinitely to permanently reinvest such earnings in foreign operations. See Note 149 to the Financial Statements. Undistributed foreign earnings at December 31, 2005, net of the $300 million repatriation,2006 amounted to approximately $1,276$1,995 million. If such earnings were not permanently reinvested, a U.S. deferred tax liability of approximately $400$640 million would have been required.

 

U. S. Steel records liabilities for potential tax deficiencies. These liabilities are based on management’s judgment of the risk of loss should thosefor items that have been or may be challenged by taxing authorities. In the event that U. S. Steel were to determine that tax-related items would not be considered deficiencies or that items previously not considered to be potential deficiencies could be considered potential tax deficiencies (as a result of an audit, tax ruling or other positions or authority), an adjustment to the liability would be recorded through income in the period such determination was made.

 

Environmental RemediationU. S. Steel provides for remediation costs and penalties when the responsibility to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. Remediation liabilities are accrued based on estimates of known environmental exposures and are discounted in certain instances. U. S. Steel regularly monitors the progress of environmental remediation. Should studies indicate that the cost of

remediation is to be more than previously estimated, an additional accrual would be recorded in the period in which such determination was made. As of December 31, 2005,2006, the total accrualsaccrual for environmental remediation were $145

was $140 million, excluding liabilities related to asset retirement obligations under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) No. 143.

Change Due to uncertainties inherent in Accounting Method

Duringremediation projects, it is possible that total remediation costs for active matters may exceed the fourth quarter of 2005, U. S. Steel changed its method of determining the cost of USSK inventories from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Management considers the FIFO method to be preferable to the LIFO method for USSK because it creates consistency of the valuation method used for inventories within the USSE reportable segment and provides for comparability of the USSE segment with major international competitors. In accordance with FAS No. 154, prior period results have been adjusted to apply the new method retrospectively. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.accrued liability by as much as 25 percent.

 

Segments

 

During 2005,2006, U. S. Steel had three reportable operating segments: Flat-rolled Products (Flat-rolled), U. S. Steel Europe (USSE) and Tubular Products (Tubular). The results of several operating segments that do not constitute reportable segments are combined and disclosed in the Other Businesses category.

 

The Flat-rolled segment includes the operating results of U. S. Steel’s domesticNorth American integrated steel mills and equity investees involved in the production of sheet, tin mill products, and strip mill plate, and rounds for Tubular, as well as all domestic coke production facilities.facilities in the U.S. These operations are principally located in the United States and primarily serve domestic customers in the service center, conversion, transportation (including automotive), container, construction and appliance markets. Effective May 20, 2003, the Flat-rolled segment includes the operating results of Granite City Works, Great Lakes Works, the Midwest Plant, ProCoil Company LLC and U. S. Steel’s equity interest in Double G Coatings Company L.P., which were acquired from National. In November 2003, U. S. Steel disposed of the Gary Works plate mill.

 

The USSE segment includes the operating results of USSK,U. S. Steel Košice (USSK), U. S. Steel’s integrated steel mill in Slovakia; and effective September 12, 2003, USSB,U. S. Steel Balkan (USSB), U. S. Steel’s integrated steel mill and other facilities in Serbia. Prior to September 12, 2003, this segment includedUSSE primarily serves customers in the operating results of activities under certain agreements with the former owner of USSB. These agreements were terminated in conjunction with the USSB acquisition.central, western and southern European construction, conversion, service center, appliance, container, transportation (including automotive), and oil, gas and petrochemical markets. USSE produces and sells sheet, strip mill plate, tin mill and tubular precision tubeproducts, as well as heating radiators and specialty steel products. USSE primarily serves customers in the central and western European construction, conversion, service center, appliance, container, transportation, and oil, gas and petrochemical markets.refractories.

 

The Tubular segment includes the operating results of U. S. Steel’s domestic tubular production facilities.facilities in the U.S. These operations produce and sell both seamless and electric resistance weldwelded tubular products and primarily serve customers in the oil, gas and petrochemical markets. Tubular has the annual capability to produce 1.8 million tons of products.

 

All other U. S. Steel businesses not included in reportable segments are reflected in Other Businesses. These businesses are involved in the production and sale of iron ore pellets, transportation services and the management and development of real estate. Effective May 20, 2003, Other Businesses include the operating results of iron ore pellet operations in Keewatin, Minnesota and Delray Connecting Railroad Company, which were acquired from National. Prior to the sale on June 30, 2003 of U. S. Steel’s coal mines and related assets, Other Businesses were involved in the mining, processing and sale of coal.

The transfer values of steel rounds and bands supplied to Tubular from Flat-rolled and of iron ore pellets supplied to Flat-rolled from Other Businesses are set at the beginning of each year based on expected total production costs and may be adjusted quarterly if actual production costs warrant.

 

For further information about segments, see Note 63 to the Financial Statements.

Net Sales

 

 

Includes National Steel facilities from the date of acquisition on May 20,

2003, and USSB from the date of acquisition on September 12, 2003.

The following table sets forth the net sales of U. S. Steel by segment for each of the last three years:

 

(Dollars in millions, excluding intersegment sales) 2005   2004   2003(a)

Flat-rolled(b)(c)

 $8,813   $9,827   $6,401

USSE

  3,336    2,839    1,817

Tubular

  1,546    941    573

Straightline(c)

          138
  

   

   

Total sales from reportable segments

  13,695    13,607    8,929

Other Businesses(d)

  344    368    399
  

   

   

Net sales

 $14,039   $13,975   $9,328
(a)Includes National from the date of acquisition on May 20, 2003, and USSB from the date of acquisition on September 12, 2003.
(b)Includes net sales from the 1314B Partnership effective January 1, 2004.
(c)As of January 1, 2004, residual results of Straightline are included in the Flat-rolled segment. Prior year results have not been restated as, prior to December 31, 2003, Straightline had a separate management structure and was a different entity than residual Straightline.
(d)Includes net sales from the management of mineral resources prior to February 2004, when U. S. Steel sold substantially all of the remaining mineral interests administered by our real estate business, and from the sale of coal prior to June 30, 2003, when U. S. Steel sold its coal mining business.
(Dollars in millions, excluding intersegment sales) 2006   2005   2004

Flat-rolled

 $9,607   $8,813   $9,827

USSE

  3,968    3,336    2,839

Tubular

  1,798    1,546    941
  

   

   

Total sales from reportable segments

  15,373    13,695    13,607

Other Businesses

  342    344    368
  

   

   

Net sales

 $15,715   $14,039   $13,975

 

Management’s analysis of the percentage change in net sales for U. S. Steel’s reportable business segments is set forth in the following tables:

Year Ended December 31, 2006 versus Year Ended December 31, 2005

  Steel Products(a)

          
  Volume    Price    Mix    FX(b)    

Coke &

Other

      Net Change 

Flat-rolled

 6%   3%   0%   0%   0%     9%

USSE

 19%   2%   -3%   1%   0%     19%

Tubular

 3%   12%   1%   0%   0%     16%
(a)Excludes intersegment sales
(b)Foreign currency effects

Total net sales in 2006 increased by $1,676 million compared to 2005. Sales for the Flat-rolled segment were up 9 percent mainly on higher shipments of sheet products and higher average realized prices (up $17 per ton). Sales for USSE increased 19 percent mainly as a result of higher shipment volumes. Tubular sales were up 16 percent due primarily to higher average realized prices (up $173 per ton), as well as increased shipment volumes.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2005 versus Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

  Steel Products(a)

          
  Volume    Price    Mix    FX(b)    

Coke &

Other

      Net Change 

Flat-rolled

 -14%   6%   0%   0%   -2%     -10%

USSE

 2%   14%   1%   0%   1%     18%

Tubular

 6%   52%   5%   0%   1%     64%
 (a)Excludes intersegment sales 
 (b)Foreign currency exchange effects 

Total net sales in 2005 increased by $64 million compared to 2004. Sales for the Flat-rolled segment were down 10 percent as the increases in Flat-rolled average steelrealized prices (up $43 per ton) were more than offset by lower sheet shipment volumes and lower trade shipments of coke. Sales for USSE increased by 18 percent mainly as a result of higher average steelrealized prices (up $81 per ton). Tubular sales were up significantly due primarily to higher average realized prices (up $463 per ton), as well as increased shipment volumes and an improved product mix.

Year Ended December 31, 2004 versus Year Ended December 31, 2003

  Steel Products(a)

          
  Volume    Price    Mix    FX(b)    

Coke &

Other

      Net Change 

Flat-rolled

 12%   34%   4%   0%   4%     54%

USSE

 2%   28%   11%   7%   8%     56%

Tubular

 23%   42%   2%   0%   -3%     64%
(a)Excludes intersegment sales
(b)Foreign currency exchange effects

Total net sales in 2004 increased $4,647 million compared to 2003. Sales for the Flat-rolled segment increased 54 percent mainly as a result of higher average realized prices (up $152 per ton), higher shipment volumes for domestic sheet and tin products; and higher sales on commercial coke shipments due primarily to the consolidation of the 1314B Partnership effective January 1, 2004. These were partially offset by lower 2004 shipment volumes for plate products resulting from the disposal in November 2003 of U. S. Steel’s only plate mill. Sales for domestic sheet and tin products benefited from the inclusion of shipments from the acquired National Steel Corporation (National) facilities for the entire 2004 period. USSE sales were up 56 percent mainly due to higher average realized prices (up $171 per ton), favorable changes in product mix and favorable foreign currency exchange rate effects. Sales for USSE included shipments from the acquired Serbian facilities for the entire 2004 period. The 64 percent increase for Tubular was primarily due to higher average realized prices (up $233 per ton) and shipment volumes.

 

Operating expenses

 

Profit-based union payments

 

Results for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and December 31, 2004 included costs related to three profit-based payments pursuant to the provisions of the 2003 labor agreement negotiated with the USWA.USW. All of these costs are included in cost of sales on the statement of operations.

 

 Year Ended December 31

  Year Ended December 31

(Dollars in millions)     2005         2004     % Change      2006         2005         2004    

Allocated to segment results

 $115 $131 -12% $167 $115 $131

Retiree benefit expenses

  100  110 -9%  131  100  110
 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 $215 $241 -11% $298 $215 $241

Payment amounts per the agreement with the USWAUSW are calculated as percentagesa percentage of consolidated income from operations after special items (as defined in the agreement) and are: (1) to be contributed to the National Benefit Trust, the purpose of which (when established) isused to assist retirees from National retireesSteel with healthcarehealth care costs, based on between 6 percent and 7.5 percent of profit; (2) to be used to offset a portion of future medical insurance premiums to be paid by U. S. Steel retirees based on 5 percent of profit above $15 per ton; and (3) paid as profit sharing to active union employees based on 7.5 percent of profit between $10 and $50 per ton and 10 percent of profit above $50 per ton.

At the end of 20032006, 2005 and 2004, assumptions for the second calculation above were included in the actuarial calculation of retiree medical liabilities, and costsliabilities. This actuarial calculation is performed annually as of December 31, unless a significant interim event occurs. Costs for this item wereare not reflected in the table above and are calculated and recorded through the income statement in the same manner as other retiree medical expenses.

costs.

Pension and OPEBother benefits costs

 

Defined benefit pension and multiemployer pension plan benefit costs, which are included in income (loss) from operations, totaled $202 million in 2006, compared to $280 million in 2005 compared toand $254 million in 2004 and $556 million in 2003.2004. The costs in 2006, 2005 2004 and 20032004 included settlement, termination and curtailment losses of $12 million, $23 million and $22 million, respectively. Excluding these charges, the decrease in pension expense in 2006 compared to 2005 mainly reflects a reduced prior service cost amortization associated with 1991 pension improvements that are now fully amortized and $447 million, respectively.a reduced interest component reflecting lower liabilities caused by normal maturation of the plan. The increase from 2004 to 2005 mainly reflected a lower asset base, which resulted in a higher amortization of net actuarial losses and a lower return on plan assets. Excluding the settlement, termination and curtailment losses, the increase in 2004 compared to 2003 mainly reflected a lower return on assets and higher amortization of net actuarial losses due to recognition of prior years’ net asset losses, revised retirement rate assumptions, curtailment liabilities from the prior year’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and a lower discount rate.

 

OPEBOther benefits costs, which are also included in income (loss) from operations, totaled $110 million in 2006, $109 million in 2005 and $106 million in 2004 and $241 million in 2003. Costs in 2003 included $58 million of curtailment charges. The reduction in OPEB expense in 2004 compared to 2003, excluding the curtailment charges, primarily reflected cost-sharing mechanisms negotiated with the USWA in 2003 in conjunction with assumed changes to retiree participation in company-sponsored prescription drug programs based on future benefits under the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. This decrease was partially offset by higher costs in 2004 related to the early retirements under the TAP recorded at the end of the third quarter of 2003 and additional costs in 2004 due to the full-period inclusion of costs related to employees added with the National acquisition and to changes in assumed retirement ages.2004.

 

Costs related to defined contribution plans totaled $22 million in 2006, $19 million in 2005 and $18 million in 2004 and $15 million in 2003.2004.

 

For additional information on pensions and other postretirement benefits, see Note 2015 to the Financial Statements.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $52 million in 2006 compared to 2005. The decrease was primarily due to lower pension expense as discussed above.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $698$656 million in 2005, compared to $739 million in 2004. The decline primarly reflected lower expenses for stock-based and executive compensation, partially offset by higher pension costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $66 million in 2004 compared to 2003. The increase was primarily due to higher pension costs and increased costs following the acquisition of the Serbian facilities, partially offset by lower stock-based compensation and lower OPEB costs.

Restructuring charges

Restructuring charges of $683 million in 2003 consisted of the workforce reduction charge of $621 million, costs related to the Straightline shutdown totaling $16 million and $46 million of asset impairments, all of which are reflected in the following table under “Other items not allocated to segments.” See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for further details.

Income (loss) from operations:operations(a)

 

 Year Ended December 31,

 
   Adjusted(b)

  Year Ended December 31,

 
(Dollars in Millions) 2005 2004 2003  2006 2005 2004 

Flat-rolled(c)

 $602  $1,185  $(54)

Flat-rolled

 $600  $602  $1,185 

USSE

  502   439   214   714   502   439 

Tubular

  528   197   (25)  631   528   197 

Straightline(c)

        (70)
 


 


 


 


 


 


Total income from reportable segments

  1,632   1,821   65   1,945   1,632   1,821 

Other Businesses

  43   58   15   129   43   58 
 


 


 


 


 


 


Segment income from operations

 $1,675  $1,879  $80   2,074   1,675   1,879 

Retiree benefit expenses

  (267)  (257)  (107)  (243)  (267)  (257)

Other items not allocated to segments:

  

Workforce reduction charges

  (21)  (20)  (17)

Out of period adjustments

  (15)      

Asset impairment charge

  (5)      

(Loss) gain from sale of certain assets

  (5)     43 

Environmental remediation at previously sold facility

     (20)   

Stock appreciation rights

     1   (23)

Property tax settlement gain

  70            70    

Stock appreciation rights

  1   (23)  (75)

Workforce reduction charges

  (20)  (17)  (621)

Environmental remediation at previously sold facility

  (20)      

Income from sale of certain assets

     43   47 

Gain on timber contribution to pension plan

        55 

Asset impairments

        (57)

Litigation items

        (25)

Costs related to Straightline shutdown

        (16)
 


 


 


 


 


 


Total income (loss) from operations

 $1,439  $1,625  $(719)

Total income from operations

 $1,785  $1,439  $1,625 
 (a)See Note 63 to the Financial Statements for reconciliations and other disclosures required by FASStatement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131.
(b)Adjusted from amounts previously reported due to the change in inventory accounting method at USSK. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.
(c)As of January 1, 2004, residual results of Straightline are included in the Flat-rolled segment. Prior year results have not been restated as, prior to December 31, 2003, Straightline had a separate management structure and was a different entity than residual Straightline.

Segment results for Flat-rolled

 

Flat-rolled segment income in 2006 was about equal to 2005 as increased average realized prices, higher shipment volumes and lower outage costs were offset by higher raw material costs and higher costs for profit- based payments. Although higher than in 2005, capability utilization in 2006 was negatively affected especially in the latter part of the year as we reduced our operations to balance production with lower customer demand.

 

Flat-rolled segment income in 2005 declined by $583 million compared to 2004. The decrease primarily resulted from lower steel and commercial coke shipment volumes and higher costs for raw materials, outages, energy and labor. These were partially offset by increased average realized prices for flat-rolled products and higher transfer values for steel rounds supplied to Tubular. During 2005, the cost to produce tube rounds has increased dramatically and the transfer price for tube rounds supplied to Tubular, which had been established at the beginning of 2005 based on projected costs, was increased by $53 per ton effective April 1, 2005, by an additional $20 per ton effective July 1, 2005, and by an additional $46 per ton effective October 1, 2005. Capability utilization in 2005 was adversely affected by the rebuild of U. S. Steel’s largest blast furnace as well as lower demand levels early in the year as a result of high service center and end customer inventory levels.

 

Flat-rolled recorded segment income of $1,185 million in 2004, compared to a loss of $54 million in 2003. The improvement was mainly due to higher average realized prices; cost savings due to workforce reductions and ongoing cost reduction efforts; and the full-period realization of favorable effects resulting from the National acquisition. These improvements were partially offset by higher costs for raw materials, benefits and energy; and accruals for profit-based payments for union and non-union employees.

Segment results for USSE

 

USSE segment income in 2006 was significantly improved from 2005 primarily due to higher shipment volumes and lower raw material costs. These were partially offset by higher energy costs and net unfavorable currency effects.

 

USSE segment income of $502 million for 2005 increased by $63 million from 2004 due mainly to higher average realized prices, partially offset by increased raw material and outage costs.

USSE segment income for 2004 was $439 million, compared to income of $214 million in 2003. The increase primarily resulted from higher average realized prices, partially offset by increased costs for raw materials.

 

Capability utilization declined in 2003 and 2004 primarily due to the inclusion of USSB as one of its two blast furnaces was not operational until the third quarter of 2005. Capability utilization was also adversely affected in 2005 by the rebuild of our largest European blast furnace in Slovakia and in 2004 by operational difficulties with a blast furnace early in the year.

Segment results for Tubular

 

 

 

 

The increases in Tubular segment income of $528 millionin 2006 and in 2005 reflected an improvement of $331 millionas compared to 2004. The increase2005 and 2004, respectively, resulted mainly from higher average realized prices, partially offset by higher costs for steel rounds as discussed in “Segment results for Flat-rolled.”

Tubular recorded segment income of $197 million in 2004, compared to a segment loss of $25 million in 2003. The improvement resulted primarily from higher average realized prices. Margins in 2004 also benefited from stable costs for the significant portion of steel rounds supplied by Flat-rolled, which were transferred at a cost-based annual value established at the beginning of the year.rounds.

 

Results for Other Businesses

The $86 million increase from 2005 to 2006 was mainly due to improved results for iron ore pellet operations, primarily due to higher selling prices, as well as higher income for transportation services and real estate operations.

 

The decline in income from Other Businesses from $58 million in 2004 to $43 million in 2005 was mainly due to lower results at iron ore pellet operations due to lower trade sales and increased costs for natural gas, partially offset by higher intersegment sales and by improved results for real estate activities and transportation services.

 

Other Businesses recorded income of $58 million in 2004, compared to $15 million in 2003. The improvement was mainly due to higher results for iron ore pellet operations and transportation services, partially offset by lower results for real estate activities.

Items not allocated to segments:

Workforce reduction charges of $21 million in 2006 reflected employee severance and net benefit charges related to a voluntary workforce reduction program at USSB. Workforce reduction charges of $20 million in 2005 reflected special termination benefits for a voluntary early retirement program offered to certain employees at USSK. Workforce reduction charges of $17 million in 2004 reflected a pension settlement loss in the non-qualified defined benefit pension plan related to the retirement of several executive management employees.

In the process of evaluating the potential effects of adopting SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, we identified items from prior years that required an adjustment. These were not material and we did not use the cumulative adjustment alternative. Theseout of period adjustments resulted in a net charge of $15 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.

An impairment review of a small wholly owned German subsidiary of USSK was completed in accordance with Statement of Accounting Financial Standards (FAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” and, as a result, anasset impairment charge of $5 million was recorded in depreciation, depletion and amortization on the statement of operations during the first quarter of 2006.

Loss from sale of certain assets of $5 million in 2006 resulted from the subsequent sale of the small wholly owned German subsidiary of USSK referred to above. Gain from sale of certain assets of $43 million in 2004 resulted from the sale in February 2004 of substantially all of the remaining mineral interests administered by our real estate business and certain real estate interests.

Stock appreciation rights resulted in a credit to compensation expense of $1 million in 2005 and a charge to compensation expense of $23 million in 2004. These stock appreciation rights were issued prior to 2004 and allow the holders to receive cash and/or common stock equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common stock over the exercise price.

 

Property tax settlement gain of $70 million in 2005 resulted from a personal property tax settlement with the city of Gary, Lake County and the state of Indiana (Gary property tax settlement) and reflected the reversal of accruals in excess of the settlement amount of $44 million.

Stock appreciation rights resulted in a credit to compensation expense of $1 million in 2005 and charges of $23 million and $75 million in 2004 and 2003, respectively. These stock appreciation rights were issued from 1995 through 2003 and allow the holders to receive cash and/or common stock equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common stock over the exercise price.

Workforce reduction charges of $20 million in 2005 reflected special termination benefits for a voluntary early retirement program offered to certain employees at USSK. Workforce reduction charges of $17 million in 2004 reflected a pension settlement loss in the non-qualified defined benefit pension plan related to the retirement of several executive management employees. Workforce reduction charges totaling $621 million in 2003 related to U. S. Steel’s operating and administrative cost reduction programs and consisted of curtailment expenses of $310 million for pensions and $64 million for other postretirement benefits related to employee reductions under the TAP for union employees (excluding former National employees retiring under the TAP), other retirements, layoffs and asset dispositions; $103 million for early retirement cash incentives related to the TAP; pension settlement losses of $97 million due to a high level of retirements of salaried employees; termination benefit charges of $40 million primarily for enhanced pension benefits provided to U. S. Steel employees retiring under the TAP; and $7 million for the cost of layoff unemployment benefits provided to non-represented employees.

Income from sale of certain assets of $43 million in 2004 resulted from the sale in February 2004 of substantially all of the remaining mineral interests administered by our real estate business and certain real estate interests. Income from sale of certain assets of $47 million in 2003 resulted from the sale in April 2003 of certain coal seam gas interests and from the sale in June 2003 of our coal mines and related assets.

Gain on timber contribution to pension plan reflected a $55 million gain resulting from the excess of fair value over net book value for timber cutting rights valued at $59 million, which U. S. Steel voluntarily contributed to its defined benefit pension fund in December 2003.

Asset impairmentsof $57 million in 2003 resulted from a non-monetary asset exchange with International Steel Group, which was completed effective November 1, 2003, and the impairment of a cost method investment.

Costs related to Straightline shutdown consisted of the write-down of fixed assets and recognition of certain employee benefit costs resulting from the shutdown of Straightline, which was completed in 2004.

 

Net interest and other financial costs

 

  Year Ended December 31,

 
       Adjusted(a)

 
(Dollars in millions)     2005            2004            2003     

Net interest and other financial costs

 $72    $156    $167 

Foreign currency losses (gains)

  80     (36)    (54)

Adjustment from Gary property tax settlement

  (25)          

Adjustment related to interest accrued for prior years’ income taxes

       (38)    (17)

Charge from early extinguishment of debt

       33      
  


   


   


Total net interest and other financial costs

 $127    $115    $96 
(a)Adjusted from amounts previously reported due to the change in inventory accounting method at USSK. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.
  Year Ended December 31,

 
(Dollars in millions)     2006            2005            2004     

Net interest and other financial costs

 $114    $107    $170 

Interest income

  (57)    (35)    (14)

Foreign currency losses/(gains)

  (27)    80     (36)

Charge from early extinguishment of debt

  32          33 

Adjustment from Gary property tax settlement

       (25)     

Adjustment related to interest accrued for prior years’ income taxes

            (38)
  


 
 


 
 


Total net interest and other financial costs

 $62    $127    $115 

 

Net interest and other financial costs in 2006 included a $32 million charge resulting from the early redemption of certain senior notes. Net interest and other financial costs in 2005 included a favorable adjustment of $25 million related to the Gary property tax settlement. Net interest and other financial costs in 2004 and 2003 included a favorable adjustmentsadjustment of $38 million and $17 million, respectively, related to interest accrued for prior years’ income taxes. Net interesttaxes and other financial costs in 2004 also included a $33 million charge resulting from the early extinguishmentredemption of certain senior debt.notes. Excluding these items, the $122 million decrease from 2005 to 2006 was mainly due to favorable changes in foreign currency effects and increased interest income. Excluding the one-time items, the $32 million increase infrom 2004 to 2005 primarily reflected an unfavorable change in foreign currency effects. This was partially offset by lower debt levelsinterest expense resulting from the retirement of USSK long-term debt in November 2004 and the redemption of certain senior notes in April 2004, higher interest income and lower interest on tax-related liabilities. Excluding the previously identified items, the small increase in 2004 compared to 2003 primarily reflected a smaller

Net interest and other financial costs includes foreign currency gain, partially offset by higher interest incomegains and

lower interest on tax-related liabilities. The foreign currency effects were primarily due losses which, through December 31, 2005, included amounts related to the remeasurement of USSKUSSK’s and USSBUSSB’s net monetary assets into the U.S. dollar, which was the functional currency offor both prior to January 1, 2006.

U. S. Steel is subject to the risk of price fluctuations due to the effects of exchange rates on revenues and operating costs, firm commitments for capital expenditures and existing assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The functional currency for most of our operations outside the United States was the U.S. dollar throughuntil December 31, 2005. As of January 1, 2006, the functional currency for USSK and USSBUSSE was changed from the U.S. dollar to the euro primarily because of significant changes in economic facts and circumstances as a result of Slovakia’s entry into the European Union (EU) and the subsequent entry of the Slovak koruna into the Exchange Rate MechanizmMechanism II in preparation for Slovakia’s adoption of the euro. Other factors that contributed to this change are the evolution of USSE into an autonomous business segment, the settlement of itsUSSK’s U.S. dollar denominated debt and the establishment of euro-based debt facilities. This change in functional currency will behas been applied on a prospective basis.basis and resulted in a credit to the foreign currency translation adjustment in other comprehensive income of $108 million at the date of change. After January 1, 2006, assets and liabilities of these entities are translated from euros to U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the applicable period. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive loss component of stockholders’ equity.

See Note 6 to the Financial Statements for further information regarding net interest and other financial costs.

 

Income taxes

 

The income tax provision in 20052006 was $365$324 million, compared to $365 million in 2005 and $356 million in 2004 and2004. The provision in 2006 included a benefitfavorable adjustment of $452$15 million, recorded in 2003.the second quarter, primarily related to the refinement of assumptions used to determine the estimated 2005 tax accrual. The provision in 2005 included a charge of $37 million resulting from the $95 million pre-tax gain from the Gary property tax settlement and a $16 million charge resulting from the repatriation of foreign earnings pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. During 2005, a current tax provision was booked for USSK because the provisions of the Slovak Income Tax Act permit USSK to claim a tax credit of 50 percent of its tax liability for years 2005 through 2009, compared to a 100 percent credit in previous years. The provision in 2004 included a charge of $32 million related to a settlement with the settlementEuropean Union (EU) regarding tax benefits for USSK under Slovakia’s foreign investors’ tax credit, and a $23 million favorable effect relating to an adjustment of prior years’ taxes. The tax benefit in 2003 included a favorable effect relating to adjustments of prior years’ taxes of $19 million. The tax provisions in all three years were primarily the result of pre-tax results from domestic operations.

 

During 2006 and 2005, a current tax provision was recorded for USSK because the provisions of the Slovak Income Tax Act permit USSK to claim a tax credit of 50 percent of the current statutory rate of 19 percent for the years 2005 through 2009, compared to a 100 percent credit in previous years. As a result of conditions imposed when Slovakia joined the EU that were amended by the 2004 settlement with the EU, the total tax credit granted to USSK is limited to $430 million for the period 2000 through 2009. Based on the credits previously used and forecasts of future taxable income, management expects that this limit will be reached during 2008. Additional conditions for claiming the tax credit were established when Slovakia joined the EU. These conditions limit USSK’s annual production of flat-rolled products and its sales of flat-rolled products into the EU. Management does not believe the production and sales limits are materially burdensome, and they will expire at the end of 2009, if not before. Pretax income for the years 2006, 2005 and 2004 included $708 million, $389 million and $453 million, respectively, attributable to foreign sources.

As of December 31, 2005,2006, U. S. Steel had a net U.S. federal and statedomestic deferred tax assetsasset of $472$446 million. The valuation allowance for domestic taxes was reversed through equity in 2004. At December 31, 2005,2006, the amount of net foreign deferred tax assets recorded was $14$19 million, net of an established valuation allowance of $81$90 million. Net foreign deferred tax assets will fluctuate as the value of the U.S. dollar changes with respect to the euro, the Slovak koruna and the Serbian dinar. A full valuation allowance is recorded for Serbian deferred tax assets due to the cumulative losses experienced since the acquisition of USSB. IfAs USSB generates sufficient income, the valuation allowance of $58$78 million for Serbian taxes couldwould be partially or fully reversed at such time that it is more likely than not that the related deferred tax assets will be realized. Management will continue to monitor and assess taxable income, deferred tax assets and tax planning strategies to determine the need for, and the appropriate amount of, any valuation allowance.

 

See Note 149 to the Financial Statements for further information regarding income taxes.

 

Net income (loss)

 

Net income in 20052006 was $1,374 million, compared to $910 million compared within 2005 and $1,135 million in 2004 and with a net loss of $420 million in 2003.2004. The changes primarily reflected the factors discussed above.

 

Financial Condition, Cash Flows and Liquidity

 

Financial Condition

 

Current assets at year-end 20052006 increased $480$354 million from year-end 20042005 primarily due to increased cash balances (see “Cash Flows”)receivables and higher inventories, partially offset by a reductioninventories. The increase in outstanding accounts receivable.receivable primarily resulted from higher sales in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, due mainly to higher average realized steel prices. The increase in inventories was mainly due to higher quantities and prices of raw materials.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).” This Statement requires recognition of the funded status of a benefit plan on the balance sheet and has no income statement effect. The decrease in accounts receivables primarily resulted from lower sales in the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to the fourth quarter of 2004, due mainly to lower prices and shipment volumes for flat-rolled products.

funded status of a plan is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation. FAS No. 158 also requires additional disclosures about the annual effects on net periodic benefit cost arising from the recognition of the deferred actuarial gains or losses and prior service costs or credits as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Additional minimum pension liabilities (AMLs) and the related intangible assets applicable to pension plans under FAS No. 87 “Employer’s Accounting for Pensions” providesPensions,” if any, are no longer required after adoption of the new standard.

As of December 31, 2005, the actuarial measurement of the main defined benefit pension plan’s liabilities indicated that if, at any plan measurement date, the fair value of plan assets is less than the plan’sit was underfunded on an accumulated benefit obligation (ABO), the sponsor must record basis and an AML was needed. This caused a minimum liability at least equalnon-cash charge to equity (net of tax) of $1,366 million in 2005. As of December 31, 2006 and prior to the amount by whichadoption of FAS No. 158, the ABO exceeds the fair value ofactuarial measurement indicated that the plan assetswas overfunded and anyan AML was not required. Other smaller pension asset must be removed from the balance sheet. The sumplans were also re-measured and AMLs were calculated as of the liability and pension asset is offset by the recognition of an intangible asset and/or as a direct charge to stockholders’ equity, net of tax effects. Such adjustments have no direct impact on earnings per share or cash. At December 31, 2005, U. S. Steel’s main defined benefit2006. Including all pension plan was measured and it was determinedplans, AML entries that an additional minimum liability was requiredwould have been recorded but for this plan. Consequently, entries were recorded that eliminatedthe adoption of FAS No. 158 would have established aprepaid pensions, increased asset of $2.3 billion, eliminated theintangible pension asset by $250of $251 million and resulted in a net chargecredit to equity of $1.37$1.4 billion, which would have decreased theaccumulated other comprehensive loss.However, with the adoption of FAS No. 158, the AML entries were offset with entries that decreased theprepaid pensions asset by $2.0 billion and increased theaccumulated other comprehensive loss by $1.3 billion.

Long-termThe net effect from these pension entries was a $117 million net credit to equity, which decreased thedeferred income taxaccumulated other comprehensive loss.FAS No. 158 entries for other benefits increasedemployee benefits at year-end 2005by $489 million and increased $171 million from year-end 2004 and long-termthedeferred income tax liabilitiesaccumulated other comprehensive losswere eliminated, primarily due to the establishment of federal and state deferred tax assets in connection with the additional minimum liability for U. S. Steel’s main defined benefit pension plan, as well as the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards. by $303 million.

 

Current liabilities at year-end 2005 increased $2142006 decreased $47 million from year-end 2004 mainly due to2005 as the increasedecrease inshort-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt,, which resulted primarily reflects amounts drawn against a one-year revolvingfrom the repayment and termination of USSK’s195 million credit facility, was partially offset by the increase inpayroll and benefits payable, which includes a $345 million payable that will be used to assist retirees from National Steel with health care costs.This liability increased $133 million since year-end 2005 and remains outstanding because the associated trust arrangement has not been established. This excludes related interest payable of $15 million, which is recorded inaccrued interest. See “Results of Operations – Operating expenses – Profit-based union payments.”

Long-term debtat USSK. December 31, 2006 decreased $420 million from December 31, 2005 primarily because we repurchased most of our 10 3/4% Senior Notes due August 1, 2008.

The facilitySeries B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Shares automatically converted into 15,964 thousand shares of common stock during the second quarter of 2006.

Theaccumulated other comprehensive loss decreased by $132 million as the $186 million net increase resulting from the pension and other benefits changes discussed above was entered into in order to facilitate the repatriation of $300 million in foreign earnings pursuantmore than offset by decreases due primarily to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004,translation adjustments resulting from the change in the functional currency in Slovakia and Serbia as discussed in Note 14 to the Financial Statements.above, and subsequent translation effects.

 

Cash Flows

 

Net cash provided from operating activities was $1,686 million in 2006. Net investing and financing outflows, which included $607 million of debt repayment and $442 million of common stock repurchases, exceeded cash from operating activities by $59 million in 2006. Net cash provided from operating activities of $1,218 million in 2005 and $1,400 million in 2004 was more than adequate to cover investing and financing activities. In 2003, net cash provided from operating activities was $577 million, which was insufficient to cover theacquisitions of National and USSB. The shortfall was covered by theissuance of long-term debt andpreferred stock. Cash from operating activities was reduced by payments related to employee benefits as shown in the table below. As of December 31, 2006, U. S. Steel’s Board of Directors hashad authorized additional contributions of up to $260$300 million to U. S. Steel’s trusts for pensions and OPEBother employee benefits by the end of 2007.2008.

Employee Benefit Payments

 

 Year Ended December 31,  Year Ended December 31,

(Dollars in millions)   2005     2004     2003      2006     2005     2004  

Voluntary contributions to main defined benefit pension plan

 $(130) $(295) $(16) $140 $130 $295

OPEB payments not funded by trusts

  (213)  (186)  (60)

Contributions to VEBA(a)

  (60)  (30)   

Contributions to other OPEB trusts

  (22)  (4)  (19)

Other employee benefits payments not funded by trusts

  252  213  186

Contributions to trusts for retiree health care and life insurance(a)

  80  82  34

Payments to multiemployer pension plans(b)

  (28)  (50)(c)     29  28  50

Payments to pension plans not funded by trusts

  (24)  (44)  (15)  22  24  44
 


 


 


 

 

 

Reductions in cash flows from operating activities

 $(477) $(609) $(110) $523 $477 $609
 (a)All were voluntary except for $10$16 million in 2006 and $20 million in 2005.
 (b)Primarily the Steelworkers Pension Trust.
(c)Includes $11 million related to 2003 hours worked.

Capital expenditures were $612 million in 2006, $741 million in 2005 and $579 million in 2004 and $316 million in 2003.2004.

 

 DomesticFlat-rolled capital expenditures of $492$274 million in 2006 included improvements to cokemaking facilities at Granite City Works, Clairton Works and Gary Works; the capitalization of a lease for a caster at Great Lakes Works; and the completion of the repair and rebuild of our largest blast furnace at Gary Works. The most significant project included in USSE’s 2006 capital expenditures of $211 million was a new hot dip galvanizing line at USSK for automotive applications. Other Businesses had capital spending of $123 million, which included replacement of open pit mining equipment at our iron ore operations.
Flat-rolled capital expenditures of $377 million in 2005 included spending for the major repair and rebuild of the largest U. S. Steel blast furnace at Gary Works for environmental projects at our iron ore operations and for coke oven thru-wall repairs. European capital expenditures of $249 million included spending at USSK for air emission reduction projects for cokemaking and steelmaking facilities, for a new automotive galvanizing line, for construction of an air separation plant and for blast furnace upgrades; and spending at USSB for the rehabilitation of the second blast furnace. Capital expenditures for Other Businesses in 2005 totaled $110 million and included spending for environmental projects at our iron ore operations.

 DomesticFlat-rolled capital expenditures of $356$253 million in 2004 were spread over several facilities. The most significant expenditures were for improvements to two blast furnacesfurnace repairs and improvements at Gary Works and a blast furnace at Granite City Works, for transportation equipment and for open pit mining equipment.Works. European capital expenditures of $223 million were primarily for USSK and included projects to reduce air emissions at the steelmaking facilities, commencement of construction of an air separation plant and completion of the third dynamo line, which began operation in June 2004. At USSB, work on refurbishing the steelmaking shop and the second blast furnace was accelerated.

Domestic Capital expenditures in 2003of $95 million for Other Businesses included the quench and temper line project at Lorain Tubular Operations and other smaller projects, the most significant of which were at Gary Works, Mon Valley Works and Minntac. European expenditures in 2003 included continued work on the third dynamo line and the installation of additional tin mill facilities at USSK.spending for open pit mining equipment.

U. S. Steel’s domestic contract commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2005,2006, totaled $82$186 million.

USSK has a commitment to the Slovak government for a capital improvements program of $700 million, subject to certain conditions, over a period commencing with the acquisition date of November 24, 2000, and ending on December 31, 2010. The remaining commitment under this capital improvements program as of December 31, 2005, was $53 million. In addition, USSB has a commitment to the Serbian government that requires it to spend up to $157 million during the first five years for working capital; the repair, rehabilitation, improvement, modification and upgrade of facilities; and community support and economic development. USSB spent approximately $156 million (including working capital) through December 31, 2005, leaving a balance of $1 million under this commitment.

 

Capital expenditures for 20062007 are expected to be approximately $700 million, reflecting approximately $440 million for domestic operations and $260 million for European operations. Domestic$750 million. Significant projects include the completion of the rebuild of U. S. Steel’s largest blast furnace at Gary Works, acquisition of mobile and mining and other production equipment, anddevelopment of an enterprise resource planning system, coke oven thru-wall replacements at Clairton Works. We are also evaluating alternatives to add cokemaking capacityWorks, the reline of the No. 2 blast furnace in Serbia, and to enhance energy recovery efficiency. Projects in Slovakia include continued spending for a new automotive galvanizing line and continuing work on air emission reduction projects in the steelmaking facilities and on a new air separation plant. Projects in Serbia include preparatory work for the reline of the No. 2 blast furnace in 2007.Slovakia.

 

The preceding statement concerning expected 20062007 capital expenditures is a forward-looking statement. This forward-looking statement is based on assumptions, which can be affected by (among other things) levels of cash flow from operations, general economic conditions, business conditions, availability of capital, whether or not assets are purchased or financed by operating leases, and unforeseen hazards such as contractor performance, material shortages, weather conditions, explosions or fires, which could delay the timing of completion of particular capital projects. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from current expectations in the forward-looking statement.

 

Borrowings against revolving credit facilities in 2005 reflected amounts drawn against a USSK195 million credit agreement that was entered into in order to facilitate the repatriation by U. S. Steel of certain foreign earnings pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, as discussed in Note 149 to the Financial Statements.

 

Repayments of revolving credit facilities in 2006 mainly reflected repayment of USSK’s195 million credit facility.

Repayment of long-term debt in 2006 primarily reflected the repurchase of most of our 10 3/4% Senior Notes due August 1, 2008. Repayment of long-term debt in 2004 reflected the retirement of long-term USSK debt and the redemption of some of our 10 3/4% Senior Notes due August 1, 2008 and some of our 9 3/4% Senior Notes due May 15, 2010. The redemption of the senior notes in 2004 was funded by $294 million of net proceeds from U. S. Steel’s equity offering completed in March 2004, which is included incommon stock issued.

Common stock repurchased reflected cash utilized to repurchasein 2006 and 2005 totaled 7.3 million shares and 5.8 million shares, of U. S. Steel common stock during 2005 in the open market. A U. S. Steel common stockrespectively. Our share repurchase program which was announced during the third quarter of 2005, allowed for the repurchase of up to eight million shares of its common stock from time to timeoriginally authorized in the open market or privately negotiated transactions.July 2005. On January 31, 2006 theand on October 31, 2006, our Board of Directors replenished the common stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to eight million shares of U. S. Steel common stock from time to time in the open market or privately negotiated transactions. As of December 31, 2006, 7.7 million shares remained authorized for repurchase.

Common stock issued in 2004 primarily reflected $294 million of net proceeds from U. S. Steel’s equity offering completed in March 2004, which were used for the early redemption of certain senior notes in April 2004. This redemption is included inrepayment of long-term debt, which also reflects the retirement of long-term USSK debt in November 2004.

Dividends paid

 

(In Dollars) Dividends Paid per Share Dividends Paid per Share
 U. S. Steel Common Stock

 Series B Preferred

 U. S. Steel Common Stock

 Series B Preferred

 Q4

 Q3

 Q2

 Q1

 Q4

 Q3

 Q2

 Q1

 4th Qtr.

 3rd Qtr.

 2nd Qtr.

 1st Qtr.

 4th Qtr.

 3rd Qtr.

 2nd Qtr.

 1st Qtr.

2006(a)

 $    0.20 $    0.15 $    0.15 $    0.10     $    0.875 $    0.875

2005

 $    0.10 $    0.10 $    0.10 $    0.08 $    0.875 $    0.875 $    0.875 $    0.875 $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 $0.08 $0.875 $0.875 $0.875 $0.875

2004

 $0.05 $0.05 $0.05 $0.05 $0.875 $0.875 $0.875 $0.875 $0.05 $0.05 $0.05 $0.05 $0.875 $0.875 $0.875 $0.875

2003

 $0.05 $0.05 $0.05 $0.05 $0.875 $0.875 $1.206 $
(a)The outstanding 7% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Shares were mandatorily converted into U. S. Steel common stock on June 15, 2006.

 

Dividends were paid out of additional paid-in capital while U. S. Steel was in a retained deficit position. The outstanding 7% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Shares (Series B Preferred) will mandatorily convert into U. S. Steel common stock on June 15, 2006. Based upon the average market price for U. S. Steel’s common

stock over a prescribed period before the conversion, the number of shares that will be issued in exchange for the 5 million shares of Series B Preferred ranges from approximately 16.0 million to 19.2 million. As long as the average closing price of U. S. Steel’s common stock for the prescribed period is equal to or greater than $15.66 per share, the conversion rate will be 3.1928 common shares for each Series B Preferred share. For discussion of restrictions on future dividend payments, see “Liquidity.”

 

Liquidity

 

U. S. Steel has a Receivables Purchase Agreementreceivables purchase program that initially provides up to sell a revolving interest in$500 million of liquidity and letters of credit depending upon the number of eligible trade receivables generated by U. S. Steel and certain of its subsidiaries through a commercial paper conduit program with fundingSteel. The commitments under the facility up to the lesser of eligible receivables or $500 million. The Receivables Purchase Agreement expiresexpire on November 28, 2006. QualifyingSeptember 25, 2009, but may be extended at the committed purchasers’ discretion. Domestic trade accounts receivables are sold, on a daily basis, without recourse, to U. S. Steel Receivables LLC (USSR), a consolidated wholly owned special purpose entity. USSR then sells an undivided interest in these receivables to certain conduits. The conduits issue commercial paper to finance the purchase of their interest in the receivables. U. S. Steel has agreed to continue servicing the sold receivables at market rates. Because U. S. Steel receives adequate compensation for these services, no servicing asset or liability has been recorded.

 

While the Receivables Purchase Agreement expires in November 2006,September 2009, the facility also terminatesmay be terminated on the occurrence and failure to cure certain events, including, among others, certain defaults with respectfailure by U. S. Steel to the inventory facility discussed in the following paragraph and othermake payment under our material debt obligations and any failure to maintain certain ratios related to the collectability of the receivables and failure to extend the commitments of the commercial paper conduits liquidity providers, which currently terminate on November 22, 2006.receivables. As of December 31, 2005,2006, $500 million was available to be sold under this facility.

 

U. S. Steel has a revolving credit facility that provides for borrowings of up to $600 million secured by a lien on our domestic inventory and receivables other than those sold under the Receivables Purchase Agreement (Inventory Facility). The Inventory Facility contains restrictive covenants, many of which apply only when average availability under the facility is less than $100 million, including a fixed charge coverage ratio test. In addition, lenders may terminate their commitments and declare any amounts outstanding payable upon a $100 million availability block may apply beginning May 1, 2008 until the 10 3/4% senior notes due August 1, 2008 (10 3/4% Senior Notes) are repaid, refinanced or defeased.change in control of U. S. Steel. Interest on borrowings is calculated based on either LIBOR or the agent’s prime rate using spreads based on facility availability as defined in the agreement. Although there were no amounts drawn against this facility at December 31, 2005,2006, availability was $594$598 million due to $6$2 million of letters of credit issued against the facility. This facility expires in October 2009. Our intent is to amend, restate or replace this facility over the next several months in order to extend the maturity, lower costs, and eliminate the secured nature of the facility.

 

In December 2006, USSK terminated its $40 million credit facility and entered into a new40 million facility (which approximated $53 million at December 31, 2006) that expires in December 2009. In December 2006, USSK also entered into an amendment to its $20 million credit facility that changes the amount available thereunder to20 million (which approximated $26 million at December 31, 2006) and extended the term of the facility to December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2005,2006, USSK had no borrowings against its $40 million and $20 million creditthese facilities, but had $4$5 million of customs and other guarantees outstanding, reducing availability to $56$74 million. Both facilities expire in December 2006.

 

During 2006, USSK’s195 million credit facility was paid in full and terminated.

At December 31, 2006, USSB was the sole obligor on a EUR 9.3 million committed working capital facility secured byhad no borrowings against its inventory of finished and semi-finished goods. This facility expired on September 27, 2005. On September 28, 2005, USSB entered into a new EUR 25 million facility (which approximated $30 million at December 31, 2005)$33 million), which is secured by its inventory of finished and semi-finished goods and expires September 28, 2008. At December 31, 2005, USSB had no borrowings against this facility.

USSK is the sole obligor on a EUR 195 million revolving credit facility (which approximated $231 million at December 31, 2005) that expires in December 2006. The facility bears interest at EURIBOR plus 20 basis points. USSK is obligated to pay a commitment fee on undrawn amounts. At December 31, 2005, this facility was fully drawn. This facility was entered into in order to facilitate the repatriation by U. S. Steel of certain foreign earnings pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, as discussed in Note 14 to the Financial Statements.

 

In July 2001, U. S. Steel issued $385$535 million of 10 3/4% Senior Notes and in September 2001, U. S. Steel issued an additional $150 million of 10due August 1, 2008 (10 3/4% Senior Notes.Notes). In May 2003, U. S. Steel issued $450 million of 9 3/4% senior notesSenior Notes due May 15, 2010 (9 3/4% Senior Notes).

On April 19, 2004, U. S. Steel redeemed $187 million principal amount of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes at a 10.75 percent premium resulting in a reduction of the principal amount outstanding to $348 million, and redeemed $72 million principal amount of the 9 3/4% Senior Notes at a 9.75 percent premium, resulting inpremium. On December 28, 2006, U. S. Steel completed a reductioncash tender offer and consent solicitation for the 10 3/4% Senior Notes. The tender offer was funded with available cash. A total of $328 million of the outstanding notes were tendered. At December 31, 2006, the aggregate principal amount outstanding to $378 million. These were the aggregate principal amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2005. U. S. Steel redeemed these notes using most of the $294 million net proceeds from an equity offering, which was completed in March 2004. The remaining net proceeds were used for general corporate purposes.

The 109 3/4% Senior Notes and the 10 3/4% Senior Notes was $378 million and $20 million, respectively.

The consent solicitation removed substantially all of the limitations previously imposed under the terms of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes. The 9 3/4% Senior Notes (together, the Senior Notes) impose very similar limitations on U. S. Steel’s ability to make restricted payments. Restricted payments under the indentures include the declaration or payment of dividends on capital stock; the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of capital stock; the retirement of any subordinated obligations prior to their scheduled maturity; and the making of any investments other than those specifically permitted under the indentures.permitted. In order to make restricted payments, U. S. Steel must satisfy certain requirements, which include a consolidated coverage ratio based on EBITDA and consolidated interest expense for the four most recent quarters. In addition, the total of all restricted payments made since the 10 3/4% Senior Notes were issuedJuly 31, 2001 cannot exceed the cumulative cash proceeds from the sale of capital stock and certain investments plus 50% of consolidated net income from October 1, 2001, through the most recent quarter-end treated as one accounting period, or, if there is a consolidated net loss for the period, less 100 percent of such consolidated net loss. A complete description of the requirements and defined terms such as restricted payments, EBITDA and consolidated net income can be found in the indenture for the 10 3/4% Senior Notes and in the first supplemental indenture that were filed as Exhibits 4(f) and 4(g) to U. S. Steel’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. In conjunction with issuing the 9 3/4% Senior Notes, U. S. Steel solicited the consent of the 10 3/4% Senior Note holders to conform certain terms of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes to the terms of the 9 3/4% Senior Notes. The second supplemental indenture for the 10 3/4% Senior Notes and the Officer’s Certificate for the 9 3/4% Senior Notes werethat was filed as Exhibit 4.2 and Exhibit 4.1 respectively, to U. S. Steel’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 20, 2003.

 

As of December 31, 2005,2006, U. S. Steel met the consolidated coverage ratioall requirements and had approximately $1.5over $1.6 billion of availability to make restricted payments under the calculation describeddiscussed in the preceding paragraph. The Senior Notes indentures also allow U. S. Steel to declare and make payment of dividends on the Series B Preferred, and allow other restricted payments of up to $28 million as of December 31, 2005.2006. U. S. Steel’s ability to declare and pay dividends or make other restricted payments in the future is subject to U. S. Steel’s ability to continue to meet the consolidated coverage ratio and have amounts available under the calculation or one of the exclusionsexclusion just discussed.

 

The 9 3/4% Senior Notes also impose other significant restrictions on U. S. Steel such as the following: limits on additional borrowings, including limiting the amount of borrowings secured by inventories or accounts receivable; limits on sale/leasebacks; limits on the use of funds from asset sales and sale of the stock of subsidiaries; and restrictions on U. S. Steel’s ability to invest in joint ventures or make certain acquisitions.

 

If these covenants are breached or if U. S. Steel fails to make payments under itsour material debt obligations or the Receivables Purchase Agreement, creditors would be able to terminate their commitments to make further loans, declare their outstanding obligations immediately due and payable and foreclose on any collateral. This may also cause a termination event to occur under the Receivables Purchase Agreement and a default under the 9 3/4% Senior Notes. Additional indebtedness that U. S. Steel may incur in the future may also contain similar covenants, as well as other restrictive provisions. Cross-default and cross-acceleration clauses in the Receivables Purchase Agreement, the Inventory Facility, the 9 3/4% Senior Notes and any future additional indebtedness could have an adverse effect upon U. S. Steel’s financial position and liquidity.

 

U. S. SteelOn January 2, 2007, we completed the redemption of all of our 10% Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2031. The redemption in the aggregate principal amount of $49 million was funded with available cash.

The outstanding 9 3/4% Senior Notes may be redeemed at a premium after May 15, 2007. The premium ranges from 4.875 percent to zero percent depending on the redemption date.

We were in compliance with all of itsour debt covenants at December 31, 2005.2006.

 

U. S. Steel has utilizedWe use surety bonds, trusts and letters of credit to provide financial assurance for certain transactions and business activities. U. S. Steel has replaced some surety bonds with other forms of financial assurance. The use of othersome forms of financial assurance and collateral have a negative impact on liquidity. U. S. Steel has committed $114$107 million of liquidity sources for financial assurance purposes as of December 31, 2005, a decrease of $4 million during 2005,2006, and does not expect any material changes in 2006.

2007.

U. S. Steel was contingently liable for debt and other obligations of Marathon as of December 31, 2005, in the amount of $2 million. In the event of the bankruptcy of Marathon theseOil Corporation, obligations for which U. S. Steel is contingently liable, as well as $556of $532 million relating to Environmental Revenue Bonds and two capital leases, and $41as well as $37 million relating to certain operating leases, may be declared immediately due and payable.

As of December 31, 2006, we had accrued $360 million, including interest payable, which will be used to assist retirees from National Steel with health care costs. This liability remains outstanding because the associated trust arrangement has not been established. See “Results of Operations – Operating expenses – Profit-based union payments.”

Passed into law in August 2006, the Pension Protection Act prescribes a new methodology for calculating the minimum amount companies must contribute to their defined benefit pension plans beginning in 2008. While U. S. Steel continues to study various aspects of the legislation, preliminary estimates are that we will not be required to make cash contributions for the first several years. To mitigate potentially larger minimum funding requirements over the longer term under the new funding rules, U. S. Steel anticipates making a voluntary contribution of $140 million to the main domestic defined benefit pension plan in 2007. U. S. Steel may also make voluntary contributions of similar amounts in future periods, consistent with our long-term funding goals, considered in light of the new minimum funding rules. The contributions actually required will be greatly influenced by the level of voluntary contributions, the performance of pension fund assets in the financial market, the elective use or disavowal of existing credit balances in future periods and various other economic factors and actuarial assumptions that may come to influence the level of the funded position in future years.

 

The following table summarizes U. S. Steel’s liquidity as of December 31, 2005:2006:

 

(Dollars in millions)(Dollars in millions)(Dollars in millions)

Cash and cash equivalents(a)

    $1,452    $1,403

Amount available under Receivables Purchase Agreement

     500     500

Amount available under Inventory Facility

     594     598

Amounts available under USSK credit facilities

     56     74

Amounts available under USSB credit facility

     30     33
    

    

Total estimated liquidity(b)

    $      2,632    $      2,608
 (a)Excludes $27$19 million of cash related to the Clairton 1314B Partnership because it was not available for U. S. Steel’s use. 
 

(b)

The Senior Notes contain restrictions that could, under certain circumstances, limit the amount that U.S.Steel is permitted to borrow under its liquidity facilities.

(a)The9 3/4% Senior Notes contain restrictions that could, under certain circumstances, limit the amount that U. S. Steel is permitted to borrow under its liquidity facilities.

(a)

The 9 3/4% Senior Notes contain restrictions that could, under certain circumstances, limit the amount that U. S. Steel is permitted to borrow under its liquidity facilities.

 
 (b)Excludes $19 million, $27 million and $16 million at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, of cash related to the Clairton 1314B Partnership because it was not available for U. S. Steel’s use. 

U. S. Steel’s liquidity has increased significantly compared to year-end 2003 primarily as a result of cash generated from operating activities.

The following table summarizes U. S. Steel’s contractual obligations at December 31, 2005,2006, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on itsour liquidity and cash flows in future periods.

 

(Dollars in millions)                      
    Payments Due by Period     Payments Due by Period 
Contractual Obligations Total 2006 2007
through
2008
 2009
through
2010
 Beyond
2010
  Total 2007 2008
through
2009
 2010
through
2011
 Beyond
2011
 

Long-term debt and capital leases(a)

 $1,613  $249 $394 $413 $557 

Long-term debt (including interest) and capital leases(a)

 $1,371  $169 $207  $910  $85 

Operating leases(b)

  376   106  121  52  97   270   70  75   42   83 

Capital commitments(c)

  135   49  33    53 

Environmental commitments(c)

  145   26      119(d)

Unconditional purchase obligations(c)

  2,916   2,626  147   94   49 

Capital commitments(d)

  186   166  20       

Environmental commitments(d)

  140   18        122(e)

Steelworkers Pension Trust

  (e)  29  51    (e)   (f)  31  35(f)  (f)   (f)

Other postretirement benefits

  (f)  225  530  500  (f)

Other benefits

   (g)  290  525   525    (g)
 


 

 

 

 


 


 

 


 


 


Total contractual obligations

 $2,269(g) $684 $1,129 $965 $826(g)   (h) $3,370 $1,009    (h)   (h)
(a)See Note 1813 to the Financial Statements.
(b)See Note 2823 to the Financial Statements.
(c)Reflects contractual purchase commitments under purchase orders and “take or pay” arrangements. “Take or pay” arrangements are primarily for purchases of gases and certain energy and utility services.
(d)See Note 2924 to the Financial Statements.
(d)(e)Timing of potential cash flows is not reasonably determinable.
(e)(f)It is impossible to make a prediction of cash requirements beyond the term of the USWAUSW labor contract, which expires in 2008.
(f)(g)U. S. Steel accrues an annual cost for theseretiree medical and retiree life benefit obligations under plans covering itsour active and retiree populations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These obligations will require corporate cash in future years to the extent that trust assets are restricted or insufficient and to the extent that company contributions are required by law or union labor agreement. Amounts in the years 20062007 through 20102011 reflect our current estimate of corporate cash outflows and are net of the projected use of funds available from asset trusts. The accuracy of this forecast of future cash flows depends on various factors such as actual asset returns, the mix of assets within the asset trusts, medical escalation and discount rates used to calculate obligations, the availability of surplus pension assets allowable for transfer to pay retiree medical claims and company decisions or Voluntary Employee Benefit Association restrictions related to our trusts for retiree healthcare and life insurance that impact the timing of the use of trust assets. Also, as such, the amounts shown could differ significantly from what is actually expended and, at this time, it is impossible to make a reliable prediction of cash requirements beyond five years.
(g)(h)Amount of contractual cash obligations is not determinable, because other post-retirement benefit cash obligation estimates are not reliable beyond five years, as discussed in (f) and (g) above.

 

Contingent lease payments have been excluded from the above table. Contingent lease payments relate to operating lease agreements that include a floating rental charge, which is associated to a variable component. Future contingent lease payments are not determinable to any degree of certainty. U. S. Steel’s annual incurred contingent lease expense is disclosed in Note 2823 to the Financial Statements. Additionally, recorded liabilities related to deferred income taxes and other liabilities that may have an impact on liquidity and cash flow in future periods are excluded from the above table.

 

Pension obligations have been excluded from the above table. In 2005, U. S. Steel voluntarily contributed $130 million to its main domestic defined benefit pension plan. Further cash payments of $24 million were made to pension plans not funded by trusts. In 2004, U. S. Steel voluntarily contributed $295 million to its main domestic defined benefit pension plan. Further cash payments of $44 million were made to pension plans not funded by trusts. In 2003, U. S. Steel made a $75 million voluntary contribution to the main defined benefit pension plan, consisting mainly of timber assets, and made contributions of $15 million to other smaller pension plans.

U. S. Steel’s Board of Directors has authorized additional contributions of up to $260$300 million to U. S. Steel’s trusts for pensions and OPEBother benefits by the end of 2007.2008. Voluntary funding of approximately $130$140 million is currently anticipated in 2007 for the main domestic defined benefit pension plan in 2006.the U.S. U. S. Steel also expects to make cash payments of $13$7 million to pension plans not funded by trusts in 2006.2007. U. S. Steel may also make voluntary contributions in one or more future periods in order to mitigate potentially larger required contributions in later years. The amount of annual contributions may be substantially increased if Congress adopts pension reform legislation such as that currently under consideration. Any such funding couldmay have an unfavorable impact on U. S. Steel’s debt covenants, borrowing arrangements and cash flows. The funded status of U. S. Steel’s pension

plans is disclosed in Note 2015 to the Financial Statements. Also, profit-based contributionspayments pursuant to a trust to be established underthe

provisions of the the labor agreement with the USWAUSW to assist retirees from National retireesSteel with health care costs have been excluded from the above table as it is not possible to make an accurate prediction of payments required under this provision of the labor agreement.

 

The following table summarizes U. S. Steel’s commercial commitments at December 31, 2005,2006, and the effect such commitments could have on itsour liquidity and cash flows in future periods.

 

(Dollars in millions)                      
 Scheduled Reductions by Period

    Scheduled Reductions by Period

 
Commercial Commitments Total 2006 

2007
through

2008

 2009
through
2010
 Beyond
2010
  Total 2007 2008
through
2009
 2010
through
2011
 Beyond
2011
 

Standby letters of credit(a)

 $83 $75 $ $ $8(c) $80 $70 $ $ $10(c)

Surety bonds(a)

  16  4      12(c)  13        13(c)

Funded Trusts(a)

  34        34   31        31 

Clairton 1314B Partnership(a)(b)(d)

  150        150(c)  150        150(c)

Guarantees of indebtedness of unconsolidated entities(a)(d)

  10  8  1    1   2    1  1   

Contingent liabilities:

 

- Unconditional purchase obligations(e)

  3,886  2,507  1,078  195  106 
 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 


Total commercial commitments

 $4,179 $2,594 $1,079 $195 $311  $276 $70 $1 $1 $204 
(a)Reflects a commitment or guarantee for which future cash outflow is not considered likely.
(b)See Note 1914 to the Financial Statements.
(c)Timing of potential cash outflows is not determinable.
(d)See Note 2924 to the Financial Statements.
(e)Reflects contractual purchase commitments under purchase orders and “take or pay” arrangements. “Take or pay” arrangements are primarily for purchases of gases and certain energy and utility services.

 

U. S. Steel management believes that U. S. Steel’s liquidity will be adequate to satisfy itsour obligations for the foreseeable future, including obligations to complete currently authorized capital spending programs. Future requirements for U. S. Steel’s business needs, including the funding of acquisitions and capital expenditures, scheduled debt maturities, contributions to employee benefit plans, and any amounts that may ultimately be paid in connection with contingencies, are expected to be financed by a combination of internally generated funds (including asset sales), proceeds from the sale of stock, borrowings, refinancings and other external financing sources. Increases in interest rates can increase the cost of future borrowings and make it more difficult to raise capital. This opinion is a forward-looking statement based upon currently available information. To the extent that operating cash flow is materially lower than current levels or external financing sources are not available on terms competitive with those currently available, future liquidity may be adversely affected.

 

Debt Ratings

In March 2006, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded its ratings assigned to our senior unsecured debt from Ba2 to Ba1.

In November 2006, Fitch Ratings upgraded its ratings assigned to our senior unsecured debt two levels from BB to BBB-, which is Fitch’s lowest investment grade rating.

In January 2007, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services upgraded its ratings assigned to our senior unsecured debt from BB to BB+.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We did not enter into any new off-balance sheet arrangements during 2006.

In the fourthsecond quarter of 2005, U. S. Steel provided irrevocable notice to purchase2006, we purchased the Gary Works co-generation facility in the second quarter of 2006;facility; therefore, the agreement for the supply of electric power (previously expiring in 2011) will bewas terminated.

 

U. S. Steel hashad an off-balance sheet arrangement for the leasing of certain machinery and equipment at the Great Lakes facility. This operating lease arrangement iswas with a special purpose trust (Trust).trust. The Trusttrust financed the

construction of the facility and issued debt and equity certificates to third parties. These independent third parties arewere the beneficiaries of the Trust.trust. In the fourth quarter of 2006, U. S. Steel has provided no guarantees or capitalization of this entity and there is no assurance that U. S. Steel willcommitted to purchase the facility and, accordingly, this asset was included in property, plant and equipment at lease expiration.December 31, 2006. U. S. Steel’s transactions with the Trust aretrust were limited to the operating lease agreement, and the associated lease expense iswas included in cost of sales on the Statement of Operations. U. S. Steel doesdid not consolidate this Trusttrust because all of the conditions for consolidation havewere not been met under the provisions of FINFASB Interpretation Number (FIN) 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51.”

U. S. Steel has invested in several joint ventures that are reported as equity investments. Several of these investments involved a transfer of assets in exchange for an equity interest. In some cases, U. S. Steel has agreed to guarantee a portion of the debt of the entity and, in others, U. S. Steel has supply arrangements. In some cases, a portion of the labor force used by the investees is composed ofprovided by U. S. Steel, employees, the cost of which is reimbursed; however, failing reimbursement, U. S. Steel is ultimately responsible for the cost of these employees. The terms of U. S. Steel’s purchase and supply arrangements were a result of negotiations in arms-length transactions with the other joint venture participants, who are not affiliates of U. S. Steel. For further information on the impact of FIN 46R, see Note 1914 to the Financial Statements.

 

Other guarantees and indemnifications are discussed in detail in Note 2924 to the Financial Statements.

 

In September 2003, U. S. Steel hasentered into a 10-year agreement for the supply of various utility productsutilities at the Midwest Plant in Indiana. The supplier owns a co-generation facility consisting of two natural gas fired boilers that generate steam and hot water, a natural gas fired turbine generator and a steam turbine generator for production of electricity on land leased from U. S. Steel. The Midwest Plant’s employees perform the daily operating and maintenance duties and the Midwest Plant supplies natural gas to fuel the boilers and the turbine generator. The Midwest Plant is obligated to purchase steam, hot water and electricity requirements (up to the facility’s capacity) at fixed prices throughout the term and pay an annual capacity fee. U. S. Steel has no ownership interest in this facility.

 

In April 2004, U. S. Steel entered into a 10-year agreement for coal pulverization services at the Great Lakes facility, replacing a similar agreement that was entered into by National Steel, which was not assumed as part of the acquisition. During the initial 5-year period, the Great Lakes facilityU. S. Steel is obligated to purchase minimum monthly pulverization services at fixed prices that are annually adjusted for inflation. During the second 5-year period, U. S. Steel has the right to purchase pulverization services on a requirements basis, subject to the capacity of the pulverized coal operations, at fixed prices that are annually adjusted for inflation. This agreement resulted in an increase of approximately $45 million in U. S. Steel’s unconditional purchase obligations. U. S. Steel has no ownership interest in this facility.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for discussion of derivative instruments and associated market risk for U. S. Steel.

 

Environmental Matters, Litigation and Contingencies

 

U. S. Steel has incurred and will continue to incur substantial capital, operating and maintenance, and remediation expenditures as a result of environmental laws and regulations. In recent years, these expenditures have been mainly for process changes in order to meet Clean Air Act obligations and similar obligations in Europe, although ongoing compliance costs have also been significant. To the extent that these expenditures, as with all costs, are not ultimately reflected in the prices of U. S. Steel’sour products and services, operating results will be reduced. U. S. Steel believes that itsour major domestic and many European integrated steel competitors are confronted by substantially similar conditions and thus does not believe that itsour relative position with regard to such competitors is materially affected by the impact of environmental laws and regulations. However, the costs and operating restrictions necessary for compliance with environmental laws and regulations may have an adverse effect on U. S. Steel’sour competitive position with regard to domestic mini-mills, and some foreign steel producers and producers of materials which compete with steel, all of which may not be required to undertakeincur equivalent costs in their operations. In addition, the specific impact on each competitor may vary depending on a number of factors, including the age and location of its operating facilities and its production methods. U. S. Steel is also responsible for remediation costs related to itsour prior disposal of environmentally sensitive materials. Domestic integrated facilities that have emerged from bankruptcy proceedings, mini-mills and otherMost of our competitors generally do not have similar historic liabilities.

Our U.S. facilities are subject to the U.S. environmental standards, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as well as state and local laws and regulations.

 

USSK is subject to the environmental laws of Slovakia and the European Union (EU). The environmental requirements of Slovakia and the EU are comparable to domestic environmental standards.standards in the U.S. There are no legal proceedings pending against USSK involving environmental matters. USSK has entered into an agreement with the Slovak government to bring its facilities into environmental compliance in order to meet environmental standards as established from time to time by Slovak law. Onea current compliance project isfor a primary dedusting system

for at Steel Shop No. 2 to meet air emission standards for particulates. TheseThe Slovak government has established November 30, 2007 as a new deadline for USSK to meet compliance standards are applicable January 1, 2007at Steel Shop No. 2, and USSK is attemptinganticipates meeting the standards prior to complete the project by this deadline; however, project completion is currently anticipated for the first quarter 2007. Failure to meet the applicable deadline could result in the imposition of corrective measures by the Slovak Ministry of Environment (Ministry).deadline.

 

While the United States has not ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the European Commission (EC), in order to provide EU member states a mechanism for fulfilling their Kyoto commitments, has established its own CO2limits for every EU member state. In 2004, the EC approvedstate (see “Item 1. Business – Environmental Matters” for a national allocation plan for Slovakia that reduced Slovakia’s originally proposeddiscussion regarding CO2 allocation by approximately 14 percent, and following that decision the Ministry imposed an 8 percent reductionemissions limits, which are applicable to the amount of COEU member countries).2 allowances originally requested by USSK. Subsequently, USSK filed legal actions agains the EC and the Ministry challenging these reductions. In addition, USSK is evaluating a number of alternatives ranging from purchasing CO2 allowances to reducing steel production, and it is not currently possible to predict the impact of these decisions on USSK. However, the actual shortfall of allowances for the initial allocation period (2005 through 2007) will depend upon a number of internal and external variables and the effect of that shortfall on USSK cannot be predicted at this time. Based on the fair value of the anticipated shortfall of allowances related to production in 2005, a long-term other liability of $4 million has been charged to income and recorded on the balance sheet. Domestically, while

While ratification of the Kyoto Protocol does not seem likely in the near term,U.S. has not occurred, there remains the possibility that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may impose limitations on greenhouse gases.gases may be imposed. The impact on U. S. Steel’sour domestic operations cannot be estimated.estimated at this time.

 

USSB is subject to the environmental laws of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro, whichSerbia. These laws are currently more lenientless restrictive than either the EU or U.S. standards, but this is expected to change over the next several years in anticipation of possible EU accession. Under the terms of the acquisition, USSB will be responsible for only those costs and liabilities associated with environmental events occurring subsequent to the completion of an environmental baseline study. The study was completed in June 2004 and submitted to the Government of Serbia in accordance with the terms of the acquisition.Serbia.

 

U. S. Steel’s environmental expenditures(a):expenditures:

 

(Dollars in millions)


(Dollars in millions)


(Dollars in millions)


 2005

 2004

 2003

 2006

 2005

 2004

Domestic:

  

Capital

 $66 $24 $8 $45 $66 $24

Compliance

  

Operating & maintenance

          305          241          206          285          259          222

Remediation(b)

  23  18  38

Remediation(a)

  24  23  18
 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Domestic

 $394 $283 $252 $354 $348 $264
 

 

 

USSE:

  

Capital

 $67 $97 $22 $30 $67 $97

Compliance

  

Operating & maintenance

  12  8  10  11  12  8

Remediation(b)

  3  3  3

Remediation(a)

  2  3  3
 

 

 

 

 

 

Total USSE

 $82 $108 $35 $43 $82 $108
 

 

 

 

 

 

Total U. S. Steel

 $476 $391 $287 $397 $430 $372
 

 

 

 

 

 

  
 (a)Based on previously established U.S. Department of Commerce survey guidelines.
(b)These amounts include spending charged against remediation reserves, net of recoveries where permissible, but do not include non-cash provisions recorded for environmental remediation. 

 

U. S. Steel’s environmental capital expenditures accounted for 1812 percent of total capital expenditures in 2006, 18 percent in 2005 and 21 percent in 2004 and 10 percent in 2003.2004.

 

Compliance expenditures represented 3two percent of U. S. Steel’s total costs and expenses in 2006, 2005 2 percent in 2004 and 3 percent in 2003.2004. Remediation spending during 2003 to 20052004 through 2006 was mainly related to remediation

activities at former and present operating locations. These projects include remediation of contaminated sediments in the Grand Calumet River that receives discharges from Gary Works and the closure of permitted hazardous and non-hazardous waste landfills.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) establishes standards for the management of solid and hazardous wastes. Besides affecting current waste disposal practices, RCRA also addresses the environmental effects of certain past waste disposal operations, the recycling of wastes and the regulation of storage tanks.

 

U. S. Steel is in the study phase of RCRA corrective action programs at itsour Fairless Plant and its former Geneva Works.Lorain Tubular Operations. A RCRA corrective action program has been initiated at Gary Works, Fairfield Works and Fairfieldour former Geneva Works. Until the studies are completed at these facilities, U. S. Steel is unable to estimate the total cost of remediation activities that will be required.

 

For discussion of other relevant environmental items, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings – Environmental Proceedings.”

 

During 2005, U. S. Steel accrued $49 million forThe following table shows activity with respect to environmental remediation activitiesliabilities for domestic and foreign facilities. The total accrual for such liabilities atthe years ended December 31, 2005, was $145 million.2006 and December 31, 2005. These amounts exclude liabilities related to asset retirement obligations under FASStatement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143.

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

(Dollars in millions)     2006            2005     

Beginning Balance

 $137    $116 

Plus: Additions

  20     41 

Less: Payments

  (17)    (20)
  


   


Ending Balance

 $140    $137 

 

New or expanded environmental requirements, which could increase U. S. Steel’s environmental costs, may arise in the future. U. S. Steel intends to comply with all legal requirements regarding the environment, but since many of them are not fixed or presently determinable (even under existing legislation) and may be affected by future legislation, it is not possible to predict accurately the ultimate cost of compliance, including remediation costs which may be incurred and penalties which may be imposed. However, based on presently available information, and existing laws and regulations as currently implemented, U. S. Steel does not anticipate that environmental compliance expenditures (including operating and maintenance and remediation) will materially increase in 2006.2007. U. S. Steel’s environmental capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $113$118 million in 2006, $612007, $64 million of which is related to projects at USSE. Predictions beyond 20062007 can only be broad-based estimates, which have varied, and will continue to vary, due to the ongoing evolution of specific regulatory requirements, the possible imposition of more stringent requirements and the availability of new technologies to remediate sites, among other matters. Based upon currently identified projects, U. S. Steel anticipates that environmental capital expenditures will be approximately $76$132 million in 2007,2008, including $60$77 million for USSE; however, actual expenditures may vary as the number and scope of environmental projects are revised as a result of improved technology or changes in regulatory requirements and could increase if additional projects are identified or additional requirements are imposed.

 

At December 31, 2006, U. S. Steel iswas a defendant in approximately 500300 active asbestos cases, involving approximately 8,4003,700 plaintiffs. Many of these cases involve multiple defendants (typically from fifty to more than one hundred defendants). More than 8,000,3,400, or approximately 9592 percent, of these claims are pending in jurisdictions which permit filings with massive numbers of plaintiffs. Based upon U. S. Steel’s experience in such cases, it believes that the actual number of plaintiffs who ultimately assert claims against U. S. Steel will likely be a small fraction of the total number of plaintiffs.

On March 28, 2003, a jury in Madison County, Illinois returned a verdict against U. S. Steel for $50 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. U. S. Steel believes that the court erred as a matter of law by failing to find that the plaintiff’s exclusive remedy was provided by the Indiana workers’ compensation law. U. S. Steel believes that this issue and other errors at trial would have enabled U. S. Steel to succeed on appeal. However, in order to avoid the delay and uncertainties of further litigation and the posting of a large appeal bond in excess of the amount of the verdict, U. S. Steel settled this case for an amount which was substantially less than the compensatory damages award and which represented a small fraction of the total award. This settlement is reflected in the results for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, and for the year ended December 31, 2003.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has recommended to the Senate legislation that, if enacted, would create an asbestos trust fund that would provide benefits to asbestos claimants funded by payments over 30 years of

$136 billion from companies and their insurers that have been involved in asbestos litigation, including U. S. Steel along with thousands of others. The legislation would provide an administrative system to process asbestos claims instead of resolution through judicial proceedings. The amount that a company would be required to pay under the current version of the legislation would depend upon its placement among several tiers and sub-tiers, based upon corporate revenue and prior expenditures related to asbestos defense costs, settlements and judgments. Management estimates that if the legislation were adopted in the form proposed by the Judiciary Committee, the annual cost to U. S. Steel would be somewhat greater than the historical cost of asbestos defense and settlement. It is unclear whether any legislation will be adopted and any final legislation may be substantially different than the version recommended by the Judiciary Committee.

 

It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of asbestos-related lawsuits, claims and proceedings due to the unpredictable nature of personal injury litigation. Despite this uncertainty, and although U. S. Steel’s results of operations and cash flows for a given period could be adversely affected by asbestos-related lawsuits, claims and proceedings, management believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on U. S. Steel’s financial condition. For additional detail concerning asbestos litigation, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings – Asbestos Litigation.

U. S. Steel is the subject of, or a party to, a number of pending or threatened legal actions, contingencies and commitments involving a variety of matters, including laws and regulations relating to the environment, certain of which are discussed in Note 24 to the Financial Statements. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies could,

individually or in the aggregate, be material to the U. S. Steel Financial Statements. However, management believes that U. S. Steel will remain a viable and competitive enterprise even though it is possible that these contingencies could be resolved unfavorably to U. S. Steel.

 

The foregoing statements of belief are forward-looking statements. Predictions as to the outcome of pending litigation are subject to substantial uncertainties with respect to (among other things) factual and judicial determinations, and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements.

 

U. S. Steel is the subject of, or a party to, a number of pending or threatened legal actions, contingencies and commitments involving a variety of matters, including laws and regulations relating to the environment, certain of which are discussed in Note 29 to the Financial Statements. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the U. S. Steel Financial Statements. However, management believes that U. S. Steel will remain a viable and competitive enterprise even though it is possible that these contingencies could be resolved unfavorably to U. S. Steel.

Outlook for 20062007

 

TheWe expect another strong year in 2007, but our performance will ultimately depend upon the strength of the world economy and its impact on overall steel consumption. Global political and economic forces, including how China manages its state-supported steelmaking overcapacity, will impact our industry.

We expect first quarter of 2006 looks positive for our domestic and European markets. Service center and end customer inventories are balancedresults to decline from the fourth quarter, but flat-rolled demand is firming and we expect continued strengthhave restarted several domestic blast furnaces to bring our production in the energy markets served by our Tubular segment.line with improving order rates.

 

For Flat-rolled, first quarter 20062007 shipments are expected to improve compared to the fourth quarter of 2005 due to the restart of the Gary No. 14 blast furnace, with2006, and average realized prices should remain at or aboveabout the fourth quarter level. We expect higher raw material costs to be largelylevel as contract price improvements offset by reduced energy and outage costs.lower spot prices.

 

For U. S. Steel Europe, first quarter shipments are expected to increase from the fourth quarter, and average realized prices and costs shouldare expected to be consistent with fourth quarter levels. However, first quarter results will be negatively affected by production curtailments at Serbian operationsslightly lower as athe result of natural gas supply disruptions and could also be negatively affected by potential job-related actions by a labor union at USSB that is dissatisfied withincreased import product availability in the 2006 wage agreement, which became effective upon approval of the other unions.European markets.

 

Shipments and average realized prices for the Tubular segment in the first quarter of 20062007 are expected to decrease from the fourth quarter as import levels and customer inventories remain high.

First quarter costs for all of our reportable segments are expected to be in line with the fourth quarter.

 

First quarter 20062007 results for Other Businesses shouldare expected to be consistent with historical first quarter results, but will decline substantially from the fourth quarter due primarily to normal seasonal variationseffects at our iron ore operations in Minnesota.Minnesota and the non-recurrence of fourth quarter 2006 land sales.

 

Total costs for pension plans and other postretirement benefits are expected to be approximately $300 million in 2006, compared to $390 million in 2005.

Accounting Standards

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued FAS No. 123R. This Statement establishes standards for accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value

of the entity’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. This Statement requires an entity to recognize the cost of employee services received in share-based payment transactions, thereby reflecting the economic consequences of those transactions in the financial statements. In April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved a new rule that delayed the effective date of FAS 123R. Except for this deferral of the effective date, the guidance in FAS 123R is unchanged. Under the SEC’s rule, FAS 123R is now effective for U. S. Steel for annual rather than interim periods that begin after June 15, 2005. U. S. Steel will apply this Statement to all awards granted on or after January 1, 2006 and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date. Compensation cost will be recognized on and after January 1, 2006 for the portion of outstanding awards for which requisite service has not yet been rendered, based on the grant-date fair value of these awards calculated under FAS 123 for proforma disclosures. Currently, U. S. Steel expects that the effect of adopting this Statement on 2006 results will be a reduction to net income of less than $10 million.

In March 2005,February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” This Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value and report unrealized gains and losses on these instruments in earnings. FAS No. 159 is effective as of January 1, 2008. U. S. Steel does not expect any material financial statement implications relating to the adoption of this Statement.

In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and, accordingly, does not require any new fair value measurements. This Statement is effective as of January 1, 2008. U. S. Steel does not expect any material financial statement implications relating to the adoption of this Statement.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47,48, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations,Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143.109” (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. For U. S. Steel, the provisions of FIN 48 were effective on January 1, 2007. U. S. Steel does not expect the adoption of this Statement to have a significant effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In March 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.” This Interpretation clarifies thatStatement requires recognition of a servicing asset or liability when an entity is requiredenters into arrangements to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Uncertainty about the timing and (or) method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation should be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists.service financial instruments in certain situations. U. S. Steel adopted this Statement on January 1, 2007, and the provisions of this Interpretation in the second quarter of 2005. There wereadoption had no financial statement implications related to the adoption of this Interpretation.

In May 2005, the FASB issued FAS 154, which changes the requirements for the accounting and reporting of a change in accounting principle. FAS 154 eliminates the requirement to include the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle in the income statement and instead requires that changes in accounting principle be retroactively applied. FAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and correction of errors made on or after January 1, 2006, with early adoption permitted. U. S. Steel began applying the provisions of this statement in the fourth quarter of 2005.impacts.

 

In February 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140.” This Statement resolves issues addressed in Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, “Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets,” and is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. U. S. Steel does not expect anyadopted this Statement on January 1, 2007, and the adoption had no financial statement implications related to the adoption of this Statement.impacts.

 

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Management Opinion Concerning Derivative Instruments

 

U. S. Steel uses commodity-based and foreign currency derivative instruments to manage itsour market risk. Management has authorized the use of futures, forwards, swaps and options to manage exposure to price fluctuations related to the purchase of natural gas and nonferrous metals, and also certain business transactions denominated in foreign currencies. Derivative instruments used for trading and other activities have been marked-to-market and the resulting gains or losses recognized in the current period in income from operations. For future periods, U. S. Steel may elect to use hedge accounting for certain transactions, primarily related to forecasted natural gas purchases. For those transactions, the impact of the effective portion of the hedging instrument will be recognized in other comprehensive income until the natural gas purchase is settled. Once the purchase is settled, the effect of the hedged item will be recognized in income. While U. S. Steel’s risk management activities generally reduce market risk exposure due to unfavorable commodity price changes for raw material purchases and products sold, such activities can also encompass strategies that assume price risk.

 

Management believes that the use of derivative instruments, along with risk assessment procedures and internal controls, does not expose U. S. Steel to material risk. The use of derivative instruments could materially affect U. S. Steel’s results of operations in particular quarterly or annual periods; however, management believes that the use of these instruments will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or liquidity. For a summary of accounting policies related to derivative instruments, see Note 1 to the Financial Statements.

Commodity Price Risk and Related Risks

 

In the normal course of itsour business, U. S. Steel is exposed to market risk or price fluctuations related to the purchase, production or sale of steel products. U. S. Steel is also exposed to price risk related to the purchase, production or sale of coal, coke, natural gas, steel scrap, iron ore and pellets, and certainzinc, tin and other nonferrous metals used as raw materials.

 

U. S. Steel’s market risk strategy has generally been to obtain competitive prices for itsour products and services and allow operating results to reflect market price movements dictated by supply and demand; however, U. S. Steel uses derivative commodity instruments (primarily over-the-counter commodity swaps)has made forward physical purchases to manage exposure to fluctuations in the purchase price of natural gas and certain nonferrousnon-ferrous metals. The use of these instruments has not been significant in relation to U. S. Steel’s overall business activity.

U. S. Steel had no open derivative commodity instruments as of December 31, 2005. Sensitivity analyses of the incremental effects on pre-tax income of hypothetical 10 percent and 25 percent decreases in closing commodity prices for open derivative commodity instruments as of December 31, 2004 are provided in the following table:

(Dollars in millions)


     Assuming a Hypothetical Price
Decrease of:
     2005    2004
Commodity-Based Derivative Instruments    10%    25%    10%    25%

Incremental Decrease in Income Before Taxes:

                      

Zinc

            $2.9    $7.2

Natural Gas

            $1.8    $4.4

Management evaluates the portfolio of derivative commodity instruments on an ongoing basis and adjusts strategies to reflect anticipated market conditions, changes in risk profiles and overall business objectives. Changes to the portfolio subsequent to December 31, 2005, may cause future pretax income effects to differ from those presented in the table.

U. S. Steel recorded a net pre-tax gain on other than trading activity of $7 million in 2005, compared to gains of $4 million in 2004 and $1 million in 2003. These gains were offset by changes in the realized prices of the underlying hedged commodities. For carrying amount and fair value of derivative commodity instruments, see Note 26 to the Financial Statements.

Interest Rate Risk

 

U. S. Steel is subject to the effects of interest rate fluctuations on certain of itsour non-derivative financial instruments. A sensitivity analysis of the projected incremental effect of a hypothetical 10% decrease in year-end 20052006 and 20042005 interest rates on the fair value of U. S. Steel’s non-derivative financial instruments is provided in the following table:

 

(Dollars in millions)


(Dollars in millions)


(Dollars in millions)


  2005  2004 2006

 2005

Non-Derivative Financial Instruments(a)  Fair Value(b)  

Increase in

Fair

Value(c)

  Fair Value(b)  

Increase in

Fair

Value(c)

 Fair Value(b) Increase in
Fair
Value(c)
 Fair Value(b) Increase in
Fair
Value(c)

Financial assets:

             

Investments and long-term receivables(d)

  $18  $  $7  $ $28 $ $18 $

Financial liabilities:

             

Debt(e)(f)

  $        1,568  $        36  $        1,419  $        50 $        949 $        23 $        1,568 $        36
 (a)Fair values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, notes payable, accounts payable and accrued interest approximate carrying value and are relatively insensitive to changes in interest rates due to the short-term maturity of the instruments. Accordingly, these instruments are excluded from the table.
 (b)See Note 2419 to the Financial Statements for carrying value of instruments.
 (c)Reflects, by class of financial instrument, the estimated incremental effect of a hypothetical 10%10 percent decrease in interest rates at December 31, 2005,2006, and 2004,2005, on the fair value of U. S. Steel’s non-derivative financial instruments. For financial liabilities, this assumes a 10 percent decrease in the weighted average yield to maturity of U. S. Steel’s long-term debt at December 31, 2005,2006, and December 31, 2004.2005.
 (d)For additional information, see Note 1510 to the Financial Statements.
 (e)Excludes capital lease obligations.
 (f)Fair value was based on market prices where available, or estimated borrowing rates for financings with similar maturities. For additional information, see Note 1813 to the Financial Statements.

 

At December 31, 2005,2006, U. S. Steel’s portfolio of debt was comprised primarily of fixed-rate instruments. Therefore, the fair value of the portfolio is relatively sensitive to effects of interest rate fluctuations. This sensitivity is illustrated by the $36 million increase in the fair value of long-term debt assuming a hypothetical 10 percent decrease in interest rates. However, U. S. Steel’s sensitivity to interest rate declines and corresponding increases in the fair value of itsour debt portfolio would unfavorably affect U. S. Steel’sour results and cash flows only to the extent that U. S. Steelwe elected to repurchase or otherwise retire all or a portion of itsour fixed-rate debt portfolio at prices above carrying value.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

U. S. Steel, primarily through USSE, is subject to the risk of price fluctuations due to the effects of exchange rates on revenues and operating costs, firm commitments for capital expenditures and existing assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollars, in particulardollar, particularly the euro, the Slovak koruna and the Serbian dinar. U. S. Steel has not generally used derivative instruments to manage this risk. However, U. S. Steel has made limited use of forward currency contracts to manage exposure to certain currency price fluctuations. At December 31, 2005,2006, U. S. Steel had open euro forward salesales contracts for both U.S. dollars (total notional value of approximately $23.1$25.7 million) and Slovak koruna (total notional value of approximately $61.6$68.5 million). A 10 percent increase in the December 31, 20052006 euro forward rates would result in a $8.5$9.5 million charge to income.

 

Safe Harbor

 

U. S. Steel’s quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk include forward-looking statements with respect to management’s opinion about risks associated with U. S. Steel’s use of derivative instruments. These statements are based on certain assumptions with respect to market prices and industry supply of and demand for steel products and certain raw materials. To the extent that these assumptions prove to be inaccurate, future outcomes with respect to U. S. Steel’s hedging programs may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

 

United States Steel Corporation

600 Grant Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2800

 

MANAGEMENT’S REPORTSREPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS

 

February 27, 20062007

 

To the stockholders of United States Steel Corporation:

 

Financial Statements and Practices

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of United States Steel Corporation are the responsibility of and have been prepared by United States Steel Corporation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. They necessarily include some amounts that are based on our best judgments and estimates. United States Steel Corporation financial information displayed in other sections of this report is consistent with these financial statements.

 

United States Steel Corporation seeks to assure the objectivity and integrity of its financial records by careful selection of its managers, by organizational arrangements that provide an appropriate division of responsibility and by communications programs aimed at assuring that its policies and methods are understood throughout the organization.

 

United States Steel Corporation has a comprehensive formalized system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded, that financial records are reliable and that information required to be disclosed in reports filed with or submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time limits. Appropriate management monitors the system for compliance and evaluates it for effectiveness, and the internal auditors independently measure its effectiveness and recommend possible improvements thereto.

 

The Board of Directors pursues its oversight role in the area of financial reporting and internal control over financial reporting through its Audit & Finance Committee. This Committee, composed solely of independent directors, regularly meets (jointly and separately) with the independent registered public accounting firm, management, internal auditors and members of the disclosure committee to monitor the proper discharge by each of their responsibilities relative to internal control over financial reporting and United States Steel Corporation’s financial statements.

 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

United States Steel Corporation’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of United States Steel Corporation’s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, United States Steel Corporation conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the framework inInternal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, United States Steel Corporation’s management concluded that United States Steel Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2005.2006.

 

United States Steel Corporation management’s assessment of the effectiveness of United States Steel Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20052006 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

 

/s/ John P. Surma


   

/s/ John H. Goodish


John P. Surma

Chairman of the Board of Directors, and

Chief Executive Officer and President

   

John H. Goodish

Executive Vice President and

Chief Operating Officer

/s/ Gretchen R. Haggerty


   

/s/ Larry G. Schultz


Gretchen R. Haggerty

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

   

Larry G. Schultz

Vice President and Controller

  

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


600 Grant St.

Street
Pittsburgh PA 15219


Telephone (412) 355 6000

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Stockholders of United States Steel Corporation:

 

We have completed integrated audits of United States Steel Corporation’s 2005 and 2004 consolidated financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, and an audit of its 2003 consolidated financial statements2006, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Our opinions, based on our audits, are presented below.

 

Consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheetsheets and the related consolidated statementstatements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of United States Steel Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 20052006 and December 31, 2004,2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 20052006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

As discussed in Note 215 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans,” as of December 31, 2006 and accordingly changed its method of accountingthe manner in which it accounts for inventories at United States Steel Kosice in 2005.defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. As discussed in Note 1914 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” and, accordingly, began consolidating Clairton 1314B Partnership as of January 1, 2004. As discussed in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” and, accordingly, changed its manner of recording asset retirement costs as of January 1, 2003.

 

Internal control over financial reporting

 

Also, in our opinion, management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Reports to Stockholders – Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8, that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20052006 based on criteria established inInternal Control – Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of

the Treadway Commission (COSO), is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on those criteria. Furthermore, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective

internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005,2006, based on criteria established inInternal Control – Integrated Frameworkissued by the COSO. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on management’s assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. An audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

February 27, 20062007

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

  Year Ended December 31,

 
       Adjusted(Note 2)

 
(Dollars in millions) 2005    2004    2003 

Net sales:

                

Net sales

 $  13,108    $  12,936    $8,354 

Net sales to related parties(Note 27)

  931     1,039     974 
  


   


   


Total

  14,039     13,975     9,328 
  


   


   


Operating expenses (income):

                

Cost of sales (excludes items shown below)

  11,601     11,368     8,458 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  698     739     673 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization(Note 1)

  366     382     363 

Loss (income) from investees(Note 7)

  (30)    (57)    11 

Net gains on disposal of assets(Note 8)

  (21)    (57)    (85)

Other income, net(Note 9)

  (14)    (25)    (56)

Restructuring charges(Note 10)

  -     -     683 
  


   


   


Total

  12,600     12,350     10,047 
  


   


   


Income (loss) from operations

  1,439     1,625     (719)

Net interest and other financial costs(Note 11)

  127     115     96 
  


   


   


Income (loss) before income taxes, minority interests, extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles

  1,312     1,510     (815)

Income tax provision (benefit)(Note 14)

  365     356     (452)

Minority interests(Note 19)

  37     33     - 
  


   


   


Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles

  910     1,121     (363)

Extraordinary loss, net of tax(Note 4)

  -     -     (52)

Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, net of tax(Notes 19 and 21)

  -     14     (5)
  


   


   


Net income (loss)

  910     1,135     (420)

Dividends on preferred stock

  (18)    (18)    (16)
  


   


   


Net income (loss) applicable to common stock

 $892    $1,117    $(436)
  Year Ended December 31,

 
(Dollars in millions) 2006    2005    2004 

Net sales:

                

Net sales

 $  14,777    $  13,108    $12,936 

Net sales to related parties(Note 22)

  938     931     1,039 
  


   


   


Total

  15,715     14,039     13,975 
  


   


   


Operating expenses (income):

                

Cost of sales (excludes items shown below)

  12,968     11,643     11,368 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  604     656     739 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization(Notes 1 and 4)

  441     366     382 

Income from investees

  (57)    (30)    (57)

Net gains on disposal of assets(Note 4)

  (13)    (21)    (57)

Other income, net(Note 5)

  (13)    (14)    (25)
  


   


   


Total

  13,930     12,600     12,350 
  


   


   


Income from operations

  1,785     1,439     1,625 

Net interest and other financial costs(Note 6)

  62     127     115 
  


   


   


Income before income taxes, minority interests, and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

  1,723     1,312     1,510 

Income tax provision(Note 9)

  324     365     356 

Minority interests(Note 14)

  25     37     33 
  


   


   


Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

  1,374     910     1,121 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax(Note 14)

  -     -     14 
  


   


   


Net income

  1,374     910     1,135 

Dividends on preferred stock

  (8)    (18)    (18)
  


   


   


Net income applicable to common stock

 $1,366    $892    $1,117 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(Continued)

 

  Year Ended December 31,

 
      Adjusted (Note 2)

 
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) 2005     2004       2003   

Income Per Common Share(Note 12):

              

Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles:

              

- Basic

 $7.87   $9.87   $(3.67)

- Diluted

 $7.00   $8.72   $(3.67)

Extraordinary loss, net of tax:

              

- Basic

 $-   $-   $(0.50)

- Diluted

 $-   $-   $(0.50)

Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, net of tax:

              

- Basic

 $-   $0.13   $(0.05)

- Diluted

 $-   $0.11   $(0.05)

Net income (loss):

              

- Basic

 $    7.87   $10.00   $(4.22)

- Diluted

 $7.00   $8.83   $(4.22)

Pro forma Amounts Assuming FIN 46R Was Applied Retrospectively:

              

Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, as reported

 $910   $1,121   $(363)

FIN 46R pro forma effect(Note 19)

  -    -    (1)
  

   

   


Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, adjusted

 $910   $1,121   $(364)

Per share adjusted:

              

- Basic

 $7.87   $9.87   $(3.68)

- Diluted

 $7.00   $8.72   $(3.68)

Net income (loss), adjusted

 $910   $1,121   $(416)

Per share adjusted:

              

- Basic

 $7.87   $9.87   $(4.18)

- Diluted

 $7.00   $8.72   $(4.18)
  Year Ended December 31,

    2006       2005       2004  

Income Per Common Share(Note 7):

             

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle:

             

- Basic

 $11.88   $7.87   $9.87

- Diluted

 $11.18   $7.00   $8.72

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax:

             

- Basic

 $-   $-   $0.13

- Diluted

 $-   $-   $0.11

Net income:

             

- Basic

 $11.88   $7.87   $10.00

- Diluted

 $    11.18   $7.00   $8.83

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

 December 31,

 
   Adjusted
(Note 2)


  December 31,

 
(Dollars in millions) 2005 2004  2006 2005 

Assets

  

Current assets:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 $1,479  $1,037  $1,422  $1,479 

Receivables, less allowance of $68 and $100(Note 19)

  1,516   1,592 

Receivables from related parties(Note 27)

  82   178 

Inventories(Note 2 and 13)

  1,466   1,305 

Deferred income tax benefits(Note 14)

  275   223 

Receivables, less allowance of $58 and $68(Note 14)

  1,681   1,520 

Receivables from related parties(Note 22)

  118   89 

Inventories(Note 8)

  1,604   1,466 

Deferred income tax benefits(Note 9)

  362   275 

Other current assets

  13   16   9   13 
 


 


 


 


Total current assets

  4,831   4,351   5,196   4,842 

Investments and long-term receivables, less allowance of $2 and $4 (Note 15)

  288   283 

Long-term receivable from related parties(Note 27)

  15   19 

Property, plant and equipment, net(Note 16)

  4,015   3,627 

Intangible pension asset(Note 20)

  251   1 

Prepaid pensions(Note 20)

  -   2,538 

Other intangible assets, net(Note 1)

  29   37 

Deferred income tax benefits(Note 14)

  211   40 

Investments and long-term receivables, less allowance of $6 and $2(Note 10)

  331   288 

Long-term receivable from related parties(Note 22)

  5   4 

Property, plant and equipment, net(Note 11)

  4,429   4,015 

Intangible pension asset(Note 15)

  -   251 

Prepaid pensions(Note 15)

  330   - 

Deferred income tax benefits(Note 9)

  103   211 

Other noncurrent assets

  182   168   192   211 
 


 


 


 


Total assets

 $9,822  $11,064  $10,586  $9,822 

Liabilities

  

Current liabilities:

  

Accounts payable

 $1,208  $1,227  $1,254  $1,208 

Accounts payable to related parties(Note 27)

  48   58 

Accounts payable to related parties(Note 22)

  59   48 

Bank checks outstanding

  115   78   66   115 

Payroll and benefits payable

  912   807   1,028   912 

Accrued taxes(Note 14)

  186   320 

Deferred income tax liabilities(Note 14)

  -   8 

Accrued taxes(Note 9)

  182   186 

Accrued interest

  31   29   31   31 

Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt(Note 18)

  249   8 

Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt(Note 13)

  82   249 
 


 


 


 


Total current liabilities

  2,749   2,535   2,702   2,749 

Long-term debt, less unamortized discount(Note 18)

  1,363   1,363 

Deferred income tax liabilities(Note 14)

  -   598 

Employee benefits(Note 20)

  2,008   2,125 

Long-term debt, less unamortized discount(Note 13)

  943   1,363 

Employee benefits(Note 15)

  2,174   2,008 

Deferred credits and other liabilities

  346   341   364   346 
 


 


 


 


Total liabilities

  6,466   6,962   6,183   6,466 
 


 


 


 


Contingencies and commitments(Note 29)

 

Minority interests(Note 19)

  32   28 

Contingencies and commitments(Note 24)

 

Minority interests(Note 14)

  38   32 

Stockholders’ Equity

  

Preferred shares - 7% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Issued - 5,000,000 shares (no par value, authorized 40,000,000, liquidation preference $50 per share)(Note 22)

  216   216 

Common stock issued - 114,585,727 shares and 114,003,185 shares (par value $1 per share, authorized 400,000,000 shares)(Note 22)

  115   114 

Treasury stock, at cost (5,799,650 and 0 shares)

  (253)  - 

Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred shares (no par value, zero and 5,000,000 shares issued, 40,000,000 shares authorized, liquidation preference $50 per share)(Note 17)

  -   216 

Common stock issued - 123,785,911 shares and 114,585,727 shares (par value $1 per share, authorized 400,000,000 shares)(Note 17)

  124   115 

Treasury stock, at cost (5,240,810 and 5,799,650 shares)

  (317)  (253)

Additional paid-in capital

  3,061   3,041   2,942   3,061 

Retained earnings

  1,605   755   2,902   1,605 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (1,418)  (49)  (1,286)  (1,418)

Deferred compensation

  (2)  (3)  -   (2)
 


 


 


 


Total stockholders’ equity

  3,324   4,074   4,365   3,324 
 


 


 


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $9,822  $11,064  $10,586  $9,822 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

 Year Ended December 31,

 
   Adjusted(Note 2)

  Year Ended December 31,

 
(Dollars in millions) 2005 2004 2003  2006 2005 2004 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Operating activities:

  

Net income (loss)

 $910  $    1,135  $(420)

Net income

 $1,374  $910  $1,135 

Adjustments to reconcile net cash provided by operating activities:

  

Extraordinary loss, net of tax

  -   -   52 

Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, net of tax

  -   (14)  5 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax

  -   -   (14)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  366   382   363   441   366   382 

Provision for doubtful accounts

  10   16   43   3   10   16 

Pensions and other postretirement benefits

  (86)  (215)  184   (209)  (86)  (215)

Minority interests

  37   33   -   25   37   33 

Deferred income taxes

  43   360   (443)  (3)  43   360 

Net gains on disposal of assets

  (21)  (57)  (85)  (13)  (21)  (57)

Property tax settlement gain

  (95)  -   -   -   (95)  - 

Restructuring charges

  -   -   594 

Income from sale of coal seam gas interests

  -   (7)  (34)  -   -   (7)

Loss (income) from equity investees, and distributions received

  10   (14)  47 

(Income) loss from equity investees, and distributions received

  (9)  10   (14)

Changes in:

  

Current receivables - sold

  -   -   190 

- repurchased

  -   -   (190)

- operating turnover

  165   (550)  (99)

Current receivables

  (93)  165   (550)

Inventories

  (161)  38   190   (109)  (161)  38 

Current accounts payable and accrued expenses

  50   311   297   274   50   311 

All other, net

  (10)  (18)  (117)  5   (10)  (18)
 


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

  1,218   1,400   577   1,686   1,218   1,400 
 


 


 


 


 


 


Investing activities:

  

Capital expenditures

  (741)  (579)  (316)  (612)  (741)  (579)

Acquisitions

  -   -   (905)

Disposal of assets

  31   95   94   26   31   95 

Sale of coal seam gas interests

  -   7   34   -   -   7 

Restricted cash - withdrawals

  7   6   51 

Restricted cash -withdrawals

  4   7   6 

- deposits

  (9)  (12)  (83)  (4)  (9)  (12)

Investments, net

  4   (1)  (5)  (4)  4   (1)
 


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

  (708)  (484)  (1,130)  (590)  (708)  (484)
 


 


 


 


 


 


Financing activities:

  

Revolving credit facilities - borrowings

  231   135   15   -   231   135 

- repayments

  -   (135)  (15)  (248)  -   (135)

Issuance of long-term debt, net of refinancing costs

  42   (2)  427   -   42   (2)

Repayment of long-term debt

  (52)  (569)  (30)  (359)  (52)  (569)

Preferred stock issued

  -   -   242 

Common stock issued

  28   361   23   33   28   361 

Common stock repurchased

  (254)  -   -   (442)  (254)  - 

Distribution to minority interest owners

  (33)  (27)  - 

Distributions to minority interest owners

  (18)  (33)  (27)

Dividends paid

  (60)  (39)  (35)  (77)  (60)  (39)

Change in bank checks outstanding

  37   73   -   (49)  37   73 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

  5   -   - 
 


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  (61)  (203)  627 

Net cash used in financing activities

  (1,155)  (61)  (203)
 


 


 


 


 


 


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

  (7)  8   (1)  2   (7)  8 
 


 


 


 


 


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

  442   721   73 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

  (57)  442   721 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

  1,037   316   243   1,479   1,037   316 
 


 


 


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 $    1,479  $1,037  $316  $    1,422  $    1,479  $    1,037 

  See Note 2520 for supplemental cash flow information.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

  Dollars in Millions

    Shares in Thousands

 
(Dollars in millions) 2005    2004    2003    2005    2004    2003 

Preferred shares(Note 22):

                                  

Balance at beginning of year

 $216    $226    $-     5,000     5,000     - 

Issued in public offering

  -     -     242     -     -     5,000 

Dividends on preferred stock

  -     (10)    (16)    -     -     - 
  


   


   


   


   


   


Balance at end of year

 $216    $216    $226     5,000     5,000     5,000 

Common stock:

                                  

Balance at beginning of year

 $114    $104    $102     114,003     103,663     102,485 

Common stock issued:

                                  

Public offering(Note 22)

  -     8     -     -     8,000     - 

Employee stock plans

  1     2     1     583     2,333     388 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

  -     -     1     -     7     790 
  


   


   


   


   


   


Balance at end of year

 $115    $114    $104     114,586     114,003     103,663 

Treasury stock:

                                  

Balance at beginning of year

 $-    $-    $-     -     -     - 

Common stock repurchased

  (254)    -     -     (5,820)    -     - 

Common stock reissued for employee stock plans

  1     -     -     20     -     - 
  


   


   


   


   


   


Balance at end of year

 $(253)   $-    $-     (5,800)    -     - 

Additional paid-in capital:

                                  

Balance at beginning of year

 $3,041    $2,687    $2,689                   

Dividends on common stock

  -     (10)    (21)                  

Common stock issued(Note 22)

  20     364     19                   
  


   


   


                  

Balance at end of year

 $3,061    $3,041    $2,687                   
                 Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 
       Adjusted(Note 2)

         Adjusted(Note 2)

 
(Dollars in millions) 2005    2004    2003    2005    2004    2003 

Retained earnings (deficit):

                                  

Balance at beginning of year

 $755    $(361)   $59                   

Net income (loss)

  910     1,135     (420)   $910    $1,135    $(420)

Dividends on common stock

  (42)    (11)    -                   

Dividends on preferred stock

  (18)    (8)    -                   
  


   


   


                  

Balance at end of year

 $1,605    $755    $(361)                  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

                                  

Minimum pension liability adjustments (Note 20):

                                  

Balance at beginning of year

 $(28)   $(1,477)   $(776)                  

Changes during year, net of taxes(a)

  (1,367)    1,450     (699)    (1,367)    1,450     (699)

Changes during year, equity investee

  -     (1)    (2)    -     (1)    (2)
  


   


   


                  

Balance at end of year(b)

 $(1,395)   $(28)   $(1,477)                  

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

                                  

Balance at beginning of year

 $(21)   $(24)   $(27)                  

Changes during year, net of taxes(a)

  (2)    3     3     (2)    3     3 
  


   


   


                  

Balance at end of year

  (23)    (21)    (24)                  
  


   


   


                  

Total balances at end of year

 $(1,418)   $(49)   $(1,501)                  

 


                  

Deferred compensation:

                                  

Balance at beginning of year

 $(3)   $(2)   $(3)                  

Changes during year, net of taxes

  1     (1)    1                   
  


   


   


                  

Balance at end of year

 $(2)   $(3)   $(2)                  


   


   


   


   


Total comprehensive income (loss)

                   $(459)   $2,587    $(1,118)

Total stockholders’ equity

 $  3,324    $  4,074    $  1,153                   

(a)    Related income tax (provision) benefit:

                                  

Minimum pension liability adjustments

 $874    $(584)   $105                   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  -     -     -                   

(b)    Includes $17 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004 and $16 million at December 31, 2003 for U. S. Steel’s portion of the minimum pension liability of an equity investee.

  Dollars in Millions

    Shares in Thousands

  2006    2005    2004    2006    2005    2004

Preferred shares(Note 17):

                              

Balance at beginning of year

 $216    $216    $226    5,000    5,000    5,000

Converted to common stock

  (216)    -     -    (5,000)   -    -

Dividends on preferred stock

  -     -     (10)   -    -    -
  


   


   


   

   

   

Balance at end of year

 $-    $216    $216    -    5,000    5,000

Common stock:

                              

Balance at beginning of year

 $115    $114    $104    114,586    114,003    103,663

Converted from preferred stock

  9     -     -    9,199    -    -

Common stock issued:

                              

Public offering(Note 17)

  -     -     8    -    -    8,000

Employee/Non-employee director stock plans

  -     1     2    1    583    2,333

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

  -     -     -    -    -    7
  


   


   


   

   

   

Balance at end of year

 $124    $115    $114    123,786    114,586    114,003

Treasury stock:

                              

Balance at beginning of year

 $(253)   $-    $-    (5,800)   -    -

Common stock repurchased

  (442)    (254)    -    (7,248)   (5,820)   -

Common stock reissued for preferred stock conversion

  319     -     -    6,765    -    -

Common stock reissued for employee stock plans

  59     1     -    1,042    20    -
  


   


   


   

   

   

Balance at end of year

 $(317)   $(253)   $-    (5,241)   (5,800)   -

Additional paid-in capital:

                              

Balance at beginning of year

 $3,061    $3,041    $2,687               

Dividends on common stock

  -     -     (10)              

Common stock issued(Note 17)

  -     -     286               

Employee stock plans

  (7)    20     78               

Preferred stock conversion to common stock
(Note 17)

  (112)    -     -               
  


   


   


              

Balance at end of year

 $2,942    $3,061    $3,041               

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Continued)

       Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 
(Dollars in millions) 2006    2005    2004    2006   2005    2004 

Retained earnings (deficit):

                                 

Balance at beginning of year

 $  1,605    $  755    $(361)                 

Net income

  1,374     910     1,135    $1,374   $  910    $1,135 

Dividends on common stock

  (69)    (42)    (11)                 

Dividends on preferred stock

  (8)    (18)    (8)                 
  


   


   


                 

Balance at end of year

 $2,902    $1,605    $755                  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

                                 

Adoption of FASB Statement No. 158(Note 15):

                                 

Changes during year, net of taxes(a)

 $(1,545)    -     -                  

Changes during year, equity investee net of taxes

  (10)    -     -                  
  


   


   


                 

Balance at end of year

 $(1,555)    -     -                  
  


   


   


                 

Minimum pension liability adjustments(Note 15):

                                 

Balance at beginning of year

 $(1,395)   $(28)   $(1,477)                 

Changes during year, net of taxes(a)

  1,384     (1,367)    1,450     1,384    (1,367)    1,450 

Changes during year, equity investee, net of taxes

  11     -     (1)    11    -     (1)
  


   


   


                 

Balance at end of year(b)

 $-    $(1,395)   $(28)                 
  


   


   


                 

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

                                 

Balance at beginning of year

 $(23)   $(21)   $(24)                 

Functional currency change

  108     -     -     108            

Other changes during year, net of taxes

  184     (2)    3     184    (2)    3 
  


   


   


                 

Balance at end of year

  269     (23)    (21)                 
  


   


   


                 

Total balances at end of year

 $(1,286)   $(1,418)   $(49)                 

Deferred compensation:

                                 

Balance at beginning of year

 $(2)   $(3)   $(2)                 

Changes during year, net of taxes

  2     1     (1)                 
  


   


   


                 

Balance at end of year

 $-    $(2)   $(3)                 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

                   $  3,061   $(459)   $  2,587 

Total stockholders’ equity

 $4,365    $3,324    $  4,074                  

(a)   Related income tax (provision) benefit:

                                 

Minimum pension liability

adjustments

 $(875)   $874    $(584)                 

FAS 158 pension and other benefits

adjustments

  949     -     -                  

(b)    Includes $17 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004 for U. S. Steel’s portion of the minimum pension liability of an equity investee.

       

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1.Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies


 

Nature of Business

United States Steel Corporation (U. S. Steel) is engaged domestically in the production, saleproduces and transportation ofsells steel mill products, cokeincluding flat-rolled and tubular products in the United States and flat-rolled products in Central Europe. Operations in the United States also include iron ore pellets; themining and processing to supply steel producing units, real estate management and development, of real estate and through U. S. Steel Kosice (USSK) and U. S. Steel Balkan (USSB) in the Slovak Republic and Serbia, respectively, in the production and sale of steel mill products. As reported in Note 4, until June 30, 2003, U. S. Steel was also engaged in the production and sale of coal.transportation services.

 

Prior to December 31, 2001, the businesses of U. S. Steel comprised an operating unit of USX Corporation, now named and referred to herein as Marathon Oil Corporation (Marathon). On December 31, 2001, U. S. Steel was capitalized through the issuance of 89.2 million shares of common stock to holders of USX – U. S. Steel Group common stock (Steel Stock) in exchange for all outstanding shares of Steel Stock on a one-for-one basis (the Separation).

Significant Accounting Policies

Principles applied in consolidation

These financial statements include the accounts of U. S. Steel and its majority-owned subsidiaries. Additionally, variable interest entities that do not have sufficient equity investment to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support from other parties or whose equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest for which U. S. Steel is the primary beneficiary are included in the consolidated financial statements. Intercompany accounts, transactions and profits have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accounts of businesses acquired have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition. See Note 3 for further discussion of businesses acquired.

 

Investments in entities over which U. S. Steel has significant influence are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are carried at U. S. Steel’s share of net assets plus loans and advances. Differences in the basis of the investment and the underlying net asset value of the investee, if any, are amortized into earnings over the remaining useful life of the associated assets.

 

Investments in companies whose equity has no readily determinable fair value are carried at cost and are periodically reviewed for impairment.

 

Loss (income)Income from investees includes U. S. Steel’s proportionate share of loss (income)income from equity method investments, which is recorded on a one month lag except for significant and unusual items which are recorded in the period of occurrence. Gains or losses from changes in ownership of unconsolidated investees are recognized in the period of change. Unrealized profits and losses on transactions with equity investees have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of estimates

Generally accepted accounting principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at year-end and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the year. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying value of property, plant and equipment; valuation allowances for receivables, inventories and deferred income tax assets and liabilities; environmental liabilities; liabilities for potential tax deficiencies and potential litigation claims and settlements; and assets and obligations related to employee benefits. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used.

Sales recognition

Sales are recognized when products are shipped, properties are sold or services are provided to customers,customers; the sales price is fixed and determinable,determinable; collectibility is reasonably assured,assured; and title and risks of ownership have passed to the buyer. Shipping and other transportation costs charged to buyers are recorded in both sales and cost of sales.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and on deposit and investments in highly liquid debt instruments with maturities of three months or less.

 

Inventories

Inventories are carried at lower of cost or market on a worldwide basis.

In the fourth quarter 2005, U. S. Steel changed its method of determining the cost of USSK inventories from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Management considers this change to be preferable because it creates a consistent method of determining the cost of inventories within the U. S. Steel Europe (USSE) reportable segment and provides for comparability of the USSE segment with major international competitors. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3” (FAS 154), the change from the

LIFO method has been applied retrospectively by adjusting all prior periods presented. See Note 2.

LIFO(last-in, first-out) is the predominant method of inventory costing for domestic inventories.inventories in the United States and FIFO (first-in, first-out) is the predominant method used in Europe. The LIFO method of inventory costing was used on 71%67 percent and 66%71 percent of totalconsolidated inventories at December 31, 20052006 and 2004,2005, respectively.

 

Derivative instruments

U. S. Steel uses commodity-based and foreign currency derivative instruments to manage its exposure to price risk. Futures, forwards, swaps and options are used to reduce the effects of fluctuations in the purchase price of natural gas and nonferrous metals and also certain business transactions denominated in foreign currencies. U. S. Steel has not at this time elected to designate derivative instruments as qualifying for hedge accounting treatment. As a result, the changes in fair value of all derivatives are recognized immediately in results of operations.

 

Property, plant and equipment

U. S. Steel records depreciation on a modified straight-line or straight-line method utilizing a composite or group asset approach based upon estimated lives of assets. The modified straight-line method is utilized for domestic steel-producing assets in the United States and is based on raw steel production levels. The modification factors applied to straight-line calculations range from a minimum of 85%85 percent at a production level below 81%81 percent of capability, to a maximum of 105%105 percent for a 100%100 percent production level. No modification is made at the 95%95 percent production level, considered the normal long-range level. Applying modification factors decreased depreciation expense by $40 million, $49 million $20 million and $21$20 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003,2004, respectively.

 

Depletion of mineral properties is based on rates which are expected to amortize cost over the estimated tonnage of minerals to be removed.

 

U. S. Steel evaluates impairment of its property, plant and equipment on an individual asset basis or by logical groupings of assets whenever circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Assets deemed to be impaired are written down to their fair value using discounted future cash flows and, if available, comparable market values.

When property, plant and equipment depreciated on a group basis is sold or otherwise disposed of, proceeds are credited to accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization with no immediate effect on income. When property, plant and equipment depreciated on an individual basis is sold or otherwise disposed of, any gains or losses are reflected in income. Gains on disposal of long-lived assets are recognized when earned. If a loss on disposal is expected, such losses are recognized when the assets are reclassified as assets held for sale.

 

Major maintenance activities

U. S. Steel incurs maintenance costs on all of its major equipment. Costs that extend the life of the asset, materially add to its value, or adapt the asset to a new or different use are separately capitalized in property, plant and equipment and are depreciated over theirits estimated useful life. All other repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Environmental remediation

Environmental expenditures are capitalized if the costs mitigate or prevent future contamination or if the costs improve existing assets’ environmental safety or efficiency. U. S. Steel provides for remediation costs and penalties when the responsibility to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably estimable. The timing of remediation accruals typically coincidecoincides with completion of a feasibility studystudies or the commitment to a formal plan of action. Remediation liabilities are accrued based on estimates of known environmental exposure and are discounted if the amount and timing of the cash disbursements are readily determinable.

Asset retirement obligations

Asset retirement obligations (AROs) are initially recorded at fair value and are capitalized as part of the cost of the related long-lived asset and depreciated in accordance with U. S. Steel’s depreciation policies for property, plant and equipment. The fair value of the obligation is determined as the discounted value of expected future cash flows. Accretion expense is recorded each month to increase this discounted obligation over time. Certain asset retirement obligationsAROs are not recorded because they have an indeterminate settlement date. These asset retirement obligationsAROs will be initially recognized in the period in which sufficient information exists to estimate fair value.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are comprised of proprietary software costs. Amortization is recorded on the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 5 to 7 years. U. S. Steel evaluates impairment of its intangible assets on an individual basis whenever circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Intangible assets deemed to be impaired are written down to their fair value using discounted cash flows and, if available, comparable market values. Intangible asset cost basis at December 31, 2005 and 2004 amounted to $53 million. Accumulated amortization amounted to $24 million and $16 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets over the next five years is expected to be $9 million in 2006, 2007, and 2008, $2 million in 2009 and less than $1 million in 2010.

 

Pensions, other postretirement and postemployment benefits

U. S. Steel has noncontributory defined benefit pension plans and defined benefit retiree health care and life insurance plans (Other Benefits) that cover the majority of its domestic employees in the United States on their retirement. Effective May 21, 2003, newly-hired United Steelworkers of America (USWA)(USW) union employees and union employees hired with the purchase of substantially all of the integrated steelmaking assets of National Steel Corporation (National) receive pension benefits through the Steelworkers Pension Trust (SPT), a multi-employer pension plan, based upon an hourly contribution rate. Since July 1, 2003 all newly-hired non-union domestic salaried employees in the United States, including all those hired from National, receive pension benefits throughparticipate in a defined contribution plan whereby U. S. Steel agrees to contributecontributes a certain percentage of salary based upon attained age each year. The majority of U. S. Steel’s European employees are covered by

government-sponsoredGovernment-sponsored programs ininto which U. S. Steel makes required annual contributions. Also,contributions cover the majority of U. S. Steel sponsors defined benefit plans for mostSteel’s European employees covering benefit payments due to employees upon their retirement, some of which are government mandated.employees. The net pension and Other Benefits obligations and the related periodic costs are based on, among other things, assumptions of the discount rate, estimated return on plan assets, salary increases, the mortality of participants and the current level and future escalation of health care costs. Additionally, U. S. Steel recognizes an obligation to provide postemployment benefits for disability-related claims covering indemnity and medical payments for certain domestic employees.employees in the United States. The obligation for these claims and the related periodic costs are measured using actuarial techniques and assumptions. Actuarial gains and losses are deferred and amortized over future periods.

 

Carbon Dioxide Emission Rightsdioxide emission rights

USSK accounts forThe Slovak Ministry of the Environment issues carbon dioxide (CO2) allowances allocated to USSK by the Slovak Ministry of the EnvironmentU. S. Steel Košice (USSK) (see further discussion in Note 29) by recording24). USSK records a liability for the estimated shortfall of suchbetween the allowances relatedallocated and purchased to emissions already produceddate and the allowances needed. The liability is based on the currentactual value of allowances already purchased and the market value of theat December 31, 2006 and 2005 for allowances remaining to be purchased. CO2 allowances.allowances that have been purchased are recognized as an other noncurrent asset.

 

Concentration of credit and business risks

U. S. Steel is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonpayment by customers principally within the automotive, steel, container, construction, and service center industries and for any sales of coke or iron ore to other integrated producers. Changes in these industries may significantly affect management’s estimates and U. S. Steel’s financial performance. U. S. Steel mitigates its exposure to credit risk by performing ongoing credit evaluations and, when deemed necessary, requiring letters of credit, guarantees or collateral. USSK and USSBU. S. Steel Balkan (USSB) mitigate credit risk for approximately 53%58 percent and 80%80 percent of their revenues, respectively, by requiring bank guarantees, letters of credit, credit insurance, prepayment or other collateral.

 

The majority of U. S. Steel’s customers are located in the United States and Centralcentral, western and Westernsouthern Europe. No single customer accounted for more than 10%10 percent of gross annual revenues.

 

Foreign currency translation

U. S. Steel is subject to the risk of price fluctuations due to the effects of exchange rates on revenues and operating costs, firm commitments for capital expenditures and existing assets or

liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The functional currency for most of our operations outside the United States was the U.S. dollar through December 31, 2005.

 

As of January 1, 2006, the functional currency for USSK and USSBU. S. Steel Europe (USSE) was changed from the U.S. dollar to the euro primarily because of significant changes in economic facts and circumstances as a result of Slovakia’s entry into the European Union (EU) and the subsequent entry of the Slovak koruna into the Exchange Rate MechanizmMechanism II in preparation for Slovakia’s adoption of the euro. Other factors that contributed to this change are the evolution of USSE into an autonomous business segment, the settlement of its U.S. dollar denominated debt and the establishment of euro-based debt facilities. This change in functional currency will bewas applied on a prospective basis. AfterSince January 1, 2006, assets and liabilities of these entities will beare translated from euros to U.S.U. S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses will be translated at average exchange rates for the applicable period.rates. Resulting translation adjustments will beare recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of stockholders’ equity. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in the determination of income for the applicable period.

 

Stock-based compensation

U. S. Steel has various stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 17.12. Through December 31, 2005, U. S. Steel accounted for those plans under the

recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” (APB 25) and related Interpretations.interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost was reflected in net income for stock options or stock appreciation rights (SARs) at the date of grant, as all options and SARs granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant. When the stock price exceeded the grant price, SARs were adjusted for changes in the market value and compensation expense was recorded. Deferred compensation for restricted stock was charged to equity when the restricted stock was granted and subsequently adjusted for changes in the market value of the underlying stock. The deferred compensation was then expensed over the vesting period and adjusted if conditions of the restricted stock grant were not met. Deferred compensation for the restricted stock plan for certain salaried employees who are not officers of U.SU. S Steel was charged to equity when the restricted stock was granted and subsequently expensed over the vesting period.

 

On January 1, 2006, U. S. Steel began to apply the provisions of FAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (FAS 123R) which is an amendment of FAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (FAS 123) and supersedes APB 25 and its related Interpretations. See further discussion in Note 5.12.

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if U. S. Steel had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FAS 123:

  Year Ended December 31,

 
       Adjusted(Note 2)

 
(In millions, except per share data) 2005    2004    2003 

Net income (loss)

 $910    $1,135    $(420)

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income (loss), net of related tax effects

  -     21     51 

Deduct:  Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value methods for all awards, net of related tax effects

  (8)    (27)    (52)
  


   


   


Pro forma net income (loss)

 $    902    $1,129    $(421)
  


   


   


Net income (loss) per share:

                

- As reported        - basic

 $7.87    $    10.00    $        (4.22)

                       - diluted

  7.00     8.83     (4.22)

- Pro forma           - basic

  7.79     9.95     (4.23)

                       - diluted

  6.96     8.80     (4.23)

The above pro forma amounts were based on a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which included the following information and assumptions:

  Year Ended December 31,

  2005   2004   2003

Weighted average grant date exercise price per share of options granted during the period

 $    40.37   $    29.54   $    15.45

Expected annual dividends per share

 $0.40   $0.20   $0.20

Expected life in years

  4    4    5

Expected volatility

  44%    44%    46%

Risk-free interest rate

  3.7%    3.3%    2.3%

Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the period, as calculated from above

 $14.61   $10.71   $5.88

 

Deferred taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed periodically based on several interrelated factors. These factors include U. S. Steel’s expectation

to generate sufficient future taxable income and the projected time period over which these deferred tax assets will be realized. U. S. Steel records a valuation allowance when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. Deferred tax liabilities have not been recognized for the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, primarily USSK, because management intends, without regard to the one-time repatriation in 2005, indefinitely to permanently reinvest such earnings in foreign operations. See further discussion in Note 14. U. S. Steel records a valuation allowance when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized.9.

 

Insurance

U. S. Steel is insured for catastrophic casualty and certain property and business interruption exposures, as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. Costs resulting from noninsured losses are charged against income in the period of occurrence.

Sales taxes

Sales are recorded net of sales taxes that are charged to buyers. Sales taxes primarily relate to value-added tax on USSE sales.

 

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior years’ data have been made to conform to the current year presentation.

 

2.Change in Inventory Method

During the fourth quarter of 2005, U. S. Steel changed its method of determining the cost of USSK inventories from the LIFO method to the FIFO method. Management considers this change to be preferable because it creates a consistent method of determining the cost of inventories within the USSE reportable segment and provides for comparability of the USSE reportable segment with major international competitors. Comparative financial statements for all prior periods presented have been adjusted to apply the new method retrospectively.

The following line items on the statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 were affected by the change in accounting principle:

(Dollars in millions) As Computed
under LIFO
   Effect of
Change
    As Reported
under FIFO

Cost of sales

 $    11,584   $17    $    11,601

Income from operations

  1,456    (17)    1,439

Net interest and other financial costs(a)

  102    25     127

Income tax provision

  366    (1)    365

Net income

  951    (41)    910

Net income per common share:

              

- Basic

 $8.23   $(0.36)   $7.87

- Diluted

 $7.32   $    (0.32)   $7.00
(a)Reflects the adjustment for foreign currency remeasurement effects of adjusted inventory cost.

In accordance with FAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” (FAS 154) the change from the LIFO method has been applied retrospectively by adjusting all prior periods presented. The following tables present the line items on the statement of operations that were impacted by the accounting change for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003:

(Dollars in millions) As Originally
Reported
    Effect of
Change
    As
Adjusted
 

Year Ended December 31, 2004

                

Cost of sales

 $11,413    $(45)   $11,368 

Income from operations

  1,580     45     1,625 

Net interest and other financial costs(a)

  119     (4)    115 

Income tax provision

  351     5     356 

Net income

  1,091     44     1,135 

Net income per common share:

                

- Basic

 $9.60    $0.40    $10.00 

- Diluted

 $8.48    $0.35    $8.83 

Year Ended December 31, 2003

                

Cost of sales

 $8,469    $(11)   $8,458 

Loss from operations

  (730)    11     (719)

Net interest and other financial costs(a)

  130     (34)    96 

Income tax benefit

  (454)    2     (452)

Net loss

  (463)    43     (420)

Net loss per common share:

                

- Basic

 $(4.64)   $0.42    $(4.22)

- Diluted

 $(4.64)   $0.42    $(4.22)
(a)Reflects the adjustment for foreign currency remeasurement effects of adjusted inventory cost.

The following tables present the line items on the balance sheet that were impacted by the accounting change at December 31, 2005 and 2004:

December 31, 2005

(Dollars in millions)

 As Computed
under LIFO
   Effect of
Change
    As Reported
under FIFO

Inventory

 $1,400   $        66    $1,466

Deferred income tax benefits

  278    (3)    275

Retained earnings

  1,542    63     1,605

December 31, 2004

(Dollars in millions)

 As Originally
Reported
   Effect of
Change
    

As

Adjusted

Inventory

 $1,197   $108    $1,305

Deferred income tax liabilities

  4    4     8

Retained earnings

  651    104     755

As a result of the accounting change, retained earnings as of January 1, 2003 increased from $42 million, as originally reported using the LIFO method, to $59 million using the FIFO method.

The following tables present the line items on the statement of cash flows that were impacted by the accounting change for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003:

Year Ended December 31, 2005

(Dollars in millions)

 As Computed
under LIFO
    Effect of
Change
    As Reported
under FIFO
 

Net income

 $951    $(41)   $910 

Deferred income taxes

  44     (1)    43 

Inventories

  (203)    42     (161)
(Dollars in millions) As Originally
Reported
    Effect of
Change
    

As

Adjusted

 

Year Ended December 31, 2004

                

Net income

 $1,091    $        44    $1,135 

Deferred income taxes

  355     5     360 

Inventories

  87     (49)    38 

Year Ended December 31, 2003

                

Net loss

 $(463)   $43    $(420)

Deferred income taxes

  (445)    2     (443)

Inventories

  235     (45)    190 

Because U. S. Steel adopted the accounting change in the fourth quarter of 2005, it is necessary to adjust the previously reported quarters of 2005 as if the change had been effective as of January 1, 2005. The accounting change affects the quarters of 2005 as follows:

  Unaudited

Statement of Operations

(Dollars in millions)

 As Originally
Reported
   Effect of
Change
    As
Adjusted

Quarter Ended September 30, 2005

              

Cost of sales

 $2,808   $11    $2,819

Income from operations

  159    (11)    148

Net interest and other financial costs(a)

  16    4     20

Income tax provision

  28    (1)    27

Net income

  107    (14)    93

Net income per common share:

              

- Basic

 $0.89   $(0.12)   $0.77

- Diluted

 $0.82   $(0.11)   $0.71

Quarter Ended June 30, 2005

              

Cost of sales

 $2,925   $(8)   $2,917

Income from operations

  413    8     421

Net interest and other financial costs(a)

  63    5     68

Income tax provision

  93    (1)    92

Net income

  245    4     249

Net income per common share:

              

- Basic

 $2.11   $0.03    $2.14

- Diluted

 $1.88   $0.03    $1.91

Quarter Ended March 31, 2005

              

Cost of sales

 $2,899   $(8)   $        2,891

Income from operations

  640    8     648

Net interest and other financial costs(a)

  22    3     25

Income tax provision

  155    1     156

Net income

  455    4     459

Net income per common share:

              

- Basic

 $3.95   $        0.03    $3.98

- Diluted

 $3.48   $0.03    $3.51
(a)Reflects the adjustment for foreign currency remeasurement effects of adjusted inventory cost.

  Unaudited

 

Balance Sheet

(Dollars in millions)

 As Originally
Reported
    Effect of
Change
    As
Adjusted
 

September 30, 2005

                

Inventory

 $1,341    $        101    $        1,442 

Deferred income tax benefits

  261     (3)    258 

Retained earnings

  1,413     98     1,511 

June 30, 2005

                

Inventory

 $1,428    $116    $1,544 

Deferred income tax benefits

  138     (4)    134 

Retained earnings

  1,322     112     1,434 

March 31, 2005

                

Inventory

 $1,308    $113    $1,421 

Deferred income tax benefits

  176     (5)    171 

Retained earnings

  1,093     108     1,201 
  Unaudited

 

Statement of Cash Flows

(Dollars in millions)

 As Originally
Reported
    Effect of
Change
    As
Adjusted
 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

                

Net income

 $807    $(6)   $801 

Deferred income taxes

  86     (1)    85 

Inventories

  (144)    7     (137)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2005

                

Net income

 $700    $8    $708 

Deferred income taxes

  158     -     158 

Inventories

  (231)    (8)    (239)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

                

Net income

 $455    $4    $459 

Deferred income taxes

  103     1     104 

Inventories

  (111)    (5)    (116)

The accounting change affects the quarters of 2004 as follows:

  Unaudited

 

Statement of Operations

(Dollars in millions)

 As Originally
Reported
  Effect of
Change
  As
Adjusted
 

Quarter Ended December 31, 2004

            

Cost of sales

 $3,072  $4  $3,076 

Income from operations

  547   (4)  543 

Net interest and other financial costs(a)

  (23)  10   (13)

Income tax provision

  88   3   91 

Net income

  468   (17)  451 

Net income per common share:

            

- Basic

 $4.07  $(0.15) $3.92 

- Diluted

 $3.59  $(0.13) $3.46 

Quarter Ended September 30, 2004

            

Cost of sales

 $2,967  $(7) $      2,960 

Income from operations

  494   7   501 

Net interest and other financial costs(a)

  4   1   5 

Income tax provision

  126   1   127 

Net income

  354   5   359 

Net income per common share:

            

- Basic

 $3.08  $0.04  $3.12 

- Diluted

 $2.72  $0.04  $2.76 

Quarter Ended June 30, 2004

            

Cost of sales

 $2,816  $(29) $2,787 

Income from operations

  388   29   417 

Net interest and other financial costs(a)

  86   (15)  71 

Income tax provision

  86   -   86 

Net income

  211   44   255 

Net income per common share:

            

- Basic

 $1.82  $0.39  $2.21 

- Diluted

 $1.62  $0.34  $1.96 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2004

            

Cost of sales

 $2,558  $(13) $2,545 

Income from operations

  151   13   164 

Net interest and other financial costs(a)

  52   -   52 

Income tax provision

  51   1   52 

Net income

  58   12   70 

Net income per common share:

            

- Basic

 $0.51  $      0.11  $0.62 

- Diluted

 $0.47  $0.10  $0.57 
(a)Reflects adjustment for foreign currency remeasurement effects of adjusted inventory cost.

  Unaudited

 

Balance Sheet

(Dollars in millions)

 As Originally
Reported
  Effect of
Change
  As
Adjusted
 

September 30, 2004

            

Inventory

 $1,251  $      122  $      1,373 

Deferred income tax benefits

  167   (1)  166 

Retained earnings

  193   121   314 

June 30, 2004

            

Inventory

 $1,332  $116  $1,448 

Deferred income tax benefits

  245   -   245 

Retained deficit

  (152)  116   (36)

March 31, 2004

            

Inventory

 $1,180  $72  $1,252 

Deferred income tax benefits

  239   -   239 

Retained deficit

  (363)  72   (291)

  Unaudited

 

Statement of Cash Flows

(Dollars in millions)

 As
Originally
Reported
  Effect of
Change
  As
Adjusted
 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

            

Net income

 $623  $61  $684 

Deferred income taxes

  264   2   266 

Inventories

  32   (63)  (31)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2004

            

Net income

 $269  $56  $325 

Deferred income taxes

  90   1   91 

Inventories

  (48)  (58)  (106)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

            

Net income

 $58  $12  $70 

Deferred income taxes

  33   1   34 

Inventories

  104   (14)  90 

3.Business Combinations

National

On May 20, 2003, U. S. Steel acquired substantially all of the integrated steelmaking assets of National Steel Corporation (National). The facilities acquired include two integrated steel plants, Granite City Works in Granite City, Illinois and Great Lakes Works, in Ecorse and River Rouge, Michigan; the Midwest Plant in Portage, Indiana; ProCoil Company, LLC, a steel-processing facility in Canton, Michigan; a 50% equity interest in Double G Coatings Company, L.P. near Jackson, Mississippi; an iron ore pellet operation near Keewatin, Minnesota; and the Delray Connecting Railroad in Michigan. The acquisition of National enabled U. S. Steel to strengthen its overall position in providing value-added products to the automotive, container and construction markets and to benefit from synergies and economies of scale. The statement of operations includes the operations of National from May 20, 2003.

In connection with the acquisition of National’s assets, U. S. Steel reached a labor agreement with the USWA that covers employees at the U. S. Steel facilities and the acquired National facilities. The agreement was ratified by the USWA membership in May 2003, expires in September 2008 and provided for a workforce restructuring through a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) (See Note 10).

The following unaudited pro forma data for U. S. Steel includes the results of operations of National as if the acquisition had been consummated at the beginning of 2003, including the effects of the labor agreement as it pertains to the former National facilities and the financings incurred to fund the acquisition (see Notes 18 and 22). The unaudited pro forma data is based on historical information and does not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have occurred nor is it necessarily indicative of future results of operations.

Adjusted (Note 2)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Pro Forma

2003

Net sales

$                10,334

Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles

(355)

Per share – basic and diluted

(3.62)

Net income (loss)

(414)

Dividends on preferred stock

18

Net income (loss) applicable to common stock

(432)

Per share – basic and diluted

(4.19)

U. S. Steel Balkan

On September 12, 2003, a wholly-owned subsidiary of U. S. Steel acquired Sartid a.d. (In Bankruptcy), an integrated steel company majority-owned by the Government of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro, and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively “Sartid”) out of bankruptcy. U. S. Steel is operating these facilities as U. S. Steel Balkan (USSB). USSB, with facilities in Serbia, primarily manufactures hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and tin-coated flat-rolled steel products and complements the operations of USSK. The completion of this purchase resulted in the termination of a toll conversion agreement, a facility management agreement and a commercial and technical support agreement between USSK and Sartid.

The transaction required the following commitments by USSB: (i) spending during the first five years for working capital, the repair, rehabilitation, improvement, modification and upgrade of facilities and community support and economic development of up to $157 million, subject to certain conditions; (ii) a stable employment policy for three years assuring employment of the approximately 9,000 employees, excluding natural attrition and terminations for cause; and (iii) an agreement not to sell, transfer or assign a controlling interest in USSB to any third party without government consent for a period of five years. As of December 31, 2005, $1 million remained under the spending commitment with the Serbian government. USSB did not assume or acquire any pre-acquisition liabilities including environmental, tax, social insurance liabilities, product liabilities and employee claims, other than $4 million in pension and other employee related liabilities.

The statement of operations includes the results of USSB from September 12, 2003. Prior to the acquisition, the operating results of activities under certain agreements with Sartid were included in the results of USSE.

From 1992 to 1995 and again from 1999 to October 2000, political and economic sanctions were enforced against Serbia by the United Nations. As a result of operating under the sanctions and government control, these facilities had been operating at levels well below capacity and were in disrepair. The limited financial data available for Sartid is not reliable nor is it believed that reliable historical financial statements could be prepared from the data that exists. In addition, any historical information provided would not reflect a market-based operation. Therefore, U. S. Steel management believes that historical financial information for Sartid is irrelevant to investors and consequently, no historical information for Sartid is presented nor will it be provided in future filings. In addition, pro forma financial data is not presented for prior years because there is no reliable historical information on which to base pro forma amounts.

4.Divestiture

On June 30, 2003, U. S. Steel completed the sale of the coal mines and related assets of U. S. Steel Mining Company, LLC (Mining Sale) to PinnOak Resources, LLC (PinnOak), which is not affiliated with U. S. Steel, thereby ending U. S. Steel’s participation in coal mining operations. PinnOak acquired the Pinnacle No. 50 mine complex located near Pineville, West Virginia and the Oak Grove mine complex located near Birmingham, Alabama. In conjunction with the sale, U. S. Steel and PinnOak entered into a coal supply agreement, which runs through December 31, 2006.

The gross proceeds from the sale were $55 million and resulted in a pretax gain on disposal of assets of $13 million in the second quarter of 2003. In addition, EITF 92-13, “Accounting for Estimated Payments in Connection with the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992” requires that enterprises no longer having operations in the coal industry must account for their entire obligation related to the multiemployer health care benefit plans created by the Act as a loss in accordance with FAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” Accordingly, U. S. Steel recognized the present value of these obligations in the amount of $85 million, resulting in the recognition of an extraordinary loss of $52 million, net of tax of $33 million.

5.New Accounting Standards


 

In December 2004,February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (FAS 159). This Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value and report unrealized gains and losses on these instruments in earnings. FAS 159 is effective as of January 1, 2008. U. S. Steel does not expect any material financial statement implications relating to the adoption of this Statement.

In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 123R.157, “Fair Value Measurements.” This Statement establishes standards for accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on thedefines fair value, of the entity’s equity instrumentsestablishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments.permit fair value measurements and, accordingly, does not require any new fair value measurements. This Statement requires an entity to recognize the costis effective as of employee services received in share-based payment transactions, thereby reflecting the economic consequences of those transactions in the financial statements. In April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved a new rule that delayed the effective date of FAS 123R. Except for this deferral of the effective date, the guidance in FAS 123R is unchanged. Under the SEC’s rule, FAS 123R is now effective forJanuary 1, 2008. U. S. Steel for annual rather than interim periods that begin after June 15, 2005. U. S. Steel will applydoes not expect any material financial statement implications relating to the adoption of this Statement to all awards granted on or after January 1, 2006 and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date. Compensation cost will be recognized on and after January 1, 2006 for the portion of outstanding awards for which requisite service has not yet been rendered, based on the grant-date fair value of these awards calculated under FAS 123 for proforma disclosures. Currently, U. S. Steel expects that the effect of adopting this Statement on 2006 results will be a reduction to net income of less than $10 million.Statement.

 

In March 2005,July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47,48, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations,Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143.109” (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. For U. S. Steel, the provisions of FIN 48 were effective on January 1, 2007. U. S. Steel does not expect the adoption of this Statement to have a significant effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In March 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.” This Interpretation clarifies thatStatement requires recognition of a servicing asset or liability when an entity is requiredenters into arrangements to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Uncertainty about the timing and (or) method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation should be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists.service financial instruments in certain situations. U. S. Steel adopted this Statement on January 1, 2007, and the provisions of this Interpretation in the second quarter of 2005. There wereadoption had no financial statement implications related to the adoption of this Interpretation.

In May 2005, the FASB issued FAS 154, which changes the requirements for the accounting and reporting of a change in accounting principle. FAS 154 eliminates the requirement to include the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle in the income statement and instead requires that changes in accounting principle be retroactively applied. FAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and correction of errors made on or after January 1, 2006, with early adoption permitted. U. S. Steel began applying the provisions of this statement in the fourth quarter of 2005.impact.

 

In February 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140.” This Statement resolves issues addressed in Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, “Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets,” and is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. U. S. Steel does not expect anyadopted this Statement on January 1, 2007, and the adoption had no financial statement implications related to the adoption of this Statement.impact.

 

6.3.Segment Information

 

During 2005,2006, U. S. Steel had three reportable operating segments: Flat-rolled Products (Flat-rolled), USSE and Tubular Products (Tubular). The results of several operating segments that do not constitute reportable segments are combined and disclosed in the Other Businesses category. Real Estate was a reportable segment until the end of 2004. As of January 1, 2005, the results of Real Estate are included in the Other Businesses category, and prior period results have been reclassified to conform to this presentation. As of January 1, 2004, the residual results of Straightline were included in the Flat-rolled segment, see further discussion in Note 10. The

application of FIN 46R required U. S. Steel to consolidate the 1314B Partnership effective January 1, 2004. The results of the 1314B Partnership, which are included in the Flat-rolled segment, were previously accounted for under the equity method. For further information, see Note 19.

The Flat-rolled segment includes the operating results of U. S. Steel’s domesticNorth American integrated steel mills and equity investees involved in the production of sheet, tin mill products, and strip mill plate and rounds for Tubular, as well as all domestic coke production facilities.facilities in the United States. These operations are principally located in the United States and primarily serve domestic customers in the service center, conversion, transportation (including automotive), container, construction, and appliance markets. Effective May 20, 2003, the Flat-rolled segment includes the operating results of Granite City Works, Great Lakes Works, the Midwest Plant, ProCoil and U. S. Steel’s equity interest in Double G, which were acquired from National. In November 2003, U. S. Steel disposed of the Gary Works plate mill.

 

The USSE segment includes the operating results of USSK, U. S. Steel’s integrated steel mill in Slovakia; and effective September 12, 2003, USSB, U. S. Steel’s integrated steel mill and other facilities in Serbia. Prior to September 12, 2003, this segment includedUSSE primarily serves customers in the operating results of activities under certain agreements with Sartid. These agreements were terminated in conjunction with the acquisition.central, western and southern European construction, conversion, service center, appliance, container, transportation (including automotive), and oil, gas and petrochemical markets. USSE produces and sells sheet, strip mill plate, tin mill and tubular precision tubeproducts, as well as heating radiators and specialty steel products. USSE primarily serves customers in the central and western European construction, conversion, service center, appliance, container, transportation, and oil, gas and petrochemical markets.refractories.

 

The Tubular segment includes the operating results of U. S. Steel’s domestic tubular production facilities.facilities in the United States. These operations produce and sell both seamless and electric resistance weldwelded tubular products and primarily serve customers in the oil, gas and petrochemical markets.

 

Other Businesses include the production and sale of iron ore pellets, transportation services and the management and development of real estate. Effective May 20, 2003, Other Businesses include the operating results of Keewatin and Delray Connecting Railroad, which were acquired from National. Prior to the Mining Sale on June 30, 2003, Other Businesses were involved in the mining, processing and sale of coal.

 

The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and determines resource allocations based on a number of factors, the primary measure being income (loss) from operations. Income (loss) from operations for reportable segments and Other Businesses does not include net interest and other financial costs, the income tax provision, (benefit), benefit expenses for current retirees and certain other items that management believes are not indicative of future results. Information on segment assets is not disclosed as it is not reviewed by the chief operating decision maker.

 

The accounting principles applied at the operating segment level in determining income (loss) from operations are generally the same as those applied at the consolidated financial statement level. The transfer value for steel rounds and bands from Flat-rolled to Tubular and the transfer value for domestic iron ore pellets from Other Businesses to Flat-rolled are set at the beginning of each year based on expected total production costs and may be adjusted quarterly if actual production costs warrant. During 2005, the cost to produce steel rounds increased dramatically, and the transfer price for steel rounds supplied by Flat-rolled, which had been established at the beginning of 2005 based on projected costs, was increased by $53 per ton effective April 1, 2005, by an additional $20 per ton effective July 1, 2005 and by an additional $46 per ton effective October 1, 2005. All other intersegment sales and transfers are accounted for at market-based prices. All intersegment sales and transfers are eliminated at the corporate consolidation level. Corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses and costs related to certain former businesses are allocated to the reportable segments and Other Businesses based on measures of activity that management believes are reasonable.

The results of segment operations are as follows:

 

(In millions) Customer
sales
   Intersegment
sales
    Net sales    Income
(loss)
from equity
investees
    Income
(loss)
from
operations
    Depreciation,
depletion &
amortization
   Capital
expenditures

2005

                                     

Flat-rolled(a)

 $8,813   $441    $9,254    $30    $602    $232   $377

USSE

  3,336    10     3,346     -     502     72    249

Tubular

  1,546    -     1,546     -     528     13    5
  

   


   


   


   


   

   

Total reportable segments

  13,695    451     14,146     30     1,632     317    631

Other Businesses

  344    860     1,204     -     43     49    110

Reconciling Items

  -    (1,311)    (1,311)    -     (236)    -    -
  

   


   


   


   


   

   

Total

 $14,039   $-    $14,039    $30    $1,439    $366   $741
  

   


   


   


   


   

   

2004

                                     

Flat-rolled(a)

 $9,827   $237    $  10,064    $55    $1,185    $268   $253

USSE(b)

  2,839    -     2,839     2     439(b)    55    223

Tubular

  941    -     941     -     197     16    8
  

   


   


   


   


   

   

Total reportable segments

  13,607    237     13,844     57     1,821(b)    339    484

Other Businesses

  368    760     1,128     -     58     43    95

Reconciling Items

  -    (997)    (997)    -     (254)    -    -
  

   


   


   


   


   

   

Total

 $13,975   $-    $13,975    $57    $1,625(b)   $382   $579
  

   


   


   


   


   

   

2003

                                     

Flat-rolled(a)

 $6,401   $213    $6,614    $16    $(54)   $250   $101

USSE(b)

  1,817    11     1,828     1     214(b)    50    121

Tubular

  573    -     573     -     (25)    15    50

Straightline(c)

  138    -     138     -     (70)    5    2
  

   


   


   


   


   

   

Total reportable segments

  8,929    224     9,153     17     65(b)    320    274

Other Businesses

  399    640     1,039     (17)    15     43    42

Reconciling Items

  -    (864)    (864)    (11)    (799)    -    -
  

   


   


   


   


   

   

Total

 $9,328   $-    $9,328    $(11)   $(719)(b)   $363   $316
  

   


   


   


   


   

   


(a)Includes the results of National flat-rolled facilities from May 20, 2003, the residual results of Straightline from January 1, 2004 and the consolidated results of the 1314B Partnership that was accounted for under the equity method prior to January 1, 2004.
(b)As a result of the change from the LIFO to the FIFO method of inventory costing at USSK (see further information in Note 2), USSE income from operations for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 increased from $394 million and $203 million, respectively, to $439 million and $214 million, respectively. USSE includes the results of USSB from September 12, 2003. Prior to September 12, 2003, USSE included the effects of activities under certain agreements with Sartid.
(c)As of January 1, 2004, residual results of Straightline are included in the Flat-rolled segment. Prior year results have not been restated as, prior to December 31, 2003, Straightline had a separate management structure and was a different entity than the residual Straightline.
(In millions) Customer
sales
   Intersegment
sales
    Net sales    Income
from equity
investees
   Income
(loss)
from
operations
    Depreciation,
depletion &
amortization
   Capital
expenditures

2006

                                    

Flat-rolled

 $9,607   $435    $  10,042    $56   $600    $263   $274

USSE

  3,968    9     3,977     1    714     106    211

Tubular

  1,798    -     1,798     -    631     13    4
  

   


   


   

   


   

   

Total reportable segments

  15,373    444     15,817     57    1,945     382    489

Other Businesses

  342    1,036     1,378     -    129     59    123

Reconciling Items

  -    (1,480)    (1,480)    -    (289)    -    -
  

   


   


   

   


   

   

Total

 $15,715   $-    $15,715    $57   $1,785    $441   $612
  

   


   


   

   


   

   

2005

                                    

Flat-rolled

 $8,813   $441    $9,254    $30   $602    $232   $377

USSE

  3,336    10     3,346     -    502     72    249

Tubular

  1,546    -     1,546     -    528     13    5
  

   


   


   

   


   

   

Total reportable segments

  13,695    451     14,146     30    1,632     317    631

Other Businesses

  344    860     1,204     -    43     49    110

Reconciling Items

  -    (1,311)    (1,311)    -    (236)    -    -
  

   


   


   

   


   

   

Total

 $14,039   $-    $14,039    $30   $1,439    $366   $741
  

   


   


   

   


   

   

2004

                                    

Flat-rolled

 $9,827   $237    $10,064    $55   $1,185    $268   $253

USSE

  2,839    -     2,839     2    439     55    223

Tubular

  941    -     941     -    197     16    8
  

   


   


   

   


   

   

Total reportable segments

  13,607    237     13,844     57    1,821     339    484

Other Businesses

  368    760     1,128     -    58     43    95

Reconciling Items

  -    (997)    (997)    -    (254)    -    -
  

   


   


   

   


   

   

Total

 $13,975   $-    $13,975    $57   $1,625    $382   $579
  

   


   


   

   


   

   

The following is a schedule of reconciling items to income (loss) from operations:

 

(In millions) 2005    2004    2003 

Items not allocated to segments:

                

Retiree benefit expenses

 $(267)   $(257)   $(107)

Other items not allocated to segments:

                

Property tax settlement gain(Note 14)

  70     -     - 

Environmental remediation at previously sold facility (Note 29)

  (20)    -     - 

Income from sale of certain assets(Notes 8 and 9)

  -     43     47 

Gain on timber contribution to pension plan(Note 8)

  -     -     55 

Workforce reduction charges, including pension settlement losses(Notes 10 and 20)

  (20)    (17)    (621)

Stock appreciation rights(Note 17)

  1     (23)    (75)

Costs related to Straightline shutdown (Note 10)

  -     -     (16)

Litigation items(Note 29)

  -     -     (25)

Asset impairments    - loss on plate mill swap(Note 10)

  -     -     (46)

   - cost method investment (Note 7)

  -     -     (11)
  


   


   


Total other items not allocated to segments

  31     3     (692)
  


   


   


Total reconciling items $ ��      (236)   $        (254)   $            (799)
(In millions) 2006    2005    2004 

Items not allocated to segments:

                

Retiree benefit expenses

 $        (243)   $        (267)   $        (257)

Other items not allocated to segments:

                

Workforce reduction charges, including pension settlement losses(Note 15)

  (21)    (20)    (17)

Out of period adjustments(a)

  (15)    -     - 

Asset impairment charge(Note 4)

  (5)    -     - 

(Loss) gain from sale of certain assets(Note 4)

  (5)    -     43 

Environmental remediation at previously sold facility(Note 24)

  -     (20)    - 

Stock appreciation rights(Note 12)

  -     1     (23)

Property tax settlement gain(Note 9)

  -     70     - 
  


   


   


Total other items not allocated to segments

  (46)    31     3 
  


   


   


Total reconciling items

 $(289)   $(236)   $(254)
(a)In the process of evaluating the potential effects of adopting SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (SAB 108), we identified items from prior years that required adjustment. These items were not material to the balance sheet or statement of operations of prior periods and an out of period adjustment was recognized.
The principal charge resulted from the recognition of a liability for incurred but not invoiced employee medical services for employees at some of our facilities in the United States. Under U. S. Steel’s previous method of quantifying misstatements (evaluating the impact on the current year statement of operations), a misstatement had not occurred since 12 months of expense had been recognized in the statement of operations for each year.

Net Sales by Product:

The following summarizes net sales by product:

 

(In millions) 2005 2004 2003 2006 2005 2004

Flat-rolled steel products

 $11,277 $11,555 $7,372 $12,687 $11,277 $11,555

Tubular

          1,651              1,042              626          1,909          1,651          1,042

Raw materials (coal, coke and iron ore)(a)

  385  705  419

Raw materials (coke and iron ore)

  322  378  700

Other(b)(a)

  726  673  911  797  733  678
 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

 $14,039 $13,975 $9,328 $15,715 $14,039 $13,975
 (a)The sale of coal ceased with the Mining Sale on June 30, 2003. Includes net sales from the 1314B Partnership effective January 1, 2004.
(b)Includes sales of steel production by-products;by-products, transportation services and the management and development of real estate. Included net sales from steel mill products distribution prior to January 1, 2004, when the residual results of Straightline were included in Flat-rolled; and net sales from the management of mineral resources prior to February 2004, when U.S. Steel sold substantially all of the remaining mineral interests administered by Real Estate.

 

Geographic Area:

The information below summarizes net sales and property, plant and equipment equity investments, and split dollar life insurance (assets)other long-term assets based on the location of the operating segment to which they relate.

 

(In millions) Year  Net Sales     Assets

United States

 2005  $    10,774     $3,337
  2004  $11,146     $    3,127
  2003  $7,522       

Europe

 2005   3,346      949
  2004   2,839      775
  2003   1,827       

Other Foreign Countries

 2005   10      6
  2004   8      7
  2003   9       

Eliminations

 2005   (91)     -
  2004   (18)     -
  2003   (30)      
     


    

Total

 2005  $14,039     $4,292
  2004  $13,975     $3,909
  2003  $9,328       

(In millions) Year  Net Sales     Assets 

United States

 2006  $    11,774     $3,447 
  2005  $10,774     $    3,337 
  2004  $11,146     $3,127 

Europe

 2006   3,977      1,278(a)
  2005   3,346      949(a)
  2004   2,839      775(a)

Other Foreign Countries

 2006   14      7 
  2005   10      6 
  2004   8      7 

Eliminations

 2006   (50)     - 
  2005   (91)     - 
  2004   (18)     - 
     


    


Total

 2006  $15,715     $4,732 
  2005  $14,039     $4,292 
  2004  $13,975     $3,909 
7.Income from Investees(a)Assets valued at $1,158 million, $849 million and $713 million were located in Slovakia at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.


Income from investees in 2003 includes an impairment charge of $11 million due to an other than temporary decline in value of a cost method investment.

 

8.4.Net GainsLoss/Gain on Disposal of Assets

In 2006, an impairment review of certain USSK assets was completed in accordance with FAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” As a result, a charge of $5 million was recorded in depreciation, depletion and amortization in the first quarter. When these assets were ultimately sold in the fourth quarter, we incurred a loss of $5 million on the disposal.

 

In 2004, U. S. Steel sold certain mineral interests, including coal seam gas interests, and certain real estate interests for net cash proceeds of $67 million. The sale of coal seam gas interests resulted in $7 million of other income. The net book value of other mineral interestsincome and the real estate interests totaling $23 million was reported as part of other current assets at December 31, 2003, and the sale of these assets resulted in a gain on disposal of assets of $36 million.

 

In December 2003, U. S. Steel completed a voluntary contribution of timber cutting rights, which were valued at $59 million, to its defined benefit pension plan. The net book value of these assets was $4 million resulting in a $55 million gain on disposal of assets.

9.5.Other Income

 

See Note 84 for a discussion of other income related to the sale of coal seam gas interests in 2004.

 

In 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003,2004, U. S. Steel received $8 million, $2 million $7 million and $14$7 million, respectively, as a result of trade adjustment assistance legislation.

On April 25, 2003, U. S. Steel sold certain coal seam gas interests in Alabama for net cash proceeds of approximately $34 million, which is reflected in other income.

10.Restructuring Charges

During 2003, U. S. Steel implemented a restructuring program to reduce its cost structure primarily through workforce and administrative cost reductions, a new labor agreement with the USWA, industry consolidation and the divestiture of non-core assets. The domestic steel industry has been restructuring after many years of low prices and worldwide oversupply. One factor facilitating the restructuring of the domestic steel industry has been the reduced cost structure through the elimination of unfunded pension, healthcare and other legacy costs for companies that went through the bankruptcy process.

During 2003, U. S. Steel incurred $683 million of restructuring related costs. These restructuring charges included employee severance and benefit charges of $623 million, which include $2 million related to the Straightline shutdown, and fixed asset impairments of $60 million. See further discussion on the employee severance and benefit charges in Note 20. The fixed asset impairment charges include $46 million for the November 1, 2003 non-monetary exchange of U. S. Steel’s plate mill at Gary Works for the assets of International Steel Group, Inc.’s No. 2 pickle line at its Indiana Harbor Works and $14 million for the write-off of fixed assets of the Straightline segment which was closed to new business effective December 31, 2003, due to continued operating losses. Straightline was shut down in 2004.

11.6.Net Interest and Other Financial Costs


 

   Adjusted (Note 2)

 
(In millions) 2005 2004 2003  2006 2005 2004 

Interest and other financial income:

  

Interest income

 $40  $14  $6  $        57  $35  $        14 

Foreign currency remeasurement gains (losses)

  (80)  36(a)  54(a)

Interest on deposits for National Steel retiree benefits(a)

  10   5   - 

Foreign currency gains (losses)

  27(b)  (80)  36 
 


 


 


 


 


 


Total

  (40)  50   60   94   (40)  50 

Interest and other financial costs:

  

Interest incurred

          119           154           154   111   114   154 

Less interest capitalized

  12   8   8   3   12   8 
 


 


 


 


 


 


Net interest

  107   146   146 

Net interest incurred

  108   102   146 

Interest on liability for National Steel retiree benefits(a)

  10   5   - 

Interest on tax issues

  (28)(b)  (26)(c)  -(c)  (2)  (28)(e)  (26)(f)

Loss on debt extinguishment

  -   27(d)  -   28(c)  -   27(g)

Financial costs on:

  

Sale of receivables

  1   2   2   1   1   2 

Inventory facility

  2   4   1   2   2   4 

Amortization of discounts and deferred financing costs

  5   12(e)  7(f)  9(d)  5   12(h)
 


 


 


 


 


 


Total

  87   165   156   156   87   165 
 


 


 


 


 


 


Net interest and other financial costs

 $127  $115  $96  $62  $127  $115 
 (a)As a resultU. S. Steel had established current liabilities of the change from the LIFO to the FIFO inventory costing method at USSK (see further information in Note 2), foreign currency remeasurement gains for the years ended$345 million and $212 million as of December 31, 20042006 and 2003 increased from $32 million and $20 million,2005, respectively, to $36 millionassist retirees from National Steel with health care costs. The liability remains outstanding because the associated trust has not been established. U. S. Steel invests the amounts due in short term investments and $54 million, respectively.interest earned on those investments will also be payable when the trust is established. 
 (b)The functional currency for USSE was changed from the U.S. dollar to the euro on January 1, 2006. Foreign currency gains in 2006 are a result of transactions denominated in currencies other than the euro (principally the U.S. dollar, Slovak koruna or Serbian dinar). See further information in Note 1.
(c)Charge related to the premium and fees paid on the partial early extinguishment of the 10.75% Senior Notes. See Note 13.
(d)Includes a $4 million write-off of discount issue costs related to the partial early extinguishment of the 10.75% Senior Notes. See Note 13.
(e)Includes a favorable effect of $25 million related to the Gary Works property tax settlement in the first quarter of 2005. See Note 149 for further discussion. 
 (c)(f)Includes a favorable adjustment of $38 million and $17 million for 2004 and 2003, respectively, related to the settlement of prior years’ taxes. 
 (d)(g)Charge related to the premium paid on the partial early extinguishment of the 9.75% and 10.75% Senior Notes. See Note 18.13. 
 (e)(h)Includes a $6 million write-off of discount issue costs related to the partial early extinguishment of the 9.75% and 10.75% Senior Notes. See Note 18.
(f)Includes a $3 million write-off of deferred financing costs associated with the $400 million inventory facility which was replaced by a $600 million facility in May 2003.13. 

 

Net interest and other financial costs for 2005 and 2004 include amounts related to the remeasurement of USSK’s and USSB’sUSSE’s assets and liabilities into the U.S. dollar, which was USSK’s and USSB’sUSSE’s functional currency through December 31, 2005.

 

12.7.Income and Dividends Per Common Share

 

Basic net income (loss) per common share is calculated by adjusting net income (loss) for dividend requirements of any outstanding preferred stock and is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. period.

Diluted net income (loss) per common share assumes the exercise of stock options, the vesting of restricted stock awards and the conversion of any outstanding preferred stock, provided in each case the effect is dilutive.

Potential common stock of 16,499,945 For the year ended December 31, 2006, 8,000,168 additional shares related to the conversion of preferred stock, exercise of employee stock options and vesting of restricted stock have been included in the computation of diluted net income for 2005 because their effects were dilutive. Potentialper common stock of 16,804,489share. Additional shares relateddeclined in 2006, as compared to prior years, following the conversion of all remaining preferred stock exercise of employee stock options and vesting of restricted stockon June 15,

2006 (Note 17). For the year ended December 31, 2005, 16,499,945 additional shares have been included in the computation of diluted net income forper common share. For the year ended December 31, 2004, because their effects were dilutive. Potential common stock of 14,431,17816,804,489 additional shares related to the conversion of preferred stock, exercise of employee stock options and vesting of

restricted stock have been excluded fromincluded in the computation of diluted net lossincome per common share. Net income was not adjusted for 2003 becausepreferred stock dividend requirements since their effects were antidilutive.conversion was assumed.

 

   Adjusted (Note 2)

 
Computation of Income Per Common Share 2005 2004 2003  2006 2005 2004

Net income (loss) applicable to common stock (in millions)

 $892 $1,117 $(436)

Net income applicable to common stock (in millions)

 $        1,366 $        892 $        1,117

Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):

  

Basic

          113,470          111,838          103,179   114,918  113,470  111,838

Diluted

  129,970  128,643  103,179   122,918  129,970  128,643

Per share:

  

Basic

 $7.87 $10.00 $(4.22) $11.88 $7.87 $10.00

Diluted

 $7.00 $8.83 $(4.22) $11.18 $7.00 $8.83

 

Quarterly dividends on common stock in 2006 were 10 cents per share for the first quarter, 15 cents per share for the second and third quarters, and 20 cents per share for the fourth quarter.

Quarterly dividends on common stock in 2005 amounted to 8 cents per share for the first quarter and 10 cents per share for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2005.quarters. Quarterly dividends in 2004 amounted to 5 cents per share for each quarter of 2004 and 2003.quarter.

 

13.8.Inventories

 

(In millions) December 31,
2005
   

Adjusted (Note 2)

December 31,
2004

Raw materials

 $428   $308

Semi-finished products

  568    591

Finished products

  391    333

Supplies and sundry items

  79    73
  

   

Total

 $        1,466   $        1,305

See the discussion of the change in the method of determining the cost of inventories at USSK in Note 2. The prior year disclosures in the paragraph below have been adjusted to reflect this change.

(In millions) December 31,
2006
   December 31,
2005

Raw materials

 $        560   $        428

Semi-finished products

  597    568

Finished products

  368    391

Supplies and sundry items

  79    79
  

   

Total

 $1,604   $1,466

 

Current acquisition costs were estimated to exceed the above inventory values at December 31 by approximately $900 million in 2006 and $680 million in 2005 and $660 million in 2004.2005. Cost of revenues was reduced and income (loss) from operations was improved by $22 million, $22 million and $15 million in 2006, 2005 and $10 million in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively, as a result of liquidations of LIFO inventories.

 

Supplies and sundry items inventory in the table above includes $50$65 million and $46$50 million of land held for residential/commercial development as of December 31, 20052006 and 2004,2005, respectively.

 

U. S. Steel has a raw material swap agreement with another steel manufacturer designed to provide logistical efficiencies in the supply of coke to our operating locations. The coke swaps are recorded at cost in accordance with APB 29, as amended by FAS 153, “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions” Transactions.”

U. S. Steel shipped approximately 310,000195,000 tons and received approximately 315,000170,000 tons of coke under the swap agreement during 2005.2006. There was no income statement impact related to these swaps.

14.9.Income Taxes

 

Provisions (benefits) for income taxes were:

 

 2005

 2004

 2003

         Adjusted(Note 2)

   Adjusted(Note 2)

 2006

 2005

 2004

(In millions) Current Deferred Total Current Deferred Total Current Deferred Total Current Deferred Total Current Deferred Total Current Deferred Total

Federal

 $246 $21  267 $(34) $318  $284 $(14) $(359) $(373) $  151 $  97  $  248 $  246 $  21 $  267 $  (34) $  318  $  284

State and local

  37  4  41  5   64   69  3   (73)  (70)  35  (13)  22  37  4  41  5   64   69

Foreign

  39  18  57  25   (22)  3  2   (11)  (9)  58  (4)  54  39  18  57  25   (22)  3
 

 

 

 


 


 

 


 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 


 


 

Total

 $322 $43 $  365 $(4) $360  $  356 $(9) $(443) $  (452) $244 $80  $324 $322 $43 $365 $(4) $360  $356

A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate of 35%35 percent to total provisions (benefits) follows:

 

   Adjusted (Note 2)

 
(In millions) 2005 2004 2003  2006 2005 2004 

Statutory rate applied to income (loss) before income taxes

 $459  $529  $(285)

Minority Interest

  (13)  (11)  - 

Statutory rate applied to income before income taxes

 $        603  $        459  $        529 

Minority interest

  (9)  (13)  (11)

Excess percentage depletion

  (34)  (28)  (1)  (51)  (34)  (28)

Effects of foreign operations

  (66)  (157)  (102)  (193)  (66)  (157)

State and local income taxes after federal income tax effects

  26   45   (46)  15   26   45 

Adjustments of prior years’ federal income taxes

  (2)  (23)  (19)  (16)  (2)  (23)

Tax credits

  (14)  (2)  - 

Deduction for domestic production activities

  (7)  (8)  - 

Other

  (5)  1   1   (4)  5   1 
 


 


 


 


 


 


Total provisions (benefits)

 $        365  $        356  $        (452)

Total provisions

 $324  $365  $356 

 

American Jobs Creation Act

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Jobs Act) provides a deduction for income from qualified domestic production activities in the United States, which is phased in from 2005 through 2010. The Jobs Act also providesprovided for a phase-out of the existing extra-territorial income (ETI) exclusion for certain foreign sales over the years 20052006 and 2006.2005. The net effect of the phase-out of the ETI and the phase-in of this new deduction resulted in a decrease in the effective tax rate for fiscal yearcalendar years 2006 and 2005 of less than 1 percentage-point, and U. S. Steel expects the same effect for 2006 based on current earnings levels. In the long-term, U. S. Steel expects that the new deduction will result in a decrease of the annual effective tax rate of approximately 2 percentage-points based on current earnings levels. Under the guidance in FSP FAS 109-1, the deduction will be treated as a “special deduction” as described in FAS 109. As such, the special deduction has no effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities existing as of the enactment date. Rather, the impact of this deduction will be reported in the period in which the deduction is claimed on U. S. Steel’s tax return.one percentage point.

 

The Jobs Act also created a temporary incentive for U.S. corporations to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85 percent dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations. In December 2005, U. S. Steel both approved a plan for reinvestment and repatriated a cash dividend amount of $300 million, of which $287 million qualified for the 85 percent dividends received deduction. Pursuant to the plan for reinvestment, during 2005 U. S. Steel made expenditures for capital additions and improvements at its domestic steel and iron-ore producing facilities in the United States in excess of the $300 million cash dividend amount. As a result, U. S. Steel recorded a related tax expense of $16 million of which $15 million related to the amount that qualified for the 85 percent dividends received deduction.

 

Taxes on Foreign Income

Pretax income for the years 2006, 2005 and 2004 and 2003 included $708 million, $389 million $453 million and $260$453 million attributable to foreign sources. Without regard to the one-time repatriation discussed above, as of December 31, 2005,2006, and based on the tax laws in effect at that time, it remains U. S. Steel’s intention to continue indefinitely to indefinitely reinvest undistributed foreign earnings and, accordingly, no deferred tax liability has been recorded in connection therewith. Undistributed earnings of certain consolidated foreign subsidiaries net of the $300 million repatriation, at December 31, 2005,2006, amounted to $1,276$1,955 million. If such earnings were not permanently reinvested, a U.S. deferred tax liability of approximately $400$640 million would have been required.

The Slovak Income Tax Act provides an income tax credit which is available to USSK if certain conditions are met. In order to claim the tax credit in any year, 60 percent of USSK’s sales must be export sales, and USSK must reinvest the tax credits claimed in qualifying capital expenditures during the year in which the credit is claimed and the following four years. See Note 2924 for a discussion of the capital improvement program commitments to the Slovak government. The provisions of the Slovak Income Tax Act permit USSK to claim a tax credit of 100 percent of USSK’s tax liability for years 2000 through 2004 and 50 percent of the current statutory rate of 19 percent for the years 2005 through 2009. The Slovak governmenttax authority has confirmed that USSK

has complied with the tax credit requirements for 2000, and management believes that USSK has also fulfilled all of the necessary conditions for claiming the tax credit for 2001the years 2000 through 2005. As a result of conditions imposed when Slovakia joined the European Union (EU) that were amended by a 2004 settlement with the EU, the total tax credit granted to USSK is limited to $430 million for the period 2000 through 2009. Based on the credits previously used and forecasts of future taxable income, management expects that this limit will be reached during 2008. Additional conditions for claiming the tax credit were established when Slovakia joined the EU. These conditions limit USSK’s annual production of flat-rolled products and its sales of flat-rolled products into the EU. Management does not believe the production and sales limits are materially burdensome. They will expire at the end of 2009, if not before.

During the years 2000 through 2004, as a result of claiming tax credits of 100 percent of USSK’s tax liability for the years 2000 through 2004 and management’s intent to reinvest earnings in foreign operations, virtually nothe only current income tax provision except for the two $16 million tax payments discussed below, was recorded for USSK income for the years 20012000 through 2004.2004, was $32 million, remitted as a result of the 2004 settlement with the EU. During 2006 and 2005, a current income tax provision was recorded for USSK because the tax credit is limited to 50 percent of the statutory rate.

In connection with Slovakia joining the EU, the total tax credit granted to USSK for the period 2000 through 2009 was agreed to be limited to $430 million. It is possible that the tax credit could expire prior to 2009 if taxable earnings are sufficient to utilize the credit earlier. USSK recorded a charge of $32 million in the first quarter of 2004 to account for the effects of this agreement and made tax payments of $16 million in each of 2004 and 2005. Also, additional conditions for claiming the tax credit were established. These new conditions limit USSK’s annual production of flat-rolled products and its sales of all products into the 15 countries that were members of the EU prior to Slovakia and nine other nations that joined the EU in May 2004. Management does not believe the production and sales limits are materially burdensome.

 

Gary Property Tax Settlement

U. S. Steel closed a personal property settlement agreement with the City of Gary, Lake County, and the State of Indiana in the first quarter 2005. As a result, previous accruals of disputed amounts were reversed which reduced cost of sales by $70 million and reduced interest and other financial costs by $25 million. Under the settlement agreement, U. S. Steel made a $44 million payment during the second quarter 2005 and fulfilled its obligation to spend $150 million on capital projects at its Lake County operations. U. S. Steel also agreed to negotiate the transfer of approximately 200 acres of property to the city of Gary,Gary. The subject property is undergoing an investigation of environmental issues pursuant to the terms of a Resource Recovery and these negotiations have not yet been completed.Conservation Act (RCRA) Administrative Order on Consent. The income tax provision for 2005 includes a charge of $37 million related to the $95 million pre-tax gain from the settlement.

 

Status of IRS Examinations

In connection with the Separation, U. S. Steel separated from Marathon Oil Corporation (Marathon) on December 31, 2001 (the Separation) and Marathon entered into a tax sharing agreement that provides for payments between U. S. Steel and Marathon for certain tax adjustments which may be made after the Separation. The examination phase of the IRS audit of theMarathon’s 1998-2001 consolidated tax returns of Marathon for the years 1998 through 2001 has been completed, and the appeals process began in 2005. The examination phase ofwas settled with the IRS audit of the consolidated tax returns of U. S. Steel for the years 2002 and 2003 began in 2005. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue would require use of U. S. Steel’s cash and could increase the effective tax rate to the extent an issue was more than just the timing of a deduction or income item and was settled for more than the amount of the provision. Favorable resolution, including resolution of claims that have been made for additional tax deductions and credits, could increase U. S. Steel’s cash and be recognized as a reduction to U. S. Steel’s effective tax rate in the yearsecond quarter of resolution. U. S. Steel believes it has made adequate provision for income taxes2006 and interest which may become payable for years not settled.

During 2004, the audit of Marathon’s consolidated federal income tax returns for the years 1995 through 1997 was completed, reviewed and approved by the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. As a consequence ofTaxation in September 2006. In December 2006, Marathon paid U. S. Steel $34 million for taxes related to this settlement and the favorable adjustments to accruedin January 2007, U. S. Steel received $13 million in related interest for prior years’ taxes, additional tax expense of $7 million was recorded in 2004. Also in 2004, as part of itsfrom Marathon.

The IRS audit of U. S. Steel’s 2002-2003 tax returns was completed in the 1998 through 2001 years, the Internal Revenue Service completed its reviewsecond quarter of a Research2006 and Development Tax Credit claim related to the years 1988 through 2000, which resulted in a benefit to the income tax provision of $15 million, and a reversal of interest expense accruals of $2 million. During 2003, the audit of Marathon for the years 1988 through 1994agreement was settledreached with the IRS and allocated to U. S. Steel,on the proposed adjustments. There was no material impact on income taxes or interest resulting infrom the recognitionsettlement of a $13 million benefit.these audits.

Deferred taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities resulted from the following:

 

 December 31,

 
   Adjusted (Note 2)

  December 31,

 
(In millions) 2005 2004  2006 2005 

Deferred tax assets:

  

Federal tax loss carryforwards

 $-  $84 

Federal minimum tax credits

  -   11 

State tax credit carryforwards ($2 million expiring in 2010 and 2011, $3 million do not expire)

  5   5 

State tax loss carryforwards (expiring in 2009 through 2023)

  4   23 

Foreign tax loss carryforwards and credits ($57 million expiring in 2013 through 2015, $23 million do not expire)

  80   48 

State tax credit carryforwards (do not expire)

 $2  $5 

State tax loss carryforwards (expiring in 2022 through 2023)

  5   4 

Foreign tax loss carryforwards and credits (expiring in 2007 through 2016)

  88   80 

Employee benefits

  901           1,126   931   901 

Receivables, payables and debt

  16   63   13   16 

Expected federal benefit for deducting state deferred income taxes

  23   22   18   23 

Contingencies and accrued liabilities

  68   77   61   68 

Other deductible temporary differences

  69   24   62   69 

Inventory

  22   -   (2)  22 

Valuation allowances:

  

Federal

  -   - 

State

  -   -   (1)  - 

Foreign

  (81)  (48)  (90)  (81)
 


 


 


 


Total deferred tax assets

          1,107   1,435           1,087   1,107 
 


 


 


 


Deferred tax liabilities:

  

Property, plant and equipment

  586   495   585   586 

Pension asset

  -   1,023 

Inventory

  -   172 

Investments in subsidiaries and equity investees

  35   42   37   35 

Other taxable temporary differences

  -   46 
 


 


 


 


Total deferred tax liabilities

  621   1,778   622   621 
 


 


 


 


Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

 $486  $(343)

Net deferred tax assets

 $465  $        486 

 

At December 31, 2006, the net domestic deferred tax asset was $446 million. At December 31, 2005, the net domestic deferred tax asset was $472 million. At December 31, 2004, the net domestic deferred tax liability was $375 million. During 2004, federal and state valuation allowances totaling $209 million previously charged to other comprehensive income were reversed. See discussion related to the additional minimum liability below.(see Note 15). Substantially all of U. S. Steel’s deferred tax assets relate to employee benefits that will become deductible for tax purposes over an extended period of time as cash contributions are made to employee benefit plans and payments are made tofor retirees. Despite the cyclical nature of the domestic integrated steel industry in the United States, management fully expects to realize tax benefits for the entire amount of these recorded tax assets. Several of the factors considered in reaching this conclusion were the length of time over which the deductions for employee benefit liabilities will be claimed on tax returns, the current law provisions which permit loss carryforwards for an extended period, and U. S. Steel’s demonstrated ability of utilizing the entire amount of tax deductions and tax attributes over previous business cycles.

 

At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the foreign deferred tax assets recorded were $19 million and $14 million, respectively, net of an established valuation allowance of $90 million and $81 million, respectively. Net foreign deferred tax assets will fluctuate as the value of the U.S. dollar changes with respect to the euro, the Slovak koruna and the Serbian dinar. A full valuation allowance is recorded for Serbian deferred tax assets due to the cumulative losses experienced since the acquisition of USSB. As USSB generates sufficient income, the valuation allowance of $58$78 million for Serbian taxes coulddeferred tax assets as of December 31, 2006 would be partially or fully reversed at such time that it is more likely than not that the related deferred tax assetassets will be realized. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the amount of net foreign deferred tax assets recorded was $14 million and $32 million, respectively, net of an established valuation

allowance of $81 million and $48 million, respectively. The net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2004, included $29 million of Slovak tax recorded in 2004 related to foreign exchange losses on long-term receivables. During 2004, the Slovak tax law was clarified to allow cumulative foreign exchange losses to be deducted. The repayment of long-term USSK debt in November 2004 resulted in a $14 million Slovak tax related to foreign exchange gains, which was offset fully by the Slovak income tax credit. Accordingly, the $14 million deferred tax liability that was associated with this gain was reversed in 2004, resulting in a credit to tax expense.

Additional minimum liability

Based on the year-end 2005 measurement of the main defined benefit pension plan, U. S. Steel was required to record an additional minimum liability which resulted in an increase to deferred tax assets. See further discussion in Note 20. The corresponding charge to equity was $1,366 million, net of deferred tax assets of $873 million. This resulted in U. S. Steel being in an overall net deferred tax asset position as of December 31, 2005. See further discussion on the domestic deferred tax asset above. Based on the year-end 2004 measurement of the main defined benefit pension plan, the additional minimum liability recorded in 2003 for this plan was no longer necessary, resulting in a reversal of the related deferred tax assets of $794 million and an associated valuation allowance of $209 million through equity.

 

15.10.Investments and Long-Term Receivables

 

 December 31,

 December 31,

(In millions) 2005 2004 2006 2005

Equity method investments

 $        250 $        256 $282 $250

Receivables due after one year, less allowance of $2 and $4

  10  1

Receivables due after one year, less allowance of $6 and $2

  25  10

Split dollar life insurance

  20  20  21  20

Other

  8  6  3  8
 

 

 

 

Total

 $288 $283 $        331 $        288

Summarized financial information of investees accounted for by the equity method of accounting is as follows:

 

(In millions) 2005 2004 2003  2006 2005 2004

Income data – year ended December 31:

  

Net sales

 $        1,825  $        1,902 $        1,734  $        2,038 $        1,830  $        1,902

Operating income (loss)

  (19)  67  (2)  45  (19)  67

Net income (loss)

  (39)  55  (54)  23  (39)  55

Balance sheet data – December 31:

  

Current assets

 $443  $516  $569 $462  

Noncurrent assets

  509   566   466  509  

Current liabilities

  211   274   232  228  

Noncurrent liabilities

  323   342   356  323  

Investees accounted for using the equity method include:

 

Investee


 

Country


 December 31, 20052006
Ownership


Acero Prime, S. R. L. de CV

 Mexico             40%

Chrome Deposit Corporation

 United States 50%

Double Eagle Steel Coating Company

 United States 50%

Double G Coatings Company L.P.

 United States 50%

Feralloy Processing Company

 United States 49%

PRO-TEC Coating Company

 United States 50%

Swan Point Development Company, LLC

United States50%

USS-POSCO Industries

 United States 50%

Worthington Specialty Processing

 United States 50%

 

The application of FIN 46R resulted in U. S. Steel consolidating the 1314B Partnership effective January 1, 2004. The results of the 1314B Partnership were previously accounted for under the equity method. See further discussion in Note 19.

Dividends and partnership distributions received from equity investees were $40$51 million in 2006, $42 million in 2005 and $43 million in 2004 and $36 million in 2003.2004.

 

For discussion of transactions and related receivable and payable balances between U. S. Steel and its investees, see Note 27.22.

 

16.11.Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 December 31, December 31,

(In millions) Useful Lives 2005 2004 Useful Lives 2006 2005

Land and depletable property

 - $165 $175 - $175 $165

Buildings

 35 years  727  673 35 years  841  727

Machinery and equipment

 4-22 years  10,235  9,827 4-22 years  10,992  10,235

Leased machinery and equipment

 3-25 years  189  189 3-25 years  189  189
 

 

 

 

Total

      11,316      10,864  12,197  11,316

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

  7,301  7,237  7,768  7,301
 

 

 

 

Net

 $4,015 $3,627 $    4,429 $    4,015

 

Amounts in accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization for assets acquired under capital leases (including sale-leasebacks accounted for as financings) were $109$118 million and $108$109 million at December 31, 20052006 and 2004,2005, respectively.

 

17.12.Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

On April 26, 2005, U. S. Steel’s stockholders approved the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Stock Plan”). The aggregate number of shares of U. S. Steel common stock that may be issued under the 2005 Stock Plan is 6,750,000 shares during the 10-year life of the plan. Generally, a

share issued under the Plan pursuant to an award other than a stock option will reduce the number of shares available under the Stock Plan by 1.42 shares. The purposes of the 2005 Stock Plan are to attract, retain and motivate employees and non-employee directors of outstanding ability, and to align their interests with those of the stockholders of U. S. Steel. The Compensation & Organization Committee of the Board of Directors (the Compensation Committee) administers the plan pursuant to which they may make grants of stock options, (the options have a term of up to ten years), restricted stock, performance awards, and other stock-based awards. Also, shares related to awards (i) that are forfeited, (ii) that terminate without shares having been issued or (iii) for which payment is made in cash or property other than shares are again available for awards under the plan; provided, however, that shares delivered to the CorporationU. S. Steel or withheld for purposes of satisfying the exercise price or tax

withholding obligations shall not again be available for awards. In 2005, totalThere were no awards of stock options, restricted stock or performance awards under this plan amounted to 1,121 shares of other stock-basedin 2005; however, there were 344,490 stock options, 229,380 restricted stock awards consisting of 1,000 sharesand 95,400 performance awards granted in 2006 under the Non-Employee Director2005 Stock Program and 121 Common Stock Units underPlan. The options were issued at the Deferred Compensation Program for Non-Employee Directors (see program discussion below).market price per share on the date of the grant.

 

The 2002 Stock Plan, which became effective January 1, 2002, replaced the 1990 Stock Plan as a stock-based compensation plan for key management employees of U. S. Steel and will be used in addition to the 2005 Stock Plan. In that regard, the Board amended the 2002 Stock Plan to reduce the number of shares of U. S. Steel common stock that may be issued under the plan to 1,000,000 shares, of which no more than 125,000 may be granted in the form of restricted stock and other non-option forms of awards.Steel. The 2002 Stock Plan authorizesauthorized the Compensation and Organization Committee of the board of directors to grant performance restricted stock, stock options and stock appreciation rights (SARS) to key management employees. In addition, shares awarded after April 26, 2005 that do not result in shares being issued are available for subsequent grant. For purposes of granting awards, the 2002 Stock Plan will terminateterminated on December 31, 2006.

 

The 2002 Stock Plan options arewere issued at the market price per share aton the date of grant, and vestvested over a one-year service period.period, and have a term of up to eight years. Certain options include tandem SARS that contain the right to receive cash and/or common stock equal to the excess of the fair market value of shares of common stock, as determined in accordance with the plan, over the option price of shares. Under the 2002 Stock Plan, no stock options may be exercised prior to one year or after eight years from the date of grant. Under the 1990 Stock Plan, stock options expire ten years from the date they were granted.of grant. No SARS were issued in 2006, 2005 or 2004. U. S. Steel had 22,100, 118,350 and 636,050 and 6,372,930 SARs outstanding at December 31, 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003,2004, respectively. Related compensation pre-tax income of less than $1 million, pre-tax income of $1 million and pre-tax expense of $23 million and $75 million waswere recorded during 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003,2004, respectively.

 

In connection with the separation from Marathon, all optionsStock-based compensation

Prior to purchase Steel Stock were converted into options to purchaseJanuary 1, 2006, U. S. Steel common stock with identical terms,accounted for stock-based compensation following the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” (APB 25) and related interpretations. Effective January 1, 2006, U. S. Steel adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payments,” (FAS 123(R)) which requires the recognition of compensation expense for stock-based compensation based on the grant date fair value. U. S. Steel has elected the modified prospective application method for adoption, and prior period consolidated financial statements have not been restated. Under this adoption method, compensation expense recognized in 2006 includes compensation expense related to the May 2006 grants and the remaining vesting periodsapplicable amounts of compensation expense of all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006 (based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of FAS No. 123 and termpreviously presented in the pro forma footnote disclosures). Prior to the adoption of the options were continued.FAS 123(R), no compensation expense was recorded for stock options.

Stock-based compensation expense

The following is a summary of stock option activity:

  2005   2004   2003
  Shares    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Shares    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Shares    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding at beginning of year

 2,280,255    $                30.08   7,329,430    $                22.19       6,165,270    $                25.84

Granted

 870,600     40.37       1,480,000     29.54   2,422,000     14.38

Exercised

 (1,008,425)    30.15   (6,495,275)    21.04   (902,760)    21.69

Canceled

 (4,700)    37.61   (33,900)    34.19   (355,080)    33.49
  

   

   

   

   

   

Outstanding at end of year

 2,137,730    $34.22   2,280,255    $30.08   7,329,430    $22.19

Options exercisable at end of year

 1,270,630    $30.02   801,955    $31.07   5,027,530    $25.79

The following table represents outstanding stock options issued undersummarizes the 2005 Stock Plan, 2002 Stock Plan and 1990 Stock Plan attotal compensation expense recognized for stock-based compensation awards:

(In millions, except per share amounts) Year Ended
December 31, 2006

Stock-based compensation expense recognized:

   

Cost of sales

 $5

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  11
  

Total

  16

Related deferred income tax benefit

  6
  

Decrease in net income

 $10

Decrease in basic earnings per share

 $        0.08

Decrease in diluted earnings per share

 $0.08

As of December 31, 2005:

   Outstanding

     Exercisable

Range of
Exercise Prices
  Number
of Shares
Under Option
  Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
  Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
     Number
of Shares
Under Option
  Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

$ 12.21 - 28.22

  40,115  4.7 years  $20.73     40,115  $20.73

   29.54 - 34.44

  1,113,640  6.3   29.60     1,113,640   29.60

   37.28 - 40.37

  983,975  6.8   40.00     116,875   37.28
   
            
    
   2,137,730  6.5   34.22     1,270,630   30.02

Restricted stock granted2006, total future compensation cost related to officers of U.S. Steel undernonvested stock-based compensation arrangements was $20 million, and the 2002 Stock Planweighted-average period over which this cost is awarded for such consideration, if any, as determined by the Compensation and Organization Committee, subjectexpected to forfeiture provisions and restrictions on transfer. Those restrictions may be removed as conditions such as performance, continuous service and other criteria are met. Restricted stockrecognized is valued at the market price per share at the date of grant and vests over service periods that range from one to three years.approximately 14 months.

 

The following table presents informationillustrates the effect on restricted stock grants issued under the 2002 Stock Plan:

  2005 2004 2003

Number of shares granted

      125,000      63,710      88,600

Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share

 $40.37 $29.54 $15.45

net income and earnings per share if U. S. Steel had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FAS 123:

  Year Ended December 31,

 
(In millions, except per share data)     2005            2004     

Net income

 $        910    $        1,135 

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

  -     21 

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value methods for all awards, net of related tax effects

  (8)    (27)
  


   


Pro forma net income

 $902    $1,129 
  


   


Net income per share:

          

- As reported - basic

 $7.87    $10.00 

- diluted

  7.00     8.83 

- Pro forma - basic

  7.79     9.95 

- diluted

  6.96     8.80 

Stock options

In accordance with FAS 123(R), compensation expense for stock options is now recorded over the vesting period based on the fair value on the date of grant, as calculated by U. S. Steel using the Black-Scholes model and the assumptions listed below. The May 2004 and May 2005 awards vested over a one-year service period and have a term of eight years. The May 2006 awards vest ratably over a three-year service period and have a term of ten years.

Black-Scholes Assumptions May 2006 Grant   May 2005 Grant   May 2004 Grant

Grant date price per share of option award

 $        65.40   $        40.37   $        29.54

Expected annual dividends per share, at grant date

 $0.60   $0.40   $0.20

Expected life in years

  5    4    4

Expected volatility

  43%    44%    44%

Risk-free interest rate

  4.8%    3.7%    3.3%

Grant date fair value per share of unvested option awards as calculated from above

 $27.05   $14.61   $10.71

The expected annual dividends per share are based on the latest annualized dividend rate at the date of grant; the expected life in years is determined primarily from historical stock option exercise data; the expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of U. S. Steel stock; and the risk-free interest rate is based on the U. S. Treasury strip rate for the expected life of the option.

Certain stock options include tandem stock appreciation rights (SARS) that contain the right to receive cash. No SARS were issued in 2006, 2005 and 2004 and all 22,100 outstanding SARS are fully vested. Under FAS 123(R), compensation expense continues to be recorded for changes in the market value of unexercised SARS.

The following table shows a summary of the status and activity of stock options for the year ended December 31, 2006:

  Shares    Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
(per share)
   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)

Outstanding at January 1, 2006

 2,137,730    $34.22         

Granted May 30, 2006

 344,490     65.40         

Exercised

 (839,270)    33.97         

Forfeited or expired

 (10,424)    51.71         
  

              

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

 1,632,526    $40.82   6.1   $53

Exercisable at December 31, 2006

 1,292,760    $34.36   5.7   $50

During the year ended December 31, 2006, the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised (i.e., the difference between the market price at exercise and the price paid by the employee to exercise the option) was $27 million. The total amount of cash received by U. S. Steel from the exercise of options was $29 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, and the related net tax benefit realized from the exercise of these options was $10 million.

Stock awards

In accordance with FAS 123(R), compensation expense for nonvested stock awards is recorded over the vesting period based on the fair value at the date of grant.

Remaining outstanding performance restricted stock plan forawards, a type of award granted prior to 2006, vest in three tranches, subject to U. S. Steel’s satisfaction of certain salaried employees who are not officersperformance criteria during 2005. In May 2006, the Compensation Committee determined that the performance criteria had been satisfied and a portion of the Corporation; this plan has been suspended. Ofperformance restricted stock awards vested (52,900 shares). The remaining 72,100 shares are scheduled to vest ratably, in May 2007 and May 2008, conditioned upon participants’ continued employment.

Restricted stock awards vest ratably over three years. The fair value of restricted stock awards is the awardedmarket price of the underlying common stock 50 percent vestson the date of grant.

Performance stock awards vest at the end of two years from the datea three-year performance period as a function of grant and the remaining 50 percent vests in four years from the date of grant. Prior to vesting, the employee has the right to vote such stock and receive dividends thereon. The nonvested shares are not transferable and are retained by U. S. Steel until they vest. There were no shares granted under this plan in 2005, 2004 or 2003Steel’s total shareholder return compared to the total shareholder return of peer companies over the three-year performance period. Performance stock awards can vest at between zero and 200 percent of the final vesting of awarded shares occurred during 2005.target award.

 

The following table shows a summary of the performance stock awards as of December 31, 2006:

Performance Period Fair Value
(in millions)
   Unrecognized
Compensation
Expense
(in millions)
   Minimum
Shares
   Target
Shares
   Maximum
Shares

2006 - 2009

 $        6   $        5   -   95,400   190,800

The following table shows a summary of the status and activity of nonvested stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2006:

  Performance
Restricted
Stock Awards
    Restricted
Stock Awards
    Performance
Stock Awards
   Total    Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

Nonvested at January 1, 2006

 125,000    -    -   125,000    $40.37

Granted May 30, 2006

 -    229,380    95,400   324,780     64.91

Vested

 (52,900)   -    -   (52,900)    40.37

Performance award adjustment(a)

 -    -    5,867   5,867     63.74

Forfeited or expired

 -    (3,624)   -   (3,624)    65.40
  

   

   
   

     

Nonvested at December 31, 2006

 72,100    225,756    101,267   399,123    $60.46
(a)A performance award adjustment was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation technique to reflect potential outcomes of the peer group comparison at the end of the three-year performance period.

Non-Employee Director Program

Under the 2005 Stock Plan, U. S. Steel has a Deferred Compensation Program for Non-Employee Directors of its Board of Directors. The program permits non-employee directors to defer up to 100 percent of their annual retainers in the form of common stock units; however, participants are required to defer at least 70 percent of their annual retainers in the form of common stock units. Common stock units are book entry units equal in value to a share of stock. During 2006, 12,619 units were granted; during 2005, 6,513 units were issued;granted; and during 2004, 8,251 units were issued; and during 2003, 23,182granted. Common stock units were issued.granted after the program’s incorporation into the 2005 Stock Plan are granted pursuant to the 2005 Stock Plan. Shares equal in number to the number of common stock units held by a participating director are issued to the director upon his or her retirement.

 

Additionally, a one-time grant of common stock units was made to non-employee directors in 2005 with a value to each director of $40,000 at the time of grant. In 2005, 6,957 such units were awarded with a December 31, 2005 value of less than $1 million.

 

Under the 2005 Stock Plan, U. S. Steel also has a Non-Employee Director Stock Program pursuant to which each current non-employee director has received a grant of up to 1,000 shares of common stock. In order to qualify, each such director must first have purchased an equivalent number of shares in the open market during the 60 days following the first date of his or her service on the Board. In 2006 and 2005, total awards under this program were 1,000 shares in each year.

 

Total stock-based compensation expense was less than $1 million in 2005, $34 million in 2004 and $84 million in 2003.

18.13.Debt


 

(In millions) 

Interest

Rates %

 Maturity December 31, Interest
Rates %
 Maturity December 31,

 2005 2004  2006 2005

Senior Notes

 9 3/4 2010 $        378 $        378 9 3/4 2010 $378 $378

Senior Notes

 10 3/4 2008  348  348 10 3/4 2008  20  348

Senior Quarterly Income Debt Securities

 10 2031  49  49 10 2031  49  49

Obligations relating to Environmental Revenue Bonds

 4 3/4 - 6 7/8 2009 - 2033  470  472 4 3/4 -6 1/4 2009 - 2033  458  470

Inventory Facility

 2009  -  - 2009  -  -

Fairfield Caster Lease

 2006 - 2012  66  71 2007 - 2012  60  66

Other capital leases and all other obligations

 2006 - 2014  71  55 2007 - 2014  60  71

USSK credit facilities

 Variable 2006  231  - Variable 2009  -  231

USSB credit facility

 2008  -  - 2008  -  -
 

 

 

 

Total

  1,613  1,373  1,025  1,613

Less unamortized discount

  1  2  -  1

Less short-term debt and long-term debt due within one year

  249  8  82  249
 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less unamortized discount

 $1,363 $1,363 $943 $1,363

Senior Notes In 2001, U. S. Steel issued $535 million of Senior Notes due August 1, 2008 (10 3/4% Senior Notes). In May 2003, U. S. Steel issued $450 million of Senior Notes due May 15, 2010 (9 3/4% Senior Notes). These notes have an interest rate of 9 3/4% per annum payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15. The 9 3/4% Senior Notes were issued under U. S. Steel’s shelf registration statement and were not listed on any national securities exchange. Proceeds from the sale of the 9 3/4% Senior Notes were used to finance a portion of the purchase price of National’sNational Steel’s assets. UpOn December 28, 2006, pursuant to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 9 3/4% Senior Notes could be redeemed at any time prior to May 15, 2006, with the proceeds of public offerings of certain capital stock at a redemption price of 109.75% of the principal amount plus accrued interest. In 2001,cash tender offer, U. S. Steel issued $535redeemed $328 million of 10 3/4% Senior Notes. Up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes, could have been redeemed at any time prior to August 1, 2004,108.29 percent of the principal amount, plus accrued interest, using readily available funds. In conjunction with this offer U. S. Steel solicited and received consents which allowed for the proceedselimination of public offeringssubstantially all of the restrictive covenants and certain capital stock. events of default contained in the 10 3/4% Senior Notes. (See Note 6 for net interest and other financial costs associated with this redemption.)

On April 19, 2004, U. S. Steel redeemed $72 million principal amount of the 9 3/4% Senior Notes at 109.75%109.75 percent of the principal amount plus accrued interest and $187 million of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes at 110.75%110.75 percent of the principal amount plus accrued interest, using proceeds from the March 9, 2004 common stock offering. See Note 22.17.

Some or all of the outstanding 9 3/4% Senior Notes may be redeemed at a premium after May 15, 2007. The premium ranges from 4.875 percent to zero percent, depending on the redemption date.

 

Senior Quarterly Income Debt Securities (Quarterly Debt Securities)On November 29, 2006, U. S. Steel called for the full redemption of the Quarterly Debt Securities on January 2, 2007. The Quarterly Debt Securities arewere redeemable at the option of U. S. Steel in whole or in part, on or after December 31, 2006 at 100%100 percent of the principal amount together with accrued, but unpaid interest toat the redemption date. Interest is payable quarterly.The aggregate principal amount outstanding at December 31, 2006 was $49 million and these securities were redeemed on January 2, 2007.

 

Obligations relating to Environmental Revenue Bonds– Under an agreement related to the Separation, U. S. Steel assumed and will discharge all principal, interest and other duties of Marathon under these obligations, including any amounts due upon any defaults or accelerations of any of the obligations, other than defaults or accelerations caused by any action of Marathon. The agreement also provides that on or before the tenth anniversary of the Separation (December 31, 2011), U. S. Steel will provide for the discharge of Marathon from any remaining liability under any of these obligations. In the fourth quarter of 2005, U. S. Steel entered into an arrangement that refunded $42 million of environmental revenue bonds and made U. S. Steel the underlying obligor, thereby eliminating Marathon’s related contingent liability (see Note 29)24). In addition, U. S. Steel entered into an arrangement that defeased $2retired $13 million of environmental revenue bonds on December 30, 2005.in 2006.

In the event of the bankruptcy of Marathon, $556$532 million related to this debt, the Fairfield Caster Lease and the coke battery lease at Clairton Works may be declared immediately due and payable.

 

Inventory Facility U. S. Steel has a revolving credit facility that provides for borrowings of up to $600 million. The facility is secured by a lien on U. S. Steel’s domestic inventory and receivables (to the extent not sold under the Receivables Purchase Agreement – see Note 19)14). Interest on borrowings is calculated based on either LIBOR or the agent’s prime rate using spreads based on facility availability as defined in the agreement. Although there were no amounts drawn against this facility at December 31, 2005,2006, availability was $594$598 million due to $6$2 million of letters of credit issued against the facility. This facility expiresmatures in October 2009.

Fairfield Caster Lease– U. S. Steel is the sublessee of a slab caster at the Fairfield Works in Alabama. The sublease is accounted for as a capital lease. Marathon is the primary obligor under the lease. Under an agreement related to the Separation, U. S. Steel assumed and will discharge all obligations under this lease, which has a final maturity of 2012, subject to additional extensions.

 

Other capital leases and all other obligations– In the third quarter 2005, U. S. Steel amended the Electrolytic Galvanizing Line lease at its Great Lakes Works, which required U. S. Steel to record a capital lease obligation of $19 million.Works. U. S. Steel is the lessee of a coke battery at the Clairton Works in Pennsylvania. Additionally, U. S. Steel was the lessee of a coke battery at the Granite City Works in Illinois until it purchased the facility in June 2004.

 

USSK credit facilitiesDuring the third quarter 2006, USSK’s195 million revolving credit facility was paid in full and terminated.

USSK is the sole obligor on a EUR 19540 million revolving credit facility (which approximated $231(approximately $53 million at December 31, 2005)2006) revolving credit facility that expires in December 2006. The facility bears interest at EURIBOR plus 20 basis points. USSK is obligated to pay a commitment fee on undrawn amounts. At December 31, 2005, this facility was fully drawn.2009. This facility was entered into in order to facilitatereplaced the repatriation by USS of certain foreign earnings pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act, as discussed in Note 14.

USSK is the sole obligor on a $40 million revolving credit facility that expireswas set to expire in December 2006. The facility bears interest at the applicable inter-bank offer rate plus a margin. USSK is obligated to pay a commitment fee on undrawn amounts. At December 31, 20052006 and 2004,2005, there were no borrowings against this or the now expired facility.

 

USSK is the sole obligor on a revolving $2020 million (approximately $26 million at December 31, 2006) credit facility that expires in December 2009. This facility replaced a $20 million facility that was set to expire in December 2006. This is a multi-use facility available for working capital financing and general corporate purposes as well as for overdraft borrowings fixed interest period borrowings, plusand the issuance of letters of credit and bank guarantees. The facility bears interest at the applicable inter-bank offer rate plus a margin. USSK is obligated to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the facility. At December 31, 20052006 the availability was approximately $21 million due to approximately $5 million of customs and 2004, there were no borrowingsother guarantees issued against this facility.

At December 31, 2005, availability under these facilitiesthe now expired facility was $56$16 million as a result of $4 million of customs guarantees issued against these facilities.this facility.

 

USSB credit facility– On September 28, 2005, U. S. Steel Serbia, d.o.o., a wholly-owned subsidiary of USSB, entered into a EUR 25 million (which approximated $33 and $30 million at December 31, 2005)2006 and 2005, respectively) committed working capital facility secured by its inventory of semi-finished and finished goods. The facility can be used for working capital financing and general corporate purposes, as well as for overdraft borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit and bank guarantees. The facility bears interest at the applicable inter-bank offer rate plus a margin and expires in September 2008. At December 31, 2005,2006, there were no borrowings against this facility.

Covenants – The 9 3/4% Senior Notes Quarterly Debt Securities and the Inventory Facility may be declared immediately due and payable in the event of a change in control of U. S. Steel, as defined in the related agreements. In such event, U. S. Steel may also be required either to either purchase the leased Fairfield Caster for $80$75 million or provide a letter of credit to secure the remaining obligation. Additionally, the 9 3/4% Senior Notes contain various other significant restrictions, the majority of which will not apply upon the attainment of an investment grade rating, including restrictions on the payment of dividends, limits on additional borrowings, including limiting the amount of borrowings secured by inventories or sales under the Receivables Purchase Agreement; limits on sale/leasebacks; limits on the use of funds from asset sales and sale of the stock of subsidiaries; and restrictions on U. S. Steel’s ability to invest in joint ventures or make certain acquisitions. The Inventory Facility imposes additional restrictions including limitations on capital expenditures and certain asset sales. The fixed charge coverage ratio test in the Inventory Facility is calculated as the ratio of operating cash flow to cash charges for the previous four consecutive quarters then ended as defined in the agreement of not less than 1.25 times. This coverage test must be met if

the average availability, as defined in the agreement, is less than $100 million. In addition, a $100 million availability block may apply beginning May 1, 2008, until the 10.75% Senior Notes are repaid, refinanced or defeased. If the Inventory Facility covenants are breached or if U. S. Steel fails to make payments under its material debt obligations or the Receivables Purchase Agreement, creditors would be able to terminate their commitments to make further loans, declare their outstanding obligations immediately due and payable and foreclose on any collateral. This may also cause a default under the 9 3/4% Senior Notes. Failure to make payment under our material debt obligations may cause a termination event to occur under the Receivables Purchase Agreement and a default under the Senior Notes.Agreement. If that occurs, the purchasers under the Receivables Purchase Agreement are entitled to collect all of U. S. Steel’s receivables until they are repaid and the holders of the 9 3/4% Senior Notes would be able to declare their obligations immediately due and payable. U. S. Steel was in compliance with all of its debt covenants at December 31, 2005.2006.

 

Debt Maturities – Aggregate maturities of debt are as follows (in millions):

 

2006


  2007

  2008

  2009

  2010

  Later Years

  Total

$        249

  $        32  $        362  $        16  $        397  $        557  $        1,613

2007


 2008

 2009

 2010

 2011

 Later
Years


 Total

$        82

 $        35 $        16 $        397 $        434 $        61 $        1,025

 

19.14.Variable Interest Entities

 

Clairton 1314B Partnership

In accordance with FIN 46R, U. S. Steel consolidated the 1314B Partnership as of January 1, 2004. The 1314B Partnership was previously accounted for under the equity method. U. S. Steel is the sole general partner and there are two unaffiliated limited partners.partners of the Clairton 1314B Partnership (1314B Partnership), which owns two of the twelve coke batteries at Clairton Works. Because U. S. Steel is the primary beneficiary of this entity, U. S. Steel is required to consolidate this partnership in its financial results, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of ARB No. 51,” (FIN 46R). U. S. Steel is responsible for purchasing, operations and sales of coke and coke by-products. U. S. Steel has a commitment to fund operating cash shortfalls of the 1314B Partnership of up to $150 million. The partnership at times had operating cash shortfalls in 2004 and 2003 that were funded with loans from U. S. Steel. There were no outstanding loans with the partnership at December 31, 2005 and 2004. An unamortized deferred gain from the formation of the partnership of $150 million is included in deferred credits and other liabilities in the balance sheet. The gain will not be recognized in income as long as U. S. Steel has a commitment to fund cash shortfalls of the partnership. Additionally, U. S. Steel, under certain circumstances, is required to indemnify the limited partners if the partnership product sales fail to qualify for credits under Section 29 of the Internal Revenue Code. Furthermore, U. S. Steel, under certain circumstances, has indemnified the 1314B Partnership for environmental and certain other obligations. See Note 2924 for further discussion of commitments related to the 1314B Partnership.

Upon the initial consolidation of the 1314B Partnership as of January 1, 2004, $28 million of current assets, $8 million of net property, plant and equipment, no liabilities and a minority interest of $22 million were included on the balance sheet. A $14 million cumulative effect of change in accounting principle benefit, net of tax, was recorded in the first quarter of 2004.

 

Distributions to the limited partners totaled $22 million and $33 million in 2006 and $27 million in 2005, and 2004, respectively.

 

Blackbird Acquisition Inc. (Blackbird)

In accordance with FIN 46R, U. S. Steel consolidatedconsolidates Blackbird Acquisition Inc., (Blackbird), an entity established during the third quarter of 2004 to facilitate the purchase and sale of certain property, plant and equipment.fixed assets. U. S. Steel has no ownership interest in Blackbird Acquisition Inc.Blackbird. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, and 2004, zero and $16 million ofthere were no property, plant and equipment wasbalances consolidated through Blackbird.

 

Sale of Accounts ReceivableU. S. Steel Receivables, LLC

U. S. Steel has a Receivables Purchase Agreement to sell a revolving interest in eligible trade receivables generated by U. S. Steel and certain of its subsidiaries through a commercial paper conduit program with funding under the facility up to the lesser of eligible receivables or $500 million. The Receivables Purchase Agreement expires on November 28, 2006. Qualifyingpurchase program. Trade accounts receivablesreceivable are sold, on a daily basis without recourse, to U. S. Steel Receivables, LLC (USSR), a consolidated wholly owned consolidated

special purpose entity. USSR can then sells an undivided interestsell revolving interests in thesethe receivables to certain commercial paper conduits. The conduits issue commercial paper to finance the purchase of their interest in the receivables. During the third quarter of 2006, the Receivables Purchase Agreement was amended and extended to September 25, 2009, and no longer requires annual commitment extensions. U. S. Steel has agreed to continue servicing the sold receivables at market rates. Because U. S. Steel receives adequate compensation for these services, no servicing asset or liability has been recorded.

 

Sales of accounts receivable are reflected as a reduction of receivables in the balance sheet and the proceeds received are included in cash flows from operating activities in the statement of cash flows. Generally, the facility provides that as payments are collected from the sold accounts receivables, USSR may elect to have the conduits reinvest the proceeds in new eligible accounts receivable.

 

During 20052006 and 2004,2005, USSR did not sell any accounts receivable. During 2003, USSR sold to conduits and subsequently repurchased $190 million of revolving interest in accounts receivable. As of December 31, 20052006 and 2004,2005, $500 million was available to be sold under this facility. The net book value of U. S. Steel’s retained interest in the receivables represents the best estimate of the fair market value due to the short-term nature of the receivables.

 

USSR pays the conduits a discount based on the conduits’ borrowing costs plus incremental fees. During 2005 and 2004, U. S. SteelWe incurred costs of $1 million in 2006 and $2 million, respectively,2005 relating to fees on the Receivables Purchase Agreement. These costs are included in net interest and other financial costs in the statement of operations.

 

The table below summarizes cash flows from and paid to USSR:

 

(In millions) 2005 2004 2006 2005

Proceeds from:

  

Collections reinvested

 $    10,283 $    10,129 $    11,283 $    10,283

Securitizations

  -  -

Servicing fee

  10  10  10  10

The table below summarizes the trade receivables for USSR:

 

 December 31,

(In millions) 2005 2004 2006 2005

Balance of accounts receivable-net, purchased by USSR

 $        931 $        1,016 $        862 $        931

Revolving interest sold to conduits

  -  -  -  -
 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable - net, included in the balance sheet of U. S. Steel

 $931 $1,016 $862 $931

 

The facility wouldmay be terminated on the occurrence and failure to cure certain events, including, among others, certain defaults with respect to the Inventory Facility and other debt obligations, any failure of USSR to maintain certain ratios related to the collectability of the receivables and failure to extendmake payment under its material debt obligations.

Daniel Ross Bridge, LLC

Daniel Ross Bridge, LLC (DRB) was established for the commitmentsdevelopment of a 1,600 acre master-planned community in Hoover, Alabama. In accordance with a development agreement with DRB, U. S. Steel contributed a total of $7 million for development costs and received a total of $10 million in distributions as of December 31, 2006. DRB manages the development and marketing of the commercial paper conduits’ liquidity providersproperty. U. S. Steel consolidates DRB in accordance with the provisions of FIN 46R. During 2006 the consolidation of DRB increased income from operations by $8 million, which currently terminate on November 22, 2006.is partially offset by minority interests of $4 million.

Chicago Lakeside Development, LLC

In the third quarter 2006, Chicago Lakeside Development, LLC (CLD) was established to develop 275 acres of land that U. S. Steel owns in Chicago, Illinois. During the predevelopment phase of

the project (expected to last approximately eighteen months), CLD will investigate the feasibility of the project and plan the development. U. S. Steel will contribute approximately 45 percent of the costs incurred during this phase. If CLD proceeds with the development, U. S. Steel will contribute its land to the entity for development. During 2006, U. S. Steel contributed $3 million to CLD. U. S. Steel consolidates CLD in accordance with the provisions of FIN 46R. During 2006 the consolidation of CLD increased cost of sales by $6 million, which is partially offset by minority interests of $3 million. At December 31, 2006, CLD had total assets and total liabilities and equity of less than $1 million.

 

20.15.Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

 

U. S. Steel has noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of domestic employees.employees in the United States. Benefits under these plans are based upon years of service and final average pensionable earnings, or a minimum benefit based upon years of service, whichever is greater. In addition, pension benefits are also provided to most domestic salaried employees based upon a percent of total career pensionable earnings. During the fourth quarter of 2003,The main U. S. Steel merged its two main domestic defined benefit pension plans and the merged plan is nowwas closed to new participants. U. S. Steel includes lump-sum payments payable to certain surviving spouses annually over the remainder of their livesparticipants in the calculation of the obligation for its main defined benefit pension plan. The current USWA labor contract requires these payments only until the end of the contract term in 2008; however, the payments have historically been provided under labor agreements in the past.2003.

 

Effective May 21, 2003, newly-hired USWA union employees and union employees hired with the purchase of National receive pension benefits through the SPT,Steelworkers Pension Trust (SPT), a multi-employer pension plan, based upon an hourly company contribution. Since July 1, 2003 all newly-hired non-union domestic salaried employees in the United States, including all those hired from National, receive pension benefits through a defined contribution plan to whichwhereby U. S. Steel contributes a certain annual percentage of salary based upon attained age each year.

 

U. S. Steel also has defined benefit retiree health care and life insurance plans (Other Benefits) covering most domestic employees in the United States upon their retirement. Health care benefits are provided through comprehensive hospital, surgical, major medical and drug benefit provisions or through health maintenance organizations, both subject to various cost sharing features. Effective December 31,features, and in many cases, an employer cap on total costs. Since 2003, most salaried employees in the United States are no longer covered by a company medicare benefit and for most, their pre-medicare company benefit has been modified to be paid from the retiree insurance plan rather than the pension plan. Life insurance benefits are provided to nonunion retiree beneficiaries primarily based on the employee’s annual base salary at retirement. For domestic union retirees in the United States, life insurance benefits are provided primarily based on fixed amounts negotiated in union labor contracts.

 

Beginning in 2006, U. S. Steel concluded that annual payments to certain surviving spouses of union retirees over the remainder of their lives should be included in the calculation of the obligation for its retiree life insurance plan; in the past these payments were included as part of the main defined benefit pension plan. The current USW labor contract requires these payments only until the end of the contract term in 2008; however, since the payments have been provided under labor agreements in the past, in accordance with current accounting requirements, U. S. Steel assumes that these payments will continue for the lifetime of the surviving spouses in its liability development.

The majority of U. S. Steel’s European employees are covered by government-sponsored programs ininto which U. S. Steel makes required annual contributions. Also, U. S. Steel sponsors defined benefit plans for most European employees covering benefit payments due to employees upon their retirement, some of which are government mandated. These same employees receive service awards (“jubilee awards”) from U. S. Steel throughout their careers based on stipulated service and, in some cases, age and service requirements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS 158. U. S. Steel adopted the recognition provisions of FAS 158 as of December 31, 2006, which require that the funded status of defined benefit pension and other benefit plans be fully recognized on the balance sheet. The adoption of FAS 158 had no effect on the recognition of pension related costs in the income statement. Overfunded plans are recognized as an asset and underfunded plans are recognized as a liability. The initial impact of the standard due to unrecognized prior service costs or credits and net actuarial gains or losses as well as subsequent changes in the funded status are recognized as changes to accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) in shareholder’s equity. FAS 158 also requires additional disclosures about the annual effects on net periodic benefit cost arising from the recognition of the deferred actuarial gains or losses and prior service costs or credits. Additional minimum pension liabilities (AMLs) and the related intangible assets, if any, are no longer required.

As of December 31, 2005, the actuarial measurement of the main defined benefit pension plan’s liabilities indicated that it was underfunded on an accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) basis and an AML was needed. This caused a non-cash charge to equity (net of tax) of $1,366 million in 2005. As of December 31, 2006 and prior to the adoption of FAS 158, the actuarial measurement indicated that the plan was overfunded and an AML was not required.

Several other smaller non-qualified plans are not funded and a pre-tax AML of $15 million was recognized at December 31, 2006 prior to the adoption of FAS 158. These same plans required a pre-tax AML of $19 million at December 31, 2005.

The following tables summarize the effects of adopting FAS 158 on individual benefit items within the consolidated balance sheet line items as of December 31, 2006:

Pensions:

(In millions) Prior to AML and
FAS 158
Adjustments
    AML Adjustment    FAS 158
Adjustment
    After AML and
FAS 158
Adjustments
 

Prepaid pensions/ (Accrued liability)

 $    (171)   $    2,490    $    (1,989)   $    330 

Intangible pension asset

  252     (252)    -     - 

Payroll and benefits payable

  (7)    -     -     (7)

Employee benefits

  (93)    5     (25)    (113)

Deferred income tax benefits

 $881    $(875)   $763    $769 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  1,377     (1,368)    1,251     1,260 

(AOCI, pre-tax)

  2,258     (2,243)    2,014     2,029 

Other Benefits:

(In millions) Prior to FAS 158
Adjustments
    FAS 158
Adjustment
    After
FAS 158
Adjustments
 

Payroll and benefits payable

 $    (270)   $-    $    (270)

Employee benefits

  (1,448)    (489)    (1,937)

Deferred income tax benefits

 $-    $    186    $186 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  -     303     303 

(AOCI, pre-tax)

  -     489     489 

U. S. Steel uses a December 31 measurement date for its plans, and may have an interim measurement date if significant events occur.

  Pension Benefits

    Other Benefits

 
(In millions) 2005    2004    2005    2004 

Change in benefit obligations

                      

Benefit obligations at January 1

 $7,935    $8,089    $2,730    $2,689 

Service cost

              95                 94                 12                 12 

Interest cost

  430     459     150     153 

Plan amendments

  1     1     13     - 

Actuarial (gains) losses

  185     260     147     126 

Exchange rate (gain) loss

  (3)    3     -     - 

Plan merger and acquisition

  -     1     -     - 

Settlements, curtailments and termination benefits

  14     (33)    -     - 

Benefits paid

  (873)    (939)    (246)    (250)
  


   


   


   


Benefit obligations at December 31

 $7,784    $7,935    $2,806    $2,730 

Change in plan assets

                      

Fair value of plan at January 1

 $7,554    $7,567    $466    $460 

Actual return on plan assets

  349     625     12    ��35 

Exchange rate loss

  -     1     -     - 

Employer contributions

  130     295     82     35 

Settlements paid from plan assets

  (3)    -     -     - 

Benefits paid from plan assets

  (852)    (934)    (28)    (64)
  


   


   


   


Fair value of plan assets at December 31

 $7,178    $7,554    $532    $466 

Funded status of plans at December 31

 $(606)   $(381)   $(2,274)   $(2,264)

Unrecognized prior service cost

  252     346     (432)    (490)

Unrecognized actuarial losses

  2,608     2,385     771     633 
  


   


   


   


Net amount recognized

 $2,254    $2,350    $(1,935)   $(2,121)

Amounts for Below are details relating to Pension Benefits and Other BenefitsBenefits.

  Pension Benefits Other Benefits 
(In millions) 2006    2005    2006    2005 

Change in benefit obligations

                      

Benefit obligations at January 1

 $    7,784    $    7,935    $    2,811    $    2,730 

Service cost

  98     95     14     12 

Interest cost

  407     430     148     150 

Plan amendments

  (103)    1     105     13 

Actuarial (gains) losses

  (120)    185     64     152 

Exchange rate (gain) loss

  5     (3)    -     - 

Settlements, curtailments and termination benefits

  (1)    14     -     - 

Benefits paid

  (764)    (873)    (275)    (246)
  


   


   


   


Benefit obligations at December 31

 $7,306    $7,784    $2,867    $2,811 

Change in plan assets

                      

Fair value of plan at January 1

 $7,178    $7,554    $532    $466 

Actual return on plan assets

  951     349     71     12 

Employer contributions

  140     130     80     82 

Settlements paid from plan assets

  -     (3)    -     - 

Benefits paid from plan assets

  (753)    (852)    (23)    (28)
  


   


   


   


Fair value of plan assets at December 31

 $7,516    $7,178    $660    $532 

Funded status of plans at December 31

 $210    $(606)   $(2,207)   $(2,279)
  


       
 


      

Unrecognized prior service cost

        252           (432)

Unrecognized actuarial losses

        2,608           771 
        


         


Net amount recognized

       $2,254          $(1,940)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other
comprehensive income:
 Pension Benefits   Other Benefits 
(In millions) 2006   2006 

Prior service cost

 $        86   $        (281)

Actuarial losses

  1,943    770 

As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the following amounts were recognized in the balance sheet consist of:sheet:

 

  Pension Benefits

    Other Benefits

 
(In millions) 2005    2004    2005    2004 

Pension asset

 $-    $2,538    $              -    $              - 

Payroll and benefits payable

  (137)    (137)    (223)    (238)

Employee benefits

  (118)    (70)    (1,712)    (1,883)

Intangible assets

  251     1     -     - 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss(a)

      2,258                 18     -     - 
  


   


   


   


Net amount recognized

 $2,254    $2,350     $(1,935)     $(2,121) 
  Pension Benefits Other Benefits 
(In millions) 2006    2005    2006    2005 

Noncurrent assets

 $330    $    251    $-    $- 

Current liabilities

  (7)    (137)    (270)    (223)

Noncurrent liabilities

  (113)    (118)    (1,937)    (1,715)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss(a)

  2,029     2,258     489     - 
  


   


   


   


Net amount recognized

 $    2,239    $2,254    $    (1,718)   $    (1,938)
 (a)Accumulated other comprehensive loss effects for the adoption of FAS 158 and minimum pension liability adjustments at December 31, 2006 and minimum pension liability adjustments at December 31, 2005, respectively, are reflected net of tax of $881$955 million and $7$881 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, on the Statement of Stockholders’Stockholder’s Equity. 

 

The accumulated benefit obligationABO for all defined benefit pension plans was $7,429$6,937 million and $7,592$7,429 million at December 31, 20052006 and 2004,2005, respectively.

 

 December 31,

  December 31,
(In millions) 2005 2004  2006 2005

Information for pension assets with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:

 

Aggregate accumulated benefit obligations

 $(7,429) $(71)

Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:

 

Aggregate accumulated benefit obligations (ABO)

 $        (94) $        (7,429)

Aggregate projected benefit obligations (PBO)

  (7,784)  (91)  (120)  (7,784)

Aggregate fair value of plan assets

  7,178   -     7,178 

The aggregate accumulated benefit obligationsABO in excess of plan assets reflected above areis included in the payroll and benefits payable and employee benefits lines on the balance sheet.

 

  Pension Benefits

    Other Benefits

 
(In millions) 2005    2004    2003    2005    2004    2003 

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

                                  

Service cost

 $95    $94    $103    $12    $12    $16 

Interest cost

  430     459     460     150     153     181 

Expected return on plan assets

  (548)    (570)    (635)    (36)    (35)    (39)

Amortization  - prior service costs

  95     95     96     (46)    (44)    (27)

  - actuarial losses

  158     128     73     29     20     44 
  


   


   


   


   


   


Net periodic benefit cost, excluding below

  230     206     97     109     106     175 

Multiemployer plans(a)

  27     26     12     -     -     8 

Settlement, termination and curtailment losses(b)

  23     22     447     -     -     58 
  


   


   


   


   


   


Net periodic benefit cost

 $        280    $        254    $        556    $        109    $        106    $        241 

Following are the details of net periodic benefit costs related to Pension and Other Benefits:

  Pension Benefits

 Other Benefits

 
(In millions) 2006    2005    2004    2006    2005    2004 

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

                                  

Service cost

 $98    $95    $94    $14    $12    $12 

Interest cost

  407     430     459     148     150     153 

Expected return on plan assets

  (558)    (548)    (570)    (44)    (36)    (35)

Amortization - prior service costs

  62     95     95     (45)    (46)    (44)

                       - actuarial losses

  153     158     128     37     29     20 
  


   


   


   


   


   


Net periodic benefit cost, excluding below

  162     230     206     110     109     106 

Multiemployer plans(a)

  28     27     26     -     -     - 

Settlement, termination and curtailment losses

  12     23     22     -     -     - 
  


   


   


   


   


   


Net periodic benefit cost

 $    202    $    280    $    254    $    110    $    109    $    106 
 (a)Primarily represents pension accruals for the SPT covering USWAUSW employees hired from National and new USWAUSW employees hired after May 21, 2003. Other Benefits consist of payments made in the first six months of 2003 to a multi-employer health care benefit plan created by the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 based on assigned beneficiaries receiving benefits. The present value liability of the Coal Act obligation was recorded as of June 30, 2003, following the sale of the last active mining operations.
(b)Reflects pension settlements of $97 million in 2003 due to a high level of salaried lump sum payments for earlier than expected retirements and the salaried workforce reduction program. Also includes in 2003, pension, termination and curtailment losses of $350 million and Other Benefits curtailment losses, both reflecting the USWA union employees’ TAP early retirement program and the salaried workforce reduction program. 

 

  Pension Benefits Other Benefits
      2005         2004         2005         2004    

Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:

        

Discount rate

 5.50% 5.75% 5.50% 5.75%

Increase in compensation rate

 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00%

Net periodic benefit cost for pensions and other benefits is projected to be $113 million and $124 million, respectively, in 2007. The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during 2007 are as follows:

 

  Pension Benefits   Other Benefits
  2005   2004   2003   2005   2004   2003

Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the year ended December 31:

                      

Discount rate

 5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   5.75%   6.00%   5.98%

Expected annual return on plan assets

 8.00%   8.00%   8.14%   8.00%   8.00%   8.00%

Increase in compensation rate

 4.00%   4.00%   4.00%   4.00%   4.00%   4.00%
  

Pension

Benefits

2007

   

Other

Benefits

2007

(In millions)    

Amortization of actuarial loss

 $24   $    (34)

Amortization of prior service cost

  127    40
  

   

Total recognized from other comprehensive income

 $    151   $6

Assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at December 31 and net periodic benefit cost for the year ended December 31 are detailed below:

  Pension Benefits

    Other Benefits

 
      2006            2005            2006            2005     

Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:

                  

Discount rate

 5.75%   5.50%   5.75%   5.50%

Increase in compensation rate

 4.00%   4.00%   4.00%   4.00%

  Pension Benefits

    Other Benefits

 
    2006          2005            2004        2006        2005        2004   

Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the year ended December 31:

                            

Discount rate

 5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%

Expected annual return on plan assets

 8.00%   8.00%   8.00%   8.00%   8.00%   8.00%

Increase in compensation rate

 4.00%   4.00%   4.00%   4.00%   4.00%   4.00%

 

The discount rate reflects the current rate at which the pension and other benefit liabilities could be effectively settled at the measurement date. In setting these rates, we utilize several Merrill Lynch Average AAA/AA Corporate Bond indexesindices and both the 30-year and the 10-year U. S. Treasury bond rates as a preliminary indication of interest rate movements and levels, and we also look to an internally calculated rate determined by matching our expected benefit payments to payments from a stream of AA or higher rated zero coupon corporate bonds theoretically available in the

marketplace. Based on this evaluation at December 31, 2005,2006, U. S. Steel loweredraised the discount rate used to measure both Pension and Other Benefits obligations from 5.755.50 percent to 5.505.75 percent.

During 2004, two small non-qualified pension plans were measured at an interim date of October 31, 2004, due to the retirement of several key executives and the extension of the TAPTransition Assistance Program (TAP) early retirement program to members of the Chemical Workers Union.

During 2003, Pension Benefits were measured at an interim date of September 30, 2003, and Other Benefits were measured at interim dates of May 21, 2003 and September 30, 2003 due to the USWA labor agreement effective May 21, 2003 and recognition of employee reductions under the TAP early retirement and salaried workforce reduction programs as of September 30, 2003.

 

Assumed healthcare cost trend rates at December 31:  2005    2004

Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year

  9.00%    9.00%
Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31:     2006         2005     

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

 8.00% 9.00%

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

  4.75%    4.75% 5.00% 4.75%

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

  2013    2013 2013  2013 

 

Assumed health care cost trend rates no longer have a significant effect on the majority of the liabilities reported for our health care plans, other than the benefit plan offered to retired mineworkers, due to themineworkers. A cost cap that was negotiated in 2003 with the USWA thatUSW freezes all retiree medical costs for USW retirees after the 2006 base year.year other than the escalation applicable to the 15 percent basic premium charged to retirees, which the company is obligated to pay when certain profit levels are met. Most salaried benefits for non-union retirees are limited to flat dollar payments that are not affected by escalation. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

(In millions) 

1-Percentage-

Point Increase

 

1-Percentage-

Point Decrease

  

1-Percentage-

Point Increase

 

1-Percentage-

Point Decrease

Effect on total of service and interest components

 $8 $(7) $                    10 $(8)

Effect on other postretirement benefit obligations

                      140                      (117)  152      (129)

 

Plan Assets

U. S. Steel’s Pension Benefits weighted-average asset allocations by asset category are as follows:

 

 December 31, 2005

 December 31, 2004

  December 31, 2006 December 31, 2005 
(In millions) Assets Percent Assets Percent  Assets Percent Assets Percent 

Asset Category:

  

Domestic equity securities

 $3,911 55% $4,246 56% $    3,997 53% $    3,911 55%

Foreign equity securities

  698 10%  607 8%  933 13%  698 10%

Short-term investments

  211 3%  471 6%  250 3%  211 3%

Debt securities

  2,183 30%  2,033 27%  2,096 28%  2,183 30%

Properties

  145 2%  120 2%  134 2%  145 2%

Other

  30 0%  77 1%  106 1%  30 0%
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 $      7,178       100% $      7,554          100% $7,516 100% $7,178 100%

 

U. S. Steel’s Other Benefits weighted-average asset allocations by asset category are as follows:

 

 December 31, 2005

 December 31, 2004

  December 31, 2006 December 31, 2005 
(In millions) Assets Percent Assets Percent  Assets Percent Assets Percent 

Asset Category:

  

Domestic equity securities

 $        306 58% $        269 57% $    446 68% $    306 58%

Foreign equity securities

  18 3%  15 3%  27 4%  18 3%

Short-term investments

  122 23%  93 20%  42 6%  122 23%

Debt securities

  69 13%  77 17%  125 19%  69 13%

Other

  17 3%  12 3%  20 3%  17 3%
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 $532 100% $466 100% $660 100% $532 100%

 

U. S. Steel’s investment strategy for pension and retiree medical trusts provides that at least half of plan assets are invested in common stock with the balance primarily invested in bonds and other fixed-income securities. U. S. Steel believes that returns on common stock over the long

term will be higher than returns from fixed-income securities as actual historical returns from U. S. Steel’s trusts have shown. Returns on bonds and other fixed-income securities tend to offset

some of the shorter-term volatility of common stocks. Both equity and fixed-income investments are made across a broad range of industries and companies to provide protection against the impact of volatility in any single industry as well as company specific developments. U. S. Steel is currently using an 8.0 percent assumed rate of return for purposes of the expected return on assets for the development of net periodic cost for the main defined benefit pension plan and Other Benefits. This rate was chosen by taking into account the intended asset mix and the historical premiums that fixed-income and equity investments have yielded above government bonds. Actual returns since the inception of the plans, and for intervening recent long-term periods, have exceeded this 8.0 percent rate. However, given the existing low-interest rate environment, it may be inappropriate to assume that similar returns could be achieved going forward.

 

Cash Flows

 

Employer ContributionsAs of December 31, 2006, U. S. Steel’s Board of Directors had authorized additional contributions to U. S. Steel’s trusts for pensions and its Voluntary Employee Benefit Association (VEBA) trusthealth care of up to $260$300 million by the end of 2007.2008. In 2006, U. S. Steel expects to makemade a voluntary contribution of $130$140 million to its main defined benefit pension plan, in 2006, and make cash payments of $13$22 million to pension plans not funded by trusts and $29 million to a multiemployer pension plan. In 2005, U. S. Steel made a voluntary $130 million contribution to its main defined benefit pension plan, in 2005, and made cash payments of $24 million to pension plans not funded by trusts and $28 million to a multiemployer plan. During 2004, U. S. Steel made voluntary contributions of $295 million to its main defined benefit pension plan. Further cash payments of $44 million were made to plans not funded by trusts and $50 million in payments were made to a multiemployer plan. In December 2003, U. S. Steel made a voluntary contribution of timber cutting rights, valued at $59 million, and a voluntary cash contribution of $16 million to its main defined benefit pension plan (see Note 8). Further contributions totaling $15 million were made to other smaller plans in 2003. Cash payments for multiemployer plans in each period discussed above primarily reflect payments to the SPT.

 

U. S. Steel expects to make a $10made an $80 million cash contribution to its other postretirement planstrusts for retiree health care and life insurance in 2006. In addition, cash payments totaling $212$252 million for other postretirement benefit payments not funded by trusts in 2006. U. S. Steelwere made cash contributions of $60 million to its VEBA trust, of which $50 million was avoluntary contribution, $22 million in cash contributions to its other postretirement plans and cash payments totaling $213 million for other postretirement benefit payments not funded by trusts in 2005. During 2004, U. S. Steel made a cash contribution of $30 million to its VEBA trust and $4 million to its Coal Act Escrow trust and made cash payments totaling $186 million for other postretirement benefit payments not funded by trusts. During 2003,In 2005, U. S. Steel made a cash contributioncontributions of $19$82 million to its Coal Act Escrow trust, cashtrusts for retiree health and life insurance. Cash payments totaling $60$213 million were made for other postretirement benefit payments not funded by trusts and $8 million to the postretirement multiemployer Coal Act Plan.trusts.

 

Estimated Future Benefit Payments – The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid from U. S. Steel’s defined benefit plans (including the plan established to represent liabilities under the Coal Act of 1992):plans:

 

(In millions)  Pension
Benefits
  Other
Benefits
 Pension
Benefits
 Other
Benefits

2006

  $795  $240

2007

   705   270 $745 $290

2008

   690   250  655  280

2009

   680   240  650  255

2010

   665   235  640  255

Years 2011 - 2015

           3,245           1,040

2011

  645  250

Years 2012 - 2016

          3,170          1,060

Settlements, terminations and curtailments

During 2005,the third quarter of 2006, approximately 1,800 USSB employees (or 23 percent of the workforce) accepted a severance or voluntary early retirement plan (VERP). Employee severance and net employee benefit charges of $21 million (including the $12 million in settlement, termination and curtailment losses reflected in the net periodic benefit costs table above) were recorded for these employees. Of this expense, $4 million was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses and $17 million in cost of sales. As of December 31, 2006 over 1,700 employees had left the Company and $22 million of cash payments had been made. The remaining employees are expected to leave the Company in the first quarter 2007.

During 2005, a VERP was offered to certain employees of USSK and special termination benefit charges of $20 million were recorded for those employees who accepted the offer during 2005. Of this expense, $18 million was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses and $2 million in cost of sales.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2004 included a pretax settlement loss of $17 million related to the retirement of certain executive management employees under a non-qualified defined benefit plan, and pretax termination and curtailment losses of $5 million related to the partial termination of a small Canadian pension plan.

 

See discussion of 2003 settlements, curtailments and termination benefit charges in footnote (b) to the “Components of net periodic benefit cost” table. These costs were part of 2003 restructuring charges, as discussed in Note 10.

Additional minimum liability

FAS No. 87 “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions” provides that if at any plan measurement date, the fair value of plan assets is less than the plan’s accumulated benefit obligation (ABO), the sponsor must establish an additional minimum liability at least equal to the amount by which the ABO exceeds the fair value of the plan assets and any pension asset must be removed from the balance sheet. The sum of the liability and pension asset is offset by the recognition of an intangible asset and/or as a direct charge to stockholders’ equity, net of tax effects. Such adjustments have no direct impact on earnings per share or cash. As of December 31, 2005, for the main defined benefit pension plan, using a discount rate of 5.5 percent, the actuarial measurement of the plan’s liabilities indicated that it was underfunded by $169 million on an ABO basis, and an additional liability adjustment was needed. This caused a non-cash charge to equity (net of tax) of $1,366 million. As of December 31, 2004, the actuarial measurement of the plan’s liabilities indicated that it was overfunded on an ABO basis and no additional minimum liability adjustments were needed. This caused a reversal of the charge to equity (net of tax) of $1,449 million that had been recorded at the end of 2003. Several other smaller non-qualified plans are not funded and additional minimum liability adjustments of $19 million were required at December 31, 2005 and 2004 for these plans.

Defined contribution plans

U. S. Steel also contributes to several defined contribution plans for its salaried employees and a small number of wage employees. Since July 1, 2003, all newly hired non-union domestic salaried employees including all non-union salaried people hired from National,in the United States receive pension benefits through a defined contribution pension plan with defined percentages based on their age, for which company contributions totaled $6 million, $5 million and $4 million in 2006, 2005 and $1 million in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. U. S. Steel’s contributions to salaried employees’ defined contribution savings fund plans, which for the most part are based on a percentage of the employees’ salary depending on years of service, totaled $15 million in 2006, $13 million in 2005 and $14 million in both 2004, and 2003.respectively. Most union employees are eligible to participate in a defined contribution savings fund plan where there is no company match on savings. U. S. Steel also maintains a supplemental thrift plan to provide benefits which are otherwise limited by the Internal Revenue Service for qualified plans. U. S. Steel’s costs under these defined contribution plans totaled less than $1 million in each of 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003.2004.

Coal Act changes

The Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 (“the Coal Act”) assigned a tax-like obligation to U. S. Steel for the postretirement medical and death benefit obligations of former United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) miners, including many who may have worked for the Company at one point prior to 1987 and some who are considered orphans of the mining industry since the coal companies they retired from are no longer in existence. The Company’s obligation under the Coal Act is considered part of Other Benefits for accounting purposes and is part of the obligation shown that was subject to the FAS 158 changes that required that the total liability, including amounts that were previously permitted to be deferred, be recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2006. The differences between the total liability and the amounts previously accrued are now recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. The total liability as of December 31, 2006, recognizes new legislation effective in December 2006 that amended the Coal Act, provided alternative funding mechanisms for the plans covered by the Coal Act, and reduced the exposure to orphan miner and other beneficiary costs for signatories assigned by the Coal Act. As a result of this amendment, U.S. Steel recognized a reduction of $44 million to its accumulated post retirement benefit obligation (APBO) projected under the Coal Act.

Other postemployment benefits

The Company provides benefits to former or inactive employees after employment but before retirement. Certain benefits including workers’ compensation and black lung benefits represent material obligations to the Company and under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 112, “Employers’ Accounting for Postemployment Benefits,” have historically been treated as accrued benefit obligations, similar to the accounting treatment provided for pensions and other benefits. Effective with the adoption of FAS 158 at December 31, 2006, these obligations are directly recorded on the balance sheet. A $35 million credit, which is the difference between the accrued and actual APBO obligations as of December 31, 2006, is included as part of accumulated other comprehensive income. APBO obligations recorded at December 31, 2006, total $138 million for these benefits as compared to $151 million at December 31, 2005. Obligation

amounts were developed assuming a discount rate of 5.75% and 5.50% at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net periodic benefit cost for these benefits is projected to be $12 million in 2007 compared to $12 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively. The projected cost in 2007 includes $5 million in unrecognized actuarial gains that will be recorded against all other comprehensive income.

 

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

On December 8, 2003, the President signed theThe Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Medicare Act) into law. The Act introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare (Medicare Part D) as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit

plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. U. S. Steel first recognized

Estimated actuarial savings related to the estimated effects of thisMedicare Act stemming from participant withdrawals from the Company drug plan by USW medicare retirees and the associated impacts on its accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (“APBO”)premium rates were approximately $267 million as of December 31, 2003, with estimated savings of $450 million included2006, which is reflected as an actuarial gain primarily duea reduction to changes in participation assumptions caused by the impact of the Act in combination with the cost cap negotiated with the USWA in May 2003.reported APBO for Other Benefits noted above. Participant withdrawals from the company’s optional drug program are expectedstarted to occur starting in 2006 as some participants seeksought more affordable drug coverage under Medicare Part D benefits. Beginning in 2006, a cost cap will be implemented in accordance with a provision inHowever, there were fewer than expected participant withdrawals during the May 2003 USWA contract that freezes all company costs at a fixed per capita rate for subsequent years. This cost cap is expected to cause increasingly higher premiums charged eachfirst year and to accelerate the participant withdrawal rates. Projectedprojected participant withdrawal rates were revisedreduced at December 31, 20052006 to reflect a lower than initially expected withdrawal of participants into the Medicare Part D program during the period 2007 through 2009. Also, a cost cap on drug and other medical costs that took effect in 2006 through 2009under provisions of the USW Basic Labor Agreement (BLA) froze all company costs at a fixed per capita rate for 2007 and subsequent years. However, 15 percent of the basic hospital and physician services’ costs, otherwise part of the retirees’ premium rate responsibility, is recognized as Company cost due to lower thanprovisions of the BLA known as the Profit Offset, whereby a percentage of U. S. Steel profits in excess of a threshold is earmarked to cover certain retiree basic premiums. Since the cost cap is expected drug escalationto cause increasingly higher premiums for retirees in 2005each subsequent year, the higher premiums are expected to accelerate the participant withdrawal rates in 2007 and 2006later years. The Company and a lower initial sign up rate intocertain retirees also benefit from the Medicare Part D program for the 2006 plan year. Estimated actuarial savings for changes in participation assumptions caused by the Act in combination with the USWA cost cap and the federal subsidy derived from the Act have been reduced to approximately $300 million as of December 31, 2005. Clarification of the legislative details of the Act during 2005 altered U. S. Steel’s assumptions regarding passage of the actuarial equivalence test for the Company’s USWA steelworker medicare retiree group such that U. S. Steel now expects to collect an estimated $20 million associated with a 28 percent government subsidydrug subsidies available under the Act for this group on projected gross drug costs paid by U. S. Steel in 2006. Currently, U. S. Steel does not project for this retiree group that it will pass the actuarial equivalence test needed to collect the government drug subsidy in 2007 and later years.

U. S. Steel also expects lower drug costs for the 28 percent government subsidy on projected gross drug costs paid by U. S. Steel for the mineworkers’ union drug program beginning inMedicare Act. The Company anticipates a benefit of approximately $73 million at December 31, 2006, and later years. The savings for this subsidy (including smaller savings associated with a joint venture plan where U. S. Steel is paying a portion of retiree insurance costs) are estimated at approximately $60 million and are included as a reduction to the reported APBO for Other Benefits noted above.

 

There may be further clarifications of the legislative details of the Actassumption changes relative to participant withdrawal rates in future years, that could significantly alter some or all of our assumptions. Furthermore, the participant withdrawal rateswhich could occur at a faster or slower pace than has been assumed, and the estimated savings could be greater or less than the savings identified currently. Additional impacts stemming from the Medicare Act on smaller retiree populations are not significant to the Company’s retiree insurance liabilities, although it is not clear what benefit will be forthcoming from populations not directly controlled by U. S. Steel under the Coal Act of 1992, but which are measured as company APBO liabilities under Other Benefits.

 

Pension Protection Act

Passed into law in August 2006, the Pension Protection Act prescribes a new methodology for calculating the minimum amount companies must contribute to their defined benefit pension plans beginning in 2008. While U.S. Steel continues to study various aspects of the legislation, preliminary estimates are that we will not be required to make annual cash contributions for the first several years. To mitigate potentially larger minimum funding requirements over the longer term under the new funding rules, U. S. Steel anticipates making a voluntary contribution of $140 million to the main domestic defined benefit pension plan in 2007. U. S. Steel may also make voluntary contributions of similar amounts in future periods, consistent with our long term funding goals, considered in light of the new minimum funding rules. The contributions actually required will be greatly influenced by the level of voluntary contributions, the performance of pension fund

assets in the financial market, the elective use or disavowal of existing credit balances in future periods and various other economic factors and actuarial assumptions that may come to influence the level of the funded position in future years.

21.16.Asset Retirement Obligations

 

On January 1, 2003, the date of adoption of FAS No. 143, “Accounting For Asset Retirement Obligations,” U. S. Steel recordedSteel’s asset retirement obligations (AROs) of $14 million (in addition to $15 million already accrued), compared to the associated long-lived asset, net of accumulated depreciation, of $7 million that was recorded, resulting in a cumulative effect of adopting this Statement of $5 million, net of tax of $2 million. The obligations recorded on January 1, 2003, and the amounts acquired from National primarily relate to mine and landfill closure and post-closure costs.

The following table reflects changes in the carrying values of AROs for the years ended December 31, 20052006 and 2004:2005:

 

 December 31,

 December 31,

 
(In millions) 2005 2004 2006 2005 

Balance at beginning of year

 $28  $20 $27 $28 

Additional obligations incurred

  1   1  -  1 

Foreign currency translation effects

  (5)  4  3  (5)

Accretion expense

  3   3  3  3 
 


 

 

 


Balance at end of year

 $            27  $            28 $            33 $            27 

 

Certain asset retirement obligationsAROs related to disposal costs of fixed assets at our steel facilities have not been recorded because they have an indeterminate settlement date. These asset retirement obligationsAROs will be initially recognized in the period in which sufficient information exists to estimate fair value.

 

22.17.Common Stock Repurchase Program, Common Stock and Preferred Share Issuance

 

In July 2005, U. S. Steel announcedcommenced its Common Stock Repurchase Program that allows for the repurchase of up to eight million shares of its common stock from time to time in the open market or privately negotiated transactions. During 2006 and 2005, U. S. Steel repurchased 7,247,600 and 5,820,000 shares of common stock for $442 million and $254 million, respectively, under this program. As of December 31, 2006, the repurchase of an additional 7,651,200 shares has been authorized.

 

In March 2004, U. S. Steel sold 8 million shares of its common stock in a public offering for net proceeds of $294 million. Proceeds from this offering were used to redeem a portion of the 9 3/4% Senior Notes and the 10 3/4% Senior Notes. See further discussion in Note 18.

 

In February 2003, U. S. Steel sold 5 million shares of 7% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Shares (liquidation preference $50 per share) (Series B Preferred) for net proceeds of $242 million. The Series B Preferred havehad a dividend yield of 7%,7 percent, a 20%20 percent conversion premium (for an equivalent conversion price of $15.66 per common share) and will mandatorily convertwere converted into approximately 16 million shares of U. S. Steel common stock on June 15, 2006. The net proceeds of the offering were used for general corporate purposesDuring 2006 and to fund a portion of the cash purchase price for the acquisition of National’s assets. Based upon the average closing price for U. S. Steel’s common stock over a prescribed period before the conversion, the number of common shares that will be issued in exchange for the 5 million shares of Series B Preferred ranges from approximately 16.0 million to 19.2 million. A total of 19.2 million authorized but unissued common shares have been reserved for the conversion. As long as the average closing price of U.S. Steel’s common stock over the prescribed period is equal to or greater than $15.66 per share, the conversion rate will be 3.1928 common shares for each Series B Preferred share. During 2005, preferred stock dividends reduced retained earnings by $8 and $18 million.million, respectively. During 2004, preferred stock dividends of $18 million reduced the paid-in-capital of the Series B Preferred by $10 million and also reduced retained earnings by $8 million. During 2003, preferred stock dividends of $16 million reduced the paid-in-capital of the Series B Preferred. Preferred stock dividends reduced paid-in-capital of the Series B Preferred in times that U. S. Steel had a retained deficit.

 

23.18.Stockholder Rights Plan

 

OnEffective December 31, 2001, U. S. Steel adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan and declared a dividend distribution of one right for each share of common stock issued pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization in connection with the Separation. Each right becomes exercisable, at a price of $110, after any person or group has acquired, obtained the right to acquire or made a tender or

exchange offer for 15 percent or more of the outstanding voting power represented by the outstanding Voting Stock, except pursuant to a qualifying all-cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of Voting Stock which results in the offeror owning shares of Voting Stock representing a

majority of the voting power (other than Voting Stock beneficially owned by the offeror immediately prior to the offer). If the rights become exercisable, each right will entitle the holder, other than the acquiring person or group, to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Preferred Stock or, upon the acquisition by any person of 15 percent or more of the outstanding voting power represented by the outstanding Voting Stock (or, in certain circumstances, other property), common stock having a market value of twice the exercise price. After a person or group acquires 15 percent or more of the outstanding voting power, if U. S. Steel engages in a merger or other business combination where it is not the surviving corporation or where it is the surviving corporation and the Voting Stock is changed or exchanged, or if 50 percent or more of U. S. Steel’s assets, earnings power or cash flow are sold or transferred, each right will entitle the holder to purchase common stock of the acquiring entity having a market value of twice the exercise price. The rights and the exercise price are subject to adjustment. The rights will expire on December 31, 2011, unless such date is extended or the rights are earlier redeemed by U. S. Steel before they become exercisable. Under certain circumstances, the Board of Directors has the option to exchange one share of the respective class of Voting Stock for each exercisable right.

 

24.19.Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Fair value of the financial instruments disclosed herein is not necessarily representative of the amount that could be realized or settled, nor does the fair value amount consider the tax consequences of realization or settlement. The following table summarizes financial instruments, excluding derivative financial instruments disclosed in Note 26,21, by individual balance sheet account. U. S. Steel’s financial instruments at December 31, 20052006 and 2004,2005, were:

 

 December 31, 2005

 December 31, 2004

 December 31, 2006

 December 31, 2005

(In millions) Fair Value Carrying
Amount
 Fair Value Carrying
Amount
 Fair Value Carrying
Amount
 Fair Value Carrying
Amount

Financial assets:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 $1,479 $1,479 $1,037 $1,037 $1,422 $1,422 $1,479 $1,479

Receivables

  1,516  1,516  1,592  1,592  1,681  1,681  1,520  1,520

Receivables from related parties

  97  97  197  197  123  123  93  93

Investments and long-term receivables(a)

  18  18  7  7  28  28  18  18
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total financial assets

 $        3,110 $        3,110 $        2,833 $        2,833 $        3,254 $        3,254 $        3,110 $        3,110

Financial liabilities:

  

Accounts payable

 $1,323 $1,323 $1,305 $1,305 $1,320 $1,320 $1,323 $1,323

Accounts payable to related parties

  48  48  58  58  59  59  48  48

Accrued interest

  31  31  29  29  31  31  31  31

Debt(b)

  1,568  1,476  1,419  1,245  949  906  1,568  1,476
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total financial liabilities

 $2,970 $2,878 $2,811 $2,637 $2,359 $2,316 $2,970 $2,878
 (a)Excludes equity method investments and split dollar life insurance. 
 (b)Excludes capital lease obligations. 

 

Fair value of financial instruments classified as current assets or liabilities approximates carrying value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments. Fair value of investments and long-term receivables was based on discounted cash flows or other specific instrument analysis. U. S. Steel is subject to market risk and liquidity risk related to its investments; however, these risks are not readily quantifiable. Fair value of long-term debt instruments was based on market prices where available or current borrowing rates available for financings with similar terms and maturities.

Financial guarantees are U. S. Steel’s only unrecognized financial instrument. For details relating to financial guarantees, see Note 29.24.

25.20.Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

(In millions) 2005 2004 2003  2006 2005 2004 

Net cash provided by operating activities included:

  

Interest and other financial costs paid (net of amount capitalized)

 $(107) $(203) $(145) $(162) $(107) $(203)

Income taxes paid to taxing authorities

  (291)  (38)  (5)  (277)  (291)  (38)

Income tax settlements received from Marathon

  7   3   16   34   7   3 

Noncash investing and financing activities:

  

U. S. Steel common stock issued for employee stock plans

 $1  $13  $1  $23  $1  $13 

Assets acquired through capital leases

  20   3   72   -   20   3 

Contribution of timber cutting rights

  -   -   4 

Business combinations:

 

Acquisition of National - liabilities assumed

  -   -   417 

Acquisition of USSB - liabilities assumed

  -   -   4 

 

26.21.Derivative Instruments

 

The following table sets forth quantitative information by class of derivative instrument at December 31, 20052006 and 2004:2005:

 

(In millions) 

Fair

Value

Assets(a)

 

Carrying

Amount

Assets

 

Fair

Value
Assets(a)

 Carrying
Amount
Assets

Non-Hedge Designation:

  

OTC forward currency contract:(b)

  

December 31, 2006

 $4 $4

December 31, 2005

 $1 $1  1  1

December 31, 2004

  1  1

OTC commodity swaps:(b)

 

December 31, 2005

 $- $-

December 31, 2004

  3  3
 (a)The fair value amounts are based on exchange-traded prices and dealer quotes. 
 (b)The arrangements vary in duration. 

 

27.22.Transactions with Related Parties

 

Net sales fromto related parties and receivables from related parties primarily reflect sales of steel products, raw materials, transportation services and fees for providing various management and other support services to equity and certain other investees. Generally, transactions are conducted under long-term market-based contractual arrangements. Sales and service transactions with equity investees were $936 million, $896 million and $1,003 million in 2006, 2005 and $956 million in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. Net sales fromto related parties and receivables from related parties also include amounts related to the sale of materials, primarily coke by-products, to Marathon and amounted to $2 million, $35 million and $36 million in 2006, 2005 and $18 million in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. (Marathon is not considered a related party after January 31, 2006.) Sales to related parties were conducted under terms comparable to those with unrelated parties. Receivables from related parties also include receivables related to tax settlements with Marathon (discussed below)(see Note 9) amounting to $4$13 million and zero$4 million at December 31, 20052006 and 2004,2005, respectively.

 

Long-term receivables from related parties at December 31, 20052006 and 20042005 reflect amounts due from Marathon related to contractual reimbursements for the retirement of participants in the non-qualified employee benefit plans and to tax settlements in accordance with the tax sharing agreement.plans. The amounts related to employee benefits will be paid by Marathon as participants

retire and the amounts related to taxes will be settled after conclusion of the audit of Marathon’s consolidated federal tax returns for the years 1998 through 2001, as agreed to when Marathon and U. S. Steel separated on December 31, 2001. See further discussion in Note 14. retire.

 

Purchases from equity investees for outside processing services amounted to $38 million, $32 million and $38 million during 2006, 2005 and $136 million during 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. Purchases from Marathon for energy related products amounted to $2 million, $31 million and $30 million during 2006, 2005 and $32 million during 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. (Marathon is not considered a related party after January 31, 2006.)

 

Accounts payable to related parties include balances due to PRO-TEC Coating Company (PRO-TEC) under an agreement whereby U. S. Steel provides marketing, selling and customer service

functions, including invoicing and receivables collection, for PRO-TEC. U. S. Steel, as PRO-TEC’s exclusive sales agent, is responsible for credit risk related to those receivables. Payables to PRO-TEC under the agreement were $47$57 million and $56$47 million at December 31, 20052006 and 2004,2005, respectively. Payables to equity investees totaled $1$2 million and $2$1 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and 2004, respectively.

On January 31, 2006, Thomas J. Usher retired as Chairman of the Board of Directors of U .S. Steel and as a director of the Corporation. Mr. Usher’s concurrent service as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Marathon historically caused Marathon to be a related party to U. S. Steel; therefore, effective with Mr. Usher’s retirement from the U. S. Steel Board of Directors, on a prospective basis, transactions with Marathon will no longer be considered related party transactions.

 

28.23.Leases

 

Future minimum commitments for capital leases (including sale-leasebacks accounted for as financings) and for operating leases having initial non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year are as follows:

 

(In millions) Capital
Leases
 Operating
Leases
  Capital
Leases
 Operating
Leases
 

2006

 $29 $115 

2007

  41  86  $41 $75 

2008

  21  46   21  51 

2009

  21  32   21  34 

2010

  21  30   21  28 

2011

  21  25 

Later years

  42  108   20  89 

Sublease rentals

  -  (41)  -  (32)
 

 


 

 


Total minimum lease payments

              175 $            376               145 $            270 
 


 


Less imputed interest costs

  39   28 
 

  

 

Present value of net minimum lease payments included in long-term debt(see Note 18)

 $136 

Present value of net minimum lease payments included in long-term debt(see Note 13)

 $117 

 

Operating lease rental expense:

 

(In millions) 2005 2004 2003  2006 2005 2004 

Minimum rentals

 $        131  $        161  $        148  $        132  $        131  $        161 

Contingent rentals

  17   17   13   11   17   17 

Sublease rentals

  (11)  (25)  (23)  (9)  (11)  (25)
 


 


 


 


 


 


Net rental expense

 $137  $153  $138  $134  $137  $153 

U. S. Steel leases a wide variety of facilities and equipment under operating leases, including land and building space, office equipment, production facilities and transportation equipment. Most long-term leases include renewal options and, in certain leases, purchase options. See discussion of residual value guarantees in Note 29.24. Contingent rental payments are determined based on operating lease agreements that include floating rental charges that are directly associated to variable operating components.

 

29.24.Contingencies and Commitments

 

U. S. Steel is the subject of, or party to, a number of pending or threatened legal actions, contingencies and commitments involving a variety of matters, including laws and regulations relating to the environment. Certain of these matters are discussed below. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the consolidated financial statements. However, management believes that U. S. Steel will remain a viable and competitive enterprise even though it is possible that these contingencies could be resolved unfavorably.

 

U. S. Steel accrues for estimated costs related to existing lawsuits, claims and proceedings when it is probable that it will incur these costs in the future.

Asbestos matters As of December 31, 2006, U. S. Steel iswas a defendant in approximately 300 active cases involving approximately 3,700 plaintiffs. At December 31, 2005, U. S. Steel was a defendant in approximately 500 active cases involving approximately 8,400 plaintiffs. Many of these cases involve multiple defendants (typically from fifty to more than one hundred defendants)hundred). More than 8,000,3,400, or approximately 9592 percent, of these claims are currently pending in jurisdictions which permit filings with massive numbers of plaintiffs. Based upon U. S. Steel’s experience in such cases, it believes that the actual number of plaintiffs who ultimately assert claims against U. S. Steel will likely be a small fraction of the total number of plaintiffs. During 2006, U. S. Steel paid approximately $8 million in settlements. These settlements, along with review of case docket information for certain states, and voluntary and involuntary dismissals, resulted in the disposition of approximately 5,150 claims. New case filings added approximately 450 claims. During 2005, U. S. Steel paid approximately $11 million in settlements. These settlements, along with review of case docket information for certain states, and voluntary and involuntary dismissals, resulted in the disposition of approximately 3,800 claims. New case filings added approximately 1,200 claims.

 

TheseHistorically, these claims against U. S. Steel fall into three major groups: (1) claims made under certain federal and general maritime laws by employees of the Great Lakes Fleet or Intercoastal Fleet, former operations of U. S. Steel; (2) claims made by persons who allegedly were exposed to asbestos at U. S. Steel facilities (referred to as “premises claims”); and (3) claims made by industrial workers allegedly exposed to products formerly manufactured by U. S. Steel. While U. S. Steel has excess casualty insurance, these policies have multi-million dollar self-insured retentions. To date, U. S. Steel has not received any payments under these policies relating to asbestos claims. In most cases, this excess casualty insurance is the only insurance applicable to asbestos claims.

 

These asbestos cases allege a variety of respiratory and other diseases based on alleged exposure to asbestos. U. S. Steel is currently a defendant in cases in which a total of approximately 150120 plaintiffs allege that they are suffering from mesothelioma. The potential for damages against defendants may be greater in cases in which the plaintiffs can prove mesothelioma. In many such cases in which claims have been asserted against U. S. Steel, the plaintiffs have been unable to establish any causal relationship to U. S. Steel or its products or premises. In addition, in many asbestos cases, the plaintiffs have been unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any identifiable injury or compensable loss at all; that any injuries that they have incurred did in fact result from alleged exposure to asbestos; or that such alleged exposure was in any way related to U. S. Steel or its products or premises.

On March 28, 2003, a jury in Madison County, Illinois returned a verdict against U. S. Steel for $50 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. U. S. Steel believes that the court erred as a matter of law by failing to find that the plaintiff’s exclusive remedy was provided by the Indiana workers’ compensation law. U. S. Steel believes that this issue and other errors at trial would have enabled U. S. Steel to succeed on appeal. However, in order to avoid the delay and uncertainties of further litigation and the posting of a large appeal bond in excess of the amount of the verdict, U. S. Steel settled this case for an amount which was substantially less than the compensatory damages award and which represented a small fraction of the total award. This settlement was reflected in the 2003 results. Management views the verdict and resulting settlement in the Madison County case as aberrational, and believes that the likelihood of similar results in other cases is remote, although not impossible. U. S. Steel has not experienced any material adverse change in its ability to resolve pending claims as a result of the Madison County settlement.

 

The amount U. S. Steel has accrued for pending asbestos claims is not material to U. S. Steel’s financial position. U. S. Steel does not accrue for unasserted asbestos claims because it believes it is not possible to determine whether any loss is probable with respect to such claims or even to estimate the amount or range of any possible losses. Among the reasons that U. S. Steel cannot reasonably estimate the number and nature of claims against it is that the vast majority of pending claims against it allege so-called “premises” liability basedliability-based exposure on U. S. Steel’s current or former premises. These claims are made by an indeterminable number of people such as truck drivers, railroad workers, salespersons, contractors and their employees, government inspectors, customers, visitors and even trespassers.

 

It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of asbestos-related lawsuits, claims and proceedings due to the unpredictable nature of personal injury litigation. Despite this uncertainty, and although our results of operations and cash flows for a given period could be adversely affected by asbestos-related lawsuits, claims and proceedings, management believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’sU. S. Steel’s financial condition. Among the factors considered in reaching this conclusion are: (1) that

U. S. Steel has been subject to a total of approximately 34,000 asbestos claims over the past 1415 years that have been administratively dismissed or are inactive due to the failure of the plaintiffs to present any medical evidence supporting their claims; (2) that over the last several years, the total number of pending claims has generally declined; (3) that it has been many years since U. S. Steel employed maritime workers or manufactured or sold asbestos containing products; and (4) U. S. Steel’s history of trial outcomes, settlements and dismissals, including such matters since the Madison County jury verdict and settlement in March 2003.dismissals.

 

Environmental mattersMattersU. S. Steel is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the environment. These laws generally provide for control of pollutants released into the environment and require responsible parties to undertake remediation of hazardous waste disposal sites. Penalties may be imposed for noncompliance. Accrued liabilities for remediation activities totaled $145$140 million at December 31, 2006, of which $18 million was classified as current, and $137 million at December 31, 2005, of which $26 million was classified as current and $123 million at December 31, 2004, of which $21$18 million was classified as current. Expenses related to remediation activities are recorded in cost of sales.sales and totaled $20 million, $41 million and $27 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. It is not presently possible to estimate the ultimate amount of all remediation costs that might be incurred or the penalties that may be imposed. Due to uncertainties inherent in remediation projects and the associated liabilities, it is possible that total remediation costs for active matters may exceed the sum of expenditures to date and accrued liabilities by amountsas much as 25 percent.

Remediation Projects

U. S. Steel is involved in environmental remediation projects at or adjacent to several U. S. Steel current and former facilities and other locations, that could rangeare in various stages of completion ranging from insignificant to substantial.

initial characterization through post-closure monitoring. Based on the anticipated scope and degree of uncertainty of projects, we categorize projects as follows:

(1)Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development are those projects for which material additional costs are reasonably possible.

As of December 31, 2005, a total of $52 million was accrued for legal

(2)Significant Projects with Defined Scope are those projects with significant accrued liabilities, a defined scope and little likelihood of material additional costs.

(3)Other Projects are those projects with relatively small accrued liabilities for which we believe that, while additional costs are possible, they are not likely to be material, and those projects for which we do not yet possess sufficient information to form a judgment about potential costs.

Projects with Ongoing Study and administrative costs and for post-closureScope Development – There are seven environmental remediation projects where reasonably possible additional costs for various landfills closed under thecompletion are not currently estimable, but could be material. These projects are four Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); programs, including two at Fairfield Works, one at Lorain Tubular, and one at the Fairless Plant, a possible remediation of the West Grand Calumet Lagoon at Gary Works, a voluntary remediation at the former steel making plant at Joliet, Illinois, and one state Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) program at the Duluth St. Louis Estuary and Upland Project. As of December 31, 2006, accrued liabilities for two Nationalthese projects totaled $4 million for the costs of studies, investigations, interim measures, remediation and/or design. Additional liabilities associated with future requirements regarding studies, investigations, design and remediation for these projects may prove insignificant or could range in the aggregate up to $30 million. It is anticipated that the scope of one of the Fairfield Works RCRA projects and the possible Gary Works West Grand Calumet Lagoon Project will become defined during 2007 and may be removed from this category. The scope of the Duluth project, depending on agency negotiations, could also become defined in 2007.

Significant Projects with Defined Scope—As of December 31, 2006, a total of $62 million was accrued for other projects at or related to Gary Works, as well as the Municipal Industrial & Disposal Company (MIDC) CERCLA site in Elizabeth, PA, where the scope of the work required is well developed. These Gary Works projects include the other RCRA program projects, Natural Resource Damages (NRD) claims, at Gary Works; and for the completion of projects for the Grand Calumet River dredging and the related Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU.) The legal(CAMU), and administrative cost accrualsclosure costs for three hazardous waste disposal sites and one solid waste disposal site. These RCRA program projects are based on annual legalin the final study stage and administrative cost projections and dodata currently indicates that any further required remediation, beyond that which has been accrued, should not change significantly from year to year. The post closure care costs are fixed based on permitted amounts.be material. The NRD claims are settledhave been resolved by final settlement orders and payment schedules are determined. The Grand Calumet River dredging and the related CAMU project are essentially complete, except for currently accrued liabilities for costs associated with additional dredging. U. S. Steel expects no additional significant accruals for the dredging, project. Of the remaining accrued liabilities, except for the four RCRA Corrective Actions Programs discussed below, there are only nine sites for which the accrual exceeds $1 million. The largest of these amounts is $14 million for closure costs for three hazardous waste sites at Gary Works.CAMU maintenance and wastewater treatment. A Closure Permit application has been submitted for these threethe hazardous waste sites, that also addresses the one solid waste site, and there has been no meaningful agency action on the application since it was submitted. The remaining eight sites in this category total $20 millionapplication. Investigation and studies have progressed through a significant portion ofbeen completed for the design phase. Significant additional costs in excess of the accrued amounts are not expected.

There are four environmental remediation sites where it is reasonably possible that additional costs could have a material effect. These sites are RCRA Corrective Action Programs, which require the investigation and possible remediation of soils and ground water for Gary Works, Fairfield Works, and the Municipal Industrial & Disposal Co. Superfund site in Elizabeth, PA. At December 31, 2005, accrued liabilities for these sites totaled $40 million associated with the costs of studies, investigations, interim measures, remediation and/or design. Additional liabilities associated with future agency demands regarding existing work at these sites may prove insignificant or could range in the aggregate up to 100MIDC project as well as 90 percent of the accrued liabilities. Reasonably possibleremedial design. U. S. Steel does not expect any material additional costs for completion of remediation atrelated to these sites cannot be estimated but could be material. The remaining 45 sites each have accrued liabilities of less than $1 million, with 36 of these sites having liabilities of less than $500,000. There are no significant additional possible liabilities foreseen for any of these sites.projects.

 

At U. S. Steel’s former Geneva Works, liability for environmental remediation, including for the closure of three hazardous waste impoundments and facility-wide corrective action, has been allocated between U. S. Steel and Geneva Steel Company pursuant to an asset sales agreement and a permit issued by Utah Department of Environmental Quality. In December 2005, a third party purchased the Geneva site and assumed Geneva Steel’s rights and obligations under the asset sales agreement and the permit pursuant to a bankruptcy court order. U. S. Steel has reviewed environmental data concerning the site,project, has commenced the development of work plans that are necessary to begin field investigations and has begun remediation on some areas of the site for which U. S. Steel has responsibility. U. S. Steel estimateshad an accrued liability of $24 million as of December 31, 2006 for its share of the remaining costs of remediation and does not expect additional costs to be $26 million.material.

 

Other Projects – There are four other environmental remediation projects which each had an accrued liability of between $1 million and $5 million. The total accrued liability for these projects at December 31, 2006 was $12 million. These projects have progressed through a significant portion of the design phase and material additional costs are not expected.

The remaining environmental remediation projects each had an accrued liability of less than $1 million. The total accrued liability for these projects at December 31, 2006 was $11 million. We do not foresee material additional liabilities for any of these sites.

Post-Closure Costs – Accrued liabilities for post-closure site monitoring and other costs at various closed landfills totaled $17 million at December 31, 2006 and were based on known scopes of work.

Administrative and Legal Costs – As of December 31, 2006, U. S. Steel had an accrued liability of $6 million for administrative and legal costs related to environmental remediation projects. These accrued liabilities were based on projected administrative and legal costs for the next three years and do not change significantly from year to year.

Capital ExpendituresFor a number of years, U. S. Steel has made substantial capital expenditures to bring existing facilities into compliance with various laws relating to the environment. In 20052006 and 20042005 such capital expenditures totaled $133$76 million and $121$133 million, respectively. U. S. Steel anticipates making additional such expenditures in the future; however, the exact amounts and timing of such expenditures are uncertain because of the continuing evolution of specific regulatory requirements.

Kyoto Protocol and CO2 EmissionsWhile the United States has not ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the European Commission (EC), in order to provide EU member states a mechanism for fulfilling their Kyoto commitments, has established establishes its own CO2limits for

every EU member state. In 2004, the EC approved a national allocation plan (NAP I) for Slovakia that reduced Slovakia’s originally proposed CO2allocation by approximately 14 percent, and following that decision the Slovak Ministry of the Environment (Ministry) imposed an 8 percent reduction to the amount of CO2allowances originally requested by USSK. Subsequently, USSK filed legal actions against the EC and the Ministry challenging these reductions. In addition, USSK is evaluating a number of alternatives ranging from purchasing CO2 allowances needed to reducing steel production, and it is not currently possible to predict the impact of these decisions on USSK. However, the actualcover its anticipated shortfall of allowances for the initialNAP l allocation period (2005 through 2007) will depend upon a number of internal and external variables and the effect of that shortfall on USSK cannot be predicted at this time.. Based on the fair value of purchased credits and current market value of CO2 allowances remaining to be purchased for the anticipated shortfall of allowances related to production in 2005,through December 31, 2007, a long-term other liability of $4$7 million has been charged to income and recordedwas recognized on the balance sheet. Domestically, whilesheet as of December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2005, the long-term liability was $4 million. Recently Slovakia finished preparation of its proposed national allocation plan for the second CO2 trading period, 2008—2012 (NAP II). On November 29, 2006, the EC issued a decision that Slovakia would be granted 25 percent fewer CO2allowances than were requested in Slovakia’s NAP II. Both Slovakia and USSK have filed legal actions against the EC to challenge this decision. The Ministry has not yet made allocation of Slovakia’s CO2 allowances to companies within Slovakia for the NAP II period.

While ratification of the Kyoto Protocol does not seem likely in the near term,United States has not occurred, there remains the possibility that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may impose limitations on greenhouse gases.gases may be imposed. The impact on U. S. Steel’s domestic operations cannot be estimated.estimated at this time.

 

Environmental and other indemnificationsThroughout its history, U. S. Steel has sold numerous properties and businesses and many of these sales included indemnifications and cost sharing agreements related to the assets that were sold. These indemnifications and cost sharing agreements have related to the condition of the property, the approved use, certain representations and warranties, matters of title and environmental matters. While most of these provisions have not dealt with environmental issues, there have been transactions in which U. S. Steel indemnified the buyer for non-compliance with past, current and future environmental laws related to existing conditions. Most recent indemnifications and cost sharing agreements are of a limited nature only applying to non-compliance with past and/or current laws. Some indemnifications and cost sharing agreements only run for a specified period of time after the transactions close and others run indefinitely. In addition, current owners of property formerly owned by U. S. Steel may have common law claims and contribution rights against U. S. Steel for environmental matters. The amount of potential environmental liability associated with these transactions is not estimable due to the nature and extent of the unknown conditions related to the properties sold. Aside from the environmental liabilities already recorded as a result of these transactions due to specific environmental remediation activities and cases (included in the $145)$140 million of accrued liabilities for remediation discussed above), there are no other known environmental liabilities related to these transactions.

 

GuaranteesGuaranteesThe guarantee of the liabilities of an unconsolidated entitiesentity of U. S. Steel totaled $10$2 million at December 31, 2005.2006. In the event that any defaults ofdefault related to the guaranteed liabilities occur,occurs, U. S. Steel has access to its interest in the assets of the investeesinvestee to reduce its potential losses resulting from these guarantees. As of December 31, 2005,under the largest guarantee for a single such entity was $7 million, which represents the maximum exposure to loss under a guarantee of debt service payments of an equity investee. Liabilities amounting to $2 million have been recorded for these guarantees.guarantee.

 

Contingencies related to separationthe Separation from MarathonU. S. Steel was contingently liable for debt and other obligations of Marathon in the amount of $2 million as of December 31, 2005. No liability has been recorded for these contingencies as management believes the likelihood of occurrence is remote. At December 31, 2005, inIn the event of the bankruptcy of Marathon, these obligations and $41 million related to certain of U. S. Steel’s operating leaseslease obligations in the amount of $37 million as of December 31, 2006 may be declared immediately due and payable.

 

Other contingenciesUnder certain operating lease agreements covering various equipment, U. S. Steel has the option to renew the lease or to purchase the equipment at the end

of the lease term. If U. S. Steel does not exercise the purchase option by the end of the lease

term, U. S. Steel guarantees a residual value of the equipment as determined at the lease inception date (totaling approximately $33$25 million at December 31, 2005)2006). No liability has been recorded for these guarantees as either management believes that the potential recovery of value from the equipment when sold is greater than the residual value guarantee, or the potential loss is not probable and/or estimable.

 

Mining sale U. S. Steel remains secondarily liable in the event that the purchaser triggers a withdrawal before June 30, 2008, from the multiemployer pension plan that covers employees of itsour former coal mining business. A withdrawal is triggered when annual contributions to the plan are substantially less than contributions made in prior years. The maximum exposure for the fee that could be assessed upon a withdrawal is $79 million. U. S. Steel has recorded a liability equal to the estimated fair value of this potential exposure. U. S. Steel has agreed to indemnify the purchaser for certain environmental matters, which are included in the environmental matters discussion.

 

Clairton 1314B partnershipPartnershipSee description of the partnership in Note 19.14. U. S. Steel has a commitment to fund operating cash shortfalls of the partnership of up to $150 million. Additionally, U. S. Steel, under certain circumstances, is required to indemnify the limited partners if the partnership product sales prior to 2003 fail to qualify for the credit under Section 29 of the Internal Revenue Code. This indemnity will effectively survive until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. The maximum potential amount of this indemnity obligation at December 31, 2005,2006, including interest and tax gross-up, is approximately $650$680 million. Furthermore, U. S. Steel under certain circumstances has indemnified the partnership for environmental and certain other obligations. See discussion of environmental and other indemnifications above. The maximum potential amount of this indemnity obligation is not estimable. Management believes that the $150 million deferred gain related to the partnership, which is recorded in deferred credits and other liabilities, is more than sufficient to cover any probable exposure under these commitments and indemnifications.

 

Self-insuranceU. S. Steel is self-insured for certain exposures including workers’ compensation, auto liability and general liability, as well as property damage and business interruption, within specified deductible and retainage levels. Certain equipment that is leased by U. S. Steel is also self-insured within specified deductible and retainage levels. Liabilities are recorded for workers’ compensation and personal injury obligations. Other costs resulting from self-insured losses are charged against income upon occurrence.

 

U. S. Steel uses surety bonds, trusts and letters of credit to provide whole or partial financial assurance for certain obligations such as workers’ compensation. The total amount of active surety bonds, trusts and letters of credit being used for financial assurance purposes was approximately $133$124 million as of December 31, 2005,2006, which reflects U. S. Steel’s maximum exposure under these financial guarantees, but not its total exposure for the underlying obligations. Most of the trust arrangements and letters of credit are collateralized by restricted cash that is recorded in other noncurrent assets.

 

CommitmentsAt December 31, 2005,2006, U. S. Steel’s domestic contract commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment totaled $82$186 million.

 

USSK hashad a commitment to the Slovak government for a capital improvements program of $700 million, subject to certain conditions, over a period commencing with the acquisition date of November 24, 2000, and ending on December 31, 2010. The remainingUSSK fulfilled the spending commitment under this capital improvements program as of December 31, 2005, was $53 million.with the Slovak government in the second quarter 2006.

See discussion of USSB agreed to the following commitments with the Serbian government in Note 3.

Asconnection with its acquisition on September 12, 2003: (i) spending during the first five years for working capital, the repair, rehabilitation, improvement, modification and upgrade of December 31, 2005, under agreements withfacilities and community support and economic development of up to $157 million, subject to certain conditions; (ii) a stable employment policy for the first three years, excluding natural attrition and terminations for cause; and (iii) an unaffiliatedagreement not to sell, transfer or assign a controlling interest in USSB to any third party U. S. Steelwithout government consent for a period of five years. USSB fulfilled all spending commitments in the third quarter 2006, except for spending on economic development, which has a remaining commitment to provide work that will generate $32 million of gross profit to the third party through June 30, 2015.less than $1 million.

 

U. S. Steel entered intois party to a 15-year take-or-pay arrangement that expires in 1993, which requires2008. Under this arrangement, U. S. Steel is required to accept pulverized coal each month or pay a minimum monthly charge of approximately $1$2 million. Charges for deliveries of pulverized coal totaled $23 million, $24 million and $23 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. If U. S. Steel elects to terminate the contract early, a maximum termination payment of $63$60 million as of December 31, 2005,2006, which declines over the duration of the agreement, may be required.

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

 

  2005

    2004 - Adjusted(a)

 
       Adjusted(a)

                     

(In millions, except

per share data)

 4th Qtr.    3rd Qtr.    2nd Qtr.    1st Qtr.    4th Qtr.    3rd Qtr.    2nd Qtr.    1st Qtr. 

Net sales

 $    3,470    $    3,200    $    3,582    $    3,787    $    3,890    $    3,707    $    3,448    $    2,930 

Segment income from operations:

                                              

Flat-rolled

  36     41     190     335     375     362     335     113 

USSE

  112     21     149     220     128     153     105     53 

Tubular

  149     124     133     122     114     55     25     3 
  


   


   


   


   


   


   


   


Total reportable segments

  297     186     472     677     617     570     465     169 

Other Businesses(b)

  16     21     23     (17)    27     7     18     6 

Items not allocated to segments

  (91)    (59)    (74)    (12)    (101)    (76)    (66)    (11)
  


   


   


   


   


   


   


   


Total income from operations

  222     148     421     648     543     501     417     164 

Income before cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles

  109     93     249     459     451     359     255     56 

Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, net of tax(c)

  -     -     -     -     -     -     -     14 
  


   


   


   


   


   


   


   


Net income

 $109    $93    $249    $459    $451    $359    $255    $70 

Common stock data

                                              

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, per share

                                              

- Basic

 $0.94    $0.77    $2.14    $3.98    $3.92    $3.12    $2.21    $0.49 

- Diluted

 $0.85    $0.71    $1.91    $3.51    $3.46    $2.76    $1.96    $0.46 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax, per share

                                              

- Basic

  -     -     -     -     -     -     -     0.13 

- Diluted

  -     -     -     -     -     -     -     0.11 

Net income per share

                                              

- Basic

 $0.94    $0.77    $2.14    $3.98    $3.92    $3.12    $2.21    $0.62 

- Diluted

 $0.85    $0.71    $1.91    $3.51    $3.46    $2.76    $1.96    $0.57 

Dividends paid per share

 $0.10    $0.10    $0.10    $0.08    $0.05    $0.05    $0.05    $0.05 

Price range of common stock(d)

                                              

- Low

 $33.59    $34.09    $34.05    $45.20    $32.15    $32.95    $25.23    $31.40 

- High

 $51.45    $45.95    $52.12    $63.90    $54.06    $39.98    $39.98    $40.15 
(a)As a result of the change from the LIFO method of inventory costing at USSK (see further information on the following page and in Note 2 to the Financial Statements), the noted line items have been adjusted from the amounts originally reported.
(b)Real Estate was a reportable segment until the end of 2004. As of January 1, 2005, the results of Real Estate are included in the Other Businesses category, and prior period results have been restated to conform to this presentation.
(c)See Note 19 to the Financial Statements.
(d)Composite tape.

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Continued)

As a result of the change from the LIFO method of inventory costing at USSK (see further information in Note 2 to the Financial Statements), the noted line items have been adjusted from the amounts originally reported, as follows:

 2005

 2004

 2006

 2005

 
(In millions, except per share data) As
Originally
Reported
 Adjustment As
Adjusted
 As
Originally
Reported
 Adjustment As
Adjusted
 4th Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 1st Qtr. 4th Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 1st Qtr. 

4th Quarter

 

USSE income from operations

 $132 $(4) $128

Net sales

 $3,774  $4,106  $4,107  $3,728  $3,470  $3,200  $3,582  $3,787 

Segment income from operations:

 

Flat-rolled

  31   230   212   127   36   41   190   335 

USSE

  182   219   188   125   112   21   149   220 

Tubular

  144   164   146   177   149   124   133   122 
 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total reportable segments

  621  (4)  617  357   613   546   429   297   186   472   677 

Other Businesses

  57   39   33   -   16   21   23   (17)

Items not allocated to segments

  (73)  (91)  (65)  (60)  (91)  (59)  (74)  (12)
 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total income from operations

  547  (4)  543  341   561   514   369   222   148   421   648 

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

  468  (17)  451

Net income

 $468 $(17) $451  297   417   404   256   109   93   249   459 

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per share

 

- Basic

 $4.07 $(0.15) $3.92

- Diluted

 $3.59 $(0.13) $3.46

Common stock data

 

Net income per share

  

- Basic

 $4.07 $(0.15) $3.92 $2.51  $3.44  $3.60  $2.31  $0.94  $0.77  $2.14  $3.98 

- Diluted

 $3.59 $(0.13) $3.46 $2.50  $3.42  $3.22  $2.04  $0.85  $0.71  $1.91  $3.51 

3rd Quarter

 

USSE income from operations

 $32 $(11) $21 $146 $7  $153

Total reportable segments

  197  (11)  186  563  7   570

Total income from operations

  159  (11)  148  494  7   501

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

  107  (14)  93  354  5   359

Net income

 $107 $(14) $93 $354 $5  $359

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per share

 

- Basic

 $0.89 $(0.12) $0.77 $    3.08 $0.04  $3.12

- Diluted

 $0.82 $(0.11) $    0.71 $2.72 $0.04  $2.76

Net income per share

 

- Basic

 $0.89 $    (0.12) $0.77 $3.08 $0.04  $3.12

- Diluted

 $0.82 $(0.11) $0.71 $2.72 $0.04  $2.76

2nd Quarter

 

USSE income from operations

 $141 $8  $149 $76 $29  $105

Total reportable segments

  464  8   472  436  29   465

Total income from operations

  413  8   421  388  29   417

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

  245  4   249  211  44   255

Net income

 $245 $4  $249 $211 $44  $255

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per share

 

- Basic

 $2.11 $0.03  $2.14 $1.82 $0.39  $2.21

- Diluted

 $1.88 $0.03  $1.91 $1.62 $0.34  $1.96

Net income per share

 

- Basic

 $2.11 $0.03  $2.14 $1.82 $0.39  $2.21

- Diluted

 $1.88 $0.03  $1.91 $1.62 $0.34  $1.96

1st Quarter

 

USSE income from operations

 $212 $8  $220 $40 $13  $53

Total reportable segments

  669  8   677  156  13   169

Total income from operations

  640  8   648  151  13   164

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

  455  4   459  44  12   56

Net income

 $455 $4  $459 $58 $12  $70

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per share

 

- Basic

 $    3.95 $0.03  $3.98 $0.38 $0.11  $0.49

- Diluted

 $3.48 $0.03  $3.51 $0.36 $0.10  $0.46

Net income per share

 

- Basic

 $3.95 $0.03  $3.98 $0.51 $0.11  $0.62

- Diluted

 $3.48 $0.03  $3.51 $0.47 $0.10  $0.57

Dividends paid per share

 $0.20  $0.15  $0.15  $0.10  $0.10  $0.10  $0.10  $0.08 

Price range of common stock

 

- Low

 $54.18  $53.63  $56.15  $48.05  $33.59  $34.09  $34.05  $45.20 

- High

 $79.01  $70.66  $77.77  $64.47  $51.45  $45.95  $52.12  $63.90 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON MINERAL RESERVES OTHER THAN OIL AND GAS

(Unaudited)

 

Mineral Reserves

 

U. S. Steel operates two surface iron ore surface mining complexes in Minnesota consisting of the open pit Minntac Mine and Pellet Plant and the Keetac Mine and Pellet Plant. The Keetac Mine and Pellet Plant were part of the acquisition of substantially all of the integrated steel making assets of National Steel Corporation.

 

The following table provides a summary of our reserves and minerals production by mining complex:

 

  Proven and Probable Reserves
As of December 31, 2005


   Production

(Millions of short tons) Owned   Leased   Total   2005   2004   2003(a)

Iron ore pellets:

                      

Minntac Mine and Pellet Plant

         152           490           642           16.5           16.9           15.8

Keetac Mine and Pellet Plant

 7   159   166   5.8   6.0   2.9
  
   
   
   
   
   

Total

 159   649   808   22.3   22.9   18.7
(a)Includes Keetac production after the acquisition on May 20, 2003.
  Proven and Probable Reserves
As of December 31, 2006


   Production

(Millions of short tons) Owned   Leased   Total   2006   2005   2004

Iron ore pellets:

                      

Minntac Mine and Pellet Plant

         148           477           625           16.3           16.5           16.9

Keetac Mine and Pellet Plant

 7   154   161   5.8   5.8   6.0
  
   
   
   
   
   

Total

 155   631   786   22.1   22.3   22.9

 

Iron Ore Reserves

 

Reserves are defined by SEC Industry Standard Guide 7 as that part of a mineral deposit that could be economically and legally extracted and produced at the time of the reserve determination. The estimate of proven and probable reserves is of recoverable tons. Recoverable tons mean the tons of product that can be used internally or delivered to a customer after considering mining and beneficiation or preparation losses. Neither inferred reserves nor resources that exist in addition to proven and probable reserves were included in these figures. At December 31, 2005,2006, all 808786 million tons of proven and probable reserves are assigned, which means that they have been committed by U. S. Steel to its two operating mines and are of blast furnace pellet grade.

 

U. S. Steel estimates its iron ore reserves using physical inspections, sampling, laboratory testing, 3-D computer models, economic pit analysis and fully-developed pit designs for its two operating mines. These estimates are reviewed and reassessed from time to time. The most recent such reviewledreview was conducted in 2005 and led U. S. Steel to reduce its determination of proven and probable reserves mainly due to excluding areas where sampling and measurement did not meet its new 600-foot drill spacing standard, based on updated geostatistical studies.

FIVE-YEAR OPERATING SUMMARY

 

(Thousands of tons, unless otherwise noted) 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

Raw Steel Production

  

Gary, IN

 5,009 6,446 6,506 6,669 6,114 5,947 5,009 6,446 6,506 6,669

Mon Valley, PA

 2,708 2,798 2,657 2,649 1,951 2,579 2,708 2,798 2,657 2,649

Fairfield, AL

 2,083 2,324 2,156 2,217 2,028 2,225 2,083 2,324 2,156 2,217

Great Lakes, MI(a)

 3,002 3,153 1,921 - - 3,136 3,002 3,153 1,921 -

Granite City, IL(a)

 2,541 2,545 1,674 - - 2,468 2,541 2,545 1,674 -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total Domestic facilities

 15,343 17,266 14,914 11,535 10,093 16,355 15,343 17,266 14,914 11,535

USSK

 4,547 4,532 4,691 4,394 4,051 5,205 4,547 4,532 4,691 4,394

USSB(b)

 1,336 1,153 146 - - 1,857 1,336 1,153 146 -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total

 21,226 22,951 19,751 15,929 14,144 23,417 21,226 22,951 19,751 15,929
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Raw Steel Capability

  

Domestic(c)

 19,400 19,400 16,887 12,800 12,800 19,400 19,400 19,400 16,887 12,800

USSE(b)

 7,400 7,400 5,737 5,000 5,000 7,400 7,400 7,400 5,737 5,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total

 26,800 26,800 22,624 17,800 17,800 26,800 26,800 26,800 22,624 17,800
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Production as % of total capability:

  

Domestic(d)

 79.1 89.0 88.3 90.1 78.9 84.3 79.1 89.0 88.3 90.1

USSE(e)

 79.5 76.8 84.3 87.9 81.0 95.4 79.5 76.8 84.3 87.9

Coke Production(f)

 
 

Coke Production(d)

 

Domestic (c)

 6,092 6,644 5,433 5,104 4,647 5,813 6,092 6,644 5,433 5,104

USSE(b)

 1,696 1,731 1,731 1,653 1,555
 
 
 
 
 

Total

 7,788 8,375 7,164 6,757 6,202
 
 
 
 
 

Coke Shipments - Domestic(f)

 

Trade

 855 2,699 1,967 1,698 2,070

Intercompany

 5,082 3,947 3,363 3,487 2,661

USSE

 1,702 1,696 1,731 1,731 1,653
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total

 5,937 6,646 5,330 5,185 4,731 7,515 7,788 8,375 7,164 6,757
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Iron Ore Pellet Production

  

Total

 22,282 22,884 18,608 16,398 14,151 22,062 22,282 22,884 18,608 16,398
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Iron Ore Pellet Shipments

 

Trade

 2,195 3,444 1,790 3,335 2,985

Intercompany

 19,592 20,845 16,448 12,904 11,928
 
 
 
 
 

Total

 21,787 24,289 18,238 16,239 14,913
 
 
 
 
 

Steel Shipments by Product - Domestic Facilities(c)(g)

 

Steel Shipments by Product - Domestic Facilities (c)(e)

 

Sheets

 11,779 14,037 11,782 8,594 7,234 12,757 11,779 14,037 11,782 8,594

Tin mill products

 1,388 1,443 1,105 822 785 1,318 1,388 1,443 1,105 822

Tubular

 1,156 1,092 882 773 1,022 1,191 1,156 1,092 882 773

Semi-finished and plate(h)

 129 155 630 484 760

Semi-finished and plate(f)

 105 129 155 630 484
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total

 14,452 16,727 14,399 10,673 9,801 15,371 14,452 16,727 14,399 10,673
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total as % of domestic steel industry

 14.0 14.9 13.6 10.8 9.9 14.1 14.0 14.9 13.6 10.8

Steel Shipments by Product - USSE(b)(g)

 
 

Steel Shipments by Product - USSE(b)(e)

 

Sheets

 3,748 3,783 3,381 2,757 2,693 4,277 3,748 3,783 3,381 2,757

Tin mill products

 561 510 320 195 159 587 561 510 320 195

Tubular

 140 158 145 137 131 150 140 158 145 137

Semi-finished and plate

 762 589 1,003 912 779 1,247 762 589 1,003 912
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total

 5,211 5,040 4,849 4,001 3,762 6,261 5,211 5,040 4,849 4,001
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Steel Shipments - Total

 21,632 19,663 21,767 19,248 14,674
 
 
 
 
 

(a)These facilities were acquired on May 20, 2003, as part of the acquisition of National.
(b)Includes the operations of USSB following the acquisition on September 12, 2003.
(c)Includes the operations of National following the acquisition on May 20, 2003.
(d)Annual capacity increased from 12.8 million tons to 19.4 million tons on May 20, 2003 as a result of the acquisition of National.
(e)Annual capacity increased from 5.0 million tons to 7.4 million tons on September 12, 2003 as a result of the USSB acquisition.
(f)Includes the consolidation of Clairton 1314B Partnership, LLP as of January 1, 2004.
(g)(e)Does not include shipments by joint ventures and other equity investees of U. S. Steel. Does not include shipments from Straightline prior to January 1, 2004.
(h)(f)In November 2003, U. S. Steel disposed of the Gary Works plate mill.

FIVE-YEAR OPERATING SUMMARY (Continued)

 

(Thousands of net tons, unless otherwise noted) 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

Steel Shipments by Market - Domestic Facilities(a)(b)

  

Steel service centers

  3,176  4,276  4,174  2,673  2,421  3,242  3,176  4,276  4,174  2,673

Transportation (including automotive)

  2,451  2,559  2,153  1,222  1,143

Further conversion:

  

Joint ventures

  1,744  2,017  1,728  1,550  1,328  1,808  1,744  2,017  1,728  1,550

Trade customers

  1,639  1,953  1,576  1,311  1,153  1,821  1,639  1,953  1,576  1,311

Transportation (including automotive)

  2,518  2,451  2,559  2,153  1,222

Construction and construction products

  1,263  1,079  1,774  1,309  880

Containers

  1,297  1,361  1,092  863  779  1,317  1,297  1,361  1,092  863

Construction and construction products

  1,079  1,774  1,309  880  794

Appliances & electrical equipment

  1,198  1,031  829  726  680

Oil, gas and petrochemicals

  1,055  987  724  647  895  1,073  1,055  987  724  647

Export

  609  627  613  501  522  743  609  627  613  501

All other

  1,402  1,173  1,030  1,026  766  388  371  344  304  346
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

  14,452  16,727  14,399  10,673  9,801  15,371  14,452  16,727  14,399  10,673
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steel Shipments by Market - USSE(a)(c)

  

Steel service centers

  807  1,050  797  613  492  1,367  807  1,050  797  613

Transportation (including automotive)

  372  314  359  263  194

Further conversion:

  

Joint ventures

  -  -  12  20  30  -  -  -  12  20

Trade customers

  1,302  1,060  1,293  1,056  1,092  1,267  1,302  1,060  1,293  1,056

Transportation (including automotive)

  439  372  314  359  263

Construction and construction products

  1,526  1,109  1,090  1,226  1,068

Containers

  531  456  359  289  234  566  531  456  359  289

Construction and construction products

  1,109  1,090  1,226  1,068  1,082

Appliances & electrical equipment

  512  402  328  224  176

Oil, gas and petrochemicals

  33  40  40  32  34  41  33  40  40  32

All other

  1,057  1,030  763  660  604  543  655  702  539  484
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

  5,211  5,040  4,849  4,001  3,762  6,261  5,211  5,040  4,849  4,001
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Steel Price Per Ton

  

Flat-rolled

 $617 $574 $422 $410 $397 $634 $617 $574 $422 $410

Tubular

          1,326          863          630          651          685          1,499          1,326          863          630          651

USSE

  610  529  358  276  260  608  610  529  358  276
(a)Does not include shipments by joint ventures and other equity investees. Does not include shipments from Straightline prior to January 1, 2004.
(b)Includes the operations of National following the acquisition on May 20, 2003.
(c)Includes the operations of USSB following the acquisition on September 12, 2003.

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

 

   Adjusted(e)

 
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) 2005 2004 2003(a) 2002 2001(b)  2006 2005 2004 2003(a) 2002 

Net sales by segment:

  

Flat-rolled(c)

 $    9,254  $    10,064  $    6,614  $    4,842  $    4,249 

Flat-rolled(b)

 $    10,042  $    9,254  $    10,064  $    6,614  $    4,842 

USSE

  3,346   2,839   1,828   1,179   1,060   3,977   3,346   2,839   1,828   1,179 

Tubular

  1,546   941   573   517   712   1,798   1,546   941   573   517 

Straightline(d)

  -   -   138   73   2 

Straightline(c)

  -   -   -   138   73 

Other Businesses

  1,204   1,128   1,039   1,130   1,014   1,378   1,204   1,128   1,039   1,130 
 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total reportable segments

  15,350   14,972   10,192   7,741   7,037   17,195   15,350   14,972   10,192   7,741 

Intersegment sales

  (1,311)  (997)  (864)  (792)  (751)  (1,480)  (1,311)  (997)  (864)  (792)
 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total

 $14,039  $13,975  $9,328  $6,949  $6,286  $15,715  $14,039  $13,975  $9,328  $6,949 
 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Segment income (loss):

  

Flat-rolled(c)

 $602  $1,185  $(54) $(84) $(596)

Flat-rolled(b)

 $600  $602  $1,185  $(54) $(84)

USSE

  502   439   214   105   124   714   502   439   214   105 

Tubular

  528   197   (25)  (6)  74   631   528   197   (25)  (6)

Straightline(d)

  -   -   (70)  (45)  (19)

Straightline(c)

  -   -   -   (70)  (45)
 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total reportable segments

  1,632   1,821   65   (30)  (417)  1,945   1,632   1,821   65   (30)

Other Businesses

  43   58   15   83   1   129   43   58   15   83 

Items not allocated to segments

  (236)  (254)  (799)(f)  70   12   (289)  (236)  (254)  (799)(d)  70 
 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total income (loss) from operations

  1,439   1,625   (719)  123   (404)  1,785   1,439   1,625   (719)  123 

Net interest and other financial costs

  127   115   96   91   137   62   127   115   96   91 

Income tax provision (benefit)

  365   356   (452)  (49)  (330)  324   365   356   (452)  (49)

Net income (loss) before extraordinary item and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles

 $910  $1,121  $(363) $81  $(211) $1,374  $910  $1,121  $(363) $81 

Per common share:

  

- Basic

  7.87   9.87   (3.67)  0.83   (2.37)  11.88   7.87   9.87   (3.67)  0.83 

- Diluted

  7.00   8.72   (3.67)  0.83   (2.37)  11.18   7.00   8.72   (3.67)  0.83 

Net income (loss)

  910   1,135   (420)  81   (211)  1,374   910   1,135   (420)  81 

Per common share:

  

- Basic

  7.87   10.00   (4.22)  0.83   (2.37)  11.88   7.87   10.00   (4.22)  0.83 

- Diluted

  7.00   8.83   (4.22)  0.83   (2.37)  11.18   7.00   8.83   (4.22)  0.83 
(a)Includes National from the date of acquisition on May 20, 2003 and USSB from date of acquisition on September 12, 2003.
(b)Prior to December 31, 2001, U. S. Steel comprised an operating unit of USX Corporation, now named Marathon Oil Corporation. The income statement and cash flow data for the year ended December 31, 2001 represents a carve-out presentation of the businesses of U. S. Steel.
(c)Includes the 1314B Partnership effective January 1, 2004.
(d)(c)As of January 1, 2004, residual results of Straightline are included in the Flat-rolled segment.
(e)As a result of the change from the LIFO method of inventory costing at USSK (see further information in Note 2 to the Financial Statements), the noted line items shown on page F-64 have been adjusted from the amounts previously reported.
(f)(d)Includes $683 million of restructuring charges. See Note 10 to the Financial Statements.

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY (Continued)

 

   Adjusted(b)

 
(Dollars in millions, unless otherwise noted) 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001(a)  2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

Balance Sheet Position at Year-End

  

Current assets

 $    4,831 $    4,351  $    3,166  $    2,454 $    2,068  $5,196  $4,842  $4,351  $3,166  $2,454

Net property, plant & equipment

  4,015  3,627   3,414   2,978  3,084   4,429   4,015   3,627   3,414   2,978

Total assets

  9,822  11,064   7,897   7,991  8,332   10,586   9,822   11,064   7,897   7,991

Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt

  249  8   43   26  32   82   249   8   43   26

Other current liabilities

  2,500  2,527   2,083   1,343  1,224   2,620   2,500   2,527   2,083   1,343

Long-term debt

  1,363  1,363   1,890   1,408  1,434   943   1,363   1,363   1,890   1,408

Employee benefits

  2,008  2,125   2,382   2,601  2,008   2,174   2,008   2,125   2,382   2,601

Preferred securities

  216  216   226   -  -   -   216   216   226   -

Total stockholders’ equity

  3,324  4,074   1,153   2,044  2,503   4,365   3,324   4,074   1,153   2,044

Cash Flow Data

  

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $1,218 $1,400  $577  $279 $669(c) $1,686  $1,218  $1,400  $577  $279

Capital expenditures

  741  579   316   258  287   612   741   579   316   258

Dividends paid

  60  39   35   19  57   77   60   39   35   19

Employee Data

  

Total employment costs

 $2,693 $2,646(d) $2,221(e) $1,744 $1,581(f) $2,843(a) $2,693(b) $2,646(c) $2,221(d) $1,744

Average domestic employment costs (dollars per hour)

  49.64  48.96(d)  41.51(e)  37.90  33.88(f) $49.88  $49.64  $48.96(c) $41.51(d) $37.90

Average number of domestic employees

  21,026  21,091   23,245   20,351  21,078   21,218   21,026   21,091   23,245(d)  20,351

Average number of USSE employees

  25,173  25,640   25,038(g)  15,900  16,083   23,639   25,173   25,640   25,038(e)  15,900

Number of pensioners at year-end

  80,602  84,254   87,576   88,030  91,003   73,023   80,602   84,254   87,576   88,030

Stockholder Data at Year-End

  

Common shares outstanding, net of treasury shares (millions)

  108.8  114.0   103.7   102.5  89.2   118.5   108.8   114.0   103.7   102.5

Registered shareholders (thousands)

  27.6  31.9   44.6   50.0  52.4   25.2   27.6   31.9   44.6   50.0

Market price of common stock

 $48.07 $51.25  $35.02  $13.12 $18.11  $73.14  $48.07  $51.25  $35.02  $13.12
(a)Prior to December 31, 2001, U. S. Steel comprised an operating unitIncludes charges of USX Corporation, now named Marathon Oil Corporation (Marathon). On December 31, 2001, U. S. Steel was capitalized through the issuance of 89.2$9 million shares of common stock to holders of USX-U. S. Steel Group common stock on a one-for-one basis. The balance sheet position as of December 31, 2001 reflects the financial position of U. S. Steel as a standalone entity. The income statement and cash flow data for the year ended December 31, 2001 represents a carve-out presentation of the businesses of U. S. Steel.workforce reduction program at USSB.
(b)AsIncludes settlement charges of $23 million principally as a result of the change from the LIFO method of inventory costingvoluntary early retirement plan at USSK (see further information in Note 2 to the Financial Statements), the noted line items shown on page F-64 have been adjusted from the amounts previously reported.USSK.
(c)Includes $819 million of tax settlements with Marathon.
(d)Includes $17 million settlement loss for a non-qualified defined benefit pension plan and $5 million of termination and curtailment losses for a small Canadian defined benefit pension plan.
(e)(d)Includes National and USSB from dates of acquisition on May 20, 2003 and September 12, 2003, respectively, and excludes $623 million of workforce restructuring charges.
(f)Includes East Chicago Tin and Transtar from dates of acquisition on March 1, 2001 and March 23, 2001, respectively.
(g)(e)Includes USSB from date of acquisition on September 12, 2003.

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY (Continued)

As result of the change from the LIFO method of inventory costing at USSK (see further information in Note 2 to the Financial Statements), the noted line items have been adjusted from the amounts previously reported, as shown below.

  2004

    2003

 
(In millions, except per share amounts) As
Originally
Reported
  Adjustment  As
Adjusted
    As
Originally
Reported
  Adjustment  As
Adjusted
 

USSE

 $394  $45  $439    $203  $11  $214 

Total reportable segments

  1,776   45   1,821     54   11   65 

Total income (loss) from operations

  1,580   45   1,625     (730)  11   (719)

Net interest and other financial costs

  119   (4)  115     130   (34)  96 

Income tax provision (benefit)

  351   5   356     (454)  2   (452)

Net income (loss) before extraordinary item and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles

 $1,077  $44  $1,121    $(406) $43  $(363)

Per common share:

                          

- Basic

 $9.47  $0.40  $9.87    $(4.09) $0.42  $(3.67)

- Diluted

 $8.37  $0.35  $8.72    $(4.09) $0.42  $(3.67)

Net income (loss)

 $1,091  $44  $1,135    $(463) $43  $(420)

Per common share:

                          

- Basic

 $9.60  $0.40  $10.00    $(4.64) $0.42  $(4.22)

- Diluted

 $8.48  $0.35  $8.83    $(4.64) $0.42  $(4.22)
  2002

    2001

 
(In millions, except per share amounts) As
Originally
Reported
  Adjustment  As
Adjusted
    As
Originally
Reported
  Adjustment  As
Adjusted
 

USSE

 $110  $(5) $105    $123  $1  $124 

Total reportable segments

  (25)  (5)  (30)    (418)  1   (417)

Total income (loss) from operations

  128   (5)  123     (405)  1   (404)

Net interest and other financial costs

  115   (24)  91     141   (4)  137 

Income tax provision (benefit)

  (48)  (1)  (49)    (328)  (2)  (330)

Net income (loss) before extraordinary item and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles per share

 $61  $20  $81    $(218) $7  $(211)

Per common share:

                          

- Basic

 $0.62  $0.21  $0.83    $(2.45) $0.08  $(2.37)

- Diluted

 $0.62  $0.21  $0.83    $(2.45) $0.08  $(2.37)

Net income (loss)

 $61  $20  $81    $(218) $7  $(211)

Per common share:

                          

- Basic

 $0.62  $0.21  $0.83    $(2.45) $0.08  $(2.37)

- Diluted

 $0.62  $0.21  $0.83    $(2.45) $0.08  $(2.37)
  2004

    2003

 
(In millions, except per share amounts) As
Originally
Reported
  Adjustment  As
Adjusted
    As
Originally
Reported
  Adjustment  As
Adjusted
 

Balance Sheet Position at Year-End

                          

Current assets

 $4,243  $108  $4,351    $3,106  $59  $3,165 

Total assets

  10,956   108   11,064     7,837   59   7,896 

Other current liabilities

  2,523   4   2,527     2,084   (1)  2,083 

Stockholders’ equity

  3,970   104   4,074     1,093   60   1,153 
  2002

    2001

 
(In millions, except per share amounts) As
Originally
Reported
  Adjustment  As
Adjusted
    As
Originally
Reported
  Adjustment  As
Adjusted
 

Balance Sheet Position at Year-End

                          

Current assets

 $2,440  $14  $2,454    $2,073  $(5) $2,068 

Total assets

  7,977   14   7,991     8,337   (5)  8,332 

Other current liabilities

  1,346   (3)  1,343     1,226   (2)  1,224 

Stockholders’ equity

  2,027   17   2,044     2,506   (3)  2,503 

Item 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Conclusions Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of U. S. Steel’s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, U. S. Steel conducted an evaluation of itsour disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, U. S. Steel’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that U. S. Steel’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Management’s Reports to Stockholders – Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.”

 

Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 20052006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, U. S. Steel’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

Information concerning the directors of U. S. Steel required by this item is incorporated and made part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the heading “Election of Directors” in U. S. Steel’s Proxy Statement for the 20062007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year. Information concerning the Audit and Finance Committee and its financial expert required by this item is incorporated and made part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the heading “The Board of Directors and its Committees – Audit & Finance Committee” in U. S. Steel’s Proxy Statement for the 20062007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Information regarding the Nominating Committee required by this item is incorporated and made part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the heading “The Board of Directors and its Committees – Corporate Governance & Public Policy Committee” in U. S. Steel’s Proxy Statement for the 20062007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Information regarding the ability of stockholders to communicate with the Board of Directors is incorporated and made part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the heading “Communications from Security Holders”Holders and Interested Parties” in U. S. Steel’s Proxy Statement for the 20062007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act required by this item is incorporated and made part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in U. S. Steel’s Proxy Statement for the 20062007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Information concerning the executive officers of U. S. Steel is contained in Part I of this Form 10-K under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant.”

 

U. S. Steel has adopted a Code of Ethical Business Conduct that applies to all of itsour directors and officers, including itsour principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. U. S. Steel will provide a copy of this code free of charge upon request. To obtain a copy, contact the Office of the Corporate Secretary, United States Steel Corporation, 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-2800 (telephone: 412-433-4801). The Code of Ethical Business Conduct is also available through the Company’s web site atwww.ussteel.com. U. S. Steel does not intend to incorporate the contents of itsour web site into this document.

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Information required by this item is incorporated and made part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the heading “Executive Compensation” in U. S. Steel’s Proxy Statement for the 20062007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Item 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Plan Category  (1) Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
  (2) Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
  (3) Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (1))

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(a)

  2,137,851  $34.22  6,756,308(b)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(c)

  65,444  (one for one)  0

Total

  2,203,295    6,756,308

Plan Category  (1) Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
  (2) Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
  (3) Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in Column (1))

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(a)

  1,647,146  $40.82  5,792,818(b)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(c)

  59,179  (one for one)  0

Total

  1,706,325    5,792,818
 (a)ColumnThe numbers in columns (1) and (3) of this row reflectsreflect all shares that could potentially be issued as a result of outstanding grants under the U. S. Steel 2002 Stock Plan and the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2005.2006. Because outstanding options under the USX 1990 Stock Plan were converted to options under the U. S. Steel 2002 Stock Plan at the time of separation from Marathon Oil Corporation (formerly USX Corporation), these numbers include shares that may be issued as a result of grants originally made under the USX 1990 Stock Plan. (For more information, see Note 1712 to the Financial Statements.) Column (1) includes 12112,620 Common Stock Units that have been issued pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Program for Non-Employee Directors anand 2,000 shares issued pursuant to the Non-Employee Director Stock Program (both amended programprograms are now under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. ColumnPlan). The calculation in column (2) excludes thesedoes not include the Common Stock Units since the weighted average exercise price for Common Stock Units under the program is one for one; that is, one share of common stock will be given in exchange for each unit of such phantom stock accumulated through the date of the director’s retirement.

(b)This number includes 6,748,408 shares available for grant The Non-Employee Director Stock Plan was amended in 2005 to make it a program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and 7,900 shares that remain available forPlan. All future grants under this amended plan/program will count as shares issued pursuant to the 20022005 Stock Incentive Plan, which terminates on December 31, 2006.a shareholder approved plan.

(b)Represents shares available under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.
 (c)ColumnAt December 31, 2006, U. S. Steel had no securities remaining for future issuance under equity compensation plans that had not been approved by security holders.Column (1) represents Common Stock Units that were issued pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors prior to its being amended to make it a program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.Plan, and Common Stock Units issued pursuant to a one-time grant to non-employee directors in 2005. The weighted average exercise price for Common Stock Units in column (2) is one for one; that is, one share of common stock will be given in exchange for each unit of phantom stock upon the director’s retirement from the Board of Directors. All future grants under this amended plan/program will count as shares issued pursuant to the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, a shareholder approved plan. As of December 31, 2005, U. S. Steel had no equity compensation plans that had not been approved by security holders.

 

Other information required by this item is incorporated and made part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the headings “Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” in U. S. Steel’s Proxy Statement for the 20062007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Information required by this item is incorporated and made part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the heading “Transactions”“Policy with Respect to Related Person Transactions” in U. S. Steel’s Proxy Statement for the 20062007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

Information required by this item is incorporated and made part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the heading “Information Regarding the Independence of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in U. S. Steel’s Proxy Statement for the 20062007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

PART IV

 

Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

A. Documents Filed as Part of the Report

 

1.    Financial Statements

Financial Statements filed as part of this report are included in “Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” beginning on page F-1.

 

2.    Financial Statement Schedules and Supplementary Data

“Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves” is included on page 76.74. All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is contained in the applicable financial statements or notes thereto.

 

“Supplementary Data – Disclosures About Forward-Looking Statements” is provided beginning on page 80.77.

 

B. Exhibits

 

Exhibits 10(a) through 10(j)10(g) and Exhibit 10(s)Exhibits 10(m) through 10(jj)10(cc) are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

 

Exhibit No.

 

3.    Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

 

(a)   United States Steel Corporation Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated
September 30, 2003

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(b)   United States Steel Corporation By-Laws, dated April 30, 2002

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-A filed on February 6, 2003, Commission File Number 1-16811.

 

4.    Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures

 

(a)   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 22, 2004

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(b)   Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated as of October 22, 2004 among United States Steel Corporation and JPMorgan Chase Bank as Collateral Agent

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(c)    Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 20, 2003 by and among JPMorgan Chase Bank, as a Funding Agent; the Bank of Nova Scotia, as a Funding Agent and as Receivables Collateral Agent; JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Lender Agent; U. S. Steel Receivables LLC, as Transferor; and United States Steel Corporation, as Originator, as Initial Servicer and as Borrower

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(d)   Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2001, between United States Steel Corporation and Mellon Investor Services, LLC, as Rights Agent

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-A/A filed on December 31, 2001, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(e)   Form of Indenture among United States Steel LLC, Issuer; USX Corporation, Guarantor; and the Bank of New York, Trustee

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to United States Steel LLC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A (File No. 333-71454) filed on November 1, 2001.

(f)     Indenture dated July 27, 2001 among United States Steel LLC and United States Steel Financing Corp., Co-Issuers; USX Corporation, Guarantor; and the Bank of New York, Trustee, regarding 1010- 3/4% Notes Due August 1, 2008

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(f) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(g)   First Supplemental Indenture, dated November 26, 2001 to the Indenture dated July 27, 2001 among United States Steel LLC and United States Steel Financing Corp., Co-Issuers; USX Corporation, Guarantor; and the Bank of New York, Trustee, regarding 1010- 3/4% Notes Due August 1, 2008

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(g) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(h)   Second Supplemental Indenture dated May 20, 2003 among United States Steel LLC and United States Steel Financing Corp., Co-Issuers; USX Corporation, Guarantor; and the Bank of New York, Trustee, regarding 1010- 3/4% Notes due August 1, 2008

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to United States Steel Corporation���sCorporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2003, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(i)     Third Supplemental Indenture dated December 13, 2006 between United States Steel Corporation (formerly known as United States Steel LLC), Issuer, and the Bank of New York, Trustee, regarding 10- 3/4% Notes due August 1, 2008

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on December 13, 2006, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(j)     Officer’s Certificate dated May 20, 2003 setting forth the terms and conditions of the 99- 3/4% Senior Notes due 2010 pursuant to the Indenture dated as of May 20, 2003 between United States Steel Corporation and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2003, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(j)(k)    Certificate of Designation respecting the Series A Junior Preferred Stock

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(h) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(k)(l)     Certificate of Designation respecting the 7% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Shares

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(l)(m)  Facility Agreement dated 15 December 2005 among U. S. Steel Kosice, s.r.o. and ING Bank N.V., CITIBANK, N.A. Bahrain, and Slovenská Sporentel’ňa, a.s. as arrangers

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

Certain long-term debt instruments are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. U. S. Steel agrees to furnish to the Commission on request a copy of any instrument defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of U. S. Steel and of any subsidiary for which consolidated or unconsolidated financial statements are required to be filed.

 

10.    Material Contracts

 

(a)       United States Steel Corporation 2002 Stock Plan, as amended April 26, 2005

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(b)       United States Steel Corporation Senior Executive Officer Annual Incentive Compensation PlanManagement Supplemental Pension Program

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, Commission File Number 1-16811

(c)       United States Steel Corporation Supplemental Thrift Program

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002,2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(c)       United States Steel Corporation Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, Commission File Number 1-16811.1-16811

(d)       United States Steel Corporation Non-Officer Restricted Stock Plan

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(e)       United States Steel Corporation Executive Management Supplemental Pension Program

(f)        United States Steel Corporation Supplemental Thrift Program

(g)       United States Steel Corporation Deferred Compensation Program for Non-Employee Directors, a program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on December 2, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(h)(e)       Form of Severance Agreements between the Corporation and its Officers

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on December 9, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(i)(f)        Agreement between United States Steel Corporation and John P. Surma, executed December 21, 2001

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(j) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(j)(g)       Retention Agreement between United States Steel Corporation and Dan D. Sandman, executed September 14, 2001

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(k)(h)       Tax Sharing Agreement between USX Corporation (renamed Marathon Oil Corporation) and United States Steel Corporation

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2002, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(l)(i)        Financial Matters Agreement between USX Corporation (renamed Marathon Oil Corporation) and United States Steel Corporation

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2002, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(m)(j)        Second Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated November 28, 2001as of September 27, 2006 among U. S. Steel Receivables, as Seller; United States Steel LLC,Corporation, as initial Servicer; the persons party thereto as CP Conduit Purchasers, Committed Purchasers, LC Banks and Funding Agents; and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Collateral Agent

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(n)10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001,8-K filed on September 28, 2006, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(n)(k)       Purchase and Sale Agreement dated November 28, 2001 among United States Steel LLC, as initial Servicer and as Originator; and U. S. Steel Receivables LLC as purchaser and contributee

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(o) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(o)(l)        First Amendment dated May 6, 2002,to the Purchase and Second Amendment dated November 27, 2002, to Amended and Restated Receivables PurchaseSale Agreement dated November 28, 2001as of September 27, 2006 among United States Steel Corporation and U. S. Steel Receivables as Seller; United States Steel LLC as initial Servicer; the persons party thereto as CP Conduit Purchasers, Committed Purchasers and Funding Agents; and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Collateral AgentLLC.

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(p)10.2 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002,8-K filed on September 28, 2006, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(p)       Third Amendment dated May 19, 2003, Fourth Amendment dated May 30, 2003, and Fifth Amendment dated July 30, 2003 to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated November 28, 2001 among U. S. Steel Receivables as Seller; United States Steel LLC as initial Servicer; the persons party thereto as CP Conduit Purchasers, Committed Purchasers and Funding Agents; and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Collateral Agent

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(q) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(q)       Sixth Amendment dated March 30, 2005 to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated November 28, 2001 among U. S. Steel Receivables as Seller; United States Steel LLC as initial Servicer; the persons party thereto as CP Conduit Purchasers, Committed Purchasers and Funding Agents; and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Collateral Agent

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(r)        Seventh Amendment dated November 23, 2005 to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated November 28, 2001 among U. S. Steel Receivables as Seller; United States Steel LLC as initial Servicer; the persons party thereto as CP Conduit Purchasers, Committed Purchasers and Funding Agents; and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Collateral Agent

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on November 23, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(s)       Employment and Consulting Agreement between United States Steel Corporation and Thomas J. Usher, executed February 13, 2003

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(q) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(t)(m)     Form of Restricted Stock Grant under the United States Steel Corporation 2002 Stock Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(s) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(u)(n)       Form of Stock Option Grant to Officer-Directors under the United States Steel Corporation 2002 Stock Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(t) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(v)(o)       Form of Stock Option Grant to Executive Management Committee Members under the United States Steel Corporation 2002 Stock Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(u) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(w)      November 29, 2005 Amendment to the February 13, 2003 Employment and Consulting Agreement between United States Steel Corporation and Thomas J. Usher

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on December 2, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(x)       Certain compensation arrangements for named executive officers.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(y)       Summary(p)       Base Salaries of non-employee director compensation arrangementsNamed Executive Officers.

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005,2006, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(z)(q)       Summary of non-employee director compensation arrangements

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(r)        Non-Tax Qualified Pension Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(z) to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(aa)(s)       2005 Stock Incentive Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to United States Steel Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 11, 2005.

(bb)(t)        Administrative Regulations for the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K dated November 29, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(cc)(u)       2005 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Appendix C to United States Steel Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 11, 2005.

(dd)(v)       Administrative Regulations for the Executive Management Annual Incentive Compensation Program under the 2005 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on February 13, 2006, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(ee)(w)      Non-Employee Director Stock Program, a program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(ff)(x)       Form of stock option grant under the Long-Term Incentive CompensationCompenstation Program, a program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

  

(gg)(y)       Form of restricted stock grant under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program, a program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

  

(hh)(z)       Form of performance award grant under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program, a program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

  

(ii)(aa)    Form of performance restricted stock grant, with vesting on the first anniversary, under the the 2002 Stock Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(jj)(bb)    Form of performance restricted stock grant, with vesting 1/2 each on the second and third anniversaries, under the the 2002 Stock Plan

 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2005, Commission File Number 1-16811.

(cc)     Form of agreement between United States Steel Corporation and Dan D. Sandman, amending the Retention Agreement between United States Steel Corporation and Dan D. Sandman, executed September 14, 2001

 12.1Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

 

12.2Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

12.1  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

 

18.Preferability Letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

12.2  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

21.List of Subsidiaries

21.    List of Subsidiaries

 

23.Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

23.    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

24.    Powers of Attorney

 

24.Powers of Attorney

31.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rules 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities

          Exchange Act of 1934, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to

          Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

31.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rules 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rules 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities

         Exchange Act of 1934, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to

         Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

31.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rules 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to

         Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to

32.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

         Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 2004 AND 20032004

(Millions of Dollars)

 

     Additions

         Additions

    
Description  Balance at
Beginning
of Period
  Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
  Charged to
Other
Accounts
 Deductions(a) Balance at
End of
Period
  Balance at
Beginning
of Period
  Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
  Charged to
Other
Accounts
 Deductions(a) Balance at
End of
Period

Year ended December 31, 2006:

         

Reserves deducted in the balance sheet from the assets to which they apply:

         

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $68  $5  $  $15  $58

Investments and long-term receivables reserve

   2   3   3   2   6

Deferred tax valuation allowance:

         

Federal

               

State

         1      1

Foreign

   81      9      90

Year ended December 31, 2005:

                  

Reserves deducted in the balance sheet from the assets to which they apply:

                  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $100  $10  $  $42  $68  $100  $10  $  $42  $68

Investments and long-term receivables reserve

   4         (2)  2   4         2   2

Deferred tax valuation allowance:

                  

Federal

                              

State

                              

Foreign

   48      33      81   48      33      81

Year ended December 31, 2004:

                  

Reserves deducted in the balance sheet from the assets to which they apply:

                  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $129  $16  $7(b) $52  $100  $129  $16  $7(b) $52  $100

Investments and long-term receivables reserve

   4            4   4            4

Deferred tax valuation allowance:

                  

Federal

   177         177(c)     177         177(c)  

State

   32         32(c)     32         32(c)  

Foreign(e)

   32      16      48   32      16      48

Year ended December 31, 2003:

         

Reserves deducted in the balance sheet from the assets to which they apply:

         

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $57  $43  $39(b) $10  $129

Investments and long-term receivables reserve

   2   2         4

Deferred tax valuation allowance:

         

Federal

         177(c)     177

State

   7      32(c)  7   32

Foreign(e)

   23      9(d)     32
(a)Deductions for the allowance for doubtful accounts and long-term receivables include amounts written off as uncollectible, net of recoveries and net foreign currency exchange gains and/or losses. Unless otherwise noted, reductionsdecreases in the tax valuation allowances reflect changes in the amount of deferred taxes expected to be realized, resulting in credits to the provision for income taxes.
(b)Relates to the consolidation of the Clairton 1314B Partnership in 2004, and to the acquisition of National Steel Corporation in 2003.Partnership.
(c)Reflects valuation allowance charged/credited to equity in 2003 for deferred tax assets related to minimum pension liability adjustments and reversed through equity in 2004 when the minimum pension liability was no longer necessary.
(d)Includes $4 million related to the acquisition of Sartid.
(e)Adjusted from amounts previously reported due to a revision in the estimate of USSB deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance.

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity indicated on February 28, 2006.27, 2007.

 

UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION

 

By:

 

/s/ Larry G. Schultz

  

Larry G. Schultz

Vice President and& Controller

 

Signature


  

Title


/s/ John P. Surma Jr.


John P. Surma Jr.

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors and

Chief Executive Officer and Director

/s/ Gretchen R. Haggerty


Gretchen R. Haggerty

  

Executive Vice President

and& Chief Financial Officer

/s/ Larry G. Schultz


Larry G. Schultz

  

Vice President and& Controller

*


J. Gary Cooper

  

Director

*


Robert J. Darnall

  

Director

*


John G. Drosdick

  

Director

*


Richard A. Gephardt

  

Director

*


Charles R. Lee

  

Director

*


Jeffrey M. Lipton

Director

*


Frank J. Lucchino

  

Director

*


Dan D. Sandman

Vice Chairman and Chief Legal & Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary and

Director


Seth E. Schofield

  

Director

*


Douglas C. Yearley

  

Director

 

* By: /s/ Gretchen R. Haggerty
    Gretchen R. Haggerty, Attorney-in-Fact

GLOSSARY OF CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

 

The following definitions apply to terms used in this document:

 

1314B Partnership

  Clairton 1314B Partnership, L.P.

ABO

  accumulated benefit obligation

ADEM

  Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Acero Prime

  Acero Prime, S.R.L. de CV

CAA

  Clean Air Act

CDC

  Chrome Deposit Corporation

CERCLA

  Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

CMS

  Corrective Measure Study

CWA

  Clean Water Act

Delray

Delray Connecting Railroad Company

DESCO

  Double Eagle Steel Coating Company

DOC

  U.S. Department of Commerce

DOJ

U.S. Department of Justice

Double G

  Double G Coatings Company LLC

EC

  European Commission

EPA

  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

ERW

electric resistance weld

EU

  European Union

FAS

  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards

FASB

  Financial Accounting Standards Board

FIN

  FASB Interpretation Number

Flat-Rolled

  Flat-Rolled Products segment

FPC

  Feralloy Processing Company

FS

Feasibility Study

IDEM

  Indiana Department of Environmental Management

ITC

  U.S. International Trade Commission

KDHE

  Kansas Department of Health & Environment

Keetac

  U. S. Steel’s iron ore operations at Keewatin, Minnesota

Kobe

  Kobe Steel, Ltd.

LAER

  Lowest Achievable Emission Rate

MACT

  Maximum Achievable Control Technology

Marathon

Marathon Oil Corporation

Mining Sale

The sale of U. S. Steel’s coal mines and related assets

Ministry

  Slovak Ministry of the Environment

Minntac

  U. S. Steel’s iron ore operations at Mt. Iron, Minnesota

National

National Steel Corporation

NOV

  Notice of Violation

NPDES

  National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

OPEB

other postretirement benefits

PADEP

  Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

PADER

  Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources

POSCO

  Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.

ProCoil

ProCoil Company LLC

PRO-TEC

  PRO-TEC Coating Company, U. S. Steel and Kobe Steel Ltd. joint venture

PRP

  potentially responsible party

RCRA

  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

RI

  Remedial Investigation

RFI

  RCRA Facility Investigation

Sartid

Sartid a.d. (In Bankruptcy), a former integrated steel company in Serbia, and certain of its subsidiaries

Senior Notes

  U. S. Steel’s 10 3/4% senior notes due 2008 and its 9 3/4% senior notesSenior Notes due 2010

Series B Preferred

  U. S. Steel’s 7% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Shares

SPT

Steelworkers Pension Trust

Straightline

Straightline Source

TAP

Transition Assistance Program

tons

  net tons

Tubular

  Tubular Products segment

USS-POSCO

  USS-POSCO Industries, U. S. Steel and Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. joint venture

USSB

  U. S. Steel Balkan, U. S. Steel’s integrated steel mill and other facilities in Serbia

USSE

  U. S. Steel Europe segment

USSK

  U. S. Steel Kosice,Košice, U. S. Steel’s integrated steel facilitiesmill in Slovakia

USSR

  U. S. Steel Receivables LLC

USWAUSW

  United Steelworkers of America

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

DISCLOSURES ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

U. S. Steel includes forward-looking statements concerning trends, market forces, commitments, material events or other contingencies potentially affecting the Company in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, external documents and oral presentations. In order to take advantage ofaccordance with “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, U. S. Steel is filing the following cautionary language identifying important factors (though not necessarily all such factors) that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from information set forth in forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, U. S. Steel and itsour representatives.

 

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

 

Forward-looking statements with respect to U. S. Steel may include, but are not limited to, comments about general business strategies, financing decisions, projections of levels of revenues, income from operations or income from operations per ton, net income or earnings per share; levels of capital, environmental or maintenance expenditures; levels of employee benefits; the success or timing of completion of ongoing or anticipated capital or maintenance projects; levels of raw steel production capability, prices, production, shipments, or labor and raw material costs; availability of raw materials; the acquisition, idling, shutdown or divestiture of assets or businesses; the effect of restructuring or reorganization of business components and cost-reduction programs; the effect of potential steel industry consolidation; the effect of potential legal proceedings on theour business and financial condition; the effects of actions of third parties such as competitors, or foreign, federal, state or local regulatory authorities; and the effects of import quotas, tariffs and other protectionist measures.

 

Forward-looking statements typically contain words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “predicts” or “projects,” or variations of these words, suggesting that future outcomes are uncertain. The following discussion is intended to identify important factors (though not necessarily all such factors) that could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements with respect to U. S. Steel.

 

Liquidity Factors

 

U. S. Steel’s ability to finance itsour future business requirements through internally generated funds (including assets sales), proceeds from the sale of stock, borrowings and other external financing sources is affected by itsour performance (as measured by various factors, including cash provided from operating activities), levels of inventories and accounts receivable, the state of worldwide debt and equity markets, investor perceptions and expectations of past and future performance and actions, the overall U.S. and international financial climate, and, in particular, with respect to borrowings, by the level of U. S. Steel’s outstanding debt, itsour ability to comply with debt covenants and itsour credit ratings by rating agencies. To the extent that U. S. Steel management’s assumptions concerning these factors prove to be inaccurate, U. S. Steel may have difficulty obtaining the funds necessary to maintain or expand itsour operations.

 

Market Factors

 

U. S. Steel’s expectations as to levels of production and revenues, gross margins, income from operations and income from operations per ton are based upon assumptions as to future product prices and mix, and levels of raw steel production capability, production and shipments. These assumptions may prove to be inaccurate.

 

The global steel industry is cyclical, and highly competitive and has historically has been characterized by excess world supply, which has restricted the ability of overcapacity.

U. S. Steel competes with many U.S. and the industry to raise prices during periods of economic growth and resist price decreases during periods of economic contraction. In 2004, worldwide supply and demand were more in balance and supply was constrained by the availability of raw materials largely due to growing demand in China. This led to substantial price increases that continued into early 2005. Starting in the second quarter, excess service center inventory levels began to exert downward pressure on flat-rolled spot prices. Prices have strengthened recently as worldwide supply and demand returned to a more balanced position.international steel producers. Competitors include integrated producers which, like U. S. Steel, reduceduse iron ore and coke as primary raw materials for steel production, to respond to lower demand during much of 2005, and it has been reported that a number of

domesticmini-mills, which primarily use steel scrap and, international competitors did soincreasingly, iron-bearing feedstocks as well. Current flat-rolled price levels are not nearly as high as those experienced in early 2005 and in late 2004. Supply and demand relationships worldwide are heavily influenced by supply and demand in China.raw materials.

 

Domestic flat-rolledFlat-rolled steel supply in the U.S. has increased in recent years with the growth of minimills. These facilities are less expensive to build than integratedMini-mills typically require lower capital expenditures for construction of facilities and are typically staffed by non-unionized work forces withmay have lower total labor costs. Throughemployment costs;

however, these competitive advantages may be more than offset by the usecost of scrap when scrap prices are high. Some mini-mills utilize thin slab casting technology to produce flat-rolled products and the developing cast strip technologies, some minimill competitors are increasingly able to compete directly with integrated producers of higher value-addedflat-rolled products, who are able to manufacture a broader range of products. Such competition could adversely affect U. S. Steel’s future product prices and shipment levels.

 

USSE does business primarily in Centralcentral, western and Westernsouthern Europe and is subject to market conditions in those areas which are influenced by many of the same factors which affect domestic markets in the U.S., as well as matters peculiar to international markets such as quotas and tariffs. USSE is affected by the worldwide overcapacity in the steel industry and the cyclical nature of demand for steel products and that demand’s sensitivity to worldwide general economic conditions. In particular, USSE is subject to economic conditions and political factors in Europe, which if changed could negatively affect itsour results of operations and cash flow. Political factors include, but are not limited to, taxation, nationalization, inflation, currency fluctuations, increased regulation, limits on emissions, quotas, tariffs and other protectionist measures. USSE is affected by the volatility of raw materials prices, and USSB has recently been affected in the past by curtailments of natural gas available in the one pipeline that supplies Serbia. USSE is also subject to foreign currency exchange risks because portions of USSE’s revenues and costs are in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.euro. USSK and USSB are susceptible to these risks as they arise in Slovakia and the Union of Serbia, and Montenegro, respectively.

 

The domestic steel industry in the U.S. has, in the past, been adversely affected by unfairly traded imports. Steel imports to the United States, which reached all-time highs in 2006, accounted for an estimated 2531 percent of the domestic steelU.S. Steel market in 2006, 25 percent in 2005 and 26 percent in 20042004. Increases in future levels of imported steel could reduce future market prices and 19 percentdemand levels for steel produced in 2004.our U.S. facilities. Foreign competitors typicallymay have lower labor costs, and some are often owned, controlled or subsidized by their governments, allowing their production and pricing decisions to be influenced by political and economic policy considerations as well as prevailing market conditions. Increases in future levels of imported steel could reduce future market prices and demand levels for domestic steel.

Over the last several years, the global steel industry has been impacted by steel production and consumption increases in China and other developing countries. Overcapacity in China and other developing economies may have a negative impact on us.

 

U. S. Steel also competes in many markets with producers of substitutes for steel products, including aluminum, cement, composites, glass, plastics and wood. The emergence of additional substitutes for steel products could adversely affect future prices and demand for steel products.

 

Many of U. S. Steel’s customers are in cyclical industries such as automotive, appliance, container, construction and energy. As a result, futureFuture downturns in the economy in the U.S. or Europe or any of these industries could reduce the need for U. S. Steel’sSteel ‘s products and adversely affect itsour profitability.

 

Operating and Cost Factors

 

The operations of U. S. Steel are subject to planned and unplanned outages due to maintenance, equipment malfunctions at our facilities or those of our key suppliers or work stoppages; and various hazards, including explosions, power outages, fires, floods, accidents, and severe weather conditions and logistical disruptions (such as shortages of barges, rail cars or trucks), which could disrupt operations or the availability of raw materials, resulting in reduced production volumes and increased production costs.

 

As an integrated steel producer, U. S. Steel utilizes coal, coke, iron ore and, to a lesser extent, steel scrap as itsour major raw materials. U. S. Steel (1) purchases 100 percent of itsour coal requirements; (2) has the capability to source the majority of its domesticour coke requirements for cokein the U.S. from owned and/or operated facilities in the U.S.; (3) purchases a portion of coke requirements for USSE; (4) has the capability to source 100 percent of its domesticour iron ore requirements for iron orein the U.S. from owned facilities in the U.S., (5) purchases 100 percent of iron ore requirements for USSE; and (6) purchases steel scrap above that generated through itsour normal U.S. operations domestically and for USSE.USSE; and (7) purchases 100 percent of zinc and tin requirements. Global raw material prices escalated to unprecedented levels in 2004 and these commodities remain very expensive. To the extent that U. S. Steel purchases raw materials, market or contract prices for such purchases can have major negative impacts on production costs.

Labor costs for U. S. Steel are affected by collective bargaining agreements. Most domestic hourly employees of U. S. Steel’s steel, coke and iron ore pellet facilities are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers of America (USWA)(USW), which expires in September 2008 and contains a no-strike provision. At Granite City Works, employees who work in the cokemaking and blast furnace operations are represented by the International Chemical Workers Union; and a small number of employees are represented by the Bricklayers and Laborers International unions. Agreements with these unions expire in November and December 2008, and also contain no-strike provisions. Domestic hourly employees engaged in transportation activities are represented by the USWAUSW and other unions and are covered by collective bargaining agreements with varying expiration dates. In Europe, most represented employees at USSK are represented by the OZ Metalurg union and are covered by an agreement that expires in December 2007, which is subject to annual wage negotiations. Most2007. Represented employees at USSB are represented by three unions and are covered by a three-year collective bargaining agreement that expires in November 2006, which is also subject2009. Wage increases have been agreed to for all three years; therefore, there will be no annual wage negotiations. On February 10, 2006, USSB and two of the three unions agreed to the hourly base earnings for 2006 and signed an annex to the collective bargaining agreement. As of the date of this filing, the largest labor union at USSB had not agreed to the 2006 hourly base earnings or signed the annex. The agreements at USSK and USSB include improvements in the employees’ social and wage benefits and work conditions. To the extent that increased labor costs are not recoverable through the sales prices of products, future income from operations would be reduced.

 

Domestic laborLabor costs for U. S. Steel in the U.S. are affected by three profit-based payments pursuant to the provisions of the 2003 labor agreement negotiated with the USWA.USW. Payment amounts per the agreement with the USWAUSW are calculated as percentagesa percentage of consolidated income from operations after special items (as defined in the agreement) and are: (1) to be contributed to the National Benefit Trust, the purpose of which (when established) isused to assist retirees from National retireesSteel with healthcarehealth care costs, based on between 6 percent and 7.5 percent of profit; (2) to be used to offset a portion of future medical insurance premiums to be paid by U. S. Steel retirees based on 5 percent of profit above $15 per ton; and (3) paid as profit sharing to active union employees based on 7.5 percent of profit between $10 and $50 per ton and 10 percent of profit above $50 per ton. At the end of 2003 and 2004, assumptions for the second calculation above were included in the calculation of retiree medical liabilities, andLabor costs for this item were calculated and recorded through the income statementU. S. Steel in the same manner as other retiree medical expenses.Europe are also impacted by profit-based payments.

 

Future net periodic benefit costs (credits) for pensions and other postretirement benefits can be volatile and depend on the future marketplace performance of plan assets; changes in actuarial assumptions regarding such factors as selection of a discount rate, the expected rate of return on plan assets and escalation of retiree health care costs; plan amendments affecting benefit payout levels; and profile changes in the beneficiary populations being valued. Changes in the assumptions or differences between actual and expected changes in the present value of liabilities or assets of U. S. Steel’s plans could cause net periodic benefit costs to increase or decrease materially from year to year. Income (loss) from operations for U. S. Steel included net periodic pension costs (excluding multiemployer plans) of $253$202 million in 2006, $280 million in 2005 $228and $254 million in 2004, and $544 million in 2002, respectively. Income (loss) from operations also included $110 million, $109 million $106 million and $233$106 million of expense for retiree medical and life insurance (excluding multiemployer plans) in 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003,2004, respectively. Based on preliminary actuarial information for 2005,2007, U. S. Steel expects annual net periodic pension costs (excluding multiemployer plans) to be $159$113 million and annual retiree medical and life insurance costs (excluding multiemployer plans) to be $111$124 million. To the extent that these costs increase in the future, income from operations would be reduced.

 

At December 31, 2005,2006, U. S. Steel’s underfunded benefit obligation for retiree medical and life insurance was $2.3$2.2 billion, an improvement of $10$72 million from the amount at the end of 2004.2005. Also, the funded status of the projected pension benefit obligation declinedimproved from an underfunded position of $381 million at year-end 2004 to ana net underfunded position of $606 million at year-end 2005.2005 to a net overfunded position of $210 million at year-end 2006. To the extent that competitors do not provide similar benefits, or have been relieved of obligations to provide such benefits following bankruptcy reorganization, the competitive position of U. S. Steel may be adversely affected. Preliminary funding valuations of the main defined benefit pension plan as of December 31, 2005,2006, indicate that the plan will not require cash funding for the 20062007 plan year.year although we anticipate making a voluntary contribution of $140 million to the plan in 2007. The level of cash funding in future years depends upon various factors such as future asset performance, the level of interest rates used to measure ERISA minimum funding levels, the impacts of business acquisitions or sales, union negotiated changes and future government regulation. The amount of annual contributions may be substantially increased if Congress adopts pension reform legislation such as that currently under consideration. U. S. Steel may make voluntary contributions in one or more future periods in order to mitigate potentially larger required contributions in later years. Any such funding requirements couldwill have an unfavorable impact on U. S. Steel’s cash flows and could negatively affect our ability to comply with itsour debt covenants and borrowing arrangements and cash flows.

arrangements.

Legal and Environmental Factors

 

The profitability of U. S. Steel’s operations could be affected by a number of contingencies, including legal actions. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the U. S. Steel financial statements.

The businesses of U. S. Steel are subject to numerous environmental laws. Certain current and former U. S. Steel operating facilities have been in operation for many years and could require significant future accruals and expenditures to meet existing and future requirements under these laws. To the extent that competitors are not required to undertake equivalent costs in their operations, the competitive position of U. S. Steel could be adversely affected.

 

For further discussion of certain of the factors described herein, and their potential effects on the businesses of U. S. Steel, see “Item 1. Business,” “Item 1A Risk Factors,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

 

8380