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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

  [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2011

Or

 

  [   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     .

LOGO

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

1-16811

 

25-1897152

(State or other

jurisdiction of

incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA

 

15219-2800

(Address of principal executive offices)

  (Zip Code)

(412) 433-1121

(Registrant’s telephone number,

including area code)

 

 

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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   Ö   No     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes   Ö   No     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   Ö  

  Accelerated filer        Non-accelerated filer          Smaller reporting company         
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

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

Common stock outstanding at April 20, 2011 – 143,768,000 shares


Table of Contents

INDEX

 

     Page  

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  
 

Item 1.

   Financial Statements:   
     Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited)      1   
    

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)

     2   
    

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

     3   
    

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     4   
 

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     24   
 

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     37   
 

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     38   
    

Supplemental Statistics (Unaudited)

     39   

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

  
 

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings      40   
 

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      49   
 

Item 6.

   Exhibits      49   

SIGNATURE

     51   

WEB SITE POSTING

     51   


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UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)        2011             2010      

Net sales:

    

Net sales

   $ 4,557      $ 3,615   

Net sales to related parties (Note 17)

     307        281   
                

Total

     4,864        3,896   
                

Operating expenses (income):

    

Cost of sales (excludes items shown below)

     4,621        3,639   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     180        148   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization (Note 5)

     169        165   

(Income) loss from investees

     (8     5   

Net gain on disposal of assets (Notes 4 and 18)

     (6     (3

Other income, net

     (1     (1
                

Total

     4,955        3,953   
                

Loss from operations

     (91     (57

Interest expense

     50        43   

Interest income

     (2     (3

Other financial (income) costs (Note 7)

     (69     68   
                

Net interest and other financial (income) costs

     (21     108   

Loss before income taxes

     (70     (165

Income tax provision (benefit) (Note 8)

     16        (7
                

Net loss

     (86     (158

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

            (1
                

Net loss attributable to United States Steel Corporation

   $ (86   $ (157

Loss per common share (Note 9) :

                

Net loss per share attributable to United States Steel Corporation shareholders:

    

- Basic

   $ (0.60   $ (1.10

- Diluted

   $ (0.60   $ (1.10

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

 

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UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

(Dollars in millions)    (Unaudited)
March 31,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 421      $ 578   

Receivables, less allowance of $54 and $48

     2,451        1,921   

Receivables from related parties (Note 17)

     145        102   

Inventories (Note 10)

     2,255        2,352   

Income tax receivable (Note 8)

     66        175   

Deferred income tax benefits (Note 8)

     127        125   

Other current assets

     72        51   
                

Total current assets

     5,537        5,304   

Property, plant and equipment

     16,261        15,890   

Less accumulated depreciation and depletion

     9,634        9,404   
                

Total property, plant and equipment – net

     6,627        6,486   

Investments and long-term receivables, less allowance of $23 and $22

     694        670   

Intangibles – net (Note 5)

     274        275   

Goodwill (Note 5)

     1,787        1,760   

Deferred income tax benefits (Note 8)

     513        515   

Other noncurrent assets

     336        340   
                

Total assets

   $ 15,768      $ 15,350   

Liabilities

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 2,044      $ 1,738   

Accounts payable to related parties (Note 17)

     83        66   

Bank checks outstanding

     19        30   

Payroll and benefits payable

     952        938   

Accrued taxes (Note 8)

     133        116   

Accrued interest

     75        43   

Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt (Note 12)

     217        216   
                

Total current liabilities

     3,523        3,147   

Long-term debt, less unamortized discount (Note 12)

     3,518        3,517   

Employee benefits

     4,352        4,365   

Deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities

     466        469   
                

Total liabilities

     11,859        11,498   
                

Contingencies and commitments (Note 18)

    

Stockholders’ Equity (Note 16 ):

    

Common stock (150,925,911 shares issued) (Note 9)

     151        151   

Treasury stock, at cost (7,158,562 and 7,251,715 shares)

     (572     (580

Additional paid-in capital

     3,654        3,650   

Retained earnings

     3,604        3,698   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (2,929     (3,068
                

Total United States Steel Corporation stockholders’ equity

     3,908        3,851   
                

Noncontrolling interests

     1        1   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 15,768      $ 15,350   

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

 

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UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)        2011             2010      

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    

Operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (86   $ (158

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation, depletion and amortization (Note 5)

     169        165   

Provision for doubtful accounts

     4        3   

Pensions and other postretirement benefits

     33        (150

Deferred income taxes

     8        15   

Net gain on disposal of assets (Notes 4 and 18)

     (6     (3

Distributions received, net of equity investees income

     (6     8   

Changes in:

    

Current receivables

     (522     (426

Inventories

     151        (11

Current accounts payable and accrued expenses

     338        269   

Income taxes receivable/payable (Note 8)

     79        218   

Bank checks outstanding

     (12     (9

Currency remeasurement (gain)/loss

     (101     66   

All other, net

     (32     (46
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     17        (59
                

Investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (180     (125

Disposal of assets

     12        65   

Change in restricted cash, net

     2        6   

Investments, net

     (6     (10
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (172     (64
                

Financing activities:

    

Revolving credit facilities – borrowings

     240        -   

– repayments

     (240     (270

Issuance of long-term debt, net of financing costs

     -        582   

Repayment of long-term debt

     (4     (4

Common stock issued

     4        1   

Dividends paid

     (7     (7
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (7     302   
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     5        (11
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (157     168   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     578        1,218   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 421      $ 1,386   

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

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

 

United States Steel Corporation (U. S. Steel) produces and sells steel mill products, including flat-rolled and tubular products, in North America and Central Europe. Operations in North America also include transportation services (railroad and barge operations) and real estate operations.

The year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited statements but does not include all disclosures required for complete financial statements by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The other information in these financial statements is unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods covered. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless disclosed otherwise. These financial statements, including notes, have been prepared in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. Additional information is contained in the United States Steel Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 which should be read in conjunction with these financial statements.

 

2. New Accounting Standards

 

There are no new accounting pronouncements for which adoption is expected to have a material effect on U. S. Steel’s financial statements in future accounting periods.

 

3. Segment Information

 

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

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, income taxes, 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 the chief operating decision maker does not review it.

The accounting principles applied at the operating segment level in determining income from operations are generally the same as those applied at the consolidated financial statement level. The transfer value for steel rounds from Flat-rolled to Tubular is based on cost. All other intersegment sales and transfers are accounted for at market-based prices and 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.

 

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The results of segment operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are:

 

(In millions)

First Quarter 2011

  Customer
Sales
    Intersegment
Sales
    Net
Sales
    Income
(loss)
from
investees
    Income
(loss)
from
operations
 

Flat-rolled

  $ 2,969      $ 289      $ 3,258      $ 13      $ (57

USSE

    1,223        1        1,224        -        (5

Tubular

    642        1        643        (6     30   
                                       

Total reportable segments

    4,834        291        5,125        7        (32

Other Businesses

    30        9        39        1        12   

Reconciling Items and Eliminations

    -        (300     (300     -        (71

Total

  $ 4,864      $ -      $ 4,864      $ 8      $ (91

First Quarter 2010

         

Flat-rolled

  $ 2,455      $ 219      $ 2,674      $ (5   $ (80

USSE

    964        25        989        -        12   

Tubular

    445        1        446        -        45   
                                       

Total reportable segments

    3,864        245        4,109        (5     (23

Other Businesses

    32        (21     11        -        10   

Reconciling Items and Eliminations

    -        (224     (224     -        (44

Total

  $ 3,896      $ -      $ 3,896      $ (5   $ (57

The following is a schedule of reconciling items to (loss) income from operations:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In millions)    2011     2010  

Items not allocated to segments:

    

Retiree benefit expenses

   $ (71   $ (44
                

Total reconciling items

   $ (71   $ (44

 

4. Acquisitions and Dispositions

 

Wabush Mines Joint Venture

On February 1, 2010, U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (USSC) completed the previously announced sale of its 44.6 percent interest in the Wabush Mines Joint Venture (Wabush) for approximately $60 million. Wabush owns and operates iron ore mining and pellet facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec, Canada. U. S. Steel recognized an immaterial financial impact from the sale.

 

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5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

       Flat-rolled
Segment
     USSE
Segment
     Tubular
Segment
     Total  

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 922       $ 4       $ 834       $ 1,760   

Currency translation

     27         -         -         27   
                                   

Balance at March 31, 2011

   $ 949       $ 4       $ 834       $ 1,787   

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair value of acquired identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities assumed from businesses acquired. We have two reporting units that have a significant amount of goodwill. Our Flat-rolled reporting unit was allocated goodwill from the Stelco Inc. (Stelco) and Lone Star Technologies Inc. (Lone Star) acquisitions in 2007. These amounts reflect the benefits we expect the Flat-rolled reporting unit to realize from expanding our flexibility in meeting our customers’ needs and running our Flat-rolled facilities at higher operating rates to source our semi-finished product needs. Our Texas Operations reporting unit, which is part of our Tubular operating segment, was allocated goodwill from the Lone Star acquisition, reflecting the benefits we expect the reporting unit to realize from the expansion of our tubular operations.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level annually in the third quarter and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The evaluation of impairment involves comparing the estimated fair value of the associated reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. U. S. Steel completed its annual goodwill impairment test during the third quarter of 2010 and determined that there was no goodwill impairment for any of the reporting units. Goodwill impairment tests in prior years also indicated that goodwill was not impaired for either reporting unit. Accordingly, there are no accumulated impairment losses for goodwill.

Amortizable intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives and are detailed below:

 

          As of March 31, 2011     As of December 31, 2010  
(In millions)   Useful
Lives
    Gross
Carrying
Amount
    Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Amount
    Gross
Carrying
Amount
    Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Amount
 

Customer relationships

    22-23 Years      $ 222      $ 36      $ 186      $ 220      $ 34      $ 186   

Other

    2-20 Years        23        10        13        23        9        14   
                                                 

Total amortizable intangible assets

          $ 245      $ 46      $ 199      $ 243      $ 43      $ 200   

The carrying amount of acquired water rights with indefinite lives as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 totaled $75 million. The water rights are tested for impairment annually in the third quarter. The 2010 and prior year tests indicated that the fair value of the water rights exceeded the carrying value. Accordingly, no impairment loss was recognized.

 

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Amortization expense was $3 million in both the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. The estimated future amortization expense of identifiable intangible assets during the next five years is $8 million for the remaining portion of 2011 and $11 million each year from 2012 to 2015.

 

6. Pensions and Other Benefits

 

The following table reflects the components of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 

     Pension
Benefits
    Other
Benefits
 
(In millions)    2011     2010     2011     2010  

Service cost

   $ 28      $ 25      $ 6      $ 5   

Interest cost

     126        135        52        57   

Expected return on plan assets

     (154     (167     (26     (27

Amortization of prior service cost

     5        6        6        6   

Amortization of net loss (gain)

     88        55        2        (3
                                

Net periodic benefit cost, excluding below

     93        54        40        38   

Multiemployer plans

     15        13        -        -   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 108      $ 67      $ 40      $ 38   

Employer Contributions

During the first three months of 2011, U. S. Steel made $22 million in required cash contributions to the main USSC pension plans, cash payments of $15 million to the Steelworkers Pension Trust and $2 million in cash payments to other defined benefit pension plans.

During the first three months of 2011, cash payments of $77 million were made for other postretirement benefit payments not funded by trusts.

Company contributions to defined contribution plans totaled $10 million and $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Health Care Legislation

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (“PPACA”) includes many provisions impacting health care and health insurance coverage in the U.S. Beginning in 2013, PPACA eliminates the tax deductibility of retiree prescription drug expenses allocable to the Medicare Part D subsidies received by an employer. U. S. Steel recorded a tax charge of $27 million in the first quarter of 2010 to adjust deferred tax assets in order to recognize the estimated future tax effects. The Company believes that its retiree health indemnity plans are exempt from the PPACA’s group market reform requirements, but that the HMO plans in which many retirees participate may be required to implement these new requirements, thereby potentially resulting in higher premiums for these retirees. Based on the guidance that has been issued to date with respect to the PPACA provision which imposes an excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health plan coverage beginning in 2018, the Company believes it has a de minimis liability exposure for such future excise taxes on retiree medical benefits. Also, the Federal government has approved the Company’s applications under the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP), which is a temporary program established under the PPACA to reimburse the sponsor of employment-based health plans for a portion of the cost of health care benefits provided to pre-Medicare participants, and the Company expects to receive ERRP reimbursements beginning later in 2011.

 

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7. Other Financial (Income) Costs

 

Other financial (income) costs include financing costs as well as foreign currency gains and losses as a result of transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of U. S. Steel’s subsidiaries. During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, net foreign currency gains of $77 million and losses of $63 million, respectively, were recorded in other financial (income) costs. See note 11 for additional information on U. S. Steel’s use of derivatives to mitigate its foreign currency exchange rate exposure.

 

8. Income Taxes

 

Tax provision

For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a tax provision of $16 million on our pretax loss of $70 million and a tax benefit of $7 million on our pretax loss of $165 million, respectively. The tax provision does not reflect any tax benefit for pretax losses in Canada and Serbia, which are jurisdictions where we have recorded full valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, and also does not reflect any tax provision or benefit for certain foreign currency gains and losses that are not recognized in any tax jurisdiction. Included in the first quarter of 2010 tax benefit is a net tax benefit of $36 million resulting from the conclusion of certain tax return examinations and the remeasurement of existing tax reserves, offset by a tax charge of $27 million as a result of the U.S. health care legislation enacted in the first quarter of 2010 (see note 6).

The tax provision for the first three months of 2011 is based on an estimated annual effective rate, which requires management to make its best estimate of annual pretax income or loss. During the year, management regularly updates forecasted annual pretax results for the various countries in which we operate based on changes in factors such as prices, shipments, product mix, plant operating performance and cost estimates. To the extent that actual 2011 pretax results for U.S. and foreign income or loss vary from estimates applied at the end of the most recent interim period, the actual tax provision or benefit recognized in 2011 could be materially different from the forecasted amount used to estimate the tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Income tax receivable

During 2011, U. S. Steel received a net federal income tax refund of $70 million. The income tax receivable of $66 million at March 31, 2011 primarily reflects the additional federal income tax refund that we expect to receive as a result of the carryback of our 2010 losses to prior years.

Unrecognized tax benefits

Unrecognized tax benefits are the differences between a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return and the benefit recognized for accounting purposes pursuant to the guidance found in ASC Topic 740 on income taxes. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $115 million at both March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $103 million and $100 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

U. S. Steel records interest related to uncertain tax positions as a part of net interest and other financial costs in the Statement of Operations. Any penalties are recognized as part of selling, general and administrative expenses. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, U. S. Steel had accrued liabilities of $5 million and $4 million, respectively, for interest related to uncertain tax positions. U. S. Steel currently does not have any liabilities recorded for income tax penalties.

It is reasonably expected that during the next 12 months unrecognized tax benefits related to income tax issues will not change by a significant amount.

 

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Deferred taxes

As of March 31, 2011, the net domestic deferred tax asset was $560 million compared to $563 million at December 31, 2010. A substantial amount of U. S. Steel’s domestic deferred tax assets relates 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 retiree benefits are paid in the future. As a result of our cumulative historical earnings, we continue to believe it is more likely than not that the net domestic deferred tax asset will be realized.

As of March 31, 2011, the net foreign deferred tax asset was $80 million, net of established valuation allowances of $934 million. At December 31, 2010, the net foreign deferred tax asset was $77 million, net of established valuation allowances of $870 million. Net foreign deferred tax assets will fluctuate as the value of the U.S. dollar changes with respect to the Canadian dollar, the euro, and the Serbian dinar. A full valuation allowance is recorded for both the Canadian and Serbian deferred tax assets primarily due to cumulative losses in these jurisdictions in recent years. If evidence changes and it becomes more likely than not that the Company will realize the deferred tax assets, the valuation allowance of $874 million for Canadian deferred tax assets and $50 million for Serbian deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2011, would be partially or fully reversed. Any reversals of these amounts would result in a decrease to income tax expense.

 

9. Income and Dividends Per Common Share

 

Net Loss Per Share Attributable to United States Steel Corporation Shareholders

Basic net income or loss per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted net income per common share assumes the exercise of stock options, the vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance awards and the conversion of convertible notes (under the “if-converted” method), provided in each case that the effect is dilutive.

The computations for basic and diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations are as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)    2011     2010  

Net loss attributable to United States Steel Corporation shareholders

   $ (86   $ (157

Plus income effect of assumed conversion-interest on convertible notes

     -        -   
                

Net loss after assumed conversion

   $ (86   $ (157
                

Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):

    

Basic

     143,801        143,390   

Effect of convertible notes

     -        -   

Effect of stock options, restricted stock units and performance awards

     -        -   
                

Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted

     143,801        143,390   
                

Basic earnings per common share

   $ (0.60   $ (1.10
                

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ (0.60   $ (1.10

 

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The following table summarizes the securities that were antidilutive, and therefore, were not included in the computations of diluted loss per common share:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands)        2011              2010      

Securities granted under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

     3,262         3,089   

Securities convertible under the Senior Convertible Notes

     27,059         27,059   
                 

Total

     30,321         30,148   

Dividends Paid Per Share

The dividend for the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 was five cents per common share.

 

10. Inventories

 

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. The first-in, first-out method is the predominant method of inventory costing in Europe and Canada. The last-in, first-out (LIFO) method is the predominant method of inventory costing in the United States. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the LIFO method accounted for 50 percent and 48 percent of total inventory values, respectively.

 

(In millions)    March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Raw materials

   $ 792       $ 949   

Semi-finished products

     872         851   

Finished products

     492         449   

Supplies and sundry items

     99         103   
                 

Total

   $ 2,255       $ 2,352   

Current acquisition costs were estimated to exceed the above inventory values by $1.1 billion and $885 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Cost of sales was reduced by $12 million and less than $1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, as a result of liquidations of LIFO inventories.

Inventory includes $92 million and $91 million of land held for residential or commercial development as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

From time to time, U. S. Steel enters into coke swap agreements designed to reduce transportation costs. U. S. Steel shipped and received approximately 220,000 tons and 170,000 tons of coke under swap agreements during the first three months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.

U. S. Steel also has entered into iron ore pellet swap agreements. U. S. Steel shipped and received approximately 107,000 tons and 141,000 tons of iron ore pellets during the first three months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The coke and iron ore pellet swaps are recorded at cost as nonmonetary transactions. There was no income statement impact related to these swaps in either 2011 or 2010.

 

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11. Derivative Instruments

 

U. S. Steel is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risks as a result of our European and Canadian operations. USSE’s revenues are primarily in euros and costs are primarily in U.S. dollars and euros. USSC’s revenues and costs are denominated in both Canadian and U.S. dollars. In addition, foreign cash requirements have been and in the future may be funded by intercompany loans, creating intercompany monetary assets and liabilities in currencies other than the functional currency of the entities involved, which can affect income when remeasured at the end of each period. A $1.7 billion U.S. dollar-denominated intercompany loan (the Intercompany Loan) from a U.S. subsidiary to a European subsidiary was the primary exposure at March 31, 2011.

U. S. Steel uses euro forward sales contracts with maturities no longer than 12 months to exchange euros for U.S. dollars to manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Derivative instruments are required to be recognized at fair value in the balance sheet. U. S. Steel has not elected to designate these euro forward sales contracts as hedges. Therefore, changes in their fair value are recognized immediately in the results of operations. The gains and losses recognized on these euro forward sales contracts may also partially offset the accounting remeasurement gains and losses recognized on the Intercompany Loan.

As of March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel held euro forward sales contracts with a total notional value of approximately $445 million. We mitigate the risk of concentration of counterparty credit risk by purchasing our forward sales contracts from several counterparties.

Additionally, we routinely enter into fixed-price forward physical purchase contracts to partially manage our exposure to price risk related to the purchases of natural gas and certain nonferrous metals used in the production process. During 2011 and 2010, all forward physical purchase contracts for natural gas and nonferrous metals have qualified for the normal purchases and normal sales exemption described in ASC Topic 815 and were not subject to mark-to-market accounting.

The following summarizes the location and amounts of the fair values and gains or losses related to derivatives included in U. S. Steel’s financial statements as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 

(In millions)    Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair Value
March 31, 2011
    Fair Value
December 31, 2010
 

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   Accounts
payable
   ($ 25   ($ 11
       Statement of
Operations
Location
   Amount of Gain
(Loss)
    Amount of Gain
(Loss)
 
      Three Months ended
March 31, 2011
    Three Months ended
March 31, 2010
 

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   Other financial
costs
   ($ 25   $ 12   

In accordance with the guidance found in ASC Topic 820 on fair value measurements and disclosures, the fair value of our euro forward sales contracts was determined using Level 2 inputs, which are defined as “significant other observable” inputs. The inputs used are from market sources that aggregate data based upon market transactions. The fair value of our forward physical purchase contracts for natural gas was also determined using Level 2 inputs. The inputs used included forward prices derived from the New York Mercantile Exchange.

 

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12. Debt

 

 

(In millions)    Interest
Rates %
   Maturity    March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

2037 Senior Notes

   6.65    2037    $ 350       $ 350   

2020 Senior Notes

   7.375    2020      600         600   

2018 Senior Notes

   7.00    2018      500         500   

2017 Senior Notes

   6.05    2017      450         450   

2014 Senior Convertible Notes

   4.00    2014      863         863   

2013 Senior Notes

   5.65    2013      300         300   

Province Note (C$150 million)

   1.00    2015      154         150   

Environmental Revenue Bonds

   4.75 - 6.88    2011 - 2030      458         458   

Recovery Zone Facility Bonds

   6.75    2040      70         70   

Fairfield Caster Lease

      2011 - 2012      20         20   

Other capital leases and all other obligations

      2011 - 2014      15         18   

Amended Credit Agreement, $750 million

   Variable    2012      -         -   

USSK Revolver, 200 million

   Variable    2013      -         -   

USSK credit facilities, 80 million

   Variable    2012 - 2015      -         -   

USSS credit facilities, 20 million and 1 billion Serbian Dinar

   Variable    2011      -         -   
                       

Total Debt

           3,780         3,779   

Less Province Note fair value adjustment

           35         36   

Less unamortized discount

           10         10   

Less short-term debt and long-term debt due within one year

           217         216   
                       

Long-term debt

             $ 3,518       $ 3,517   

To the extent not otherwise discussed below, information concerning the Senior Notes, the Senior Convertible Notes and other listed obligations can be found in note 16 of the audited financial statements in the 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Issuance of Senior Notes due 2020

On March 16, 2010, U. S. Steel issued $600 million of 7.375% Senior Notes due April 1, 2020 (2020 Senior Notes). The 2020 Senior Notes were issued at 99.125% of their principal amount. U. S. Steel received net proceeds from the offering of $582 million after fees of $13 million related to the underwriting discount and third party expenses. Interest is payable semi-annually on April 1 st and October 1 st of each year. The 2020 Senior Notes contain covenants restricting our ability to create liens, to enter into sale-leaseback transactions and to consolidate, merge or transfer all, or substantially all of our assets. They also contain provisions requiring the purchase of the 2020 Notes upon a change of control under certain specified circumstances, as well as other customary provisions.

Obligations relating to Environmental Revenue Bonds

U. S. Steel is the ultimate obligor on $458 million of Environmental Revenue Bonds. As of March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel has refunded a portion of these bonds and is the direct underlying obligor on $260 million of these bonds. U. S. Steel is obligated on the remainder ($198 million, which includes $2 million of call premiums) under an agreement that was entered into when it separated from Marathon Oil Corporation (Marathon) on December 31, 2001 (the Separation). The agreement 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 bond obligations by retiring or refunding these bonds, or amending them to relieve Marathon’s liability.

 

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Amended Credit Agreement

As of March 31, 2011, there were no amounts drawn on the $750 million Credit Agreement dated May 11, 2007 (Amended Credit Agreement) and inventory values supported the full $750 million of the facility. The Amended Credit Agreement contains a financial covenant requiring U. S. Steel to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as further defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) of at least 1.10 to 1.00 for the most recent four consecutive quarters when availability under the Amended Credit Agreement is less than the greater of 15% of the total aggregate commitments and $112.5 million. Since availability was greater than $112.5 million, compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant was not applicable. However, based on the most recent four quarters, as of March 31, 2011, we would not meet this covenant if we were to borrow more than $637.5 million under this agreement. If the value of inventory does not support the full amount of the facility or we are not able to meet this covenant in the future, the full amount of this facility would not be available to the Company.

Receivables Purchase Agreement

As of March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel has a Receivables Purchase Agreement (RPA) under which trade accounts receivable are sold, on a daily basis without recourse, to U. S. Steel Receivables, LLC (USSR), a wholly owned, bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entity used only for the securitization program. If U. S. Steel decides to access this facility, USSR then sells senior undivided interests in up to $525 million of the receivables to certain third-party commercial paper conduits for cash, while maintaining a subordinated undivided interest in a portion of 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 is recorded.

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were no receivables transferred under this facility and eligible accounts receivable supported $525 million of availability under the RPA. 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. The retained interest in the receivables is recorded net of the allowance for bad debts, which has historically not been significant. The RPA expires on July 19, 2013.

USSR pays the conduits a discount based on the conduits’ borrowing costs plus incremental fees. We paid $1 million in each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 relating to fees on the RPA.

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. As there was no activity under this facility during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no collections reinvested.

The table below summarizes the trade receivables for USSR:

 

(In millions)    March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Balance of accounts receivable-net, purchased by USSR

   $ 1,234       $ 1,004   

Revolving interest sold to conduits

     -         -   
                 

Accounts receivable-net, included in the accounts receivable balance on the balance sheet of U. S. Steel

   $ 1,234       $ 1,004   

The facility may be terminated on the occurrence and failure to cure certain events, including, among others, failure of USSR to maintain certain ratios related to the collectability of the

 

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receivables and failure to make payment under its material debt obligations and may also be terminated upon a change of control.

Change in control event

In the event of a change in control of U. S. Steel, debt obligations totaling $3,062 million at March 31, 2011, which includes the Senior Notes and Senior Convertible Notes, may be declared immediately due and payable. In addition, the Amended Credit Agreement may be terminated and any amount outstanding thereunder may be declared immediately due and payable. In such event, U. S. Steel may also be required to either repurchase the leased Fairfield slab caster for $38 million or provide a letter of credit to secure the remaining obligation.

U. S. Steel Košice ( USSK) credit facilities

At March 31, 2011, USSK had no borrowings under its 200 million (approximately $284 million) revolving unsecured credit facility.

At March 31, 2011, USSK had no borrowings against its 80 million credit facilities (which approximated $114 million) and the availability was approximately $106 million due to approximately $8 million of customs and other guarantees outstanding.

U. S. Steel Serbia (USSS) credit facilities

At March 31, 2011, USSS had no borrowings against its facilities which consist of facilities for general corporate purposes of up to 20 million and facilities for overdrafts of up to 1 billion Serbian dinars (which together totaled approximately $42 million), subject in each case to a borrowing base calculation based upon the value of USSS’s inventory of finished and semi-finished inventory. At March 31, 2011, USSS inventory values were sufficient to utilize the entire amount of the facilities.

 

13. Asset Retirement Obligations

 

U. S. Steel’s asset retirement obligations (AROs) primarily relate to mine and landfill closure and post-closure costs. The following table reflects changes in the carrying values of AROs:

 

(In millions)    March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 39       $ 45   

Additional obligations incurred

     -         1   

Obligations settled

     -         (7

Foreign currency translation effects

     1         (2

Accretion expense

     1         2   
                 

Balance at end of period

   $ 41       $ 39   

Certain AROs related to disposal costs of the majority of fixed assets at our integrated steel facilities have not been recorded because they have an indeterminate settlement date. These AROs will be initially recognized in the period in which sufficient information exists to estimate their fair value.

 

14. Variable Interest Entities

 

Effective January 1, 2010, U. S. Steel adopted updates to ASC Topic 810 related to improvements to financial reporting by enterprises involved with variable interest entities. The updates to ASC Topic 810 include a criterion that requires the primary beneficiary to have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the variable interest entity. Due to the addition of this criterion, the adoption resulted in the deconsolidation of the following entities from our consolidated financial statements on a prospective basis.

 

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Gateway Energy & Coke Company, LLC

Gateway Energy & Coke Company, LLC (Gateway) is a wholly owned subsidiary of SunCoke Energy, Inc. in which U. S. Steel has no ownership interest. Gateway has constructed a heat recovery coke plant with an expected annual capacity of 650,000 tons of coke at U. S. Steel’s Granite City Works that began operations in the fourth quarter of 2009. U. S. Steel has a 15-year arrangement to purchase coke from Gateway under which Gateway is obligated to supply 90 percent to 105 percent of the expected annual capacity of the heat recovery coke plant, and U. S. Steel is obligated to purchase the coke from Gateway at the contract price. As of March 31, 2011, a maximum default payment of approximately $277 million would apply if U. S. Steel terminates the agreement.

There are three activities that most significantly impact Gateway’s economic performance: procurement of coking coal used in the production of coke, direction of the operations associated with the production of coke and steam and direction of the sale of coke and steam. U. S. Steel and Gateway jointly direct the sale of coke and steam due to the 15-year arrangement described above; however, U. S. Steel does not have the power to direct the other activities that most significantly impact Gateway’s economic performance. Since the only activity in which U. S. Steel shares power is less significant than the combination of the other significant activities, U. S. Steel is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, as of January 1, 2010, U. S. Steel deconsolidated Gateway and all activity with Gateway is now accounted for as third party transactions.

Daniel Ross Bridge, LLC

Daniel Ross Bridge, LLC (DRB) was established for the development of a 1,600 acre master-planned community in Hoover, Alabama. The economic performance of DRB is significantly impacted by the fair value of the underlying property. The activities that most directly impact DRB’s economic performance are the development, marketing, and sale of the underlying property, none of which are directed by U. S. Steel. Since U. S. Steel does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact DRB’s economic performance, U. S. Steel is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, U. S. Steel deconsolidated DRB and began accounting for this entity using the equity method of accounting effective January 1, 2010.

 

15. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, current accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, bank checks outstanding and accrued interest included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet approximate fair value. See note 11 for disclosure of U. S. Steel’s derivative instruments, which are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis.

The following table summarizes U. S. Steel’s financial assets and liabilities that were not carried at fair value at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

     March 31, 2011      December 31, 2010  
(In millions)    Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
 

Financial assets:

           

Investments and long-term receivables (a)

   $ 48       $ 48       $ 46       $ 46   

Financial liabilities:

           

Debt (b)

   $ 4,455       $ 3,700       $ 4,512       $ 3,695   
  (a)

Excludes equity method investments.

  (b)  

Excludes capital lease obligations.

 

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The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments included in the table above:

Investments and long-term receivables : Fair value is based on discounted cash flows. U. S. Steel is subject to market risk and liquidity risk related to its investments; however, these risks are not readily quantifiable.

Long-term debt instruments : Fair value was determined using Level 2 inputs which were derived from quoted market prices and is based on the yield on public debt where available or current borrowing rates available for financings with similar terms and maturities.

Fair value of the financial assets and liabilities 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.

Financial guarantees are U. S. Steel’s only unrecognized financial instrument. For details relating to financial guarantees see note 18.

 

16. Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

 

The following table reflects the first three months of 2011 and 2010 reconciliation of the carrying amount of total equity, equity attributable to United States Steel Corporation and equity attributable to the noncontrolling interests:

 

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2011

  Total     Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Common
Stock
    Treasury
Stock
    Paid-in
Capital
    Non-
Controlling
Interest
 

Balance at beginning of year

  $ 3,852        $ 3,698      $ (3,068   $ 151      $ (580   $ 3,650      $ 1   

Comprehensive income:

               

Net loss

    (86     (86     (86          

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

               

Pension and other benefit adjustments

    64        64          64           

Currency translation adjustment

    75        75          75           

Employee stock plans

    12                8        4     

Dividends paid on common stock

    (7       (7          

Other

    (1       (1          
                                                               

Balance at March 31, 2011

  $ 3,909      $ 53      $ 3,604      $ (2,929   $ 151      $ (572   $ 3,654      $ 1   

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2010

  Total     Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Common
Stock
    Treasury
Stock
    Paid-in
Capital
    Non-
Controlling
Interest
 

Balance at beginning of year

  $ 4,979        $ 4,209      $ (2,728   $ 151      $ (608   $ 3,652      $ 303   

Comprehensive income:

               

Net loss

    (158     (158     (157             (1

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

               

Pension and other benefit adjustments

    60        60          60           

Currency translation adjustment

    (18     (18       (18        

Employee stock plans

    3                2        1     

Dividends paid on common stock

    (7       (7          

Adoption of ASC Topic 810 (Note 14)

    (301                 (301

Cumulative effect of ASC Topic 810 adoption

    (1       (1          
                                                               

Balance at March 31, 2010

  $ 4,557      $ (116   $ 4,044      $ (2,686   $ 151      $ (606   $ 3,653      $ 1   

 

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17. Related Party Transactions

 

Net sales to related parties and receivables from related parties primarily reflect sales of steel products to equity investees. Generally, transactions are conducted under long-term market-based contractual arrangements. Related party sales and service transactions were $307 million and $281 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Purchases from related parties for outside processing services provided by equity investees amounted to $12 million and $9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Purchases of iron ore pellets from related parties amounted to $44 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. There were no purchases of iron ore pellets from related parties for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

Accounts payable to related parties include balances due to PRO-TEC Coating Company (PRO-TEC) of $82 million and $62 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, for invoicing and receivables collection services provided by U. S. Steel. U. S. Steel, as PRO-TEC’s exclusive sales agent, is responsible for credit risk related to those receivables. U. S. Steel also provides PRO-TEC marketing, selling and customer service functions. Payables to other related parties totaled $1 million and $4 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

18. 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 March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel was a defendant in approximately 585 active cases involving approximately 3,125 plaintiffs. Many of these cases involve multiple defendants (typically from fifty to more than one hundred). About 2,600, or approximately 83 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 the three months ended March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel paid approximately $4 million in settlements. These settlements and other dispositions resolved approximately 55 claims. New case filings in the first three months of 2011 added approximately 90 claims. At December 31, 2010, U. S. Steel was a defendant in approximately 550 active cases involving approximately 3,090 plaintiffs. During 2010, U. S. Steel paid approximately $8 million in settlements. These settlements and other dispositions resolved approximately 200 claims. New case filings in the year ended December 31, 2010 added approximately 250 claims. Most claims filed in 2011 and 2010 involved individual or small groups of claimants as many jurisdictions no longer permit the filing of mass complaints.

Historically, these claims against U. S. Steel fall into three major groups: (1) claims made by persons who allegedly were exposed to asbestos at U. S. Steel facilities (referred to as “premises claims”); (2) claims made by industrial workers allegedly exposed to products manufactured by

 

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U. S. Steel; and (3) claims made under certain federal and general maritime laws by employees of former operations of U. S. Steel. In general, the only insurance available to U. S. Steel with respect to asbestos claims is excess casualty insurance, which has multi-million dollar retentions. To date, U. S. Steel has received minimal payments under these policies relating 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 230 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 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; however, with the decline in mass plaintiff cases, the incidence of claimants actually alleging a claim against U. S. Steel is increasing. In addition, in many asbestos cases, the claimants 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.

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 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. The vast majority of pending claims against U. S. Steel allege so-called “premises” liability-based alleged 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. In most cases the claimant also was exposed to asbestos in non-U. S. Steel settings; the relative periods of exposure between U. S. Steel and non-U. S. Steel settings vary with each claimant; and the strength or weakness of the causal link between U. S. Steel exposure and any injury vary widely as do the nature and severity of the injury claimed.

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, management believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on U. S. Steel’s financial condition, although the resolution of such matters could significantly impact results of operations for a particular quarter. Among the factors considered in reaching this conclusion are: (1) the generally declining trend in the number of claims; (2) that it has been many years since U. S. Steel employed maritime workers or manufactured or sold asbestos containing products; and (3) U. S. Steel’s history of trial outcomes, settlements and dismissals.

Environmental matters U. 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. Changes in accrued liabilities for remediation activities are summarized in the following table:

 

(In millions)    Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011
 

Beginning of period

   $ 198   

Accruals for environmental remediation deemed probable and reasonably estimable

     1   

Payments

     (5
        

End of period

   $ 194   

 

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Accrued liabilities for remediation activities are included in the following balance sheet lines:

 

(In millions)    March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Accounts payable

   $ 18       $ 18   

Deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities

     176         180   
                 

Total

   $ 194       $ 198   

Expenses related to remediation are recorded in cost of sales and totaled $1 million in each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. It is not presently possible to estimate the ultimate amount of all remediation costs that might be incurred. Due to uncertainties inherent in remediation projects and the associated liabilities, it is possible that total remediation costs for active matters and projects with ongoing study and scope development may exceed the accrued liabilities by as much as 15 to 30 percent.

Remediation Projects

U. S. Steel is involved in environmental remediation projects at or adjacent to several current and former U. S. Steel facilities and other locations that are in various stages of completion ranging from 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 which are still in the study and development phase. For these projects the extent of remediation that may be required is not yet known, the remediation methods and plans are not yet developed, and cost estimates cannot be determined. Therefore, material costs, in addition to the accrued liabilities for these projects, are reasonably possible.

(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 Scope Development – There are five environmental remediation projects where reasonably possible additional costs for completion are not currently estimable, but could be material. These projects are four Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) programs (at Fairfield Works, Lorain Tubular, USS-POSCO Industries (UPI) and the Fairless Plant) and a voluntary remediation program at the former steel making plant at Joliet, Illinois. As of March 31, 2011, accrued liabilities for these projects totaled $3 million for the costs of studies, investigations, interim measures, design and/or remediation. It is reasonably possible that additional liabilities associated with future requirements regarding studies, investigations, design and remediation for these projects could be as much as $25 million to $45 million. Depending on agency negotiations and other factors, the scope of the UPI project may become defined in 2011.

Significant Projects with Defined Scope – As of March 31, 2011, a total of $45 million was accrued for projects at or related to Gary Works where the scope of work is defined, including RCRA program projects, Natural Resource Damages (NRD) claims, completion of projects for the Grand Calumet River in northwest Indiana and the related Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU), and closure costs for three hazardous waste disposal sites and one solid waste disposal site.

 

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Additional projects with defined scope include the Municipal Industrial & Disposal Company (MIDC) site in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, the St. Louis Estuary and Upland Project in Duluth, Minnesota and a project at U. S. Steel’s former Geneva Works in Geneva, Utah. As of March 31, 2011, accrued liabilities for these three additional projects totaled $97 million. U. S. Steel does not expect material additional costs related to these projects.

Other Projects – There are six 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 March 31, 2011 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 for which we have sufficient information to form a judgment each had an accrued liability of less than $1 million. The total accrued liability for these projects at March 31, 2011 was $8 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 $23 million at March 31, 2011 and were based on known scopes of work.

Administrative and Legal Costs – As of March 31, 2011, 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 Expenditures For 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 the first three months of 2011 and 2010, such capital expenditures totaled $18 million and $43 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.

CO 2 Emissions – Current and potential regulation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions remains a significant issue for the steel industry, particularly for integrated steel producers such as U. S. Steel. The regulation of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions has either become law or is being considered by legislative bodies of many nations, including countries where we have operating facilities. The European Union (EU) has established greenhouse gas regulations based upon national allocations and a cap and trade system. In Canada, both the federal and Ontario governments have issued proposed requirements for greenhouse gas emissions. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published rules for regulating requirements as further described below. In the last Congress, legislation was passed in the House of Representatives and introduced in the Senate. We do not know what action, if any, may be taken by the new Congress. The EU has issued proposed regulations under their cap and trade system for the period 2013-2020 which appear to be more stringent than the current requirements.

On May 13, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency published its final Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule establishing a mechanism for regulating GHG emissions from facilities through the Clean Air Act’s Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting process. Starting in 2011, new projects that increase GHG emissions by more than 75,000 tons per year have new PSD requirements based on best available control technology (BACT), but only if the project also significantly increases emissions of at least one non-GHG pollutant. Only existing sources with Title V permits or new sources obtaining Title V permits for non-GHG pollutants will also be required to address GHG emissions. Starting July 1, 2011, new sources not already subject to

 

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Title V requirements that emit over 100,000 tons per year, or modifications to existing permits that increase GHG emissions by more than 75,000 tons per year, will be subject to PSD and Title V requirements. On November 17, 2010 the EPA issued its “PSD and Title V Permitting Guidance for Greenhouse Gases” and “Available and Emerging Technologies for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Iron and Steel Industry.” With this guidance, EPA intends to help state and local air permitting authorities identify greenhouse gas reductions under the Clean Air Act. Additionally, the EPA revised the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and lead in 2010 and is in the process of revising the NAAQS for 2.5 micron particulate matter, ozone and sulfur dioxides.

It is impossible to estimate the timing or impact of these or other future government action on U. S. Steel, although it could be significant. Such impacts may include substantial capital expenditures, costs for emission allowances, restriction of production, and higher prices for coking coal, natural gas and electricity generated by carbon based systems.

In July 2008, Slovakia granted USSK CO 2 emission allowances as part of the national allocation plan for the 2008 to 2012 trading period (NAP II) approved by the European Commission. Based on actual CO 2 emissions to date, we believe that USSK will have sufficient allowances for the NAP II period without purchasing additional allowances. USSK entered into transactions to sell and swap a portion of our emissions allowances and recognized gains related to these transactions which are reflected in the net gain on disposal of assets line on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. U. S. Steel recognized gains related to these transactions of approximately $6 million during both the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

In December 2010, Slovakia enacted an 80 percent tax on excess emission allowances registered in 2011 and 2012. The amount of this tax will vary with USSK’s production levels and the implementing regulations that may be issued. USSK has recorded expense of $5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Environmental and other indemnifications – Throughout 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 specifically 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 and there can be questions as to the applicability of more general indemnification provisions to environmental matters. 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 and properties 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 $194 million of accrued liabilities for remediation discussed above), there are no other known environmental liabilities related to these transactions.

Guarantees – The maximum outstanding guarantees of the indebtedness of unconsolidated entities of U. S. Steel totaled $31 million at March 31, 2011. In the event that any default related to the guaranteed indebtedness occurs, U. S. Steel has access to its interest in the assets of the investees to reduce its potential losses under the guarantees.

 

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Contingencies related to the Separation from Marathon In the event of a bankruptcy of Marathon, $247 million of obligations related to Environmental Revenue Bonds, the Fairfield Caster Lease and the coke battery lease at the Clairton Plant may be declared immediately due and payable.

Antitrust Class Actions  In a series of lawsuits filed in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois beginning September 12, 2008, individual direct or indirect buyers of steel products have asserted that eight steel manufacturers, including U. S. Steel, conspired in violation of antitrust laws to restrict the domestic production of raw steel and thereby to fix, raise, maintain or stabilize the price of steel products in the United States. The cases are filed as class actions and claim treble damages for the period 2005 to present, but do not allege any damage amounts. U. S. Steel is vigorously defending these lawsuits and does not believe that it has any liability regarding these matters.

Investment Canada Action – On July 17, 2009, the Attorney General of Canada initiated a proceeding under Section 40 of Canada’s Investment Canada Act by filing an application in the Canadian federal court that seeks to impose a financial penalty on U. S. Steel due to the Company’s alleged failure to comply with two of the 31 undertakings made by U. S. Steel to the Minister of Industry in connection with the 2007 acquisition of Stelco. The specific undertakings at issue concern production and employment levels anticipated at U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (USSC) assuming certain business conditions. In response to a previous written demand from the Minister with respect to this matter, the Company provided full disclosure regarding the operations at USSC and the impact that the sudden and severe world-wide economic downturn has had on the global steel sector and all of the Company’s North American operations, including operations at USSC. In accordance with the specific language of the undertakings at issue, the unprecedented economic downturn, the effects of which were beyond the control of the company, expressly excuse any non-attainment of the production and employment levels targeted by the 2007 submission. The Company is vigorously defending the matter and believes that the action is without justification or authority.

Randle’s Reef – The Canadian and Ontario governments have identified a sediment deposit in Hamilton Harbor, commonly referred to as Randle’s Reef, near USSC’s Hamilton Works for remediation, for which the regulatory agencies estimate expenditures of approximately C$105 million (approximately $108 million). The national and provincial governments have each allocated C$30 million (approximately $31 million) for this project and they have stated that they will be looking for local sources, including industry, to fund C$30 million (approximately $31 million). USSC has committed C$7 million (approximately $7 million) as its contribution, which has been accrued accordingly. Funding sources for the balance of the estimated project cost remain to be identified and additional contributions are being sought.

Other contingencies Under 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 $8 million at March 31, 2011). No liability has been recorded for these guarantees as the potential loss is not probable.

Insurance U . S. Steel maintains insurance for certain property damage, equipment, business interruption and general liability exposures; however, insurance is applicable only after certain deductibles and retainages. U. S. Steel is self-insured for certain other exposures including workers’ compensation (where permitted by law) and auto liability. Liabilities are recorded for workers’ compensation and personal injury obligations. Other costs resulting from losses under

 

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deductible or retainage amounts or not otherwise covered by insurance 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 $171 million as of March 31, 2011, 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. Restricted cash, which is recorded in other current and noncurrent assets, totaled $194 million at March 31, 2011, of which $6 million was classified as current, and $196 million at December 31, 2010, of which $7 million was classified as current.

Capital Commitments At March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel’s contractual commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment totaled $609 million.

Contractual Purchase Commitments – U. S. Steel is obligated to make payments under contractual purchase commitments, including unconditional purchase obligations. Payments for contracts with remaining terms in excess of one year are summarized below (in millions):

 

Remainder
of 2011
   2012      2013      2014      2015      Later
Years
     Total  

$1,682

   $ 1,697       $ 1,157       $ 485       $ 450       $ 4,024       $ 9,495   

The majority of U. S. Steel’s unconditional purchase obligations relate to the supply of industrial gases, energy and utility services and coke and steam purchase commitments related to a coke supply agreement with Gateway Energy & Coke Company LLC (see note 14) with terms ranging from two to 16 years. Total payments relating to unconditional purchase obligations were approximately $150 million and $140 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Certain sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis include forward-looking statements concerning trends or events potentially affecting the businesses of United States Steel Corporation (U. S. Steel). These statements typically contain words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends” 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” in U. S. Steel’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Form 10-Q. References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net sales by segment for the first quarter of 2011 and 2010 are set forth in the following table:

 

     Quarter Ended
March 31,
        
(Dollars in millions, excluding intersegment sales)    2011      2010      %
Change
 

Flat-rolled Products (Flat-rolled)

   $ 2,969       $ 2,455         21

U. S. Steel Europe (USSE)

     1,223         964         27

Tubular Products (Tubular)

     642         445         44
                    

Total sales from reportable segments

     4,834         3,864         25

Other Businesses

     30         32         -6
                    

Net sales

   $ 4,864       $ 3,896         25

Management’s analysis of the percentage change in net sales for U. S. Steel’s reportable business segments for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 versus the quarter ended March 31, 2010 is set forth in the following table:

Quarter Ended March 31, 2011 versus Quarter Ended March 31, 2010

 

     Steel Products  (a)              
       Volume     Price     Mix     FX  (b)    

Coke &

Other

    Net
Change
 

Flat-rolled

     8     13     0     0     0     21

USSE

     -5     30     2     -1     1     27

Tubular

     30     10     1     0     3     44

 

  (a)

Excludes intersegment sales

  (b)  

Foreign currency translation effects

Net sales were $4,864 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared with $3,896 million in the same quarter last year. The increase in sales for the Flat-rolled segment primarily reflected higher average realized prices (up $66 per ton) and increased shipments (up 0.4 million tons). The increase in sales for

 

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the European segment was primarily due to higher average realized euro-based prices (up 159 per ton) partially offset by a slight decrease in shipments (down 0.1 million tons) and unfavorable changes in foreign currency translation effects. The increase in sales for the Tubular segment resulted primarily from higher shipments (up 0.1 million tons) and higher average realized prices (up $58 per ton).

Pension and other benefits costs

Defined benefit and multiemployer pension plan costs totaled $108 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $67 million in the first quarter of 2010. The $41 million increase is primarily due to a decline in the market-related value of pension plan assets and higher amortization of unrecognized losses, both of which relate to pension plan asset losses experienced in 2008.

Costs related to defined contribution plans totaled $10 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $2 million in the first quarter of 2010. The increase is primarily due to costs related to the Company match of employee 401(k) contributions which was temporarily suspended during the first quarter of 2010.

Other benefits costs, including multiemployer plans, totaled $40 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $38 million in the first quarter of 2010.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $180 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $148 million in the first quarter of 2010. The increase is primarily related to a $20 million increase in pension and other benefits costs, which is a portion of the $41 million increase discussed under pension and other benefits costs above, in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010.

Income (loss) from operations by segment for the first quarter of 2011 and 2010 is set forth in the following table:

 

     Quarter Ended
March 31,
       
(Dollars in millions)      2011         2010      

%

Change

 

Flat-rolled

   $ (57   $ (80     29

USSE

     (5     12        -142

Tubular

     30        45        -33
                  

Total loss from reportable segments

     (32     (23     -39

Other Businesses

     12        10        20
                  

Reportable segments and Other Businesses loss from operations

     (20     (13     -54

Retiree benefit expenses

     (71     (44     -61
                  

Total loss from operations

   $ (91   $ (57     -60

 

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Segment results for Flat-rolled

 

    Quarter Ended
March 31,
       
      2011     2010    

%

Change

 

Loss from operations ($ millions)

  $ (57   $ (80     29

Raw steel production (mnt)

    4,598        4,383        5

Capability utilization

    77     73     5

Steel shipments (mnt)

    3,954        3,572        11

Average realized steel price per ton

  $ 720      $ 654        10

The improvement in Flat-rolled results in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 resulted mainly from net favorable changes in commercial effects (approximately $225 million), favorable changes from increased steel substrate sales to our Tubular segment (approximately $55 million) and decreased energy costs (approximately $40 million). These improvements were partially offset by higher raw materials costs (approximately $140 million), increased spending (approximately $140 million) and increased costs related to pension and other benefits (approximately $15 million) which is a portion of the $41 million increase as discussed under pension and other benefits costs above.

Segment results for USSE

 

    Quarter Ended
March 31,
       
      2011     2010    

%

Change

 

Income from operations ($ millions)

  $ (5   $ 12        -142

Raw steel production (mnt)

    1,681        1,588        6

Capability utilization

    92     87     6

Steel shipments (mnt)

    1,445        1,522        -5

Average realized steel price per ton

  $ 823      $ 614        34

The decrease in USSE results in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 was primarily due to higher raw material costs (approximately $260 million) and increased spending (approximately $25 million) partially offset by net favorable changes in commercial effects (approximately $270 million).

Segment results for Tubular

 

     Quarter Ended
March 31,
        
       2011      2010     

%

Change

 

Income from operations ($ millions)

   $ 30       $ 45         -33

Steel shipments (mnt)

     425         310         37

Average realized steel price per ton

   $ 1,447       $ 1,389         4

The decrease in Tubular results in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010 resulted mainly from increased costs for steel substrate (approximately $60 million) and increased spending (approximately $10 million) partially offset by net favorable changes in commercial effects (approximately $55 million).

 

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Results for Other Businesses

Other Businesses generated income of $12 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to income of $10 million in the first quarter of 2010.

Items not allocated to segments

The increase in retiree benefit expenses in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010 resulted from a decline in the market-related value of pension plan assets and higher amortization of unrecognized losses, both of which relate to pension plan asset losses experienced in 2008.

Net interest and other financial costs

 

     Quarter Ended
March 31,
       
(Dollars in millions)      2011         2010       %
Change
 

Interest and other financial costs

   $ 58      $ 48        21

Interest income

     (2     (3     -33

Foreign currency (gains) losses

     (77     63     
                  

Total net interest and other financial costs

   $ (21   $ 108        -119

The favorable change in net interest and other financial costs in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year was mainly due to net foreign currency gains in 2011 compared to net foreign currency losses in 2010 which primarily resulted from the accounting remeasurement effects on a U.S. dollar-denominated intercompany loan (the Intercompany Loan) from a U.S. subsidiary to a European subsidiary that had an outstanding balance of $1.7 billion at March 31, 2011 partially offset by euro-U.S. dollar derivatives activity, which we use to mitigate our foreign currency exchange rate exposure. Additionally, interest expense increased in the first quarter of 2011 due to the $600 million of Senior Notes which were issued on March 19, 2010 being outstanding for the entire first quarter 2011. For additional information on U. S. Steel’s foreign currency exchange activity, see note 11 to the Financial Statements and “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk – Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk.”

The income tax provision was $16 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to an income tax benefit of $7 million in the same period of 2010. The 2011 effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate because losses in Canada and Serbia, which are jurisdictions where we have recorded a full valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, do not generate a tax benefit for accounting purposes and because we had net foreign currency gains that are not recognized in any tax jurisdiction. These foreign currency gains relate to the accounting measurement effects of the Intercompany Loan. Included in the first quarter of 2010 tax benefit is a net tax benefit of $36 million resulting from the conclusion of certain tax return examinations and the remeasurement of existing tax reserves, offset by a tax charge of $27 million as a result of the U.S. health care legislation enacted in the first quarter.

The tax provision for the first quarter of 2011 is based on an estimated annual effective rate, which requires management to make its best estimate of annual pretax income or loss. During the year, management regularly updates forecasted annual pretax results for the various countries in which we operate based on changes in factors such as prices, shipments, product mix, operating performance and cost estimates. To the extent that actual 2011 pretax results for U.S. and foreign income or loss vary from estimates made at the end of the most recent interim period, the actual tax provision or benefit recognized in 2011 could be materially different from the forecasted amount used to estimate the tax provision for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

 

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The net domestic deferred tax asset was $560 million at March 31, 2011 compared to $563 million at December 31, 2010. A substantial amount of U. S. Steel’s domestic deferred tax assets relates 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 retiree benefits are paid in the future. As a result of our cumulative historical earnings and available tax planning strategies, we continue to believe it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized.

At March 31, 2011, the net foreign deferred tax asset was $80 million, net of established valuation allowances of $934 million. At December 31, 2010, the net foreign deferred tax asset was $77 million, net of established valuation allowances of $870 million. Net foreign deferred tax assets will fluctuate as the value of the U.S. dollar changes with respect to the Canadian dollar, the euro and the Serbian dinar. A full valuation allowance is recorded for both the Canadian and Serbian deferred tax assets primarily due to cumulative losses in these jurisdictions in recent years. If evidence changes and it becomes more likely than not that the Company will realize the deferred tax assets, the valuation allowance of $874 million for Canadian deferred tax assets and $50 million for Serbian deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2011, would be partially or fully reversed. Any reversals of these amounts would result in a decrease to tax expense.

For further information on income taxes see note 8 to the Financial Statements.

The net loss attributable to United States Steel Corporation was $86 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $157 million in the first quarter of 2010. The improvement primarily reflects the factors discussed above.

BALANCE SHEET

Receivables increased by $573 million from year-end 2010 as first quarter 2011 shipment volumes and average realized prices increased compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.

Inventories decreased by $97 million from year-end 2010 as a result of a reduction in raw material inventories after a year end inventory build in anticipation of the normal seasonal transportation impacts.

Income tax receivable decreased by $109 million from year-end 2010 primarily due to a net federal income tax refund of $70 million that was received in the first quarter of 2011 as a result of our overpayment of 2010 federal income taxes.

Accounts payable increased by $323 million from year-end 2010 primarily due to increased production levels compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.

CASH FLOW

Net cash provided by operating activities was $17 million for the first quarter of 2011, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $59 million in the same period last year. The improvement is primarily due to improved net income in the first quarter of 2011. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2011, we received a net federal income tax refund of $70 million as discussed above. In the first quarter of 2010, we made a $140 million voluntary pension contribution to our main defined benefit pension plan and received a $208 million U.S. federal tax refund.

Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2011 were $180 million, compared with $125 million in the same period in 2010. Flat-rolled expenditures were $125 million and included spending for construction of carbon alloy facilities at Gary Works, construction of a technologically and environmentally advanced

 

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coke battery at the Mon Valley Works’ Clairton Plant, development of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and various other infrastructure, environmental and strategic projects. USSE expenditures of $23 million included spending for environmental projects and for blast furnace coal injection projects. Tubular expenditures of $31 million consisted primarily of spending for a quench and temper line at our Lorain Tubular Operations in Ohio.

U. S. Steel’s contractual commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment at March 31, 2011, totaled $609 million.

Capital expenditures for 2011 are expected to total approximately $990 million and remain focused largely on environmental and other strategic infrastructure projects. We have accelerated several projects in the United States and Europe to improve our coke self-sufficiency. Engineering and construction of a technologically and environmentally advanced coke battery at the Mon Valley Works’ Clairton Plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania is underway with completion expected in 2013. We are constructing a two module carbon alloy facility at our Gary Works in Indiana which utilizes an environmentally compliant, energy efficient and flexible production technology with a projected capacity of 500,000 tons per year with completion expected in 2012. We have received the necessary air permits for up to 1 million tons of such capacity. We are also constructing blast furnace coal injection facilities in Europe, which we expect to come on line later in 2011 at which time all five blast furnaces in Europe will have access to pulverized coal, a lower cost source of carbon than coke. In order to more efficiently serve our tubular product customers’ increased focus on North American shale resources, construction on a new quench and temper line is underway at our Lorain Tubular Operations in Ohio and is expected to be completed later in 2011. In an effort to increase our participation in the automotive market as vehicle emission and safety requirements become more stringent, PRO-TEC Coating Company, our joint venture in Ohio with Kobe Steel, Ltd., has a new automotive continuous annealing line under construction that is being financed at the joint venture level and is expected to be completed in 2013. We are also continuing our efforts to implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to replace outdated information technology systems and to help us operate more efficiently. The completion of the ERP project is expected to provide further opportunities to streamline, standardize and centralize business processes in order to maximize cost effectiveness, efficiency and control across our global operations.

Over the longer term, we are considering business strategies to take advantage of our significant iron ore resource position in the United States and to further reduce our dependence on certain other raw materials such as metallurgical coal and coke. We are considering an expansion of our Keetac mining and pelletizing facility in order to increase our iron ore self-sufficiency. The required permitting activities are underway. We also are examining alternative iron and steelmaking technologies such as gas-based, direct-reduced iron and electric arc steelmaking. These technologies may increase our cost competitiveness, flexibility and agility by, among other things, taking advantage of our iron ore resource position as well as the increasing abundance of natural gas reserves in North America with the advancement of unconventional drilling and completion technologies for shale resource development. We continue to pursue other strategies to efficiently increase the use of natural gas in our operations given the significant cost and environmental advantages of this fuel. Our capital investments in the future may reflect such strategies, although we expect that iron and steel-making through the blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace manufacturing processes will remain our primary processing technology for the long term.

The foregoing statements regarding expected 2011 capital expenditures, capital projects and expected benefits from the implementation of the ERP project are forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect our capital spending and the projects include: (i) levels of cash flow from operations; (ii) general economic conditions; (iii) business conditions; (iv) cost and availability of capital; (v) receipt of necessary permits; and (vi) unforeseen hazards such as contractor performance, material shortages, weather conditions, explosions or fires. There is also a risk that the completed projects will not produce

 

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at the expected levels and within the costs currently projected. Predictions regarding benefits resulting from the implementation of the ERP project are subject to uncertainties. We may not be able to successfully implement the ERP project without experiencing difficulties. In addition, the expected benefits of implementing the ERP project might not be realized or the costs of implementation might outweigh the benefits realized. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements.

Disposal of assets in the first quarter of 2011 primarily reflects cash proceeds of approximately $6 million from transactions to swap a portion of the emissions allowances at U. S. Steel Košice (USSK) as well as various other transactions, none of which were individually material. Disposal of assets in the first quarter of 2010 primarily reflects cash proceeds of approximately $60 million from the sale of U. S. Steel’s 44.6 percent interest in the Wabush Mines Joint Venture.

Borrowings against revolving credit facilities in the first quarter of 2011 reflect amounts drawn against USSK’s 280 million total unsecured revolving credit facilities.

Repayments of revolving credit facilities in the first quarter of 2011 reflect USSK’s repayment of the outstanding borrowings under its 280 million total unsecured revolving credit facilities. Repayments of revolving credit facilities in the first quarter of 2010 reflect USSK’s repayment of the outstanding borrowings under its 200 million unsecured revolving credit facility.

Issuance of long-term debt, net of financing costs in the first quarter of 2010 reflects the issuance of $600 million of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2020. U. S. Steel received net proceeds of $582 million after related discounts and other fees.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The following table summarizes U. S. Steel’s liquidity as of March 31, 2011:

(Dollars in millions)

 

Cash and cash equivalents    $ 421   
Amount available under $750 Million Credit Facility (a)      638   
Amount available under Receivables Purchase Agreement      525   
Amount available under USSK credit facilities      390   
Amount available under USSS credit facilities      42   
        
Total estimated liquidity    $ 2,016   

 

(a)  

As of March 31, 2011, there were no amounts drawn on the Amended Credit Agreement and inventory levels supported the full $750 million capacity of the facility. Since availability under the Amended Credit Agreement was greater than $112.5 million, compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio was not applicable. However, based on the most recent four quarters, as of March 31, 2011, we would not meet the fixed charge coverage ratio. Therefore, we reduced the availability in the above table to $637.5 million.

As of March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel has a Receivables Purchase Agreement (RPA) under which trade accounts receivable are sold, on a daily basis without recourse, to U. S. Steel Receivables, LLC (USSR), a wholly owned, bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entity used only for the securitization program. If U. S. Steel decides to access this facility, USSR then sells senior undivided interests in up to $525 million of the receivables to certain third-party commercial paper conduits for cash, while maintaining a subordinated undivided interest in a portion of 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 is recorded.

The RPA may be terminated on the occurrence and failure to cure certain events, including, among others, failure by U. S. Steel to make payments under our material debt obligations and any failure to

 

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maintain certain ratios related to the collectability of the receivables. As of March 31, 2011, there were no receivable transfers under this facility and eligible accounts receivable supported $525 million of availability under the RPA. The RPA expires on July 19, 2013.

We use surety bonds, trusts and letters of credit to provide financial assurance for certain transactions and business activities. The use of some forms of financial assurance and collateral have a negative impact on liquidity. U. S. Steel has committed $149 million of liquidity sources for financial assurance purposes as of March 31, 2011.

In the event of a bankruptcy of Marathon Oil Corporation, obligations of $247 million relating to Environmental Revenue Bonds and two capital leases may be declared immediately due and payable.

The maximum outstanding guarantees of the indebtedness of unconsolidated entities of U. S. Steel totaled $31 million at March 31, 2011. In the event that any default related to the guaranteed indebtedness occurs, U. S. Steel has access to its interest in the assets of the investees to reduce its potential losses under the guarantees.

Our major cash requirements in 2011 are expected to be for capital expenditures, employee benefits and working capital requirements, including purchases of raw materials. We finished the first quarter of 2011 with $421 million of available cash and $2 billion of total liquidity. Available cash is left on deposit with financial institutions or invested in highly liquid securities with parties we believe to be creditworthy. As business conditions have started to recover, our working capital requirements have increased and any future increases may require us to draw upon our credit facilities for necessary cash. Should we experience a significant increase in orders or an unexpected need for funds that cannot be met with available cash and our liquidity facilities, we may need to access the capital markets.

U. S. Steel management believes that U. S. Steel’s liquidity will be adequate to satisfy our 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, payments of retiree benefits 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.

Our opinion regarding liquidity is a forward-looking statement based upon currently available information. To the extent that operating cash flow is materially lower than recent levels or external financing sources are not available on terms competitive with those currently available, future liquidity may be adversely affected.

Debt and Senior Convertible Notes Ratings

There have been no changes to our ratings since December 31, 2010.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

U. S. Steel did not enter into any new material off-balance sheet arrangements during the first quarter of 2011.

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

 

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similar obligations in Europe and Canada, 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 our products and services, operating results will be reduced. U. S. Steel believes that our major North American, and many European, integrated steel competitors are confronted by substantially similar conditions and thus does not believe that our 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 our competitive position with regard to domestic mini-mills, some foreign steel producers (particularly in developing economies such as China) and producers of materials which compete with steel, all of which may not be required to incur 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 our prior disposal of environmentally sensitive materials. Many of our competitors do not have similar historical 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 (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as well as state and local laws and regulations.

USSC is subject to the environmental laws of Canada, which are comparable to environmental standards in the United States. Environmental regulation in Canada is an area of shared responsibility between the federal government and the provincial governments, which in turn delegate certain matters to municipal governments. Federal environmental statutes include the federal Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Fisheries Act. Various provincial statutes regulate environmental matters such as the release and remediation of hazardous substances; waste storage, treatment and disposal; and air emissions. As in the United States, Canadian environmental laws (federal, provincial and local) are undergoing revision and becoming more stringent.

USSK is subject to the environmental laws of Slovakia and the European Union (EU). A related law of the EU commonly known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, Regulation 1907/2006) requires the registration of certain substances that are produced in the EU or imported into the EU. USSK made the necessary registrations in a timely manner and is currently compliant with REACH.

USSS is subject to the environmental laws of Serbia. Under the terms of the acquisition in 2003, USSS is responsible for only those costs and liabilities associated with environmental events occurring subsequent to the completion of an environmental baseline study in June 2004, which was submitted to the Government of Serbia.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulation

The current and potential regulation of greenhouse gas emissions remains a significant issue for the steel industry, particularly for integrated steel producers such as U. S. Steel. The regulation of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions has either become law or is being considered by legislative bodies of many nations, including countries where we have operating facilities. In the United States, the EPA has published rules for regulating greenhouse gas emissions for certain facilities and has implemented various reporting requirements as further described below. In the last Congress, legislation was passed in the House of Representatives and introduced in the Senate. We do not know what action, if any, may be taken by the new Congress. The EU has established greenhouse gas regulations while in Canada, a regulatory framework for greenhouse gas emissions has been published, details of which are discussed below. International negotiations to supplement and eventually replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol are ongoing.

 

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The U.S. EPA has classified CO 2 as a harmful gas. Under this premise, it has implemented a new greenhouse gas emission inventory and reporting requirement for all facilities emitting 25,000 metric tons or more per year of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gases (CO 2 e). The regulation required facilities to collect information on CO 2 e and report emissions to the EPA by September 30, 2011, covering the 2010 calendar year. Most domestic U. S. Steel facilities are required to comply with the new reporting requirements. U. S. Steel has implemented ongoing monitoring plans to meet this requirement and will report emissions to the EPA prior to the deadline.

On May 13, 2010 the EPA published its final Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule establishing a mechanism for regulating greenhouse gas emissions from facilities through the Clean Air Act’s Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting process. Starting January 2, 2011, new projects that increase greenhouse gas emissions by more than 75,000 tons per year, have new PSD requirements based on best available control technology (BACT), but only if the project also significantly increases emissions of at least one non-greenhouse gas pollutant. Only existing sources with Title V permits or new sources obtaining Title V permits for non-greenhouse gas pollutants will also be required to address greenhouse gas emissions. Starting July 1, 2011 new sources not already subject to Title V requirements that emit over 100,000 tons per year of greenhouse gas emissions, or modifications to existing permits that increase greenhouse gas emissions by more than 75,000 tons per year, will be subject to PSD and Title V requirements. On November 17, 2010 the EPA issued its “PSD and Title V Permitting Guidance for Greenhouse Gases” and “Available and Emerging Technologies for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Iron and Steel Industry.” Through this guidance, the EPA intends to help state and local air permitting authorities identify greenhouse gas reduction options and BACT for greenhouse gases under the CAA. U. S. Steel is currently evaluating the cost of compliance with these regulations.

The European Commission (EC) has created an Emissions Trading System (ETS). Under the ETS, the EC establishes CO 2 emissions limits for every EU member state and approves grants of CO 2 emission allowances to individual emitting facilities pursuant to national allocation plans that are proposed by each of the member states. The allowances can be bought and sold by emitting facilities to cover the quantities of CO 2 they emit in their operations.

In July 2008, Slovakia granted USSK CO 2 emission allowances as part of the national allocation plan for the 2008 to 2012 trading period (NAP II) approved by the European Commission. Based on actual carbon emissions to date, we believe that USSK will have sufficient allowances for the NAP II period without purchasing additional allowances. USSK entered into transactions to sell and swap a portion of our emissions allowances and recognized gains related to these transactions of approximately $6 million in both quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

In December 2010, Slovakia enacted an 80 percent tax on excess emission allowances registered in 2011 and 2012. The amount of this tax will vary with USSK’s production levels and the implementing regulations that may be issued. USSK has recorded expense of $5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

In 2007, Canada’s federal government announced a framework climate change plan that involved mandatory reduction targets for all major greenhouse gas producing industries. To this date, this plan has not been implemented. More recently, the federal government has indicated that it is committed to reducing Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, but also stated that this target is subject to adjustment in order to remain consistent with the emerging cap-and-trade system in the United States. At this point, it is unclear when Canadian federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions will be developed and whether they will reflect the targets or approach of the previously announced plan. On June 12, 2009, Canada’s federal government released for comment two draft guides related to the establishment of an Offset System in Canada. These draft

 

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documents propose rules and provide guidance on the requirements and processes to create offset credits and the requirements and processes to verify the eligible greenhouse gas reductions achieved from an offset project. Canada’s federal government has stated that, once in place, the Offset System will compliment the proposed cap-and-trade system and help in generating greenhouse gas emissions reductions across the country. If greenhouse gas cap-and-trade legislation becomes law in Canada, it could have economic and operational consequences for U. S. Steel. It is impossible to estimate the timing or impact of these or other future government action on U. S. Steel.

In December 2007, the Ontario government announced its own Action Plan on Climate Change (the Ontario Action Plan). The Ontario Action Plan targets reductions in Ontario greenhouse gas emissions of six percent below 1990 levels by 2014, 15 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. In December 2008, Ontario launched a consultation process towards the development of a cap-and-trade system and in May 2009, the Ontario government released a discussion paper regarding cap-and-trade. The Ontario government has amended the Environmental Protection Act in order to provide the regulatory authority to set-up a greenhouse gas cap-and-trade system; however, such a system has not yet been developed. The Ontario government also passed a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Regulation (the Regulation) on December 1, 2009. The Regulation is intended to provide the foundation for Ontario to implement a cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gases. The Regulation requires facilities that emit more than 25,000 tons of CO 2 e or more per year to annually report their emissions, starting with 2010 emissions. The Ontario government has indicated that it plans to develop a cap-and-trade system that aligns with other systems being developed in North America, including in the United States.

Environmental Remediation

In the United States, U. S. Steel has been notified that we are a potentially responsible party (PRP) at 21 sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) as of March 31, 2011. In addition, there are 12 sites related to U. S. Steel where we have received information requests or other indications that we may be a PRP under CERCLA but where sufficient information is not presently available to confirm the existence of liability or make any judgment as to the amount thereof. There are also 40 additional sites related to U. S. Steel where remediation is being sought under other environmental statutes, both federal and state, or where private parties are seeking remediation through discussions or litigation. At many of these sites, U. S. Steel is one of a number of parties involved and the total cost of remediation, as well as U. S. Steel’s share thereof, is frequently dependent upon the outcome of investigations and remedial studies. U. S. Steel accrues for environmental remediation activities when the responsibility to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. As environmental remediation matters proceed toward ultimate resolution or as additional remediation obligations arise, charges in excess of those previously accrued may be required. See note 18 to the Financial Statements.

For discussion of relevant environmental items, see “Part II. Other Information – Item 1. Legal Proceedings – Environmental Proceedings.”

During the first quarter of 2011, U. S. Steel recorded a net increase of $1 million to our accruals for environmental matters for U.S. and international facilities. The total accrual for such liabilities at March 31, 2011 was $194 million. These amounts exclude liabilities related to asset retirement obligations, disclosed in note 13 to the Financial 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. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies could, individually or in the

 

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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.

MINE SAFETY

Our Minntac and Keetac iron ore pellet operations are subject to the reporting requirements in Section 1503 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”) that was enacted in July of 2010. Under the Act, we are required to disclose certain information about our mining operations, such as the number of certain types of violations and orders issued under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

The following table provides the required information for any notification received by our iron ore operations regarding any reportable information during the three months ended March 31, 2011:

 

Mine
(MSHA ID)
  Total # of
Significant &
Substantial
violations
under
Act §104
    Total # of
orders
under
Act §104(b)
    Total # of
unwarrantable
failure
citations and
orders under
Act §104(d)
    Total # of
violations
under
Act §110(b)(2)
    Total # of
orders
under
Act §107(a)
    Total dollar
value of
proposed
assessments
from MSHA
    Total # of
mining
related
fatalities
    Received
written
notice
under
Act §104(e)
(yes/no)?
    Total # of
Legal Actions
Pending
Before the
Federal Mine
Safety and
Health Review
Commission  (a)
 

Mt. Iron (2100819, 2100820, 2100282)

    39        1        0        0        0      $  -        0        no        89   

Keewatin (2103352)

    6        0        0        0        0      $  -        0        no        8   

 

(a)  

Includes all legal actions pending before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, together with the Administrative Law Judges thereof, for each of our iron ore operations. All of the legal actions were initiated by us to contest citations, orders or proposed assessments issued by the Federal Mine Safety and Health administration, and if we are successful, may result in the reduction or dismissal of those citations, orders or assessments.

OUTLOOK

We expect to report a significant overall operating profit, primarily due to the realization of price increases in our Flat-rolled segment. Order rates for most customer groups, which began to improve later in the fourth quarter, remained firm throughout the first quarter. While recent order rates have moderated, we remain cautiously optimistic that improving global economic conditions will continue, further stimulating end user demand. We are assessing the effect of the events in Japan on our business. Some of our automotive customers have reduced April builds and adjusted future production schedules due to parts shortages. We expect reductions in automotive production during the quarter to be made up in 2011 as vehicle inventories, presently low compared to historical levels, will need to be replenished.

Flat-rolled results for the second quarter 2011 are expected to improve significantly compared to the first quarter 2011 driven largely by significantly higher average realized prices. Raw materials costs are expected to remain relatively stable, reflecting our iron ore, coal and coke position. Average realized prices are expected to increase from first quarter 2011 as we realize the benefits from increases in spot and contract prices, with index-based contract prices reflecting significantly higher published market price assessments. Raw steel capability utilization is expected to increase from the first quarter of 2011 as all of our steelmaking facilities are expected to operate for the majority of the period except for Hamilton Works.

We expect second quarter 2011 results for USSE to be in line with the first quarter 2011 as increased average realized prices are expected to be offset by higher raw materials costs and decreased shipments. Average realized prices are expected to increase from first quarter 2011 as we realize the benefits from increases in contract prices. Our raw steel capability utilization rate is expected to decrease from the first quarter of 2011 due to reduced spot market demand caused by increased production across Europe and the rising threat of imports. Strength of underlying demand, as well as low to moderate inventory levels across

 

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the supply chain, should limit the duration of this current cycle. Based on the current low level of spot customer orders, we have decided to accelerate planned maintenance on a blast furnace in Serbia, originally scheduled for later in the year. We will continue to adjust our blast furnace configuration to coincide with our customers’ order rates.

Second quarter results for Tubular are expected to be in line with the first quarter as the benefits of increased average realized prices and shipments will be offset by higher costs for hot-rolled bands supplied by our Flat-rolled segment and purchased rounds. Average realized transaction prices are expected to increase from first quarter levels as price increases take effect and product mix improves.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

In March 2010, the Department of Commerce (DOC) and International Trade Commission (ITC) initiated five-year (sunset) reviews of antidumping orders against hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from Brazil and Japan, a countervailing duty order against hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from Brazil, and a suspension agreement concerning hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from Russia. In expedited reviews of the Brazilian, Japanese and Russian cases, the DOC issued preliminary determinations, on July 30, 2010, that revocation of the orders and agreement would likely lead to continued or resumed dumping at rates of 17.70% to 184.56%. In a full review of the Brazilian countervailing duty order, the DOC issued its final determination on November 29, 2010, of the likelihood of a resumed subsidy, but at a rate of zero percent. The ITC conducted a hearing in its injury investigation of this case on April 6, 2011 and a decision is expected in May 2011.

On December 1, 2010, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) initiated an expiry review of the Canadian antidumping orders against hot-rolled carbon and alloy steel sheet and strip from Brazil, China, Taiwan, India, South Africa and Ukraine and a subsidy order against India. On March 31, 2011, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) found a likelihood of continued or resumed dumping with respect to respondent countries China, Brazil, Taiwan, India and Ukraine (and the likelihood of continued or resumed subsidization in the case of India) if the orders were to be rescinded, but it found that dumping from South Africa would not be likely to continue or resume. The CITT will continue the expiry review with respect to Brazil, China, Taiwan, India and Ukraine to determine whether the orders will be extended for an additional five years beyond August 15, 2011.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

See note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

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Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There were no material changes in U. S. Steel’s exposure to market risk from December 31, 2010.

 

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Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

U. S. Steel has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2011. These disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that were designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that are filed with or submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is: (1) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and (2) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable law and regulations. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There have not been any changes in U. S. Steel’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, U. S. Steel’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL STATISTICS (Unaudited)

 

     Quarter Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)      2011         2010    

SEGMENT INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:

    

Flat-rolled

   $ (57   $ (80

U. S. Steel Europe

     (5     12   

Tubular

     30        45   
                

Total reportable segments

     (32     (23

Other Businesses

     12        10   

Items not allocated to segments

     (71     (44
                

Total loss from operations

   $ (91   $ (57

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

    

Flat-rolled

   $ 125      $ 80   

U. S. Steel Europe

     23        44   

Tubular

     31        -   

Other Businesses

     1        1   
                

Total

   $ 180      $ 125   

OPERATING STATISTICS

    

Average realized price: ($/net ton) (a)

    

Flat-rolled

   $ 720      $ 654   

U. S. Steel Europe

     823        614   

Tubular

     1,447        1,389   

Steel Shipments: (a)(b)

    

Flat-rolled

     3,954        3,572   

U. S. Steel Europe

     1,445        1,522   

Tubular (a)

     425        310   

Raw Steel Production: (b)

    

Flat-rolled

     4,598        4,383   

U. S. Steel Europe

     1,681        1,588   

Raw Steel Capability Utilization: (c)

    

Flat-rolled

     77     73

U. S. Steel Europe

     92     87

 

(a)

Excludes intersegment transfers.

(b)

Thousands of net tons.

(c)  

Based on annual raw steel production capability of 24.3 million net tons for Flat-rolled and 7.4 million net tons for U. S. Steel Europe.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

GENERAL LITIGATION

In a series of lawsuits filed in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois beginning September 12, 2008, individual direct or indirect buyers of steel products have asserted that eight steel manufacturers, including U. S. Steel, conspired in violation of antitrust laws to restrict the domestic production of raw steel and thereby to fix, raise, maintain or stabilize the price of steel products in the United States. The cases are filed as class actions and claim treble damages for the period 2005 to present, but do not allege any damage amounts. U. S. Steel is vigorously defending these lawsuits and does not believe that it has any liability regarding these matters.

On July 17, 2009, the Attorney General of Canada initiated a proceeding under Section 40 of Canada’s Investment Canada Act by filing an application in the Canadian federal court that seeks to impose a financial penalty on U. S. Steel due to the Company’s alleged failure to comply with two of the 31 undertakings made by U. S. Steel to the Minister of Industry in connection with the 2007 acquisition of Stelco. The specific undertakings at issue concern production and employment levels anticipated at U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (USSC) assuming certain business conditions. In response to a previous written demand from the Minister with respect to this matter, the Company provided full disclosure regarding the operations at USSC and the impact that the sudden and severe world-wide economic downturn has had on the global steel sector and all of the Company’s North American operations, including operations at USSC. In accordance with the specific language of the undertakings at issue, the unprecedented economic downturn, the effects of which were beyond the control of the Company, expressly excuse any non-attainment of the production and employment levels targeted by the 2007 submission. The Company is vigorously defending the matter and believes that the action is without justification or authority.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROCEEDINGS

Gary Works

On March 4, 2010 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified U. S. Steel that the requirements of the January 26, 1998 Clean Water Act consent decree in United States of America v. USX (Northern District of Indiana) had been satisfied. As of March 31, 2011, project costs have amounted to $60.7 million. 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, following the Court’s termination of the Clean Water Act consent decree, will pay the public trustees $1.0 million for ecological monitoring costs. In addition, U. S. Steel is obligated to perform, and has initiated, ecological restoration in this section of the Grand Calumet River. In total, the accrued liability for the above projects based on the estimated remaining costs was approximately $2 million at March 31, 2011.

At Gary Works, U. S. Steel has agreed to close three hazardous waste disposal sites: D5, along with an adjacent solid waste disposal unit, Terminal Treatment Plant (TTP) Area; T2; and D2 combined with a portion of the Refuse Area, where a solid waste disposal unit overlaps with the hazardous waste disposal unit. The sites are located on plant property. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) approved the closure plans for these sites. Implementation of the D5 and TTP Area plans began during the third quarter of 2010 and is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2011. Implementation of the T2 plan began in the first quarter of 2011. As of March 31, 2011, the accrued liability for estimated costs to close these sites is $16 million.

 

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On October 23, 1998, EPA issued a final Administrative Order on Consent addressing Corrective Action for Solid Waste Management Units (SWMU) throughout Gary Works. This order requires U. S. Steel to perform a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Investigation (RFI), a Corrective Measure Study (CMS) and Corrective Measure Implementation at Gary Works. Reports of field investigation findings for Phase I work plans have been submitted to EPA. Through March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel had spent $31.4 million for corrective action studies, Vessel Slip Turning Basin interim measures and other corrective actions. U. S. Steel received approval on a proposal to the EPA for a facility wide perimeter groundwater monitoring program and a sampling and analysis plan (SAP) for several SWMUs in the Solid Waste Management Areas east of the Vessel Slip Turning Basin. U. S. Steel has also received a partial approval on a second SAP for a portion of the sediments behind the East Breakwall. Implementation of these programs continued during the first quarter of 2011. Additional studies and proposals have been submitted to EPA. 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 all of the above projects was approximately $26 million as of March 31, 2011, based on the estimated remaining costs.

On November 26, 2007, IDEM issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) alleging three pushing violations and one door violation on the No. 2 Battery that were to have occurred on July 11, 2007. On December 20, 2007, IDEM made a verbal penalty demand of $123,000 to resolve these alleged violations. U. S. Steel provided written responses to the NOVs. Negotiations regarding these NOVs are ongoing.

On October 3, 2007, November 26, 2007, March 2, 2008 and March 18, 2008, IDEM issued NOVs alleging opacity limitation violations from the coke plant and Blast Furnaces Nos. 4 and 8. To date, no penalty demand has been made by IDEM regarding these NOVs. U. S. Steel is currently negotiating resolution of these NOVs with IDEM.

On July 3, 2008, EPA Region V issued a Notice of Violation/Finding of Violation (NOV/FOV) alleging violations resulting from a multi-media inspection conducted in May 2007 and subsequent information collection requests pursuant to Section 114 of the Clean Air Act. These alleged violations include those currently being prosecuted by IDEM that are identified above. Other alleged violations include the reline of No. 4 Blast Furnace in 1990 without a New Source Review/Prevention of Significant Deterioration permit, and opacity limit excursions from hot iron transfer cars, slag skimming, slag pits, and the blast furnace casting house. The NOV/FOV also alleges violations relating to hydrochloric acid pickling, blast furnace relief valves and blast furnace flares. While a penalty demand is expected, EPA Region V has not yet made such a demand. Since issuing the NOV/FOV, EPA Region V has issued additional Section 114 information requests to Gary Works. U. S. Steel has responded to the requests and is currently negotiating resolution of the NOV/FOV and other request issues with EPA Region V and IDEM. EPA has indicated that it has referred the matter to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

On February 18, 2009, U. S. Steel received a letter from IDEM alleging that Gary Works was culpable for an ambient air quality exceedance for PM10 at the IITRI Monitoring Site. In November 2010, U. S. Steel and IDEM amended the December 2006 Air Agreed Order to resolve this matter. The resolution requires U. S. Steel to continue monitoring PM10 at the IITRI monitor through December 31, 2011; implement specific best management practices at the Sinter Plant storage piles; and to complete a Supplemental Environmental Project consisting of the installation of a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station and adding at least seven CNG vehicles to its fleet by September 30, 2011, at a capital expenditure of approximately $490,000, which excludes the costs associated with the seven vehicles. U. S. Steel has constructed the CNG fueling station which is currently in the commissioning phase.

 

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On April 13, 2009, Gary Works received an NOV from EPA Region V for alleged violations for New Source Review for reline of No. 13/14 during 2004-2005. U. S. Steel continues to meet with IDEM and EPA to negotiate resolution of the NOV. EPA has indicated that it has referred the matter to the DOJ.

Mon Valley Works

On March 17, 2008, U. S. Steel entered a Consent Order and Agreement (COA) with the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) to resolve alleged opacity limitation and pushing and traveling violations from older coke oven batteries at its Clairton Plant and to resolve alleged opacity violations from its Edgar Thomson Plant. Under the COA, U. S. Steel paid a civil penalty of $301,800 on March 25, 2008. The COA requires U. S. Steel to conduct interim repairs on existing batteries and make improvements at the Ladle Metallurgical Facility and Steelmaking Shop at the Edgar Thomson Plant. The COA also required that Batteries 1, 2 and 3 be shutdown by August 11, 2015. On September 30, 2010, U. S. Steel and ACHD amended the COA to require U. S. Steel to install two new Low Emissions Quench Towers to replace existing towers and bring Batteries 1, 2 and 3 into compliance rather than shutting them down. We are repairing existing Batteries 19 and 20 and we continue to make improvements on Batteries 1, 2 and 3. The capital costs for the quench towers is estimated to be $60 million while the cost of improvements at Batteries 1, 2 and 3 cannot be estimated at this time. U. S. Steel is also completing upgrades at its Edgar Thomson Plant that would reduce emissions. U. S. Steel shut down Batteries 7, 8 and 9 in 2009 as required by the COA.

On October 8, 2009, Mon Valley Clairton Plant received an NOV from ACHD alleging that the Clairton Plant was culpable for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) Pennsylvania ambient air quality standard exceedances. The NOV requires U. S. Steel to submit a plan with milestones to reduce and minimize fugitive emissions of coke oven gas from the coke producing operations at Clairton including identification of coke oven gas emission sources and method of improved emission prevention and control. While U. S. Steel appealed the NOV on October 16, 2009, U. S. Steel submitted an Action Plan to ACHD that was required by the NOV. U. S. Steel and ACHD have performed H2S modeling and are in the process of evaluating all potential sources of H2S in the area. U. S. Steel and ACHD continue to meet and discuss resolution.

Midwest Plant

A former disposal area located on the east side of the Midwest Plant was designated a SWMU (East Side SWMU) by IDEM before U. S. Steel acquired this plant from National Steel Corporation. U. S. Steel submitted a Closure Plan to IDEM recommending consolidation and “in-place” closure of the East Side SWMU. IDEM approved the Closure Plan in January 2010. Implementation of the Closure Plan began during the third quarter of 2010 and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2011. The remaining cost is expected to be approximately $1 million and was recorded as an accrued liability as of March 31, 2011.

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 an RFI and a CMS at our Fairless Plant. A Phase I RFI report was submitted during the third quarter of 1997. 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 $522,000. It is reasonably possible that additional costs of as much as $25 to $45 million may be incurred at this site in combination with four other projects. See note 18 to the Financial Statements “Contingencies and Commitments – Environmental Matters – Remediation Projects – Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development.”

 

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Fairfield Works

A consent decree was signed by U. S. Steel, EPA and the U.S. 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. In accordance with the consent decree, U. S. Steel paid a civil penalty of $1 million, completed two supplemental environmental projects at a cost of $1.75 million and initiated a RCRA corrective action program at the Fairfield Works facility. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) with the approval of EPA assumed primary responsibility for regulation and oversight of the RCRA corrective action program at Fairfield Works. ADEM is currently reviewing the Phase II RFI work plan. In January 1999, ADEM included the former Ensley facility site in Fairfield Corrective Action. As of March 31, 2011, costs to complete the remediation of this area have amounted to $1.3 million. In total, the accrued liability was approximately $1 million as of March 31, 2011, based on estimated remaining costs. It is reasonably possible that additional costs of as much as $25 to $45 million may be incurred at this site in combination with four other projects. See note 18 to the Financial Statements “Contingencies and Commitments – Environmental Matters – Remediation Projects – Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development.”

Lorain Tubular Operations

In September 2006, U. S. Steel received a letter from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) inviting U. S. Steel to enter into discussions about RCRA Corrective Action at Lorain Tubular Operations. A Phase I RFI on the identified SWMUs and AOCs is complete and under review by OEPA. As of March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel has spent $671,000 on studies at this site. Costs to complete additional studies are estimated to be $659,000. It is reasonably possible that additional costs of as much as $25 to $45 million may be incurred at this site in combination with four other projects. See note 18 to the Financial Statements “Contingencies and Commitments – Environmental Matters – Remediation Projects – Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development.”

On November 16, 2010, OEPA issued an NOV to U. S. Steel for allegedly not submitting a complete and timely NOx Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) study of Lorain Tubular Operations, as required by OEPA RACT rules. To comply with OEPA NOx RACT rules, U. S. Steel will install ultra low NOx burners on the No. 4 seamless rotary furnace at an estimated capital expenditure of $3 million with completion expected in early 2012.

Great Lakes Works

On February 13, 2007, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and U. S. Steel agreed to an Administrative Consent Order (the Order) that resolves alleged violations of Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits at the Great Lakes Works facility. As required by the Order, U. S. Steel has paid a civil penalty of $300,000 and has reimbursed MDEQ $50,000 in costs. The Order identified certain compliance actions to address the alleged violations. U. S. Steel has completed work on most of these compliance actions, and has initiated work on the others. As of March 31, 2011, $1.8 million has been spent on the project. In addition, $161,000 remains accrued for possible additional requirements.

On October 5, 2009, after an inspection of Great Lakes Works and receiving responses to its 114 Request, as part of EPA Region V’s regional enforcement initiative, U. S. Steel received an NOV/FOV from EPA Region V alleging that Great Lakes Works violated casthouse roof monitor and baghouse opacity limits; slag pit opacity limits; Basic Oxygen Process roof monitor opacity limits; and certain permit recordkeeping and parametric monitoring requirements. U. S. Steel has met with EPA regarding the alleged violations and continues to negotiate resolution of the matter. EPA advised U. S. Steel that it has referred the matter to the DOJ.

 

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Granite City Works

U. S. Steel 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 at our Granite City Works facility. All of the issues have been resolved except for an issue relating to air emissions that occurs when coke is pushed out of the ovens, for which a compliance plan has been submitted to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). IEPA referred the two NOVs to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office for enforcement. On December 18, 2007, U. S. Steel and IEPA entered into a consent order (State of Illinois ex. rel. Lisa Madigan vs. United States Steel Corporation), which resolved the issues raised in the two NOVs. In December 2006, IEPA added to its complaint by adding a release of coke oven gas in February 2006. The Order required that U. S. Steel: (1) pay a penalty of $300,000, which U. S. Steel paid on January 10, 2008; (2) demonstrate compliance with Coke Oven Pushing Operations in accordance with the compliance schedule provided in the Order; (3) comply with the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) opacity emissions in accordance with the schedule provided in the Order; and (4) submit to IEPA a revised permit application with the correct sulfur dioxide emission factors. In February 2011, U. S. Steel demonstrated compliance with the applicable requirements and in March 2011, U. S. Steel certified compliance with the applicable regulations.

At Granite City Works, U. S. Steel and Gateway Energy & Coke Company, LLC (Gateway), a subsidiary of SunCoke Energy, Inc., have agreed with two environmental advocacy groups to establish an Environmental Trust Fund (Trust), which requires the permittees (U. S. Steel and Gateway) to collectively deposit $1.0 million by September 30 th of each year, beginning September 30, 2008 and ending September 30, 2012. To date, U. S. Steel and Gateway have paid the first three of five installments towards the fund.

On February 2, 2009, U. S. Steel received an NOV from IEPA alleging approximately 16 separate violations at Granite City Works, including inappropriate charging a battery while off the collecting main; failing to perform some required MACT monthly and quarterly inspections; failing to timely repair the baffles on the quench tower; failing to adequately wash the baffles on the quench tower; inappropriately using the emergency pour station at the BOP; failing to sufficiently apply a wetting agent to the slag from Blast Furnace A and failing to update and properly implement its Fugitive Dust Program. On November 16, 2009, U. S. Steel received a notice of intent to pursue legal action regarding the alleged violations from IEPA. Resolution of these issues continues to be negotiated with IEPA.

On March 17, 2009, U. S. Steel received an NOV from IEPA alleging the following at Granite City Works: door leaks from B Battery; volatile organic compounds from pressure relief valves from gas blanketing tank; coke by products process unit and information (lacking); failure to report retagging project for benzene in service equipment; and, failure to maintain records for benzene in service equipment repairs. IEPA has not made a penalty demand to date. Resolution of the issues identified in the NOV continues to be negotiated with IEPA. On November 16, 2009, Granite City Works received a notice of intent to pursue legal action regarding the alleged violations from IEPA. U. S. Steel continues to discuss resolution with the IEPA.

On October 5, 2009, U. S. Steel received an NOV/FOV from EPA Region V alleging that Granite City Works: failed to apply for and obtain a Prevention of Significant Deterioration/New Source Review permit for the 1994 B Blast Furnace reline (while the furnace was owned by National Steel Corporation); exceeded BOP roof monitor opacity limits, exceeded blast furnace casthouse roof monitor opacity limits; and failed to complete certain permit recordkeeping and parameteric monitoring requirements. Granite City Works has met with EPA regarding the alleged violations and continues to negotiate resolution of the matter. EPA advised U. S. Steel that it has referred the matter to the Department of Justice.

 

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On July 1, 2010, U. S. Steel entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the IEPA that requires Granite City Works to achieve reductions in emissions of particulate matter. U. S. Steel will evaluate and install appropriate controls to achieve this purpose. To complete the obligations pursuant to the MOU, U. S. Steel anticipates incurring a capital expenditure of approximately $30 million to install additional pollution controls at the BOF.

On August 19, 2010, U. S. Steel notified the IEPA that it could not certify compliance with air emission requirements for the coke plant with regards to coke doors and the coke scrubber car. U. S. Steel submitted compliance plans indicating that it would make repairs to the coke oven doors, evaluate the heating system and the scrubber car by November 30, 2010, certify compliance by February 28, 2011 and update the compliance plan after the results of the evaluation are known. U. S. Steel has completed its self-imposed obligations pursuant to the schedule it submitted to IEPA. IEPA issued a Violation Notice on November 10, 2010 and has indicated that it reserves the right to refer the matter to the Attorney General.

To comply with the Illinois State NOx RACT rule, U. S. Steel will install Flue Gas Recirculation and Continuous Emission Monitors on Boilers 11 and 12 at Granite City Works, at a capital expenditure of approximately $3 million. U. S. Steel will also install a NOx continuous emissions monitor for the slab reheat furnaces at a capital expenditure of approximately $1 million.

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 the current property owner pursuant to an agreement and a permit issued by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. As of March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel has spent $17.2 million to complete remediation on certain areas of the site. Having completed the investigation on a majority of the remaining areas identified in the permit, U. S. Steel has determined that the most effective means to address the remaining impacted material is to manage those materials in a previously approved on-site Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU). U. S. Steel has recorded a liability of $65 million as of March 31, 2011, for our estimated share of the remaining costs of remediation, including the construction, waste management, closure and post closure of a CAMU.

USS-POSCO Industries (UPI)

At UPI, a joint venture between subsidiaries of U. S. Steel and POSCO Industries, corrective measures have been implemented for the majority of the former SWMUs. Prior to the formation of UPI, U. S. Steel owned and operated the Pittsburg, California facility and retained responsibility for the existing environmental conditions. Seven SWMUs remain at the facility, five of which require further remediation. Two SWMUs may not require further action pending a No Further Action decision by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Of the five SWMUs requiring remediation, U. S. Steel has completed investigation of two SWMUs and studies are ongoing concerning the other three. Discussions with the DTSC regarding possible future corrective measures for these three SWMUs are in progress. While it is likely that corrective measures will be required at these SWMUs, it is not possible at this time to define a scope or estimate costs for what may be required by DTSC. It is reasonably possible that additional costs of as much as $25 to $45 million may be incurred at this site in combination with four other projects. See note 18 to the Financial Statements “Contingencies and Commitments – Environmental Matters – Remediation Projects – Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development.”

 

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Other

In April 2003, U. S. Steel and Salomon Smith Barney Holdings, Inc. (SSB) entered into a consent order with the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) concerning a former zinc smelting operation in Cherryvale, Kansas. Remediation was essentially completed in 2007 and U. S. Steel and SSB continue to work with KDHE to address the remaining issues. At March 31, 2011, an accrual of $161,000 remains available for these project contingencies.

On January 18, 2011, KDHE signed a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) which obligates U. S. Steel to prepare and implement a corrective action plan for two sites in Girard, Kansas. The sites are referred to as the Girard Zinc Works and the Cherokee Lanyon #2 site. The CAFO recognizes a single project incorporating the corrective action for both sites. As of March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel has an accrued liability of $2 million to conduct the remedial measure.

In January of 2004, U. S. Steel received notice of a claim from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and notice of claims from citizens of a cap failure at the Dayton Landfill. U. S. Steel’s allocated share is approximately 16 percent. The Remedial Action Plan for the site was approved by TCEQ in June 2009. Implementation of remedial measures is expected to begin in 2011 following final design approval by TCEQ. The accrued liability for U. S. Steel’s share to implement the remedial measure with long term monitoring was approximately $2 million as of March 31, 2011. U. S. Steel and others have filed a lawsuit seeking contribution from approximately 50 parties that used the site.

The Canadian and Ontario governments have identified a sediment deposit, commonly referred to as Randle’s Reef, in Hamilton Harbor near USSC’s Hamilton Works for remediation, for which the regulatory agencies estimate expenditures of approximately C$105 million (approximately $108 million). The national and provincial governments have each allocated C$30 million (approximately $31 million) for this project and they have stated that they will be looking for local sources, including industry, to fund C$30 million (approximately $31 million). USSC has committed C$7 million (approximately $7 million) as its contribution. Funding sources for the balance of the estimated project cost remain to be identified and additional contributions are being sought.

ASBESTOS LITIGATION

As of March 31, 2011, U. S. Steel was a defendant in approximately 585 active cases involving approximately 3,125 plaintiffs. At December 31, 2010, U. S. Steel was a defendant in approximately 550 active cases involving approximately 3,090 plaintiffs.

About 2,600, or approximately 83 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. Most of the claims filed in 2008 through 2011 involve individual or small groups of claimants.

Historically, these claims against U. S. Steel fall into three major groups: (1) claims made by persons who allegedly were exposed to asbestos at U. S. Steel facilities (referred to as “premises claims”); (2) claims made by industrial workers allegedly exposed to products formerly manufactured by U. S. Steel; and (3) claims made under certain federal and general maritime laws by employees of former operations of U. S. Steel. 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; the duration of exposure to asbestos, if any, on U. S. Steel’s premises and the plaintiff’s exposure to other sources of asbestos. In general, the only insurance available to U. S. Steel with respect to asbestos claims is excess casualty insurance, which has multi-million dollar

 

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self-insured retentions. To date, U. S. Steel has received minimal payments under these policies relating 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 230 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 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 our products or premises; however, with the decline in mass plaintiff cases the incidence of claimants actually alleging a claim against U. S. Steel is increasing. 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 our 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. Historically, approximately 89 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 our potential exposure to asbestos liabilities.

U. S. Steel aggressively pursues grounds for the dismissal of U. S. Steel from pending cases and litigates cases to verdict where we believe litigation is appropriate. U. S. Steel also makes efforts to settle appropriate cases, especially mesothelioma cases, for reasonable, and frequently nominal, amounts.

The following table shows activity with respect to asbestos litigation:

 

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

December 31, 2008

     3,000         400         450         3,050       $ 13   

December 31, 2009

     3,050         200         190         3,040       $ 7   

December 31, 2010

     3,040         200         250         3,090       $ 8   

March 31, 2011

     3,090         55         90         3,125       $ 4   

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 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. The vast majority of pending claims against us allege so-called “premises” liability-based exposure on U. S. Steel’s current or former premises. These claims may be 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. In most cases, the claimant also was exposed to asbestos in non-U. S. Steel settings; the relative periods of exposure between U. S. Steel and non-U. S. Steel settings vary with each claimant; and the strength or weakness of the causal link between U. S. Steel exposure and any injury vary widely as do the nature and severity of the injury claimed.

 

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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, management believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, although the resolution of such matters could significantly impact results of operations for a particular period. Among the factors considered in reaching this conclusion are: (1) the generally declining trend in the number of claims; (2) that it has been many years since U. S. Steel employed maritime workers or manufactured or sold asbestos containing products; and (3) U. S. Steel’s history of trial outcomes, settlements and dismissals.

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.

 

 

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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following is an addition to the risk factors disclosed in U. S. Steel’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

We may be adversely impacted by recent events in Japan

A number of our customers, particularly in the automotive market, rely upon suppliers in Japan for certain components of their product. If the earthquakes, tsunami and nuclear power plant problem in Japan prevent our customers from receiving sufficient supplies of these components our business may be adversely affected.

 

Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

  10.1       Administrative Regulations for the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
  10.2       Form of Stock Option Grant Form Agreement under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
  10.3       Form of Performance Award Grant Form Agreement under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
  10.4       Form of Restricted Stock Unit Annual Grant Form Agreement under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
  10.5       Form of Restricted Stock Unit Retention Grant Form Agreement under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
  10.6       United States Steel Corporation Non Tax-Qualified Pension Plan Amended Effective February 21, 2011. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to United States Steel Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on February 24, 2011, Commission File Number 1-16811.
  10.7       Non-Employee Director Fee Arrangements
  10.8       United States Steel Corporation Executive Management Supplemental Pension Program, amended effective March 1, 2011
  10.9       United States Steel Corporation Supplemental Thrift Plan as amended and restated on April 25, 2011
  10.10       Base Salaries of Named Executive Officers
  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
  31.2       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
  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
  32.2       Certification 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

 

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  101       INS XBRL Instance Document
  101       SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  101       CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  101       DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  101       LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  101       PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned chief accounting officer thereunto duly authorized.

 

UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION

By    /s/ Gregory A. Zovko
   Gregory A. Zovko
   Vice President and Controller

April 26, 2011

WEB SITE POSTING

This Form 10-Q will be posted on the U. S. Steel web site, www.ussteel.com , within a few days of its filing.

 

51

Exhibit 10.1

 

THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES PART OF A PROSPECTUS COVERING SECURITIES

THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Administrative Regulations for the

Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program

under the United States Steel Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated

As amended by the Compensation & Organization Committee

Effective April 25, 2011

 

1. Administration . The Compensation & Organization Committee (the “ Committee ”) shall administer the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program (the “ Program ”) under and pursuant to its authority as provided in Section 3 of the United States Steel Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “ Plan ”).

 

  A. Delegation of Authority . The Committee may delegate to a designated individual (the “ Stock Plan Officer ”) and to other Officer-Directors and the executive directly responsible for corporate human resources (collectively, the “ Senior Officers ”) its duties under the Program subject to such conditions and limitations as the Committee shall prescribe, except that only the Committee may designate and grant Awards to Participants. The Committee hereby delegates to the Stock Plan Officer all authority necessary or desirable to administer the Program, including the authority to “consent” upon termination and the authority to delegate all or any portion of the delegated authorities; provided, however, that such authority is limited as follows: (i) only the Committee may (a) designate and grant Awards to Participants (provided that grants to non-executives may be made through a delegated process to one or more Committee members from time to time under rules established by the Committee in advance of such grants), (b) approve the vesting of Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Performance Awards, (c) adjust the number of Shares pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan, (d) approve or amend the form of Awards, (e) amend outstanding Awards, (f) determine the Performance Goals, measures and other terms associated with Performance Awards or (g) modify or amend these Administrative Regulations (the “Regulations”), including any appendices and schedules attached hereto, and (ii) no delegate of the Stock Plan Officer’s authority may delegate his or her authority. Without limiting the foregoing, the Stock Plan Officer is hereby directed to (x) administer Awards under the Plan, (y) determine whether any Participant has violated any terms and conditions set forth in the Award Agreement so as to warrant cancellation of an Award and upon making such determination, cancel such Award, and (z) maintain appropriate records and establish necessary procedures related to the Plan.

 

  B.

Definitions . Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan. The terms “Stock Plan Officer” and “Committee” shall be read as being one and the same; provided , however, the preceding (i) does not apply where necessary to give meaning to the terms, (ii) does not limit the authority of the Committee or increase the authority of the Stock Plan Officer, and (iii) requires that the Stock Plan Officer have the requisite


 

authority (as defined above and/or pursuant to any current Committee resolution) in the context in which the term “Committee” is used.

 

  C. Compensation Consultant . The Committee may engage a compensation consultant to assess the competitiveness of various target Award levels and advise the Committee.

 

2. Participation/Eligibility . All management employees of the Corporation, its Subsidiaries and affiliates are eligible to participate in the Program upon designation by the Committee or Senior Officers (“Participants”).

 

  A. Executive Management . Employees designated by the Committee to be Executive Management are hereby designated to be Participants. Grants to individuals designated to be Executive Management must be approved by the Committee.

 

  B. Rights . No Participant or other employee shall have any claim to be granted an Award under the Program, and nothing contained in the Program or any Award Agreement shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Corporation, its Subsidiaries or affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation, its Subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate a Participant’s employment at any time.

 

3. Components of Long-Term Incentives . Award grants may be made in the following forms: Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards, and Performance Awards .

 

4. Options .

 

  A. Award Grants/Grant Price . The Committee may grant Options to Participants. All Options will be nonstatutory stock options. The exercise price per Share of the Options shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant of the Option.

 

  B. Term . Each Option shall state the period or periods of time during which it may be exercised, in whole or in part. The term of an Option may not exceed ten years.

 

  C. Vesting . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Option grants shall vest ratably over three years (1/3 on each of the first, second and third grant date anniversaries), each such year to be considered a “Vesting Year”.

 

  D. Exercise of Options .

 

  (1) Effective Date of Exercise . The date of exercise of an Option shall be the business day on which the notice of exercise and payment for Shares being purchased are received by the Stock Plan Officer.

 

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  (2) Payment for Shares Purchased . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, payment of the purchase price shall be made, at the election of the Participant, in cash or by delivering Shares owned by the Participant or withholding of shares to be acquired upon exercise in accordance with procedures established by the Stock Plan Officer and valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise, or a combination thereof.

 

  (a) Overpayment in Shares . If the Fair Market Value of Shares delivered or withheld in payment of the purchase price exceeds the purchase price, a certificate, or its equivalent, representing the whole number of excess Shares together with a check, or its equivalent, representing the Fair Market Value of any excess partial Share shall be delivered to the Participant. In the case of a Participant who is at the time of exercise subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any portion of the exercise price representing a fraction of a Share shall be paid by such Participant in cash or property other than Shares.

 

  (b) Underpayment in Shares . If the Fair Market Value of Shares delivered or withheld in payment of the purchase price is less than the purchase price, the difference shall be delivered by the Participant in cash immediately upon notification of such difference.

 

  (c) Requirements Relating to Previously Owned Shares . Shares delivered in payment of the purchase price shall be duly endorsed for transfer to the Corporation. If Shares so delivered are not registered in the name of the Participant individually, the Participant shall also provide evidence acceptable to the Stock Plan Officer that such Shares are beneficially owned by the Participant individually.

 

  E. Post-Termination of Employment Exercise .

 

  (1) Death and Disability . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all Options vest immediately upon the Participant’s death during employment or termination of employment by reason of Disability. Vested options remain exercisable for three years following the date of Death or termination of employment by reason of Disability, as applicable, or, if less, until the original expiration date.

 

  (a) Disability ” shall be determined, for all purposes under the Program, by reference to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”).

 

  (2)

Retirement and Termination with Consent . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a prorated number of the Options scheduled to vest

 

3


 

during the Vesting Year will vest, based upon the number of complete months worked during the Vesting Year in which the Participant’s termination of employment occurs by reason of Retirement or Termination with Consent. The prorated award will be calculated upon such termination and will vest at the next vesting date. The remaining unvested Option grants are forfeited immediately upon termination. Vested options remain exercisable for three years following such termination or, if less, until the original expiration date.

 

  (a) Example: If the 1/3 ratable vesting for Vesting Year 3 is 1000 shares for Award 1, 1000 shares for Award 2, and 1000 shares for Award 3 and if the Participant terminates employment by reason of Retirement six months following the Award 3 grants, the Participant is entitled to vesting of 1/2 of all grants that would have vested at the end of the Vesting Year during which he or she retires (Vesting Year 3 in this example), or 1500 shares. This example focuses only on the shares that would vest during Vesting Year 3; however, another 3000 shares would have vested in the aggregate following Vesting Years 1 and 2, for a total of 4500 shares vesting under the Awards 1, 2 and 3. The 1500 shares would vest upon the next scheduled vesting date following termination. The post-termination exercise period would be measured for three years following the date of termination, even though the final pro rata tranche does not vest upon termination.

 

  (b) Retirement ” shall mean, for all purposes under the Program, the applicable Participant’s termination of employment after having satisfied the age, service and/or other requirements necessary to commence an immediate pension under either: (i) the applicable defined benefit pension plan for the Participant’s home country, regardless of whether the Participant is a participant in such pension plan, or (ii) in the case of a home country for which there is no applicable defined benefit plan, the applicable local law or regulation; provided, however , such term does not include, unless the Committee consents with knowledge of the specific facts, retirement under circumstances in which the Participant accepts employment with a company that owns, or is owned by, a business that competes with the Corporation, or its Subsidiaries or affiliates. Further, to the extent necessary under applicable local law, Retirement may have such other meaning adopted by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

  (c) Termination ” shall mean the applicable employee’s termination of employment other than by Retirement, death or Disability.

 

  (d)

Termination with Consent ” shall mean Termination at any age with the consent of the Committee. Consent shall be deemed to be

 

4


 

given if the employee incurs a break in continuous service due to layoff or disability as defined under the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plan, regardless of whether the employee is participating in such plan.

 

  (e) Termination without Consent ” shall mean Termination at any age without the consent of the Committee.

 

  (3) Termination without Consent and Termination for Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, vested and unvested Options are forfeited if termination of employment is due to Termination without Consent or Termination for Cause.

 

  (4) Termination in connection with a Change of Control . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these Regulations, if a Change of Control Termination occurs within two years following a Change of Control, then no Options shall have been, nor shall any Options be, forfeited upon such termination; rather, all Options shall vest immediately upon the occurrence of the Change of Control Termination. Such vested Options shall remain exercisable for the remainder of their respective terms. For purposes of these regulations, a “Change of Control Termination” shall be a termination of a Participant following a Change of Control that is (i) involuntarily for any reason other than Cause or (ii) in the case of a Participant who has been determined by the Committee to be executive management prior to the time to the Change of Control, voluntarily for Good Reason.

 

  F. Adjustment upon Change of Control . The Adjustment provisions of Section 8.01 of the Plan shall apply in the event of any Change of Control, such that the Options shall continue in adjusted and/or substituted form following the Change of Control.

 

5. Restricted Stock .

 

  A. Restricted Stock Grants . The Committee may grant Restricted Stock to Participants. A Participant must endorse in blank and return to the Corporation a stock power for each Restricted Stock grant.

 

  B.

Restrictions . During the restriction period a Participant may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of Shares of the Restricted Stock. During the restriction period a Participant shall have all rights and privileges of a stockholder, including the right to vote the Shares and to receive dividends, except as noted in the preceding sentence and except that any dividends payable in stock shall be subject to the restrictions. At the expiration of the restriction period, a stock certificate free of all restrictions for the number of Shares of Restricted Stock vested shall be registered in the name of, and delivered

 

5


 

to, the Participant or, subject to the termination provisions below, to the Participant’s estate.

 

  C. Vesting . The Committee shall determine the restriction period, provided that (i) Restricted Stock grants which are time-based shall vest ratably over a period of not less than three years (1/3 on each of the first, second and third grant date anniversaries), each such year to be considered a “Vesting Year” and (ii) Restricted Stock grants which are performance-based shall vest over a period of not less than one year.

 

  D. Termination of Employment .

 

  (1) Death and Disability . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all Shares of Restricted Stock vest immediately upon the Participant’s death during employment or termination of employment by reason of Disability.

 

  (2) Retirement and Termination with Consent . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a prorated number of the shares of Restricted Stock scheduled to vest during the Vesting Year will vest, based upon the number of complete months worked during the Vesting Year in which the Participant’s termination of employment occurs by reason of Retirement or Termination with Consent. The prorated award will be calculated upon termination and will vest upon the date of termination. The remaining unvested shares are forfeited immediately upon termination.

 

  (a) Example: If the 1/3 ratable vesting for Vesting Year 3 is 1000 shares for Award 1, 1000 shares for Award 2, and 1000 shares for Award 3 and if the Participant terminates employment by reason of Retirement six months following the Award 3 grants, the Participant is entitled to vesting of 1/2 of all grants that would have vested at the end of the Vesting Year during which he or she retires (Vesting Year 3 in this example), or 1500 shares. This example focuses only on the shares that would vest during Vesting Year 3; however, another 3000 shares would have vested in the aggregate following Vesting Years 1 and 2, for a total of 4500 shares vesting under the Awards 1, 2 and 3. The 1500 shares would vest upon the date of termination.

 

  (3) Termination without Consent and Termination for Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, unvested shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited if termination of employment is due to Termination without Consent or Termination for Cause.

 

  E.

Change of Control . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these Regulations, if a Change of Control Termination occurs within two years following a Change of Control, then no shares of Restricted Stock shall have been, nor shall any shares of Restricted Stock be, forfeited upon such termination;

 

6


 

rather, all shares of Restricted Stock shall vest immediately upon the occurrence of the Change of Control Termination.

 

6. Restricted Stock Units .

 

  A. Restricted Stock Unit Grants . The Committee may grant Restricted Stock Units to Participants.

 

  B. Restrictions . During the restriction period a Participant may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of the Restricted Stock Units. During the restriction period a Participant shall have none of the rights and privileges of a stockholder, however, the Participant may be entitled to receive a payment (in cash or Shares) or credit equal to the cash dividends paid on one Share for each Share represented by a Restricted Stock Unit held by such Participant (a “dividend equivalent”); provided, however, the dividend equivalents shall not be paid to, or vested in, the Participant unless and to the extent the underlying Restricted Stock Units are vested. Any dividend equivalent paid in Shares shall be paid in the form of additional whole and/or fractional Restricted Stock Units, subject to the same restrictions and vesting conditions as the underlying Restricted Stock Units and settled in the same manner. At the expiration of the restriction period, and in no event later than 2 1/2 months following the end of the calendar year in which vesting occurs, a stock certificate free of all restrictions for the number of Shares equivalent to the number of vested Restricted Stock Units (including any dividend equivalents, in the case of dividend equivalents paid in Shares) shall be registered in the name of, and delivered to, the Participant or, subject to the termination provisions below, to the Participant’s estate. In the case of dividend equivalents paid in cash, a cash payment will be made at the end of the restriction period equal to the dividends paid on a number of Shares equivalent to the number of vested Restricted Stock Units.

 

  C. Vesting . The Committee shall determine the restriction period, provided that (i) Restricted Stock Unit grants which are time-based shall vest ratably over a period of not less than three years (1/3 on each of the first, second and third grant date anniversaries), each such year to be considered a “Vesting Year” and (ii) Restricted Stock Unit grants which are performance-based shall vest over a period of not less than one year.

 

  D. Termination of Employment .

 

  (1) Death and Disability . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all Restricted Stock Units vest immediately upon the Participant’s death during employment or termination of employment by reason of Disability.

 

  (2)

Retirement and Termination with Consent . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a prorated number of the Restricted Stock Units scheduled to vest during the Vesting Year will vest, based upon the

 

7


 

number of complete months worked during the Vesting Year in which the Participant’s termination of employment occurs by reason of Retirement, or Termination with Consent, which is to be calculated upon termination and delivered, subject to the following, upon termination. In the case of any payment considered to be based upon separation from service, and not compensation the Participant could receive without separating from service, then such amounts may not be paid until the first business day of the seventh month following the date of Participant’s termination if Participant is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code upon his separation from service. The remaining unvested shares are forfeited immediately upon termination.

 

  (a) Example: If the 1/3 ratable vesting for Vesting Year 3 is 1000 shares for Award 1, 1000 shares for Award 2, and 1000 shares for Award 3 and if the Participant terminates employment by reason of Retirement six months following the Award 3 grants, the Participant is entitled to vesting of 1/2 of all grants that would have vested at the end of the Vesting Year during which he or she retires (Vesting Year 3 in this example), or 1500 shares. This example focuses only on the shares that would vest during Vesting Year 3; however, another 3000 shares would have vested in the aggregate following Vesting Years 1 and 2, for a total of 4500 shares vesting under the Awards 1, 2 and 3. The 1500 shares would vest upon the date of termination.

 

  (3) Termination without Consent and Termination for Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, unvested Restricted Stock Units are forfeited if termination of employment is due to Termination without Consent or Termination for Cause.

 

  E. Change of Control . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these Regulations, if a Change of Control Termination occurs within 24 months following a Change of Control, then no Restricted Stock Units shall have been, nor shall any Restricted Stock Units be, forfeited upon such termination; rather, all Restricted Stock Units shall vest immediately upon the occurrence of the Change of Control Termination.

 

7. Performance Awards .

 

  A.

Performance Periods . Each Performance Period will be approximately three years in length and may overlap with the Performance Periods for the prior year and subsequent year Performance Award grants, if any. Each Performance Period will begin on the third business day following the public release of the Corporation’s earnings for the first quarter of the calendar year during which the Performance Period begins and shall end on the twelfth business day following the public release of the Corporation’s earnings for the first quarter of the third calendar year succeeding the calendar year during which the Performance Period

 

8


 

begins (the approximate three year period is referred to herein as the “ Performance Period ”).

 

  B. Performance Goal Establishment/Grant Mechanics . The Committee shall establish and approve the Performance Goal and the relevant peer group (the “ Peer Group ”) for performance comparison purposes at the beginning of each Performance Period. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the beginning of the relevant Performance Period, the Performance Goal shall be based upon the total shareholder return performance measure, and the Corporation’s total shareholder return shall be compared to the total shareholder return of the Peer Group for the Performance Period.

 

  C. Performance Award Grants . At the beginning of each Performance Period, the Committee may grant Performance Awards to Participants for such Performance Period and shall identify for such grants the amount which may be earned based upon the level of achievement attained (the “ Target ” award, in the case of attainment of the target level of performance).

 

  D. Performance Vesting .

 

  (1) Payout Calculation . Payout shall be based upon the relative Annualized Total Shareholder Return (“ Annualized TSR ”) over the Performance Period.

 

  (a) Annualized TSR = ((Final Price + all dividends paid during the relevant Performance Period)/Initial Price)^(1/3)-1.

 

  (b) Initial Price = the Average Measurement Period Price relative to the public release of earnings for first quarter of the calendar year of grant.

 

  (c) Final Price = the Average Measurement Period Price relative to the public release of earnings for the first quarter of the third calendar year succeeding the year of grant.

 

  (d) Average Measurement Period Price = The average of the Fair Market Values for each of the ten days during the ten business day period beginning on the third business day following the public release of earnings for the first quarter of a calendar year.

 

  (e) Stock prices may be determined using (a) any reputable online stock-quote service, such as Yahoo! Finance or Bloomberg, or (b) the financial pages of The Wall Street Journal .

 

  (2)

Payout Basis . Payout will be based upon the Corporation’s calculated Annualized TSR compared to the statistical Annualized TSR for the Peer Group (“ Comparative TSR ”) using the whole company ranking method ( i.e ., including the Corporation within the array of companies for which

 

9


 

TSR is compared). Awards will be evaluated based upon the following comparison:

 

  (a) Comparative TSR = 25th percentile —> 50% of Target (the Threshold/Minimum Award).

 

  (b) Comparative TSR = 50th percentile —> 100% of Target (the Target Award).

 

  (c) Comparative TSR = 75th percentile and above —> 200% of Target (the Cap/Maximum Award).

 

  (d) Interpolation will be used to determine actual awards for performance that correlates to an award between Minimum and Target or Target and Maximum Award levels.

 

  (e) In calculating the number of shares to be awarded, the Corporation’s relative TSR percentile shall be rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percentile, rounding up if the thousandth’s place is 5 or more and truncating if the thousandth’s place is 4 or less. The related payout rate also shall be calculated to the nearest hundredth’s place using the same rounding procedure. Additionally, the calculated number of shares shall be rounded to the nearest whole share, rounding up if the fractional share is 5 tenths or more and truncating the fractional share if it is less than 5 tenths.

 

  (f)

Award payout will follow the end of the Performance Period (and in no event later than 2  1 / 2 months following the end of the calendar year in which the Performance Period ends, as provided in the Plan) and the Committee’s written certification of achievement of Performance Goals, payable in the form of Shares. In the case of any payment considered to be based upon separation from service, and not compensation the Participant could receive without separating from service, then such amounts may not be paid until the first business day of the seventh month following the date of Participant’s termination if Participant is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code upon his separation from service.

 

  (3)

Peer Group Adjustments . At the commencement of the Performance Period, the Committee may determine that specific guidance be considered in connection with possible adjustments to the Peer Group, to include U. S. Steel should the circumstances arise, involved in the calculation of the Corporation’s comparative performance with respect to the Performance Goal during the Performance Period. Any such determination will be in addition to, or will amend if it conflicts with, the

 

10


 

following guidelines, which will be used in connection with the calculation:

 

  (a) If a Peer Group Company becomes bankrupt, the bankrupt company will remain in the Peer Group positioned at one level below the lowest performing non-bankrupt Peer Group Company. In the case of multiple bankruptcies, the bankrupt companies will be positioned below the non-bankrupt companies in chronological order by bankruptcy date with the first to be bankrupt at the bottom.

 

  (b) If a Peer Group Company is acquired by another company or entity, including through a management buy-out or going-private transaction, the acquired Peer Group Company will be removed from the Peer Group for the entire Performance Period; provided that if the acquired company became bankrupt prior to its acquisition it shall be treated as provided in paragraph (a), above, or if it shall become delisted according to paragraph (e), below, prior to its acquisition it shall be treated as provided in paragraph (e).

 

  (c) If a Peer Group Company sells, spins-off, or disposes of a portion of its business, the selling Peer Group Company will remain in the Peer Group for the Performance Period unless such disposition(s) results in the disposition of more than 50% of the company’s total assets during the Performance Period.

 

  (d) If a Peer Group Company acquires another company, the acquiring Peer Group Company will remain in the Peer Group for the Performance Period.

 

  (e) If a Peer Group Company is delisted from either the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) such that it is no longer listed on either exchange, such delisted Peer Group Company will remain in the Peer Group positioned at one level below the lowest performing listed company and above the highest ranked bankrupt Peer Group Company. In the case of multiple delistings, the delisted companies will be positioned below the listed and above the bankrupt companies in chronological order by delisting date with the first to be delisted at the bottom of the delisted companies. If a delisted company shall become bankrupt, it shall be treated as provided in paragraph (a), above. If a delisted company shall be later acquired, it shall be treated as a delisted company under this paragraph. If a delisted company shall relist during the Performance Period, it shall remain in its relative delisted position determined under this paragraph.

 

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  (f) If the Corporation’s and/or any Peer Group Company’s stock splits, such company’s TSR performance will be adjusted for the stock split so as not to give an advantage or disadvantage to such company by comparison to the other companies, using the principles set forth in Section 8 of the Plan.

 

  (4) Negative Discretion . The Committee retains negative discretion to reduce any and all Performance Awards to an amount below the amount that would be payable as a result of performance measured against the Performance Goals, except with respect to Performance Awards paid pursuant to a Change of Control. The Committee may not increase Performance Awards above the amount payable as a result of performance measured against the Performance Goals.

 

  (5) Termination of Employment .

 

  (a) Death and Disability . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a prorated value of the Performance Award will vest based upon the date of death during employment or termination of employment by reason of Disability during the Performance Period in accordance with the following schedule, to be calculated and delivered at the end of the relevant Performance Period, provided that the relevant performance goals are achieved and subject to the Committee’s negative discretion:

 

Date of Death or Termination for Disability

   % Vested  

Prior to  1 / 3 completion of Performance Period

     0

On or after  1 / 3 and before  2 / 3 completion of Performance Period

     50

On or after  2 / 3 completion of Performance Period

     100

 

  (b) Retirement and Termination with Consent . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a prorated value of the Performance Award will vest based upon the number of complete months worked during the Performance Period, in the event of a Participant’s termination of employment by reason of Retirement, or Termination with Consent, to be calculated and delivered at the end of the relevant Performance Period, provided that the relevant performance goals are achieved and subject to the Committee’s negative discretion. In the case of any payment considered to be based upon separation from service, and not compensation the Participant could receive without separating from service, then such amounts may not be paid until the first business day of the seventh month following the date of Participant’s termination if Participant is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code upon his separation from service.

 

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  (i)

Example: If the Target number of Shares is 1000 shares for Performance Period 1 Awards, 1000 shares for Performance Period 2 Awards, and 1000 shares for Performance Period 3 Awards and if the Participant terminates employment by reason of Retirement six months following the first day of Performance Period 3, the Participant is entitled to vesting of 5/6’s of the Performance Period 1 awards,  1 / 2 of the Performance Period 2 awards, and 1/6 of the Performance Period 3 awards (or 1500 shares), subject to the Committee’s determination of the payout basis for each Performance Period. That is, the above example assumes that the Committee had determined the Performance Goals had been met at least to the 100% of Target level and that the payout basis was 100% of Target for each period. (Again, the Committee retains its negative discretion with respect to each Performance Period and with respect to each Participant and payments, if any, will be made following the relevant Performance Period.)

 

  (c) Termination without Consent and Termination for Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Performance Awards will be forfeited immediately if a Participant’s termination of employment is due to Termination without Consent or Termination for Cause.

 

  (6)

Change of Control . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of the Regulations, if a Change of Control occurs, (i) the Performance Period shall automatically end, (ii) the actual performance level for the abbreviated Performance Period shall be measured against the established Performance Goals, without the Committee’s negative discretion, the performance criteria shall be deemed satisfied only to the extent that actual performance was achieved (the result is the “Achieved Performance Award”), and the balance of the Performance Award, if any, shall be forfeited, and (iii) the Achieved Performance Award shall remain subject to forfeiture until the third anniversary of the date of grant of the Performance Award if the Participant terminates employment after the Change of Control but before the third anniversary of the date of grant; provided, however, that (i) if a Change of Control Termination occurs within two years following a Change of Control, then the Achieved Performance Award shall not be forfeited upon such termination; rather, the Achieved Performance Award shall vest immediately upon the Change of Control Termination, (ii) if a Termination by reason of death or Disability occurs, then the Achieved Performance Award shall not be forfeited upon such death or Disability; rather, the Performance Award shall vest immediately upon the Participant’s death during employment or termination of employment by reason of Disability; and (iii) if a Termination by reason of Retirement or Termination with Consent occurs, then a prorated portion of the Achieved Performance Award will vest, based upon the number of complete months worked during the original Performance Period in relation to the number

 

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of whole months in the original Performance Period and the remainder shall be forfeited.

 

  (a) Price . In the event of a Change of Control, the final price for purposes of determining the Annualized TSR shall be determined based on the closing price of the business day immediately preceding the closing date of the Change of Control.

 

  (b) Original Performance Period . In the event of a Change of Control, the original Performance Period shall be deemed to end on the third anniversary of the date of grant of the Performance Award.

 

8. Forfeiture and Repayment . The Committee may determine that any Award under this Program shall be forfeited and/or any value received from the Award shall be repaid to the Corporation pursuant to any recoupment policies, rules or regulations in effect at the time the Award is granted.

 

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Exhibit 10.2

 

THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES PART OF A PROSPECTUS COVERING SECURITIES THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.

Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Agreement

(Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan)

NOT TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT BY WILL OR BY THE LAWS GOVERNING THE DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATES

Non-Qualified Stock Option granted by United States Steel Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), to the optionee identified below (the “Optionee”).

 

Name of Optionee:    PARTICIPANT NAME
Name of Employing Company

on Date Hereof:

   (the company recognized by the Corporation as employing the Optionee on the date hereof)
Number of Shares Subject to Purchase:    # SHARES
Exercise Price of Each Share:    GRANT PRICE
Date of This Option:    GRANT DATE

By my acceptance, I agree that this option (the “Option”) is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Corporation’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Plan”), the Corporation’s Administrative Regulations for the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program (the “Administrative Regulations”), and the Grant Terms and Conditions contained herein (the “Agreement”) including the special provisions for my country of residence, if any, attached hereto as Exhibit A, as well as such amendments to the Plan and/or the Administrative Regulations as the Compensation & Organization Committee, or its successor committee (the “Committee”), may adopt from time to time.

 

United States Steel Corporation

    Accepted as of the above date: ACCEPTANCE DATE
By         By   PARTICIPANT ES
  Authorized Officer       Signature of Optionee

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Grant : Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Administrative Regulations and this Agreement, the Corporation agrees that the Optionee has the right to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation set forth in this Option grant for the exercise price stated herein.

2. Continuous Employment Requirement : The Optionee agrees to continue as an active employee of the employing company identified above or the Corporation, its subsidiaries or affiliates (each an “Employing Company”) for three years from the date of the Option, subject to the Employing Company’s right to terminate the Optionee’s employment at any time, performing such duties consistent with his capabilities.

3. Vesting and Termination of Employment : The Option will become exercisable in annual installments over a three-year vesting period according to the following vesting schedule: 1/3 of the Option shares shall vest upon the 1 st anniversary of the date of the Option, provided that the Optionee is employed by an Employing Company on such anniversary; an additional 1/3 of the Option shares will vest upon the 2 nd anniversary of the date of the Option, provided that the Optionee is employed by an Employing Company on such anniversary; and an additional 1/3 of the Option shares will vest on the 3 rd anniversary of the date of the Option, provided that the Optionee is employed by an Employing Company on such anniversary, with all fractional Option shares, if any, vesting as whole Option shares upon the latest vesting date. Any portion of the Option that is exercisable may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time during the Option period. In the event of the exercise of the Option in whole or in part, the portion of the Option so exercised shall terminate. The Option period shall begin on the date of the Option and shall end, except as provided in Section 5 hereof, on the first to occur of: (a) ten years thereafter, (b) three years after the date upon which the Optionee ceases to be an employee of an Employing Company by reason of Retirement, death, Disability or Termination with Consent, or (c) immediately following termination of employment, if termination of employment is due to Termination without Consent or Termination for Cause. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all unvested Options will immediately vest upon the Optionee’s death during employment or termination of employment by reason of Disability. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a prorated number of the Options scheduled to vest during the current Vesting Year will vest on the vesting date for the current Vesting Year based upon the number of complete months worked during the Vesting Year in which the Optionee’s termination of employment occurs by reason of Retirement or Termination with Consent. Except as provided in Section 5, the remaining unvested Option grants are forfeited immediately upon the Optionee’s termination of employment without consideration or further action required of the Corporation or Employing Company.

Except as provided in Section 5, and notwithstanding any terms or conditions of the Plan, the Administrative Regulations or this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of the Optionee’s termination of employment, the Optionee’s right to vest in the Option, if any, will terminate effective as of the date that the Optionee is no longer actively employed by an Employing Company and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law); furthermore, in the event of termination of the Optionee’s employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), the Optionee’s right to receive shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Option after such termination, if any, will be measured by the date of termination of the Optionee’s active employment and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law; the Committee shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when the Optionee is no longer actively employed for purposes of the Option.

4. Payment of Exercise Price . The exercise price shall be paid in cash or such other form of consideration as permitted in the Plan and the Administrative Regulations, including through the withholding of shares to be acquired upon exercise of the Option, subject to the Stock Plan Officer’s establishment of procedures with respect thereto; provided however that, if the Optionee is subject to taxation on the benefit received from the Option in a jurisdiction outside the United States, the Optionee may not pay the exercise price by surrendering shares of Common Stock that he or she already owns or attesting to the ownership of shares of Common Stock. The Corporation reserves the right to restrict the methods of payment of the exercise price if necessary to comply with applicable local law, as determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion.

5. Change of Control : If the Optionee’s employment is terminated within two years following a Change of Control involuntarily (except for Cause) or, in the case of participants designated as executive management at the time of the Change of Control, voluntarily for Good Reason, each unvested Option will immediately vest and remain exercisable until the end of its term.

6. Transferability : During the Optionee’s lifetime, to the extent the Option is exercisable, the Option may be exercised only by the Optionee or by the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative. Upon the Optionee’s death, the Option may be transferred by will or by the laws governing the descent and distribution of the Optionee’s estate. Otherwise, the Option may not be transferred, pledged or encumbered and, in the event of an attempt to transfer, pledge or encumber it, the Committee may cancel it.

7. Adjustments and Recoupment : The number of shares subject to the Option and the Option exercise price per share shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8 of the Plan. The Optionee shall be notified of such adjustment and such adjustment shall be binding upon the Corporation and the Optionee. Consistent with Section 10 of this Agreement, this grant shall be administered in accordance with, and is subject to, any recoupment policies and provisions prescribed by the Plan and/or the Administrative Regulations at the time of such grant; notwithstanding the foregoing, this grant shall be subject to all recoupment provisions required by law from time to time. In its sole discretion, the Committee shall have the authority to amend, waive or apply the terms of any recoupment policies or provisions not required by law, in whole or in part, to the extent necessary or advisable to comply with applicable local laws, as determined by the Committee.

 

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STOCK OPTION GRANT FORM – April 2011


8. Compliance with Laws : Notwithstanding anything in the Plan, the Administrative Regulations or this Agreement to the contrary, the obligations of the Corporation and the rights of the Optionee are subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any other applicable laws. No shares of Common Stock will be issued or delivered to the Optionee under the Plan unless and until there has been compliance with such applicable laws.

9. Acceptance of Grant : The Option may not be exercised unless it is accepted by the Optionee and notice of such acceptance is received by the Stock Plan Officer.

10. Interpretation and Amendments : The Option shall be administered and exercised in accordance with the Plan and the Administrative Regulations, as the same may be amended by the Committee from time to time, provided that no amendment may, without the consent of the Optionee, affect the rights of the Optionee under this Option in a materially adverse manner. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, an amendment that affects the tax treatment of the Option shall not be considered as affecting the Optionee’s rights in a materially adverse manner. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Plan or the Administrative Regulations. In the event of a conflict between the Plan and the Administrative Regulations, unless this Agreement specifies otherwise, the Plan shall control.

11. Nature of the Grant : Neither the grant of the Option nor anything else contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Employing Company to terminate the Optionee’s employment at any time, for any reason, with or without cause. Further, by accepting this Option, the Optionee acknowledges that:

  a) the grant of the Option is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of options, or benefits in lieu of options, even if options have been granted repeatedly in the past;
  b) all decisions with respect to future option grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Committee;
  c) the Optionee is voluntarily participating in the Plan;
  d) the Option and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option are extraordinary items which do not constitute compensation of any kind for services of any kind rendered to the Corporation or to the Employing Company, and which are outside the scope of the Optionee’s employment contract, if any;
  e) the Option and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, dismissal, redundancy, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, past services for the Corporation or the Employing Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation;
  f) the Option and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;
  g) the grant of the Option will not be interpreted to form an employment contract or relationship with the Corporation, the Employing Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation;
  h) the future value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Option is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty; if the underlying shares do not increase in value, the Option will have no value. If Optionee exercises the Option and obtains shares of Common Stock, the value of the shares acquired upon exercise may increase or decrease in value, even below the exercise price;
  i) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages arises from forfeiture of the Option resulting from termination of the Optionee’s employment by the Corporation or the Employing Company (for any reason whether or not in breach of applicable labor laws), and in consideration of the grant of the Option to which the Optionee is not otherwise entitled, the Optionee irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against the Corporation or the Employing Company, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and releases the Corporation and the Employing Company from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, the Optionee shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agreed to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claims;
  j) it is the Optionee’s sole responsibility to investigate and comply with any applicable exchange control laws in connection with the issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of the Option;
  k) the Corporation and the Employing Company are not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor are the Corporation or the Employing Company making any recommendations regarding the Optionee’s participation in the Plan or the Optionee’s purchase or sale of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Option; and
  l) the Optionee is hereby advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding his or her participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

12. Withholding Taxes : Regardless of any action the Corporation or the Employing Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social security, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), the Optionee acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains his or her responsibility and may exceed the amount withheld by the Corporation or the Employing Company. Furthermore, the Optionee acknowledges that the Corporation and/or the Employing Company (a) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Option, including the grant, vesting, or exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of shares of Common Stock or receipt of dividends; and (b) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant of the Option or any aspect of the Optionee’s participation in the Plan to reduce or eliminate his or her liability for Tax-Related Items or to achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Optionee has become subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction between the grant date and the date of any relevant taxable event, the Optionee acknowledges that the Corporation and/or the Employing Company (or former Employing Company, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

Prior to the relevant taxable event, the Optionee shall pay or make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Corporation and/or the Employing Company to satisfy all withholding obligations of the Corporation and/or the Employing Company. In this regard, the Corporation may notify the Optionee of the amount of Tax-Related Items, if any, required under U.S. federal and, where applicable, state and local or non-U.S. law, and in which case, the Optionee shall, forthwith upon the receipt of such notice, remit the required amount to the Corporation in cash or in accordance with such regulations as the Committee may prescribe. Alternatively, the Optionee authorizes the Corporation and/or the Employing Company, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy the obligations with regard to all applicable Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following methods: (1) withholding from Optionee’s wages or other cash compensation paid to Optionee by the Corporation and/or the Employing Company; (2) withholding from proceeds of the sale of shares issued upon exercise of the Option either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Corporation (on Optionee’s behalf pursuant to this authorization) through such means as the Corporation may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise); or (3) withholding in shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option.

To avoid negative accounting treatment, the Corporation may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates. If the Tax-Related Items are satisfied by withholding in shares issuable upon exercise of the Option, for tax purposes, the Optionee is deemed to have been issued the full number of shares of Common Stock subject to the exercised Option, notwithstanding that a number of the shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items. Finally, the Optionee shall pay to the Corporation or the Employing Company any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Corporation or the Employing Company may be required to withhold as a result of Optionee’s participation in the Plan or Optionee’s purchase of shares that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Optionee understands that no shares of Common Stock or proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock shall be delivered to Optionee, notwithstanding the exercise thereof, unless and until the Optionee shall have satisfied any obligation for Tax-Related Items with respect thereto.

 

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STOCK OPTION GRANT FORM – April 2011


13. Data Privacy : The Optionee hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of his or her personal data as described in this document by and among, as applicable, any Employing Company and the Corporation for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Optionee’s participation in the Plan.

The Optionee understands that the Employing Company and the Corporation hold certain personal information about the Optionee, including, but not limited to, Optionee’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any shares or directorships held in the Corporation, details of all options or any other entitlement to shares awarded, canceled, vested, unvested or outstanding in Optionee’s favor, as the Employing Company and/or the Corporation deems necessary for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan (“Data”). The Optionee acknowledges and understands that Data may be transferred to any broker as designated by the Corporation and any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, that these recipients may be located in the Optionee’s country or elsewhere (and outside the European Economic Area), and that the recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the Optionee’s country. The Optionee understands that he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting the Optionee’s local human resources representative. The Optionee authorizes the recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Optionee’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Optionee may elect to deposit any shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option. The Optionee understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the Optionee’s participation in the Plan. The Optionee understands that he or she may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing his or her local human resources representative. The Optionee understands, however, that refusing or withdrawing his or her consent may affect his or her ability to realize benefits from the Option or otherwise participate in the Plan. For more information on the consequences of his or her refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, the Optionee understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative.

14. Electronic Delivery : The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan or request the Optionee’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Optionee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Corporation or another third party designated by the Corporation.

15. Language : If the Optionee has received this Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

16. Severability : In the event that any provision in this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

17. Governing Law : This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to the conflicts of laws thereof.

18. Section 409A . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Administrative Regulations or this Agreement, the Plan, the Administrative Regulations and this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and incorporate the terms and conditions required by, Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “Section 409A”). The Corporation reserves the right, to the extent the Corporation deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, to unilaterally amend or modify the Plan, the Administrative Regulations or this Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to ensure that this Option qualifies for exemption from, or complies with the requirements of, Section 409A; provided, however, that the Corporation makes no representation that the Option will be exempt from, or will comply with, Section 409A, and makes no undertakings to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to the Option or to ensure that it complies with Section 409A.

19. Exhibit A . Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement, the Option shall be subject to any special terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement for the Optionee’s country. Moreover, if the Optionee relocates to one of the countries included in Exhibit A, the special terms and conditions for such country will apply to the Optionee, to the extent the Corporation determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law or facilitate the administration of the Plan. Exhibit A constitutes part of this Agreement.

20. Imposition of Other Requirements . The Corporation reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Optionee’s participation in the Plan, on the Option and on any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Corporation determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law, and to require the Optionee to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

21. Headings : Headings of paragraphs and sections used in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement, and must not be used in construing it.

 

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STOCK OPTION GRANT FORM – April 2011


EXHIBIT A

Additional Terms and Conditions of the

United States Steel Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Agreement

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This Exhibit A includes additional terms and conditions that govern the Option granted to the Optionee under the Plan if he or she resides in one of the countries listed below. If the Optionee is a citizen or resident of a country other than that in which the Optionee is currently working or transfers employment to another country after the Option is granted, the Corporation shall, in its discretion, determine to what extent the terms and conditions contained herein shall be applicable to the Optionee. Certain capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit A have the meanings set forth in the Plan, the Administrative Regulations and/or the Agreement.

NOTIFICATIONS

This Exhibit A also includes information regarding exchange controls and certain other issues of which the Optionee should be aware with respect to participation in the Plan. The information is based on the laws in effect in the applicable countries as of March 2011. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Corporation strongly recommends that the Optionee not rely on the information in this Exhibit A as the only source of information relating to the consequences of his or her participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date at the time that the Optionee exercises the Option or sells shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan.

In addition, the information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to the Optionee’s particular situation, and the Corporation is not in a position to assure the Optionee of a particular result. Accordingly, the Optionee is advised to seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in his or her country may apply to the Optionee’s situation.

Finally, if the Optionee is a citizen or resident of a country other than that in which the Optionee is currently working or transfers employment to another country after the Option is granted, the information contained herein may not be applicable.

CANADA

Option Payable Only in Shares. Notwithstanding any discretion in the Plan or anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the grant of the Option does not provide any right for the Grantee to receive a cash payment in settlement of the Option upon exercise and the Option is payable in shares of Common Stock only.

Securities Law Commitment on Sale of Shares. As a condition of the grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Option, the Optionee undertakes to only sell, trade or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock issued to the Optionee under the Plan in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Under current laws, this means that the Optionee will need to sell any shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan using the services of a broker or dealer that is registered under Canadian provincial or territorial securities legislation. The Optionee will not be permitted to sell, trade or otherwise dispose of his or her shares through the Company’s designated U.S. plan broker, Fidelity Investments, unless such sale, trade or disposal can be executed in accordance with applicable securities laws. This restriction applies equally to all shares of Common Stock or other securities issued to the Optionee under the terms of the Plan. As legal requirements may be subject to change, Optionees are encouraged to seek specific advice about their individual situation before taking any action with respect to securities issued to them under the Plan.

By accepting this Option, the Optionee expressly agrees that he or she will consult with a personal legal advisor to address any questions that may arise regarding compliance with this requirement. The Optionee understands and agrees that he or she will be liable for any failure to comply with the foregoing provision.

Payment of Exercise Price. Due to current Canadian securities law requirements, notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan, the Administrative Regulations or the Agreement, permissible methods of payment of the exercise price include: (i) cash, (ii) check and/or (iii) any other method approved by the Company. Prior to exercising the Option, the Optionee should contact his or her local human resources administrator to confirm the methods of exercise available to the Optionee under local law.

SERBIA

NOTIFICATIONS

Exchange Control Information. Pursuant to the Law on Foreign Exchange Transactions (effective July 27, 2006), Serbian residents may freely acquire shares of Common Stock under the Plan, however, the National Bank of Serbia requires reporting of the acquisition of such shares, the value of the shares at exercise and, on a quarterly basis, any changes in the value of the underlying shares. The Optionee is advised to consult with a personal legal advisor to determine his or her reporting obligations upon the acquisition of shares of Common Stock under the Plan. The Corporation reserves the right to require the Optionee to report details of the sale of his or her Shares to the Corporation or to follow such other procedures as may be established by the Corporation to comply with applicable exchange control regulations.

SLOVAK REPUBLIC

There are no country-specific provisions.

 

A-1

STOCK OPTION GRANT FORM – April 2011

Exhibit 10.3

 

THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES PART OF A PROSPECTUS COVERING SECURITIES THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.

Performance Award Grant Agreement

(Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan)

United States Steel Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, herein called the Corporation, grants to the undersigned employee of the employing company identified below (the “Grantee”) a Performance Award representing the right to receive a specified number of shares of the common stock of the Corporation (“Shares”) set forth below, which right, if payable, shall be paid in Shares:

 

Name of Grantee:    PARTICIPANT NAME
Name of Employing Company
on Date Hereof:
   (the company recognized by the Corporation as employing the Grantee on the date hereof)
Target Number of Shares
Subject to Award:
   # SHARES
Maximum Number of Shares
Subject to Award:
   (two times the Target Number of Shares Subject to Award)
Performance Period    The approximately three-year period identified by the Compensation Committee in writing at the time of Grant
Performance Goals    (see Exhibit A, attached)
Date of This Award:    GRANT DATE

By my acceptance, I agree that the above-listed Performance Award is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Corporation’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Plan”), the Corporation’s Administrative Regulations for the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program (the “Administrative Regulations”), and the Grant Terms and Conditions contained herein (the “Agreement”) including the special provisions for my country of residence, if any, attached hereto as Exhibit B, as well as such amendments to the Plan and/or the Administrative Regulations as the Compensation & Organization Committee, or its successor committee (the “Committee”), may adopt from time to time.

 

United States Steel Corporation

    Accepted as of the above date: ACCEPTANCE DATE
By         By   PARTICIPANT ES
  Authorized Officer       Signature of Grantee

Terms and Conditions

1. Grant of Performance Award : The Performance Period for purposes of determining whether the Performance Goal has been met shall be the approximately three-year period determined in accordance with the Administrative Regulations by the Compensation Committee in writing at the time of Grant. The Performance Goal for purposes of determining whether, and the extent to which, the Performance Award will vest is set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement. The Peer Group for purposes of determining whether the Performance Goal has been achieved is the Peer Group identified by the Compensation Committee in writing at the time of Grant. The Peer Group is subject to adjustment as described in the Administrative Regulations and as the Committee, in its discretion, may additionally set forth at the commencement of the Performance Period in accordance with Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Exhibit A is incorporated by reference herein. Subject to the Administrative Regulations and the provisions of this Agreement, the Performance Award shall become payable, if vested, following the Committee’s determination and certification after the end of the Performance Period, as to whether and the extent to which the Performance Goal has been achieved; provided that the Committee retains negative discretion to reduce any and all Performance Awards that would otherwise be payable as a result of performance measured against the Performance Goals excepting Performance Awards paid by reason of a Change of Control. The Committee may not increase the amount payable as a result of performance measured against the Performance Goals.

2. Payment of Award : If the Performance Award is payable, the Corporation shall cause a stock certificate to be issued in the Grantee’s name, for no cash consideration, for the number of shares of common stock of the Corporation determined by the Committee to be payable pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof. Payment shall be made following the end of the Performance Period, and in no event more than two and one-half months following the end of the calendar year in which the Performance Period ends. In the event that any payment to a U.S. tax-payer with respect to a Performance Award is considered to be based upon separation from service, and not compensation the Grantee could receive without separating from service, then such amounts may not be paid until the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Grantee’s termination if the Grantee is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code upon his separation from service.

3. Transferability : The Grantee shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any portion of the Performance Award and the right to receive Shares, and any attempt to sell, transfer, assign, pledge or encumber any portion of the Shares prior to the payment, if at all, of a stock certificate in the name of the Grantee shall have no effect, regardless of whether voluntary, involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise.

4. Change of Control : Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated herein, in the case of a Change of Control of the Corporation, (a) the Performance Period shall automatically end, (b) the actual performance for the abbreviated Performance Period shall be measured against the established Performance Goals, without regard to the Committee’s negative discretion, the performance criteria shall be deemed satisfied only to the extent the actual performance was achieved (the “Achieved Performance Award”), and the balance of the Performance Award, if any, shall be forfeited, and (c) the Achieved Performance Award shall remain subject to forfeiture until the third anniversary of the Grant of this Performance Award if the Grantee’s employment is terminated after the Change of Control but before the third anniversary of the date of Grant; provided, however, notwithstanding Section 5, (i) if the Grantee’s employment is terminated, other than for Cause or a voluntary termination other than, in the case of participants designated as executive management at the time of the Change of Control, for Good Reason, within 24 months following a Change of Control, then the Achieved Performance Award shall not be forfeited upon such termination; rather, the Achieved Performance Award shall vest immediately upon the termination, (ii) if the Grantee’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, then the Achieved Performance Award shall not be forfeited upon such death or Disability; rather, the Achieved Performance Award shall vest immediately upon the Grantee’s death during employment or termination of employment by reason of Disability; and (iii) if the Grantee’s employment is terminated by reason of Retirement or Termination with Consent, then a prorated portion of the Achieved Performance Award will vest, based upon the number of complete months worked during the original Performance Period in relation to the number of whole months in the original Performance Period and the remainder shall be forfeited.

5. Termination of Employment : Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, (a) the Performance Award is forfeited if the Grantee’s employment is terminated with the employing company identified above or the Corporation, its Subsidiaries or affiliates (each an “Employing Company”) during the Performance Period due to a Termination without Consent or Termination for Cause, and (b) a prorated value of the Performance Award will vest based upon (i) the number of complete months worked by the Grantee during the Performance Period, in the event of a Grantee’s termination of employment during the Performance Period by reason of Retirement or Termination with Consent, or (ii) the schedule contained within the Administrative Regulations, in the event of a Grantee’s termination of employment during the Performance Period by reason of Death or Disability, in any case to be calculated and delivered following the end of the relevant Performance Period in accordance with paragraph 2 hereof, provided that the relevant Performance Goal for the Performance Period is achieved and subject to the Committee’s negative discretion. The remaining value of the Performance Award is forfeited immediately upon the Grantee’s termination of employment without consideration or further action being required of the Corporation or the Employing Company. Any and all forfeitures shall be evidenced by written notice to the Grantee.

6. Vesting : Subject to Sections 4 and 5, the Grantee must continue as an active employee of an Employing Company during the Performance Period and through the date on which the Committee certifies whether the Performance Goal relating to the Performance Period has been achieved, subject to the Employing Company’s right to terminate the Grantee’s employment at any time, performing such duties consistent with his capabilities.

Except as provided in Section 5 of this Agreement, notwithstanding any other terms or conditions of the Plan, the Administrative Regulations or this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of the Grantee’s termination of employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), the Grantee’s rights under this Agreement will terminate effective as of the date that the Grantee is no longer actively employed by an Employing Company and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law); the Committee shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when the Grantee is no longer actively employed for purposes of the Performance Award.

7. Adjustments and Recoupment : The Target and Maximum number of Shares are subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8 of the Plan. The Grantee shall be notified of such adjustment and such adjustment shall be binding upon the Corporation and the Grantee. Consistent with Section 8 of this Agreement, this grant shall be administered in accordance with, and is subject to, any recoupment policies and provisions prescribed by the Plan and/or the Administrative Regulations at the time of such grant; notwithstanding the foregoing, this grant shall be subject to all recoupment provisions required by law from time to time. In its sole discretion, the Committee shall have the authority to amend, waive or apply the terms of any recoupment policies or provisions not required by law, in whole or in part, to the extent necessary or advisable to comply with applicable local laws, as determined by the Committee.

8. Interpretation and Amendments : This Grant and the issuance, vesting and delivery of Shares are subject to, and shall be administered in accordance with, the provisions of the Plan and the Administrative Regulations, as the same may be amended by the Committee from time to time, provided that no amendment may, without the consent of the Grantee, affect the rights of the Grantee under this Grant in a materially adverse manner. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, an amendment that affects the tax treatment of the Performance Award shall not be considered as affecting the Grantee’s rights in a materially adverse manner. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Plan or the Administrative Regulations. In the event of a conflict between the Plan and the Administrative Regulations, unless this Grant specifies otherwise, the Plan shall control.

 

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PERFORMANCE AWARD GRANT FORM – April 2011


9. Compliance with Laws : The obligations of the Corporation and the rights of the Grantee are subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended; the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and any other applicable laws. No Shares will be issued or delivered to the Grantee under the Plan unless and until there has been compliance with such applicable laws.

10. Acceptance of Grant : The Grant shall not be payable unless it is accepted by the Grantee and notice of such acceptance is received by the Stock Plan Officer.

11. Withholding Taxes : Prior to the relevant taxable event, the Grantee shall pay or make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Corporation and/or the Employing Company to satisfy all withholding obligations of the Corporation and/or the Employing Company. In this regard, the Grantee shall pay any Tax-Related Items directly to the Corporation or the Employing Company in cash upon request. In addition, the Grantee authorizes the Corporation and/or the Employing Company, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy the obligations with regard to all applicable Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following methods: (1) withholding from Grantee’s wages or other cash compensation paid to Grantee by the Corporation and/or the Employing Company; (2) withholding from proceeds of the sale of Shares issued upon payment of the Performance Award either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Corporation (on the Grantee’s behalf pursuant to this authorization) through such means as the Corporation may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise); or (3) withholding in Shares to be issued upon payment of the Performance Award.

To avoid negative accounting treatment, the Corporation may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates. If the Tax-Related Items are satisfied by withholding in Shares issuable upon vesting of the Performance Award, for tax purposes, the Grantee is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the Performance Award, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items. Finally, the Grantee shall pay to the Corporation or the Employing Company any amount of Tax-Related Items due as a result of any aspect of the Grantee’s participation in the Plan. The Grantee understands that no Shares or proceeds from the sale of Shares shall be delivered to Grantee, notwithstanding the vesting of the Performance Award, unless and until the Grantee shall have satisfied any obligation for Tax-Related Items with respect thereto.

12. Nature of the Grant : Nothing herein shall be construed as giving Grantee any right to be retained in the employ of an Employing Company or affect any right that the Employing Company may have to terminate the employment of such Grantee. Further, by accepting this Performance Award, the Grantee acknowledges that:

  a) the grant of the Performance Award is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future Performance Awards, or benefits in lieu of Performance Awards, even if Performance Awards have been granted repeatedly in the past;
  b) all decisions with respect to future Performance Award grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Committee;
  c) the Grantee is voluntarily participating in the Plan;
  d) the Performance Award and the Shares subject to the Performance Award are extraordinary items which do not constitute compensation of any kind for services of any kind rendered to the Corporation or to the Employing Company, and which are outside the scope of the Grantee’s employment contract, if any;
  e) the Performance Award and the Shares subject to the Performance Award are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, dismissal, redundancy, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, past services for the Corporation or the Employing Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation;
  f) the Performance Award and the Shares subject to the Performance Award are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;
  g) the grant of the Performance Award will not be interpreted to form an employment contract or relationship with the Corporation, the Employing Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation;
  h) the future value of the Shares underlying the Performance Award is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty;
  i) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages arises from forfeiture of the Performance Award resulting from termination of the Grantee’s employment by the Corporation or the Employing Company (for any reason whether or not in breach of applicable labor laws), and in consideration of the grant of the Performance Award to which the Grantee is not otherwise entitled, the Grantee irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against the Corporation or the Employing Company, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and releases the Corporation and the Employing Company from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, the Grantee shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agreed to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claims;
  j) it is the Grantee’s sole responsibility to investigate and comply with any applicable exchange control laws in connection with the issuance and delivery of Shares pursuant to the vesting of the Performance Award;
  k) the Corporation and the Employing Company are not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor are the Corporation or the Employing Company making any recommendations regarding the Grantee’s participation in the Plan or the Grantee’s acquisition or sale of the Shares underlying the Performance Award; and
  l) the Grantee is hereby advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding his or her participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

13. Data Privacy : The Grantee hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of his or her personal data as described in this document by and among, as applicable, any Employing Company and the Corporation for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Grantee’s participation in the Plan.

The Grantee understands that the Employing Company and the Corporation hold certain personal information about the Grantee, including, but not limited to, Grantee’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Corporation, details of all Performance Awards or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, vested, unvested or outstanding in Grantee’s favor, as the Employing Company and/or the Corporation deems necessary for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan (“Data”). The Grantee acknowledges and understands that Data may be transferred to any broker as designated by the Corporation and any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, that these recipients may be located in the Grantee’s country or elsewhere (and outside the European Economic Area), and that the recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the Grantee’s country. The Grantee understands that he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting the Grantee’s local human resources representative. The Grantee authorizes the recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Grantee’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Grantee may elect to deposit any Shares acquired upon vesting of the Performance Award. The Grantee understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the Grantee’s participation in the Plan. The Grantee understands that he or she may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing his or her local human resources representative. The Grantee understands, however, that refusing or withdrawing his or her consent may affect his or her ability to realize benefits from the Performance Award or otherwise participate in the Plan. For more information on the consequences of his or her refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, the Grantee understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative.

14. Electronic Delivery : The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means or request the Grantee’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Grantee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Corporation or another third party designated by the Corporation.

15. Severability : In the event that any provision in this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

16. Language : If the Grantee has received this Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

17. Governing Law : This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to the conflicts of laws thereof.

18. Exhibit B . Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement, the Performance Award shall be subject to any special terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit B to this Agreement for the Grantee’s country. Moreover, if the Grantee relocates to one of the countries included in Exhibit B, the special terms and conditions for such country will apply to the Grantee, to the extent the Corporation determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law or facilitate the administration of the Plan. Exhibit B constitutes part of this Agreement.

19. Imposition of Other Requirements . The Corporation reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Grantee’s participation in the Plan, on the Performance Award and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Corporation determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law, and to require the Grantee to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

20. Headings : Headings of paragraphs and sections used in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement, and must not be used in construing it.

 

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PERFORMANCE AWARD GRANT FORM – April 2011


[Exhibit A to the Performance Award grant form]

EXHIBIT A

Performance Goals* for Performance Period

 

               Threshold    Target    Maximum

Performance

Goal

  

U. S. Steel TSR Performance Relative

to Peer Group

  

< 25 th

Percentile

  

25 th

Percentile

  

50 th

Percentile

  

75 th

Percentile or Greater

Payment

Levels

  

% of Target

Shares Vested

   0%    50%    100%    200%

 

   

The Performance Goal for this Performance Award grant shall be the Target percentile determined by the Committee comparing United States Steel Corporation’s Total Shareholder Return to the Total Shareholder Returns of the Peer Group companies. The payout shall be calculated in accordance with the Administrative Regulations (the “Administrative Regulations”) for the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.

Notes:

   

Amounts for performance between the 25 th and 50 th and between the 50 th and 75 th percentiles will be interpolated.

   

Total Shareholder Return (TSR) is calculated in accordance with the Administrative Regulations.

   

Peer Group – As determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant.

 

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PERFORMANCE AWARD GRANT FORM – April 2011


EXHIBIT B

Additional Terms and Conditions of the

United States Steel Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

Performance Award Grant Agreement

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This Exhibit B includes additional terms and conditions that govern the Performance Award granted to the Grantee under the Plan if he or she resides in one of the countries listed below. If the Grantee is a citizen or resident of a country other than that in which the Grantee is currently working or transfers employment to another country after the Performance Award is granted, the Corporation shall, in its discretion, determine to what extent the terms and conditions contained herein shall be applicable to the Grantee. Certain capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit B have the meanings set forth in the Plan, the Administrative Regulations and/or the Agreement.

NOTIFICATIONS

This Exhibit B also includes information regarding exchange controls and certain other issues of which the Grantee should be aware with respect to participation in the Plan. The information is based on the laws in effect in the applicable countries as of April 2010. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Corporation strongly recommends that the Grantee not rely on the information in this Exhibit B as the only source of information relating to the consequences of his or her participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date at the time that the Grantee vests in the Performance Award or sells Shares acquired under the Plan.

In addition, the information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to the Grantee’s particular situation, and the Corporation is not in a position to assure the Grantee of a particular result. Accordingly, the Grantee is advised to seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in his or her country may apply to the Grantee’s situation.

Finally, if the Grantee is a citizen or resident of a country other than that in which the Grantee is currently working or transfers employment to another country after the Performance Award is granted, the information contained herein may not be applicable.

CANADA

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Performance Award Payable Only in Shares. Notwithstanding any discretion in the Plan or anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the grant of the Performance Award does not provide any right for the Grantee to receive a cash payment in settlement of the Performance Award and the Performance Award is payable in Shares only.

Securities Law Commitment on Sale of Shares.  As a condition of the grant of the Performance Award and the issuance of any Shares upon vesting of the Performance Award, the Grantee undertakes to only sell, trade or otherwise dispose of any Shares issued to the Grantee under the Plan in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Under current laws, this means that the Grantee will need to sell any Shares issued under the Plan using the services of a broker or dealer that is registered under Canadian provincial or territorial securities legislation. The Grantee will not be permitted to sell, trade or otherwise dispose of his or her Shares through the Company’s designated U.S. plan broker, Fidelity Investments, unless such sale, trade or disposal can be executed in accordance with applicable securities laws. As legal requirements may be subject to change, Grantees are encouraged to seek specific advice about their individual situation before taking any action with respect to Shares issued to them under the Plan.

By accepting this Performance Award, the Grantee expressly agrees that he or she will consult with a personal legal advisor to address any questions that may arise regarding compliance with this requirement. The Grantee understands and agrees that he or she will be liable for any failure to comply with the foregoing provision.

SERBIA

NOTIFICATIONS

Exchange Control Information. Pursuant to the Law on Foreign Exchange Transactions (effective July 27, 2006), Serbian residents may freely acquire Shares under the Plan, however, the National Bank of Serbia generally requires reporting of the acquisition of such Shares, the value of the Shares at payment and, on a quarterly basis, any changes in the value of the underlying Shares. The Grantee is advised to consult with a personal legal advisor to determine his or her reporting obligations upon the acquisition of Shares under the Plan as such obligations are subject to change based on the interpretation of applicable regulations by the National Bank of Serbia. The Corporation reserves the right to require the Grantee to report details of the sale of his or her Shares to the Corporation or to follow such other procedures as may be established by the Corporation to comply with applicable exchange control regulations.

SLOVAK REPUBLIC

There are no country-specific provisions.

 

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PERFORMANCE AWARD GRANT FORM – April 2011

Exhibit 10.4

 

THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES PART OF A PROSPECTUS COVERING SECURITIES THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.

Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement

(Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan)

United States Steel Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, herein called the Corporation, grants to the undersigned employee of the employing company identified below (the “Grantee”) the number of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) set forth below, each of which is a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent in value of one share of the class of common stock of the Corporation set forth below:

 

Name of Grantee:    PARTICIPANT NAME
Name of Employing Company

on Date Hereof:

   (the company recognized by the Corporation as employing the Grantee on the date hereof)
Number of RSUs Granted:    # RSUs
Date of Grant:    GRANT DATE

By my acceptance, I agree that the above-listed RSUs are granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Corporation’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Plan”), the Corporation’s Administrative Regulations for the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program (the “Administrative Regulations”), and the Grant Terms and Conditions contained herein (the “Agreement”) including the special provisions for my country of residence, if any, attached hereto as Exhibit A, as well as such amendments to the Plan and/or the Administrative Regulations as the Compensation & Organization Committee, or its successor committee (the “Committee”), may adopt from time to time.

 

United States Steel Corporation

    Accepted as of the above date: ACCEPTANCE DATE
By         By   PARTICIPANT ES
  Authorized Officer       Signature of Grantee

Terms and Conditions

1. Grant : The Corporation shall issue to the Grantee the number of RSUs set forth in this Agreement. Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Corporation’s common stock (a “Share”) on the date the restrictions applicable to the RSU are terminated (the RSU is “vested”). Unless and until the RSUs are vested in the manner set forth in Section 3 or 5 below, the Grantee will have no right to settlement of any such RSUs. Prior to settlement of any vested RSUs, such RSUs will represent an unsecured obligation of the Corporation, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Corporation.

2. Period of Restriction : The restriction period with regard to the RSUs shall commence on the date the RSUs are granted. The Grantee shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any portion of the RSUs, and any attempt to sell, transfer, assign, pledge or encumber any portion of the RSUs prior to termination of restrictions shall have no effect. During the period prior to vesting or forfeiture of all or any portion of the RSUs, the Grantee shall not be entitled to vote the Shares and shall not receive dividends paid on the Shares. The Grantee shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalents, in a cash amount equal to the number of RSUs subject to restriction times the per Share dividend (if any) paid to shareholders of the Corporation’s common stock; provided, however, the dividend equivalents shall not vest in, or be paid to the Grantee unless and to the extent the underlying RSUs vest as provided in Section 3 or 5 of this Agreement.

3. Change of Contro l: If the Grantee’s employment is terminated within two years following a Change of Control involuntarily (except for Cause) or, in the case of participants designated as executive management at the time of the Change of Control, voluntarily for Good Reason, each unvested RSU will immediately vest.

4. Termination of Employment : Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, (a) unvested RSUs are forfeited if the Grantee’s employment is terminated due to Termination without Consent or Termination for Cause, (b) unvested RSUs will immediately vest upon the Grantee’s death during employment or termination of employment by reason of Disability, and (c) a prorated number of the RSUs scheduled to vest during the current Vesting Year will vest on the date of termination based upon the number of complete months worked during the Vesting Year in which the Grantee’s termination of employment occurs by reason of Retirement or Termination with Consent. The remaining unvested RSUs are forfeited immediately upon the Grantee’s termination of employment without consideration or further action required of the Corporation or Employing Company. For purposes of this agreement, (i) for U.S. tax-payers, termination shall be construed consistent with a “separation from service” under Section 409A of the Code; and (ii) for non-U.S. tax-payers, termination shall mean that the Grantee is no longer actively employed by an Employing Company, without regard to any notice period mandated under local law (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law). Any and all forfeitures of RSUs shall be evidenced by written notice to the Grantee. Upon the forfeiture of any RSUs, the Grantee’s right to acquire any Shares hereunder will immediately terminate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 4 are subject to the provisions of Section 3.

5. Vesting : Subject to Sections 3 and 4, the Grantee must continue as an active employee of an Employing Company for three years from the Date of Grant, subject to the Employing Company’s right to terminate the Grantee’s employment at any time, performing such duties consistent with his capabilities. The RSUs shall vest as follows: (a) upon the first anniversary of the Date of Grant, one-third of the RSUs granted on the Date of Grant shall vest, provided that the Grantee is employed by an Employing Company on such anniversary, (b) upon the two year anniversary of the Date of Grant, an additional one-third of the RSUs granted on the Date of Grant shall vest, provided that the Grantee is employed by an Employing Company on such anniversary, and (c) upon the three year anniversary of the Date of Grant, the remaining one-third of the RSUs granted on the Date of Grant shall vest, provided that the Grantee is employed by an Employing Company on such anniversary. All fractional unvested RSUs, if any, resulting from the ratable vesting shall vest as whole RSUs upon the latest vesting date.

Except as provided in Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement, notwithstanding any other terms or conditions of the Plan, the Administrative Regulations or this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of the Grantee’s termination of employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), the Grantee’s right to vest in RSUs, if any, will terminate effective as of the date that the Grantee is no longer actively employed by an Employing Company and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law); the Committee shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when the Grantee is no longer actively employed for purposes of the RSUs.

6. Settlement : RSUs shall be automatically paid in Shares upon the vesting date of such RSUs and, subject to the other terms of the Plan, Administrative Regulations and this Agreement, the Shares will be issued to the Grantee on each vesting date; provided, further, no payments shall be made later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the calendar year which includes the applicable vesting date (which payment schedule is intended to comply with the “short-term deferral” exemption from the application of Section 409A (“Section 409A”) of the Code). The Corporation shall have no obligation to issue Shares unless and until the Grantee has satisfied any applicable tax withholding obligations pursuant to Section 11 below and such issuance otherwise complies with all applicable law. Upon vesting and settlement of the RSUs, one or more certificates, free of all restrictions on transferability or forfeiture except for restrictions required by applicable laws and/or regulations, shall be issued in the Grantee’s name (or, in the event of the Grantee’s death prior to such termination or such issuance, to the Grantee’s estate) for the number of Shares subject to vested RSUs. The Grantee shall not be entitled to delivery of a certificate for any portion of the Shares until the corresponding portion of the RSUs has vested.

 

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RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT ANNUAL GRANT FORM – April 2011


7. Adjustments and Recoupments : The number of RSUs awarded is subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8 of the Plan. The Grantee shall be notified of such adjustment and such adjustment shall be binding upon the Corporation and the Grantee. Consistent with Section 8 of this Agreement, this grant shall be administered in accordance with, and is subject to, any recoupment policies and provisions prescribed by the Plan and/or the Administrative Regulations at the time of such grant; notwithstanding the foregoing, this grant shall be subject to all recoupment provisions required by law from time to time. In its sole discretion, the Committee shall have the authority to amend, waive or apply the terms of any recoupment policies or provisions not required by law, in whole or in part, to the extent necessary or advisable to comply with applicable local laws, as determined by the Committee.

8. Interpretation and Amendments : This Grant, the vesting and delivery of RSUs and the issuance of Shares upon vesting are subject to, and shall be administered in accordance with, the provisions of the Plan and the Administrative Regulations, as the same may be amended by the Committee from time to time, provided that no amendment may, without the consent of the Grantee, affect the rights of the Grantee under this Grant in a materially adverse manner. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, an amendment that affects the tax treatment of the RSUs shall not be considered as affecting the Grantee’s rights in a materially adverse manner. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Plan or the Administrative Regulations. In the event of a conflict between the Plan and the Administrative Regulations, unless this Grant specifies otherwise, the Plan shall control.

9. Compliance with Laws : The obligations of the Corporation and the rights of the Grantee are subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended; the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and any other applicable U.S. and foreign laws. No Shares will be issued or delivered to the Grantee under the Plan unless and until there has been compliance with such applicable laws.

10. Acceptance of Grant : The Grant shall not be payable unless it is accepted by the Grantee and notice of such acceptance is received by the Stock Plan Officer.

11. Withholding Taxes : Regardless of any action the Corporation or the Employing Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social security, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), the Grantee acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains his or her responsibility and may exceed the amount withheld by the Corporation or the Employing Company. Furthermore, the Grantee acknowledges that the Corporation and/or the Employing Company (a) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the RSUs, including the grant, vesting, or settlement of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of Shares; and (b) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant of the RSUs or any aspect of the Grantee’s participation in the Plan to reduce or eliminate his or her liability for Tax-Related Items or to achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Grantee has become subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction between the Date of Grant and the date of any relevant taxable event, the Grantee acknowledges that the Corporation and/or the Employing Company (or former Employing Company, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

Prior to the relevant taxable event, the Grantee shall pay or make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Corporation and/or the Employing Company to satisfy all withholding obligations of the Corporation and/or the Employing Company. In this regard, the Grantee authorizes the Corporation and/or the Employing Company, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy the obligations with regard to all applicable Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following methods: (1) withholding from Grantee’s wages or other cash compensation paid to Grantee by the Corporation and/or the Employing Company; (2) withholding from proceeds of the sale of Shares issued upon vesting of the RSUs either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Corporation (on Grantee’s behalf pursuant to this authorization) through such means as the Corporation may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise); or (3) withholding in Shares to be issued upon vesting of the RSUs.

To avoid negative accounting treatment, the Corporation may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates. If the Tax-Related Items are satisfied by withholding in Shares issuable upon vesting of the RSUs, for tax purposes, the Grantee is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the RSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items. Finally, the Grantee shall pay to the Corporation or the Employing Company any amount of Tax-Related Items due as a result of any aspect of the Grantee’s participation in the Plan. The Grantee understands that no Shares or proceeds from the sale of Shares shall be delivered to Grantee, notwithstanding the lapse of the restrictions on the RSUs, unless and until the Grantee shall have satisfied any obligation for Tax-Related Items with respect thereto.

12. Nature of the Grant : Nothing herein shall be construed as giving the Grantee any right to be retained in the employ of an Employing Company or affect any right which the Employing Company may have to terminate the employment of such Grantee. Further, by accepting this grant of RSUs, the Grantee acknowledges that:

  a) the grant of the RSUs is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of RSUs, or benefits in lieu of RSUs, even if RSUs have been granted repeatedly in the past;
  b) all decisions with respect to future RSU grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Committee;
  c) the Grantee is voluntarily participating in the Plan;
  d) the RSUs and the Shares subject to the RSUs are extraordinary items which do not constitute compensation of any kind for services of any kind rendered to the Corporation or to the Employing Company, and which are outside the scope of the Grantee’s employment contract, if any;
  e) the RSUs and the Shares subject to the RSUs are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, dismissal, redundancy, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, past services for the Corporation or the Employing Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation;
  f) the RSUs and the Shares subject to the RSUs are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;
  g) the grant of RSUs will not be interpreted to form an employment contract or relationship with the Corporation, the Employing Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation;
  h) the future value of the Shares underlying the RSUs is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty;
  i) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages arises from forfeiture of the RSUs resulting from termination of the Grantee’s employment by the Corporation or the Employing Company (for any reason whether or not in breach of applicable labor laws), and in consideration of the grant of the RSUs to which the Grantee is not otherwise entitled, the Grantee irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against the Corporation or the Employing Company, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and releases the Corporation and the Employing Company from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, the Grantee shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agreed to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claims;
  j) it is the Grantee’s sole responsibility to investigate and comply with any applicable exchange control laws in connection with the issuance and delivery of Shares pursuant to the vesting of the RSUs;
  k) the Corporation and the Employing Company are not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor are the Corporation or the Employing Company making any recommendations regarding the Grantee’s participation in the Plan or the Grantee’s acquisition or sale of the Shares underlying the RSUs; and
  l) the Grantee is hereby advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding his or her participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

13. Data Privacy : The Grantee hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of his or her personal data as described in this document by and among, as applicable, any Employing Company and the Corporation for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Grantee’s participation in the Plan.

The Grantee understands that the Employing Company and the Corporation hold certain personal information about the Grantee, including, but not limited to, Grantee’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Corporation, details of all RSUs or any other

 

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RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT ANNUAL GRANT FORM – April 2011


entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, vested, unvested or outstanding in Grantee’s favor, as the Employing Company and/or the Corporation deems necessary for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan (“Data”). The Grantee acknowledges and understands that Data may be transferred to any broker as designated by the Corporation and any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, that these recipients may be located in the Grantee’s country or elsewhere (and outside the European Economic Area), and that the recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the Grantee’s country. The Grantee understands that he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting the Grantee’s local human resources representative. The Grantee authorizes the recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Grantee’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Grantee may elect to deposit any Shares acquired upon vesting of the RSUs. The Grantee understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the Grantee’s participation in the Plan. The Grantee understands that he or she may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing his or her local human resources representative. The Grantee understands, however, that refusing or withdrawing his or her consent may affect his or her ability to realize benefits from the RSUs or otherwise participate in the Plan. For more information on the consequences of his or her refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, the Grantee understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative.

14. Electronic Delivery : The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means or request the Grantee’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Grantee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Corporation or another third party designated by the Corporation.

15. Code Section 409A . It is the intent that the vesting or the payments of RSUs set forth in this Agreement shall either qualify for exemption from or comply with the requirements of Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply. The Corporation reserves the right, to the extent the Corporation deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, to unilaterally amend or modify this Agreement as may be necessary to ensure that all vesting or settlements provided under this Agreement are made in a manner that qualifies for exemption from or complies with Section 409A; provided, however, that the Corporation makes no representation that the vesting or settlement of RSUs provided under this Agreement will be exempt from Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to the vesting or settlement of RSUs provided under this Agreement. In the event that any payment to a U.S. tax-payer with respect to an RSU is considered to be based upon separation from service, and not compensation the Grantee could receive without separating from service, then such amounts may not be paid until the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Grantee’s termination if the Grantee is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code upon his separation from service.

16. Severability : In the event that any provision in this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

17. Language : If the Grantee has received this Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

18. Governing Law : This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to the conflicts of laws thereof.

19. Exhibit A . Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement, the RSUs shall be subject to any special terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement for the Grantee’s country. Moreover, if the Grantee relocates to one of the countries included in Exhibit A, the special terms and conditions for such country will apply to the Grantee, to the extent the Corporation determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law or facilitate the administration of the Plan. Exhibit A constitutes part of this Agreement.

20. Imposition of Other Requirements . The Corporation reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Grantee’s participation in the Plan, on the RSUs and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Corporation determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law, and to require the Grantee to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

21. Headings : Headings of paragraphs and sections used in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement, and must not be used in construing it.

 

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RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT ANNUAL GRANT FORM – April 2011


EXHIBIT A

Additional Terms and Conditions of the

United States Steel Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This Exhibit A includes additional terms and conditions that govern the RSUs granted to the Grantee under the Plan if he or she resides in one of the countries listed below. If the Grantee is a citizen or resident of a country other than that in which the Grantee is currently working or transfers employment to another country after the RSUs are granted, the Corporation shall, in its discretion, determine to what extent the terms and conditions contained herein shall be applicable to the Grantee. Certain capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit A have the meanings set forth in the Plan, the Administrative Regulations and/or the Agreement.

NOTIFICATIONS

This Exhibit A also includes information regarding exchange controls and certain other issues of which the Grantee should be aware with respect to participation in the Plan. The information is based on the laws in effect in the applicable countries as of March 2011. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Corporation strongly recommends that the Grantee not rely on the information in this Exhibit A as the only source of information relating to the consequences of his or her participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date at the time that the Grantee vests in the RSUs or sells Shares acquired under the Plan.

In addition, the information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to the Grantee’s particular situation, and the Corporation is not in a position to assure the Grantee of a particular result. Accordingly, the Grantee is advised to seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in his or her country may apply to the Grantee’s situation.

Finally, if the Grantee is a citizen or resident of a country other than that in which the Grantee is currently working or transfers employment to another country after the RSUs are granted, the information contained herein may not be applicable.

CANADA

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

RSUs Payable Only in Shares. Notwithstanding any discretion in the Plan or anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the grant of RSUs does not provide any right for the Grantee to receive a cash payment in settlement of the RSUs upon vesting and the RSUs are payable in Shares only.

Securities Law Commitment on Sale of Shares. As a condition of the grant of RSUs and the issuance of Shares upon vesting of the RSUs, the Grantee undertakes to only sell, trade or otherwise dispose of any Shares issued to the Grantee under the Plan in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Under current laws, this means that the Grantee will need to sell any Shares issued under the Plan using the services of a broker or dealer that is registered under Canadian provincial or territorial securities legislation. The Grantee will not be permitted to sell, trade or otherwise dispose of his or her Shares through the Company’s designated U.S. plan broker, Fidelity Investments, unless such sale, trade or disposal can be executed in accordance with applicable securities laws. As legal requirements may be subject to change, Grantees are encouraged to seek specific advice about their individual situation before taking any action with respect to securities issued to them under the Plan.

By accepting this RSU, the Grantee expressly agrees that he or she will consult with a personal legal advisor to address any questions that may arise regarding compliance with this requirement. The Grantee understands and agrees that he or she will be liable for any failure to comply with the foregoing provision.

SERBIA

NOTIFICATIONS

Exchange Control Information. Pursuant to the Law on Foreign Exchange Transactions (effective July 27, 2006), Serbian residents may freely acquire Shares under the Plan, however, the National Bank of Serbia generally requires reporting of the acquisition of such Shares, the value of the Shares at vesting and, on a quarterly basis, any changes in the value of the underlying Shares. The Grantee is advised to consult with a personal legal advisor to determine his or her reporting obligations upon the acquisition of Shares under the Plan as such obligations are subject to change based on the interpretation of applicable regulations by the National Bank of Serbia. The Corporation reserves the right to require the Grantee to report details of the sale of his or her Shares to the Corporation or to follow such other procedures as may be established by the Corporation to comply with applicable exchange control regulations.

SLOVAK REPUBLIC

There are no country-specific provisions.

 

A-1

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT ANNUAL GRANT FORM – April 2011

Exhibit 10.5

 

THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES PART OF A PROSPECTUS COVERING SECURITIES THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.

Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement

(Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan)

United States Steel Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, herein called the Corporation, grants to the undersigned employee of the employing company identified below (the “Grantee”) the number of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) set forth below, each of which is a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent in value of one share of the class of common stock of the Corporation set forth below:

 

Name of Grantee:    PARTICIPANT NAME
Name of Employing Company

on Date Hereof:

   (the company recognized by the Corporation as employing the Grantee on the date hereof)
Number of RSUs Granted:    # RSUs
Date of Grant:    GRANT DATE

By my acceptance, I agree that the above-listed RSUs are granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Corporation’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Plan”), the Corporation’s Administrative Regulations for the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program (the “Administrative Regulations”), and the Grant Terms and Conditions contained herein (the “Agreement”) including the special provisions for my country of residence, if any, attached hereto as Exhibit A, as well as such amendments to the Plan and/or the Administrative Regulations as the Compensation & Organization Committee, or its successor committee (the “Committee”), may adopt from time to time.

 

United States Steel Corporation

    Accepted as of the above date: ACCEPTANCE DATE
By         By   PARTICIPANT ES
  Authorized Officer       Signature of Grantee

Terms and Conditions

1. Grant : The Corporation shall issue to the Grantee the number of RSUs set forth in this Agreement. Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Corporation’s common stock (a “Share”) on the date the restrictions applicable to the RSU are terminated (the RSU is “vested”). Unless and until the RSUs are vested in the manner set forth in Section 3 or 5 below, the Grantee will have no right to settlement of any such RSUs. Prior to settlement of any vested RSUs, such RSUs will represent an unsecured obligation of the Corporation, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Corporation.

2. Period of Restriction : The restriction period with regard to the RSUs shall commence on the date the RSUs are granted. The Grantee shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any portion of the RSUs, and any attempt to sell, transfer, assign, pledge or encumber any portion of the RSUs prior to termination of restrictions shall have no effect. During the period prior to vesting or forfeiture of all or any portion of the RSUs, the Grantee shall not be entitled to vote the Shares and shall not receive dividends paid on the Shares. The Grantee shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalents, in a cash amount equal to the number of RSUs subject to restriction times the per Share dividend (if any) paid to shareholders of the Corporation’s common stock; provided, however, the dividend equivalents shall not vest in, or be paid to the Grantee unless and to the extent the underlying RSUs vest as provided in Section 3 or 5 of this Agreement.

3. Change of Contro l: If the Grantee’s employment is terminated within two years following a Change of Control involuntarily (except for Cause) or, in the case of participants designated as executive management at the time of the Change of Control, voluntarily for Good Reason, each unvested RSU will immediately vest.

4. Termination of Employment : Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and notwithstanding any other terms of the Plan, the Administrative Regulations or this Agreement to the contrary, (a) unvested RSUs are forfeited if the Grantee’s employment is terminated due to Retirement, Termination without Consent or Termination for Cause, and (b) unvested RSUs will immediately vest upon the Grantee’s death during employment or termination of employment by reason of Disability or Termination with Consent. For purposes of this agreement, (i) for U.S. tax-payers, termination shall be construed consistent with a “separation from service” under Section 409A of the Code; and (ii) for non-U.S. tax-payers, termination shall mean that the Grantee is no longer actively employed by an Employing Company, without regard to any notice period mandated under local law (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law). Any and all forfeitures of RSUs shall be evidenced by written notice to the Grantee. Upon the forfeiture of any RSUs, the Grantee’s right to acquire any Shares hereunder will immediately terminate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 4 are subject to the provisions of Section 3.

5. Vesting : Subject to Sections 3 and 4, the Grantee must continue as an active employee of an Employing Company for three years from the Date of Grant (the “Vesting Period”), subject to the Employing Company’s right to terminate the Grantee’s employment at any time, performing such duties consistent with his capabilities. Notwithstanding any provisions in the Regulations to the contrary, the RSUs shall vest on the three-year anniversary of the Date of Grant, provided that the Grantee is employed by an Employing Company on such anniversary.

Except as provided in Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement, notwithstanding any other terms or conditions of the Plan, the Administrative Regulations or this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of the Grantee’s termination of employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), the Grantee’s right to vest in RSUs, if any, will terminate effective as of the date that the Grantee is no longer actively employed by an Employing Company and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law); the Committee shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when the Grantee is no longer actively employed for purposes of the RSUs.

6. Settlement : RSUs shall be automatically paid in Shares upon the vesting date of such RSUs and, subject to the other terms of the Plan, Administrative Regulations and this Agreement, the Shares will be issued to the Grantee on the vesting date, provided further, no payment shall be made later than March 15 th of the calendar year following the calendar year which includes the applicable vesting date (which payment schedule is intended to comply with the “short-term deferral” exemption from the application of Section 409A (“Section 409A”) of the Code). The Corporation shall have no obligation to issue Shares unless and until the Grantee has satisfied any applicable tax withholding obligations pursuant to Section 11 below and such issuance otherwise complies with all applicable law. Upon vesting and settlement of the RSUs, one or more certificates, free of all restrictions on transferability or forfeiture except for restrictions required by applicable laws and/or regulations, shall be issued in the Grantee’s name (or, in the event of the Grantee’s death prior to such termination or such issuance, to the Grantee’s estate) for the number of Shares subject to vested RSUs. The Grantee shall not be entitled to delivery of a certificate for any portion of the Shares until the corresponding portion of the RSUs has vested.

7. Adjustments and Recoupment : The number of RSUs awarded is subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8 of the Plan. The Grantee shall be notified of such adjustment and such adjustment shall be binding upon the Corporation and the Grantee. Consistent with Section 8 of this Agreement, this grant shall be administered in accordance with, and is subject to, any recoupment policies and provisions prescribed by the Plan and/or the Administrative Regulations at the time of such grant; notwithstanding the foregoing, this grant shall be subject to all recoupment provisions required by law from time to time. In its sole discretion, the Committee shall have the authority to amend, waive or apply the terms of any recoupment policies or provisions not required by law, in whole or in part, to the extent necessary or advisable to comply with applicable local laws, as determined by the Committee.

8. Interpretation and Amendments : This Grant, the vesting and delivery of RSUs and the issuance of Shares upon vesting are subject to, and shall be administered in accordance with, the provisions of the Plan and the Administrative Regulations, as the same may be amended by the Committee from time to time, provided that no amendment may, without the consent of the Grantee, affect the rights of the Grantee under this Grant in a materially adverse manner. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, an amendment that affects the tax treatment of the RSUs shall not be considered as affecting the Grantee’s rights in a materially adverse manner. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Plan or the Administrative Regulations. In the event of a conflict between the Plan and the Administrative Regulations, unless this Grant specifies otherwise, the Plan shall control.

9. Compliance with Laws : The obligations of the Corporation and the rights of the Grantee are subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended; the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and any other applicable U.S. and foreign laws. No Shares will be issued or delivered to the Grantee under the Plan unless and until there has been compliance with such applicable laws.

10. Acceptance of Grant : The Grant shall not be payable unless it is accepted by the Grantee and notice of such acceptance is received by the Stock Plan Officer.

 

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RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT RETENTION GRANT FORM – April 2011


11. Withholding Taxes : Regardless of any action the Corporation or the Employing Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social security, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), the Grantee acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains his or her responsibility and may exceed the amount withheld by the Corporation or the Employing Company. Furthermore, the Grantee acknowledges that the Corporation and/or the Employing Company (a) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the RSUs, including the grant, vesting, or settlement of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of Shares; and (b) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant of the RSUs or any aspect of the Grantee’s participation in the Plan to reduce or eliminate his or her liability for Tax-Related Items or to achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Grantee has become subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction between the Date of Grant and the date of any relevant taxable event, the Grantee acknowledges that the Corporation and/or the Employing Company (or former Employing Company, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

Prior to the relevant taxable event, the Grantee shall pay or make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Corporation and/or the Employing Company to satisfy all withholding obligations of the Corporation and/or the Employing Company. In this regard, the Grantee authorizes the Corporation and/or the Employing Company, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy the obligations with regard to all applicable Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following methods: (1) withholding from Grantee’s wages or other cash compensation paid to Grantee by the Corporation and/or the Employing Company; (2) withholding from proceeds of the sale of Shares issued upon vesting of the RSUs either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Corporation (on Grantee’s behalf pursuant to this authorization) through such means as the Corporation may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise); or (3) withholding in Shares to be issued upon vesting of the RSUs.

To avoid negative accounting treatment, the Corporation may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates. If the Tax-Related Items are satisfied by withholding in Shares issuable upon vesting of the RSUs, for tax purposes, the Grantee is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the RSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items. Finally, the Grantee shall pay to the Corporation or the Employing Company any amount of Tax-Related Items due as a result of any aspect of the Grantee’s participation in the Plan. The Grantee understands that no Shares or proceeds from the sale of Shares shall be delivered to Grantee, notwithstanding the lapse of the restrictions on the RSUs, unless and until the Grantee shall have satisfied any obligation for Tax-Related Items with respect thereto.

12. Nature of the Grant : Nothing herein shall be construed as giving the Grantee any right to be retained in the employ of an Employing Company or affect any right which the Employing Company may have to terminate the employment of such Grantee. Further, by accepting this grant of RSUs, the Grantee acknowledges that:

  a) the grant of the RSUs is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of RSUs, or benefits in lieu of RSUs, even if RSUs have been granted repeatedly in the past;
  b) all decisions with respect to future RSU grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Committee;
  c) the Grantee is voluntarily participating in the Plan;
  d) the RSUs and the Shares subject to the RSUs are extraordinary items which do not constitute compensation of any kind for services of any kind rendered to the Corporation or to the Employing Company, and which are outside the scope of the Grantee’s employment contract, if any;
  e) the RSUs and the Shares subject to the RSUs are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, dismissal, redundancy, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, past services for the Corporation or the Employing Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation;
  f) the RSUs and the Shares subject to the RSUs are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;
  g) the grant of RSUs will not be interpreted to form an employment contract or relationship with the Corporation, the Employing Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation;
  h) the future value of the Shares underlying the RSUs is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty;
  i) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages arises from forfeiture of the RSUs resulting from termination of the Grantee’s employment by the Corporation or the Employing Company (for any reason whether or not in breach of applicable labor laws), and in consideration of the grant of the RSUs to which the Grantee is not otherwise entitled, the Grantee irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against the Corporation or the Employing Company, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and releases the Corporation and the Employing Company from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, the Grantee shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agreed to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claims;
  j) it is the Grantee’s sole responsibility to investigate and comply with any applicable exchange control laws in connection with the issuance and delivery of Shares pursuant to the vesting of the RSUs;
  k) the Corporation and the Employing Company are not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor are the Corporation or the Employing Company making any recommendations regarding the Grantee’s participation in the Plan or the Grantee’s acquisition or sale of the Shares underlying the RSUs; and
  l) the Grantee is hereby advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding his or her participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

13. Data Privacy : The Grantee hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of his or her personal data as described in this document by and among, as applicable, any Employing Company and the Corporation for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Grantee’s participation in the Plan.

The Grantee understands that the Employing Company and the Corporation hold certain personal information about the Grantee, including, but not limited to, Grantee’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Corporation, details of all RSUs or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, vested, unvested or outstanding in Grantee’s favor, as the Employing Company and/or the Corporation deems necessary for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan (“Data”). The Grantee acknowledges and understands that Data may be transferred to any broker as designated by the Corporation and any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, that these recipients may be located in the Grantee’s country or elsewhere (and outside the European Economic Area), and that the recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the Grantee’s country. The Grantee understands that he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting the Grantee’s local human resources representative. The Grantee authorizes the recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Grantee’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Grantee may elect to deposit any Shares acquired upon vesting of the RSUs. The Grantee understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the Grantee’s participation in the Plan. The Grantee understands that he or she may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing his or her local human resources representative. The Grantee understands, however, that refusing or withdrawing his or her consent may affect his or her ability to realize benefits from the RSUs or otherwise participate in the Plan. For more information on the consequences of his or her refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, the Grantee understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative.

14. Electronic Delivery : The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means or request the Grantee’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Grantee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Corporation or another third party designated by the Corporation.

15. Code Section 409A . It is the intent that the vesting or the payments of RSUs set forth in this Agreement shall either qualify for exemption from or comply with the requirements of Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply. The Corporation reserves the right, to the extent the Corporation deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, to unilaterally amend or modify this Agreement as may be necessary to ensure that all vesting or settlements provided under this Agreement are made in a manner that qualifies for exemption from or complies with Section 409A; provided, however, that the Corporation makes no representation that the vesting or settlement of RSUs provided under this Agreement will be exempt from Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to the vesting or settlement of RSUs provided under this Agreement. In the event that any payment to a U.S. tax-payer with respect to an RSU is considered to be based upon separation from service, and not compensation the Grantee could receive without separating from service, then such amounts may not be paid until the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Grantee’s termination if the Grantee is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code upon his separation from service.

16. Severability : In the event that any provision in this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

17. Language : If the Grantee has received this Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

18. Governing Law : This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to the conflicts of laws thereof.

19. Exhibit A . Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement, the RSUs shall be subject to any special terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement for the Grantee’s country. Moreover, if the Grantee relocates to one of the countries included in Exhibit A, the special terms and conditions for such country will apply to the Grantee, to the extent the Corporation determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law or facilitate the administration of the Plan. Exhibit A constitutes part of this Agreement.

20. Imposition of Other Requirements . The Corporation reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Grantee’s participation in the Plan, on the RSUs and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Corporation determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law, and to require the Grantee to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

21. Headings : Headings of paragraphs and sections used in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement, and must not be used in construing it.

 

Page 2

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT RETENTION GRANT FORM – April 2011


EXHIBIT A

Additional Terms and Conditions of the

United States Steel Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This Exhibit A includes additional terms and conditions that govern the RSUs granted to the Grantee under the Plan if he or she resides in one of the countries listed below. If the Grantee is a citizen or resident of a country other than that in which the Grantee is currently working or transfers employment to another country after the RSUs are granted, the Corporation shall, in its discretion, determine to what extent the terms and conditions contained herein shall be applicable to the Grantee. Certain capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit A have the meanings set forth in the Plan, the Administrative Regulations and/or the Agreement.

NOTIFICATIONS

This Exhibit A also includes information regarding exchange controls and certain other issues of which the Grantee should be aware with respect to participation in the Plan. The information is based on the laws in effect in the applicable countries as of March 2011. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Corporation strongly recommends that the Grantee not rely on the information in this Exhibit A as the only source of information relating to the consequences of his or her participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date at the time that the Grantee vests in the RSUs or sells Shares acquired under the Plan.

In addition, the information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to the Grantee’s particular situation, and the Corporation is not in a position to assure the Grantee of a particular result. Accordingly, the Grantee is advised to seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in his or her country may apply to the Grantee’s situation.

Finally, if the Grantee is a citizen or resident of a country other than that in which the Grantee is currently working or transfers employment to another country after the RSUs are granted, the information contained herein may not be applicable.

CANADA

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

RSUs Payable Only in Shares. Notwithstanding any discretion in the Plan or anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the grant of RSUs does not provide any right for the Grantee to receive a cash payment in settlement of the RSUs upon vesting and the RSUs are payable in Shares only.

Securities Law Commitment on Sale of Shares. As a condition of the grant of RSUs and the issuance of Shares upon vesting of the RSUs, the Grantee undertakes to only sell, trade or otherwise dispose of any Shares issued to the Grantee under the Plan in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Under current laws, this means that the Grantee will need to sell any Shares issued under the Plan using the services of a broker or dealer that is registered under Canadian provincial or territorial securities legislation. The Grantee will not be permitted to sell, trade or otherwise dispose of his or her Shares through the Company’s designated U.S. plan broker, Fidelity Investments, unless such sale, trade or disposal can be executed in accordance with applicable securities laws. As legal requirements may be subject to change, Grantees are encouraged to seek specific advice about their individual situation before taking any action with respect to securities issued to them under the Plan.

By accepting this RSU, the Grantee expressly agrees that he or she will consult with a personal legal advisor to address any questions that may arise regarding compliance with this requirement. The Grantee understands and agrees that he or she will be liable for any failure to comply with the foregoing provision.

SERBIA

NOTIFICATIONS

Exchange Control Information. Pursuant to the Law on Foreign Exchange Transactions (effective July 27, 2006), Serbian residents may freely acquire Shares under the Plan, however, the National Bank of Serbia generally requires reporting of the acquisition of such Shares, the value of the Shares at vesting and, on a quarterly basis, any changes in the value of the underlying Shares. The Grantee is advised to consult with a personal legal advisor to determine his or her reporting obligations upon the acquisition of Shares under the Plan as such obligations are subject to change based on the interpretation of applicable regulations by the National Bank of Serbia. The Corporation reserves the right to require the Grantee to report details of the sale of his or her Shares to the Corporation or to follow such other procedures as may be established by the Corporation to comply with applicable exchange control regulations.

SLOVAK REPUBLIC

There are no country-specific provisions.

 

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RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT RETENTION GRANT FORM – April 2011

Exhibit 10.7

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR FEE ARRANGEMENTS

Effective as of April 1, 2011, non-employee directors are paid an annual retainer fee of $200,000, and the Presiding Director and Committee Chairs receive an additional annual fee of $10,000. No meeting fees or committee membership fees are paid.

Exhibit 10.8

UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION EXECUTIVE

MANAGEMENT SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION PROGRAM

Effective January 1, 2005, Amended Effective March 1, 2011

 

1. History and Purpose

United States Steel Corporation (the “Corporation”) established the United States Steel Corporation Executive Management Supplemental Pension Program (“Program”), and amended and restated the Program effective January 1, 2005 to comply with section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), except with respect to benefits that were vested under the Program on or before December 31, 2004.

The purpose of this Program is to provide a pension benefit for Executive Management and certain other key managers with respect to compensation paid under the incentive compensation plans maintained by “the Corporation”, its subsidiaries, and its joint ventures.

 

2. Eligibility

An employee of the Corporation, a Subsidiary Company, the United States Steel and Carnegie Pension Fund, or a joint venture of the Corporation is a Member of the Program if he or she is:

  (a) a member of the Executive Management Group as established from time to time by the United States Steel Corporation Board of Directors who is also a participant in the United States Steel Corporation Plan for Employee Pension Benefits (Revision of 2003), or
  (b) a key manager designated by name as a “Member” under this Program by the Compensation and Organization Committee of the United States Steel Corporation Board of Directors (the “Committee”).

Effective March 1, 2011, this Program is closed to new Members.

Subject to the consent requirement outlined in the next sentence below, a Member will be eligible to receive the supplemental pension provided under this Program (the “Supplemental Pension”) if he or she retires or otherwise terminates employment after completing fifteen years of continuous service. Benefits will not be payable under this Program with respect to a Member who (a) terminates employment prior to age 60, or (b) effective for an individual who becomes a Member of the Program on or after July 31, 2006, terminates employment within 36 months of the date he or she becomes a Member, unless the Corporation consents to the termination of employment; provided, however, that such consent is not required for terminations on account of: (a) death, or (b) involuntary termination, other than for cause.

Subject to the consent requirement outlined in the next sentence below, the surviving spouse of any Member will be eligible to receive the supplemental surviving spouse benefit provided under this Program (the “Supplemental Surviving Spouse Benefit”) if the Member (a) has accrued at least 15 years of continuous service, and (b) either (i) dies prior to retirement, or (ii) dies after retirement under conditions of eligibility for a pension pursuant to the provisions of the United States Steel Corporation Plan for Employee Pension Benefits (Revision of 2003) (the “Plan”). The Supplemental Surviving Spouse Benefit will not be

 

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payable with respect to a Member who (a) terminates employment prior to age 60, or (b) effective for an individual who becomes a Member of the Program on or after July 31, 2006, terminates employment within 36 months of the date he or she becomes a Member, unless the Corporation consents to the termination of employment; provided, however, that such consent is not required for terminations on account of: (a) death, or (b) involuntary termination, other than for cause.

 

3. Amount of Benefit
  a. Supplemental Pension

The Supplemental Pension provided under this Program shall be a monthly amount paid for the life of the Member equal to the product of: (i) the Member’s Average Earnings, multiplied by (ii) a percentage which shall be equal to the sum of 1.54% for each year of continuous service and each year of allowed service.

Except as otherwise provided in this Program, the terms “continuous service,” “allowed service,” “surviving spouse” and “Subsidiary Company” as used herein mean continuous service, allowed service, surviving spouse, and subsidiary company as determined under (or, in the case of “subsidiary company”, as defined in) the United States Steel 1994 Salaried Pension Rules adopted under the Plan. However, the term “continuous service” for the purpose of determining the amount of the Supplemental Pension and Supplemental Surviving Spouse Benefit under this Program shall exclude the Member’s continuous service that (i) is creditable under a pension plan adopted by the Corporation, a Subsidiary Company, or a joint venture, if the pension plan includes bonus payments as creditable earnings for pension purposes, or (ii) occurs following the date the Member was designated by the Committee as no longer covered by this Program for future accruals.

Average Earnings as used herein shall be equal to the total bonuses paid or credited to the Member pursuant to the United States Steel Corporation Annual Incentive Compensation Plan (and/or under similar incentive plans or under profit sharing plans, if the employing entity has a profit sharing plan rather than an incentive plan) with respect to the three calendar years for which total bonus payments or deferrals (or such other payments) were the highest out of the last ten consecutive calendar years immediately prior to the calendar year in which retirement or death occurs (or, if earlier, the date the Member was designated by the Committee as no longer covered by the Program for future accruals) divided by thirty-six. Bonus payments or deferrals (or such other payments) will be considered as having been made for the calendar year in which the applicable services were performed rather than for the calendar year in which the bonus payment was actually received. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no benefits payable with respect to a Member shall be based on any bonus paid to such Member after the date he or she was designated by the Committee as no longer covered by this Program.

 

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The Average Earnings used in the determination of benefits under this Program as of retirement will be recalculated using any bonus payable for the calendar year in which retirement occurs if such bonus produces Average Earnings greater than that determined at retirement.

As of December 31, 2001, (the “Effective Date”), the determination of Average Earnings used herein also shall take into consideration bonuses paid or credited to the Member after the Effective Date by Marathon Oil Corporation, Marathon Oil Company, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC, and Speedway SuperAmerica LLC, and their subsidiaries and successors.

In no event shall the Member’s monthly Supplemental Pension benefit be less than the Member’s highest monthly accrued benefit under this Program.

 

  b. Supplemental Surviving Spouse Benefit

The Surviving Spouse of a Member shall be eligible for a monthly Supplemental Surviving Spouse Benefit under this Program equal to (i) in the case of a Member who dies after retirement, 50% of the Supplemental Pension that was being paid to the Member, or (ii) in the case of a Member who dies while still employed by the Corporation, the actuarial equivalent (to adjust to the life expectancy of the spouse utilizing the 1971 Group Annuity Mortality Tables unisexed on a 9 to 1 female-male ratio for the spouse and the PBGC interest rate in effect the first of the month following the date of the Member’s death) of 100% of the monthly Supplemental Pension that would have been payable to the Member had the Member retired with Corporation consent as of the date of his or her death. In the event that a Member who has completed fifteen years of continuous service dies while still employed by the Corporation and does not leave a Surviving Spouse, an amount equal to the lump sum distribution which he or she would have received under this Program had he or she retired with Corporation consent as of the date of his death shall be payable to his or her estate in the form of a lump sum distribution. The payment date shall be on the last business day of the calendar month following the month in which such death occurred.

 

4. Form of Benefit and Timing of Distribution
  a. Lump Sum Distribution

Effective January 1, 2005, subject to section 4.b. below, a Member shall receive, upon the Member’s termination of employment from the Corporation, a lump sum distribution of both the benefits payable to him or her and the benefits payable to his or her surviving spouse, if any, under the Program. The term “termination of employment”, when used in the context of a condition to, or time of, payment hereunder, shall mean a “separation from service” as that term is used under section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. The payment date shall be on the last business day of the calendar month following the month in which such termination of employment occurred.

 

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If the Member dies prior to retirement, the Supplemental Surviving Spouse Benefit, if any, shall be paid in a lump sum distribution. The payment date shall be on the last business day of the calendar month following the month in which such death occurred. Such lump sum distribution will be determined based upon the life expectancy of the Member’s surviving spouse.

Any lump sum distribution payable as described above following termination of employment or death shall represent full and final settlement of all benefits provided under the Program. Any lump sum distribution under this Program shall be calculated in the same manner as it would have been calculated had it been made under the United States Steel Corporation Plan for Employee Pension Benefits (Revision of 2003). If a Member retires, but dies prior to receiving such lump sum, the lump sum will be paid to the Member’s surviving spouse, or to the Member’s estate if there is no surviving spouse, on the scheduled payment date (i.e., the last business day of the calendar month following the month in which the Member’s termination of employment occurred).

 

  b. Delay in Payment to Specified Employees

Effective January 1, 2005, in the case of any Member who is determined by the administrator to be a “specified employee” (as defined in Code section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) and the regulations thereunder), no amount of such Member’s lump sum distribution that is considered deferred, for purposes of Code section 409A, in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004, shall be distributed as described in section 4.a. above, but rather shall be payable on the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Member’s termination of employment (or, if earlier, the last business day of the calendar month following the month of the Member’s death). During this six-month delay period, simple interest will accrue and be payable, on the date specified in the preceding sentence, on the balance due using the average of the interest rates established under the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation regulations to determine the present value of lump sum distributions payable under the Plan during the months included in the six-month delay period.

For purposes of this Program, a Member’s entire benefit amount shall be considered deferred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004 if the Member had not attained at least age 60 with 15 years of continuous service as of December 31, 2004. For a Member who had attained at least age 60 and had 15 years of continuous service as of December 31, 2004, his or her accrued benefits determined as of December 31, 2004 shall be payable in accordance with the terms of the Program in effect on October 3, 2004, without any modification thereto.

 

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5. Split Dollar Exchange Option

Effective December 31, 2003, the Split Dollar Exchange Option provisions outlined in this Section 5 are eliminated except for coverage in existence under the Program as of December 31, 2003.

 

6. General Provisions
  a. Administration

The Vice President—Administration, United States Steel and Carnegie Pension Fund, is responsible for the administration of this Program. The administrator shall decide all questions arising out of and relating to the administration of this Program. The decision of the administrator shall be final and conclusive as to all questions of interpretations and application of the Program.

 

  b. Amendment or Termination of Program

The Corporation reserves the right to make any changes in this Program or to terminate this Program as to any or all groups of employees covered under this Program, but in no event shall such amendment or termination adversely affect the vested or non-vested benefits accrued hereunder prior to the effective date of such amendment or termination. If the Program is terminated, employees who are (or were) covered under this Program will continue to accrue eligibility service under the Program for purposes of satisfying (1) the age 60 requirement, and/or (2) the 36-month service requirement, and/or (3) the 15-year service requirement, as long as they remain employed with the Corporation, their participating employer, or any member of the controlled group that includes the Corporation. Any amendment to this Program which changes this Program (including any amendment which increases, reduces or alters the benefits of this Program) or any action which terminates this Program to any or all groups shall be made by a resolution of the Corporation’s Board of Directors (or any authorized committee of such Board) adopted in accordance with the bylaws of the Corporation and the corporation law of the state of Delaware.

 

  c. No Guarantee of Employment

Neither the creation of this Program nor anything contained herein shall be construed as giving an individual hereunder any right to remain in the employ of the Corporation.

 

  d. Nonalienation

No benefits payable under this Program shall be subject in any way to alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, attachment, garnishment, execution, or encumbrance of any kind by operation of law or otherwise. However, this section shall not apply to portions of benefits applied to satisfy (i) obligations for the withholding of taxes, or (ii) obligations under a qualified domestic relations order.

 

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  e. No Requirement to Fund

Except to the extent provided otherwise in this paragraph, benefits provided by this Program shall be paid out of general assets of the Corporation. No provisions in this Program, either directly or indirectly, shall be construed to require the Corporation to reserve, or otherwise set aside, funds for the payment of benefits hereunder.

As of the Effective Date, United States Steel Corporation (and its subsidiaries and successors) and Marathon Oil Corporation (and its subsidiaries and successors) have assumed liability for a Specified Percentage of the Corporate Part, if any, of each Member’s accrued benefit under the Program. The term “Corporate Part” is defined to mean the pro rata portion (based upon continuous service taken into consideration for benefit accrual purposes under the Program) of a Member’s total accrued benefit under the Program as of the Effective Date (as adjusted, if applicable, for increases in compensation in periods after the Effective Date) which is attributable to continuous service performed for the USX Headquarters unit of USX Corporation on or after May 1, 1991 and prior to the Effective Date. The Specified Percentage is thirty-five percent (35%) for United States Steel Corporation and sixty-five percent (65%) for Marathon Oil Corporation.

 

  f. Controlling Law

To the extent not preempted by the laws of the United States of America, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall be the controlling state law in all matters relating to this Program.

 

  g. Severability

If any provisions of this Program shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of this Program, but this Program shall be construed and enforced as if said illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

  h. Exclusive Provisions of Program

The provisions contained herein constitute the complete and exclusive statement of the terms of this Program. There are no written or oral representations, promises, statements or commitments, other than those expressly set forth herein, with respect to benefits provided by this Program. All reliance by any individual concerning the subject matter of this Program shall be solely upon the provisions set forth in this document.

 

  i. Code Section 409A

This Program shall be interpreted and administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and interpretations that may be promulgated thereunder.

 

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Exhibit 10.9

United States Steel Corporation Supplemental Thrift Program

Effective January 1, 2005, Amended to April 25, 2011

 

1. History and Purpose

United States Steel Corporation established the United States Steel Corporation Supplemental Thrift Program (“Program”), and amended and restated the Program effective January 1, 2005 to comply with section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), except with respect to benefits that were vested under the Program on or before December 31, 2004.

The purpose of this Program is to compensate individuals for the loss of Company matching contributions under the United States Steel Corporation Savings Fund Plan for Salaried Employees (“Savings Plan”) or the Tubular Services Savings Plan (“Tubular Plan”) (collectively, “Plans”) that occurs due to certain limits established under the Code or that are required under the Code. The term “Corporation” shall mean United States Steel Corporation and any other company that is a participating employer in the Plans.

 

2. Eligibility

Except as otherwise provided herein, an individual is a “Member” of the Program if he or she is an employee of the Corporation who is eligible to participate in the either or the Plans and either (a) is a member of the Executive Management Group, or (b) is not permitted to make contributions to either of the Plans at least equal to the maximum rate of matching Company contributions applicable to his service because of the limitations of the Code.

 

3. Amount of Benefits

With respect to a month in which a Member’s ability to either:

  (a) save on both a pre-tax and after-tax basis under either of the Plans at a rate at least equal to the maximum rate of matching Company contributions applicable to his service is restricted by law (including the limitations under Code sections 401(a)(17), 401(k), 402(g), and 415), or
  (b) save on an after-tax basis under either of the Plans at a rate at least equal to the maximum rate of matching Company contributions applicable to his service is restricted by Code section 401(m),

the full matching Company contributions which would otherwise have been deposited into the Plans on behalf of the Member will be credited for such month to the Member’s account under the Program (regardless of the Member’s rate of savings under the Plans). Effective April 1, 2005, the amount to be credited for a month to a Member’s account under the Program will be equal to a percentage of the Member’s monthly base salary that, on a year-to-date basis, is in excess of the Internal Revenue Code section 401(a)(17) annual compensation limit for the year, with such percentage determined in accordance with the following schedule:

 

Continuous Service    Crediting Rate under Program  

1 month but less than 10 years

     5.0

10 years but less than 15 years

     5.5

15 years and over

     6.0

 

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Effective June 1, 2010, the amount to be credited for a month to a Member’s account under the Program will be equal to 6% of the Member’s monthly base salary that, on a year-to-date basis, is in excess of the Internal Revenue Code section 401(a)(17) annual compensation limit for the year.

Any amount credited to a Member’s account pursuant to this amendment will be subject to the requirements of Internal Revenue Code section 409A.

Beginning January 1, 2002, the amount to be credited to a Member’s account in the Program (book entry only) will be credited in the same manner as if the amount had been deposited in the applicable Plan for investment in United States Steel Corporation Common Stock. Beginning November 1, 2004, the number of shares to be credited to a Member’s account in the Program (book entry only) will be calculated using the amount of contribution and the net asset value of United States Steel Corporation Common Stock at markets close on the processing date. In addition, amounts credited to a Member’s account (book entry only) as of December 31, 2001 relating to USX-U.S. Steel Group Common Stock and USX-Marathon Group Common Stock, respectively, will continue to be held in such accounts as amounts relating to United States Steel Corporation Common Stock and Marathon Oil Corporation Common Stock, respectively. Effective as of the date Marathon Oil Corporation distributes Marathon Petroleum Company Common Stock in a spinoff transaction, the accounts of Members with book entries for Marathon Oil Corporation Common Stock on that date will be credited with book entries for Marathon Petroleum Company Common Stock associated with the spinoff transaction. Except as otherwise provided, the rules under the Plans for determining service for eligibility and vesting, Corporation stock values, share determination, beneficiary designation, and vesting will be applicable under this Program.

Effective November 30, 2005, this Program accepted a transfer of the entire value of any participant’s account from the Transtar, Inc. Supplemental Thrift Program (“Transtar Program”). If an individual had an amount transferred from the Transtar Program (“Transtar Program Transfer”), such individual will be treated as a Member of this Program. Transtar Program Transfers (and future earnings thereon) will be credited in the same manner as if the amount had been deposited in the Savings Plan for investment in the Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio II – Class 3 (prior to the close of business on January 29, 2010, the Group Interest Fund).

 

4. Form of Benefit and Timing of Distribution
  a. Lump Sum Distribution
  1.

Effective January 1, 2005, subject to section 4.b. below, a Member shall receive a lump sum distribution of the benefits payable under this Program upon the Member’s (a) termination of employment with the Corporation with five or more years of continuous service, (b) termination of employment with the Corporation prior to attaining five years of continuous service with the consent of the Corporation, or (c) pre-retirement death. For this purpose, the term “termination of employment” shall mean a “separation from service” as that term is used under section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. Except as provided in section 5e., benefits provided by this Program shall be paid by the Corporation in cash out of the general assets of the Corporation. The payment date shall be on the last business day of the calendar month following the month in which such termination of employment occurred. Effective February 28, 2009, Members who retire under the 2009 Voluntary Early Retirement Program will be treated as having Company consent to

 

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retire even if they have not attained the 5-year vesting requirement under this Program at retirement.

  2. In the event a Member dies prior to retirement, the benefits will be paid to the Member’s surviving spouse (or to the Member’s estate, if there is no surviving spouse) in the form of a lump sum distribution. The payment date shall be on the last business day of the calendar month following the month in which such death occurred.
  3. In the event a Member dies after retirement but prior to receiving the benefits credited to his account under the Program, the benefits will be paid to the Member’s surviving spouse (or to the Member’s estate, if there is no surviving spouse) in the form of a lump sum distribution on the scheduled payment date (i.e., the last business day of the calendar month following the month in which the Member’s termination of employment occurred).

 

  b. Delay in Payment to Specified Employees

Effective January 1, 2005, in the case of any Member who is determined by the administrator to be a “specified employee” (as defined in Code section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) and the regulations thereunder), no amount of such Member’s lump sum distribution that is considered deferred, for purposes of Code section 409A, in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004, shall be distributed as described in section 4.a. above, but rather shall be payable on the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Member’s termination of employment (or, if earlier, the last business day of the calendar month following the month of the Member’s death). During this six-month delay period, simple interest will accrue and be payable, on the date specified in the preceding sentence, on the balance due using the average of the interest rates established under the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation regulations to determine the present value of lump sum distributions payable under the United States Steel Corporation Plan for Employee Pension Benefits (Revision of 2003) during the months included in the six-month delay period.

For purposes of this Program, a Member’s entire benefit amount shall be considered deferred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004 if the Member had not attained at least five years of service as of December 31, 2004. For Members with at least five years of service as of December 31, 2004, their benefit determined as of December 31, 2004, plus earnings, shall be payable in accordance with the terms of the Program in effect on October 3, 2004, without any modification thereto.

 

5. General Provisions
  a. Administration

The Vice President – Administration, United States Steel and Carnegie Pension Fund, is responsible for the administration of this Program. The administrator shall decide all questions arising out of and relating to the administration of this Program. The decision of the administrator shall be final and conclusive as to all questions of interpretations and application of the Program.

 

  b. Amendment or Termination of Program

The Corporation reserves the right to make any changes in this Program or to terminate this Program as to any or all groups of employees covered under this Program, but in no event shall such amendment or termination adversely affect the vested or non-vested benefits accrued hereunder prior to the effective date of such amendment or termination.

 

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Any amendment to this Program which changes this Program (including any amendment which increases, reduces or alters the benefits of this Program) or any action which terminates this Program to any or all groups shall be made by a resolution of the United States Steel Corporation Board of Directors (or any authorized committee of such Board) adopted in accordance with the bylaws of United States Steel Corporation and the corporation law of the state of Delaware.

 

  c. No Guarantee of Employment

Neither the creation of this Program nor anything contained herein shall be construed as giving an individual hereunder any right to remain in the employ of the Corporation.

 

  d. Nonalienation

No benefits payable under this Program shall be subject in any way to alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, attachment, garnishment, execution, or encumbrance of any kind by operation of law or otherwise. However, this section shall not apply to portions of benefits applied to satisfy (i) obligations for withholding of employment taxes, or (ii) obligations under a qualified domestic relations order.

 

  e. No Requirement to Fund

Except as provided in this section 5e., benefits provided by this Program shall be paid out of general assets of the Corporation. No provisions in this Program, either directly or indirectly, shall be construed to require the Corporation to reserve, or otherwise set aside, funds for the payment of benefits hereunder.

As of December 31, 2001 (the “Effective Date”), United States Steel Corporation (and its subsidiaries and successors) and Marathon Oil Corporation (and its subsidiaries and successors) have assumed liability for a Specified Percentage of the Corporate Part, if any, of each Member’s accrued benefit under the Program. The term “Corporate Part” is defined to mean the pro rata portion (based upon continuous service taken into consideration for benefit accrual purposes under the Program) of a Member’s total accrued benefit under the Program as of the Effective Date which is attributable to continuous service performed for the USX Headquarters unit of USX Corporation on or after May 1, 1991 and prior to the Effective Date. The Specified Percentage is thirty-five percent (35%) for United States Steel Corporation and sixty-five percent (65%) for Marathon Oil Corporation. The term “accrued benefit” is defined to mean the number of units of Marathon Stock (as renamed the Marathon Oil Corporation common stock), the number of shares of Marathon Petroleum Company Common Stock, and the number of units of Steel Stock (as converted to United States Steel Corporation common stock) the participant has accrued in his or her account under the Program. The assumption of liability for the Specified Portion of the Corporate Part includes the assumption of liability for future dividends attributable to such allocated units.

 

  f. Controlling Law

To the extent not preempted by the laws of the United States of America, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall be the controlling state law in all matters relating to this Program.

 

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  g. Severability

If any provisions of this Program shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of this Program, but this Program shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

  h. Exclusive Provisions of Program

The provisions contained herein constitute the complete and exclusive statement of the terms of this Program. There are no written or oral representations, promises, statements or commitments, other than those expressly set forth herein, with respect to benefits provided by this Program. All reliance by any individual concerning the subject matter of this Program shall be solely upon the provisions set forth in this document.

 

  i. Code Section 409A

This Program shall be interpreted and administered in accordance with section 409A of the Code and the regulations and interpretations that may be promulgated thereunder.

 

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Exhibit 10.10

BASE SALARIES OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

On April 25, 2011, the Compensation & Organization Committee of the Board of Directors approved annual base salaries for executive management effective May 1, 2011, increasing the salaries for the named executive officers other than Mr. Surma, whose salary remains the same:

 

J. P. Surma

   $ 1,260,000   

G. R. Haggerty

   $ 609,000   

J. D. Garraux

   $ 560,000   

G. F. Babcoke

   $ 525,000   

The named executive officers listed above are also provided the following perquisites: limited personal use of corporate aircraft and automobiles; dining privileges; club memberships; financial planning and tax preparation services; parking expenses; company-paid physicals; personal use of corporate properties; use of sports and entertainment tickets, matching contributions to charities; foreign service premiums, relocation expenses; and, in the case of executives on foreign assignment, the services of a driver, security, housing and utility benefits, foreign service cost of living adjustment and allowances for communications and home leave. Additionally, there are tax gross ups and reimbursements associated with foreign service.

Exhibit 31.1

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, John P. Surma, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of United States Steel Corporation;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

April 26, 2011

  

/s/ John P. Surma

   John P. Surma
   Chairman of the Board of Directors
   and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, Gretchen R. Haggerty, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of United States Steel Corporation;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

April 26, 2011

  

/s/ Gretchen R. Haggerty

  

Gretchen R. Haggerty

  

Executive Vice President

   and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

I, John P. Surma, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of United States Steel Corporation, certify that:

 

  (1) The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of United States Steel Corporation for the period ending March 31, 2011, fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  (2) The information contained in the foregoing report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of United States Steel Corporation.

/s/ John P. Surma  

 John P. Surma

 Chairman of the Board of Directors

 and Chief Executive Officer

April 26, 2011

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to United States Steel Corporation and will be retained by United States Steel Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Exhibit 32.2

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

I, Gretchen R. Haggerty, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United States Steel Corporation, certify that:

 

  (1) The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of United States Steel Corporation for the period ending March 31, 2011, fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  (2) The information contained in the foregoing report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of United States Steel Corporation.

/s/ Gretchen R. Haggerty

 Gretchen R. Haggerty

 Executive Vice President

 and Chief Financial Officer

April 26, 2011

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to United States Steel Corporation and will be retained by United States Steel Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.