United States Steel Provides Guidance, Expects Loss for Q1

United States Steel Corporation X has provided guidance for adjusted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2025 in the range of a loss of 53 cents to 49 cents. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter is projected to be around $125 million. The North American Flat-Rolled segment continues to perform well due to its commercial strategy and focus on operational efficiency and cost management. The Mini Mill segment is expected to show sequential growth driven by higher volumes from Big River Steel (BRS) and Big River 2 (BR2). In Europe, while pricing has slightly improved, demand remains weak. The company is adjusting its production to match customer demand and its planned maintenance. The Tubular segment is still facing challenges from the delayed effects of a weak pricing environment, but the company is hopeful for future pricing improvements.The company received strong customer feedback on the product quality of BR2 shipments as it steadily progresses toward full operational capacity and generating free cash flow this year. BR2 is poised to be a key contributor to the company’s 2025 EBITDA, with run-rate throughput expected in the second half of 2025 and full capability anticipated by 2026.The company’s shares have gained 1.6% in the past year compared with the Zacks Steel Producers industry’s 21.8% decline.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchU.S. Steel’s Rank & Key PicksU.S. Steel currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space include Carpenter Technology Corporation CRS, CSW Industrials Inc. CSWI and Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. AXTACarpenter Technology currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). CRS beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 15.7%. The company's shares have soared 169.6% in the past year. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CSW Industrials’ current fiscal-year earnings is pegged at $8.50. CSWI, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 10.1%. The company's shares have rallied 28.4% in the past year.Axalta Coating Systems, which currently carries a Zacks Rank #1, beat the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. In this time frame, it has delivered an earnings surprise of roughly 16.3%, on average. AXTA’s shares have gained 1.2% over the past year.  7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.3% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report United States Steel Corporation (X): Free Stock Analysis Report Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS): Free Stock Analysis Report Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (AXTA): Free Stock Analysis Report CSW Industrials, Inc. (CSWI): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks