Exhibit 99.1 United States Steel Corporation Reports 2004 Second Quarter Results Earnings Highlights (dollars in millions except per share data) 2Q 2004 1Q 2004 2Q 2003 Revenues and other income $3,466 $2,963 $2,362 Segment income from operations Flat-rolled Products $335 $113 $(37) U. S. Steel Europe 76 40 67 Tubular Products 25 3 (3) Real Estate 3 14 16 Straightline (20) Other Businesses 15 (8) 4 Total segment income from operations $454 $162 $27 Retiree benefit expenses (65) (44) (20) Other items not allocated to segments (1) 33 35 Income from operations $388 $151 $42 Income before extraordinary loss and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $211 $44 $3 Net income (loss) $211 $58 $(49) - Per basic share $1.82 $0.51 $(0.51) - Per diluted share $1.62 $0.47 $(0.51) PITTSBURGH, July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) reported second quarter 2004 net income of $211 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, compared to net income of $58 million, or 47 cents per diluted share in 2004's first quarter, and a net loss of $49 million, or 51 cents per diluted share (after preferred stock dividends), in the second quarter of 2003. Diluted earnings per share for both 2004 quarters reflect the assumed conversion of the company's convertible preferred shares into approximately 16 million common shares. Second quarter 2004 income from operations was $388 million, or more than double the first quarter amount of $151 million, and a dramatic recovery from the $42 million in last year's second quarter. Commenting on the quarter's results, U. S. Steel Chairman and CEO Thomas J. Usher said, "Results for all major operating segments increased significantly compared to last quarter, reflecting strong demand across steel product lines and significantly better margins, as average prices increased steadily during the quarter. In fact, second quarter net income was the highest recorded since we began reporting steel results separately in 1991, and exceeded the previous best quarter by $59 million. We also continue to benefit from the acquisition of National and our ongoing cost reduction efforts." Net interest and other financial costs in second quarter 2004 included a $33 million charge resulting from the previously reported early redemption of senior debt in April. This charge and a small other item not allocated to segments reduced second quarter 2004 net income by $22 million, or 17 cents per diluted share. Other items not allocated to segments had favorable net income effects of $22 million, or 18 cents per diluted share on first quarter 2004 results and $23 million, or 22 cents per diluted share on second quarter 2003 results. First quarter 2004 results also included an income tax charge of $32 million, or 26 cents per diluted share. Reportable Segments and Other Businesses Management uses segment income from operations to evaluate company performance because it believes this to be a key measure of ongoing operating results. U. S. Steel's reportable segments and Other Businesses generated segment income from operations of $454 million, or $82 per ton, in the second quarter of 2004, compared with $162 million, or $29 per ton, in first quarter 2004 and $27 million, or $6 per ton, in 2003's second quarter. Second quarter 2004 domestic and European results benefited from significantly improved prices and margins, despite increased costs for purchased raw materials. Domestic results also included higher costs related to profit-based payments under the labor agreement with the United Steelworkers of America, which increased in line with improved profitability, and costs related to two blast furnace repair outages at Gary Works. One of these was completed during the second quarter and the other was completed in late July. Outlook Looking ahead, Usher stated, "We expect continued strong profitability through year-end resulting from robust worldwide steel pricing and tight supplies, as the world economy continues to recover and as demand from developing countries, especially China, remains at very high levels." Average prices for the Flat-rolled segment in the third quarter are expected to exceed second quarter levels, and benefits will be realized from a renegotiated coke sales agreement. Costs will continue to be affected by relatively high prices for purchased coke, scrap and natural gas. Flat-rolled segment shipments in the third quarter are expected to decline by approximately 200,000 tons compared to the second quarter mainly due to the blast furnace outages mentioned above and a planned third quarter blast furnace outage at Granite City Works. These outages will increase third quarter costs by approximately $20 million versus the second quarter. For full-year 2004, Flat-rolled segment shipments are expected to be 15.8 million tons. For U. S. Steel Europe (USSE), third quarter 2004 profit margins are expected to increase from the second quarter with realized prices improving due to the announced July 1 price increase. Higher raw material costs and planned outages on a number of key units will partially offset the price increase. Shipments for the quarter are expected to about equal second quarter levels and full-year 2004 shipments are currently estimated at 5.1 million net tons. For the Tubular segment, prices are expected to continue to increase, reflecting full-quarter realization of price increases implemented during the second quarter, as well as additional price increases. The Tubular segment expects annual shipments of about 1.0 million tons. This release contains forward-looking statements with respect to market conditions, operating costs, shipments and prices. Some factors, among others, that could affect market conditions, costs, shipments and prices for both domestic operations and USSE include global product demand, prices and mix; global and company steel production levels; availability and prices of raw materials; plant operating performance; the timing and completion of outages and other projects; natural gas prices and usage; changes in environmental, tax and other laws; the resumption of operations at steel facilities sold under the bankruptcy laws; employee strikes; power outages; and U.S. and global economic performance and political developments. Domestic steel shipments and prices could be affected by import levels and actions taken by the U.S. Government and its agencies. Political factors in Europe that may affect USSE's results include, but are not limited to, taxation, nationalization, inflation, currency fluctuations, increased regulation, export quotas, tariffs, and other protectionist measures. In accordance with "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, cautionary statements identifying important factors, but not necessarily all factors, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements have been included in the Form 10-K of U. S. Steel for the year ended December 31, 2003, and in subsequent filings by U. S. Steel. A Statement of Operations (Unaudited), Other Financial Data (Unaudited) and Preliminary Supplemental Statistics (Unaudited) for U. S. Steel are attached. The company will conduct a conference call on second quarter earnings on Tuesday, July 27, at 2 p.m. EDT. To listen to the webcast of the conference call, visit the U. S. Steel web site, www.ussteel.com , and click on the "Investors" button. For more information about U. S. Steel, visit its web site at www.ussteel.com . UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) ------------------------------------ Second Quarter Six Months Ended Ended June 30, June 30, (Dollars in millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME: Revenues $3,448 $2,311 $6,372 $4,209 Income (loss) from investees 13 (9) 19 (8) Net gains on disposal of assets 2 21 44 23 Other income 3 39 12 45 ----- ----- ----- ----- Total revenues and other income 3,466 2,362 6,447 4,269 ----- ----- ----- ----- COSTS AND EXPENSES: Cost of revenues (excludes items shown below) 2,816 2,091 5,368 3,823 Selling, general and administrative expenses 169 142 349 271 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 93 87 191 177 ----- ----- ----- ----- Total costs and expenses 3,078 2,320 5,908 4,271 ----- ----- ----- ----- INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS 388 42 539 (2) Net interest and other financial costs 86 42 138 80 ----- ----- ----- ----- INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES, MINORITY INTERESTS, EXTRAORDINARY LOSS AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES 302 -- 401 (82) Income tax provision (benefit) 86 (3) 137 (52) Minority interests 5 -- 9 -- ----- ----- ----- ----- INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY LOSS AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES 211 3 255 (30) Extraordinary loss, net of tax -- (52) -- (52) Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, net of tax -- -- 14 (5) ----- ----- ----- ----- NET INCOME (LOSS) 211 (49) 269 (87) Dividends on preferred stock (5) (5) (9) (7) ----- ----- ----- ----- NET INCOME (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK $206 $(54) $260 $(94) ===== ===== ===== ===== UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (Continued) ------------------------------------ Second Quarter Six Months Ended Ended June 30, June 30, COMMON STOCK DATA: 2004 2003 2004 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Per share: Income (loss) before extraordinary loss and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles: -Basic $1.82 $(.01) $2.24 $(.36) -Diluted $1.62 $(.01) $2.01 $(.36) Extraordinary loss, net of tax: -Basic $-- $(.50) $-- $(.50) -Diluted $-- $(.50) $-- $(.50) Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, net of tax: -Basic $-- $-- $.13 $(.05) -Diluted $-- $-- $.11 $(.05) Net income (loss): -Basic $1.82 $(.51) $2.37 $(.91) -Diluted $1.62 $(.51) $2.12 $(.91) Weighted average shares, in thousands - Basic 113,332 103,228 110,029 102,981 - Diluted 129,874 103,228 126,788 102,981 Dividends paid per common share $.05 $.05 $.10 $.10 UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION OTHER FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) ------------------------------------ Six Months Ended June 30, Cash Flow Data (In millions) 2004 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash provided from (used in) operating activities: Net income (loss) $269 $(87) Depreciation, depletion and amortization 191 177 Working capital changes (174) 44 Other operating activities 28 34 ------ ------ Total 314 168 ------ ------ Cash used in investing activities: Capital expenditures (165) (132) Acquisition of National Steel Corporation assets -- (872) Other investing activities 84 76 ------ ------ Total (81) (928) ------ ------ Cash provided from financing activities: Issuance of long-term debt -- 428 Repayment of long-term debt (289) (2) Preferred stock issued -- 242 Common stock issued 341 11 Dividends paid (19) (16) Other financing activities 8 (1) ------ ------ Total 41 662 ------ ------ Total net cash flow 274 (98) Cash at beginning of the year 316 243 ------ ------ Cash at end of the period $590 $145 ====== ====== June 30, Dec. 31, Balance Sheet Data (In millions) 2004 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents $590 $316 Other current assets 3,184 2,790 Property, plant and equipment - net 3,403 3,414 Other assets 1,223 1,317 ------ ------ Total assets $8,400 $7,837 ====== ====== Current liabilities $2,327 $2,127 Long-term debt 1,599 1,890 Employee benefits 2,447 2,382 Other long-term liabilities 317 343 Minority interests 28 2 Stockholders' equity 1,682 1,093 ------ ------ Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $8,400 $7,837 ====== ====== UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION PRELIMINARY SUPPLEMENTAL STATISTICS (Unaudited) ----------------------------------------------- Quarter Ended June 30, March 31, June 30, (Dollars in millions) 2004 2004 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS Flat-rolled Products(a) $335 $113 $(37) U. S. Steel Europe(b) 76 40 67 Tubular Products 25 3 (3) Real Estate 3 14 16 Straightline(a) (20) Other Businesses(c) 15 (8) 4 ----- ----- ----- Segment Income (Loss) from Operations 454 162 27 Retiree benefit expenses(d) (65) (44) (20) Other items not allocated to segments: Income from sale of certain assets -- 43 47 Stock appreciation rights (1) (10) (1) Asset impairments -- -- (11) ----- ----- ----- Total Income (Loss) from Operations $388 $151 $42 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES Flat-rolled Products(a) $37 $21 $23 U. S. Steel Europe(b) 40 39 22 Tubular Products 2 3 16 Real Estate -- -- -- Straightline -- Other Businesses(c) 16 7 8 ----- ----- ----- Total $95 $70 $69 OPERATING STATISTICS Average realized steel price: ($/net ton)(e) Flat-rolled Products(a) $583 $475 $420 Tubular Products 779 672 644 U. S. Steel Europe(b) 491 420 369 Steel Shipments:(e) (f) Flat-rolled Products(a) 3,982 4,161 3,202 Tubular Products 269 272 211 U. S. Steel Europe(b) 1,263 1,173 1,234 Raw Steel-Production:(f) Domestic Facilities 4,230 4,479 3,338 U. S. Steel Europe(b) 1,467 1,344 1,203 Raw Steel-Capability Utilization:(g) Domestic Facilities 87.5% 92.6% 84.5% U. S. Steel Europe(b) 79.5% 72.8% 96.5% Domestic iron ore production(f) 6,011 5,612 4,935 Domestic iron ore shipments(f)(h) 6,722 4,036 5,249 Domestic coke production(f)(j) 1,666 1,649 1,696 Domestic coke shipments(f)(i)(j) 642 672 860 ----------- (a)The Flat-rolled segment includes the residual effects of Straightline from January 1, 2004, and includes the results of National flat-rolled facilities from May 20, 2003. (b)Includes U. S. Steel's Serbian operations from September 12, 2003. Prior to September 12, 2003, included effects of activities under certain agreements with the former owner of the Serbian operations. (c)Excludes the coal mining business from June 30, 2003. Includes the results of the taconite pellet operations in Keewatin from May 20, 2003. (d)Includes certain profit-based expenses for U. S. Steel retirees and National retirees pursuant to provisions of the 2003 labor agreement with the USWA. (e)Excludes intersegment transfers. (f)Thousands of net tons. (g)Based on annual raw steel production capability for domestic facilities of 12.8 million net tons prior to May 20, 2003, and 19.4 million net tons thereafter; and annual raw steel production capability for U. S. Steel Europe of 5.0 million net tons prior to September 12, 2003, and 7.4 million net tons thereafter. (h)Includes trade shipments and intersegment transfers. (i)Includes trade shipments only. (j)Includes Clairton 1314B Partnership. SOURCE United States Steel Corporation -0- 07/27/2004 /CONTACT: Media, John Armstrong, +1-412-433-6792, or Investors-Analysts, Nick Harper, +1-412-433-1184, both of United States Steel Corporation/ /First Call Analyst: / /FCMN Contact: / /Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/929150.html/ /Web site: http://www.ussteel.com / (X) CO: United States Steel Corporation; U. S. Steel Europe; USSE ST: Pennsylvania IN: MNG SU: ERN ERP CCA MAV