AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 27, 2004
REGISTRATION NO. 333-108131
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE 25-1897152
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
ORGANIZATION)
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
600 GRANT STREET, ROOM 1500
PITTSBURGH, PA 15219-2800
(412) 433-1121
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
---------------------
DAN D. SANDMAN, ESQ.
VICE CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER,
GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
600 GRANT STREET
PITTSBURGH, PA 15219-2800
(412) 433-1121
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING
AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time following the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), other than securities offered only in
connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following
box. [X]
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
------------------
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF SHARES AMOUNT TO BE AGGREGATE PRICE AGGREGATE OFFERING REGISTRATION
TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT PRICE(1) FEE
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Common Stock, par value $1.00 per
share.................................. 3,000,000 $16.995 $50,985,000 $4,124.69+
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(1) Calculated pursuant to rule 457(c), based on the average of the high and low
price for the shares of United States Steel Corporation common stock on the
New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape for August 14, 2003.
+ Previously paid.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON
SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "COMMISSION"), ACTING
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
PURSUANT TO RULE 429 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE PROSPECTUS INCLUDED
IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT WILL ALSO BE USED FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION
10(a)(3) OF THE ACT IN CONNECTION WITH SECURITIES REGISTERED ON FORM S-3,
REGISTRATION NUMBER 333-75148.
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Prospectus
[UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION LOGO]
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
Dividend Reinvestment and
Stock Purchase Plan
3,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
Our Common Stock is traded on the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "X".
Investing in our Common Stock involves risks.
See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 4.
The price you pay for all Shares of Common Stock
will be based upon the price of the stock in the market.
On January 26, 2004, the closing price of our
Common Stock was $35.30 per share.
---------------------
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
regulators has determined whether this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
---------------------
January , 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
------
Summary..................................................... 3
Plan Introduction...................................... 3
Information About U. S. Steel.......................... 3
Risk Factors................................................ 4
Risks Related to Our Industry.......................... 4
Risks Related to Our Business.......................... 5
Risks Associated with the Acquisition of the National
Steel Assets.......................................... 14
Risks Related to the Separation........................ 15
Forward-Looking Information................................. 17
The Plan.................................................... 18
Enrollment............................................. 18
Administrator of the Plan.............................. 19
Investment Options and Limitations..................... 19
Limitations on Purchases............................... 21
Aggregation of Plan Accounts for Purpose of
Limitations........................................... 21
Waiver of Limitations.................................. 21
Purchase of Shares for the Plan........................ 22
Purchases Exceeding Plan Limits--Discount in Effect.... 22
Control over Purchases................................. 24
Sale of Shares for the Plan............................ 24
Safekeeping of Your Stock Certificates and Book
Entry................................................. 24
Gifts, Transfers and Pledges of Shares................. 25
Issuance of Certificates............................... 26
Tracking Your Investments.............................. 26
U.S. Federal Income Tax Information.................... 26
Miscellaneous.......................................... 27
Use of Proceeds............................................. 28
Plan of Distribution........................................ 28
For More Information About U. S. Steel...................... 29
Documents Incorporated by Reference......................... 29
Experts..................................................... 30
Legal Matters............................................... 30
Schedule I--List of Important Dates through 2007............ SI-1
Schedule II--Plan Service Fees.............................. SII-1
Schedule III--Additional Information........................ SIII-1
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT OR
INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE REFERRED YOU TO. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO
PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THOSE
TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY,
THE SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT
IS NOT LAWFUL TO MAKE ANY SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS
OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
2
SUMMARY
PLAN INTRODUCTION
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
United States Steel Corporation ("U. S. Steel" or "USS") is pleased to send you
this prospectus describing the United States Steel Corporation Dividend
Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan provides a simple
and convenient method to make an initial investment in U. S. Steel, purchase
additional shares of U. S. Steel common stock and to have cash dividends
automatically reinvested.
IF YOU ARE ALREADY PARTICIPATING IN THE PLAN, NO ACTION IS REQUIRED.
Some of the significant features of the Plan include:
-- Enrollment through initial direct stock purchase.
-- Purchases through the reinvestment of quarterly dividends of up to
$15,000 (more with permission of U. S. Steel).
-- Purchase of Shares through optional cash investments (minimum $50) up to
$10,000 per month (more with permission of U. S. Steel).
-- Option of monthly investment through automatic bank debits.
-- Optional cash investments generally invested within a week of receipt.
-- Purchase of shares at a discount of up to 3% from time to time, upon
notice from U. S. Steel.
-- Simplified record keeping, with quarterly statements of your Plan
account.
-- Option to deposit shares for safekeeping.
Please note, Plan service fees have changed. Please see Schedule II for more
information about these fees.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and you may terminate your
participation at any time. Once you are enrolled in the Plan, your enrollment
will be continued unless you notify the General Administrator otherwise. If you
wish to join the Plan or change your investment option, please complete and sign
an authorization form and return it to the appropriate Administrator (see
Schedule III for information about the Administrators).
INFORMATION ABOUT U. S. STEEL
U. S. Steel, through its domestic operations, is engaged in the production, sale
and transportation of steel mill products, coke, and taconite pellets; the
management of mineral resources; real estate development; and engineering and
consulting services and, through its European operations, which includes U.S.
Steel Kosice located in the Slovak Republic ("USSK") and U.S. Steel Balkan,
d.o.o. headquartered in the Republic of Serbia ("USSB"), in the production and
sale of steel mill products and coke. Certain business activities are conducted
through joint ventures and partially owned companies. U. S. Steel's principal
executive offices are located at 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2800,
and its telephone number is (412) 433-1121.
3
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors and the other
information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus
and the prospectus supplement before making an investment decision.
The historical statistical and financial information prior to June 30, 2003
included in this prospectus does not allow for the effects of our purchase of
the assets of National Steel Corporation on May 20, 2003.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY
OVERCAPACITY IN THE STEEL INDUSTRY MAY CAUSE OUR PRODUCTION LEVELS AND SHIPMENTS
TO DECLINE.
There is an excess of global steel-making capacity over global consumption of
steel products. This has caused shipment and production levels for our domestic
operations to vary from year to year and quarter to quarter, affecting our
results of operations and cash flows. Over the past six years, our domestic
steel shipments have varied from a high of 11.6 million net tons in 1997 to a
low of 9.8 million net tons in 2001. Production levels as a percentage of
capacity have ranged from a high of 96.5% in 1997 to a low of 78.9% in 2001.
THE STEEL BUSINESS IS CYCLICAL. ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS PUT PRESSURE ON OUR FINANCIAL
RESOURCES.
Demand for most of our products is cyclical in nature and sensitive to general
economic conditions, including currency fluctuations. Our business supports
cyclical industries such as the automotive, appliance, construction and energy
industries. As a result, downturns in the domestic and global economies, or any
of our customers' industries, could put pressure on our financial resources to
weather the negative impact such downturns have on our operations and cash
flows. Because we and other integrated steel producers generally have high fixed
costs, reduced volumes result in operating inefficiencies, such as those
experienced in 2001. Over the past six years, our net income has varied from a
high of $452 million in 1997 to a loss of $218 million in 2001 as our domestic
steel shipments have varied from a high of 11.6 million net tons in 1997 to a
low of 9.8 million net tons in 2001.
IMPORTS OF UNFAIRLY TRADED STEEL MAY DEPRESS DOMESTIC PRICE LEVELS AND REDUCE
OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND CASH FLOWS.
We believe steel imports into the United States involve widespread dumping and
subsidy abuses and the remedies provided by United States law to private
litigants are insufficient to correct these problems. Imports of steel involving
dumping and subsidy abuses depress domestic price levels. This would reduce our
revenue, income and cash flows.
During 2004, two events will occur that may have a significant effect on the
amount of steel imports that will be allowed to enter the United States. The ITC
will commence a five-year review required by rules of the World Trade
Organization to determine whether antidumping findings against hot-rolled steel
from Japan, Russia and Brazil should be continued in effect, and the
Comprehensive Trade Agreement with Russia, under which Russia has voluntarily
limited the quantity of its exports to the United States of steel products that
are not covered by antidumping orders, will expire in July.
THE TERMINATION OF THE REMEDIES UNDER SECTION 201 OF THE TRADE ACT COULD DEPRESS
DOMESTIC PRICES AND REDUCE OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND CASH FLOWS.
On December 4, 2003, President Bush announced the termination of the remedies
under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974. The 201 remedies, which became
effective on March 5, 2002,
4
pertained to imports entering the United States on and after March 20, 2002 and
provided for tariffs and quotas on some steel products for three years with the
tariff rates dropping and the quotas increasing on the first and second
anniversaries of the relief. These quotas and tariffs had been set to expire in
March 2005. The early termination of these 201 remedies could have an adverse
effect on our results (see "Imports of unfairly traded steel may depress
domestic price levels and reduce our results of operations and cash flows",
above), particularly if the economy suffers a downturn.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
MANY LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST US INVOLVING ASBESTOS-RELATED INJURIES;
THE OUTCOME OF THESE LAWSUITS COULD REDUCE OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND CASH
FLOW IN ANY GIVEN PERIOD.
We are a defendant in a large number of active cases in which, as of September
30, 2003, approximately 16,000 plaintiffs have filed claims alleging injury
resulting from exposure to asbestos. These claims fall into three major groups:
(1) claims made under certain federal and general maritime laws by employees of
the Great Lakes Fleet or Intercoastal Fleet, former operations of U. S. Steel;
(2) claims made by persons who allegedly were exposed to asbestos at U. S. Steel
facilities; and (3) claims made by industrial workers allegedly exposed to an
electrical cable product formerly manufactured by U. S. Steel. These cases
allege a variety of respiratory and other diseases based on alleged exposure to
asbestos; approximately 200 plaintiffs allege they are suffering from
mesothelioma. The potential for damages may be greater in cases in which the
plaintiffs can prove mesothelioma, although in many such cases, the plaintiffs
have been unable to establish any causal relationship to U. S. Steel or its
products or premises. While U. S. Steel has excess casualty insurance, these
policies have multi-million dollar self-insured retentions and, to date, U. S.
Steel has not received any payments under these policies relating to asbestos
claims. In most cases, this excess casualty insurance is the only insurance
applicable to asbestos claims and it is not likely insurance coverage will be
available for any particular asbestos claim.
On March 28, 2003, a jury in Madison County, Illinois returned a verdict against
U. S. Steel for $50 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive
damages. The plaintiff, an Indiana resident, alleged he was exposed to asbestos
while working as a U. S. Steel employee at our Gary Works in Gary, Indiana from
1950 to 1981 and that he suffers from mesothelioma as a result. U. S. Steel
settled this case for substantially less than the verdict and the impact was
included in our results for the first quarter of 2003 and the nine months ended
September 30, 2003. We believe this verdict was aberrational, that the court
erred as a matter of law by failing to find that the plaintiff's exclusive
remedy was provided by the Indiana workers' compensation law and that this issue
and other errors at trial would have enabled U. S. Steel to succeed on appeal.
We view the verdict and resulting settlement in the Madison County case as
aberrational, and we believe that the likelihood of similar results in other
cases is remote, although not impossible.
The foregoing statements of our views and beliefs are forward-looking
statements. The outcome of asbestos-related litigation is subject to substantial
uncertainties including (among other things) factual and legal determinations,
and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements.
WE HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF INDEBTEDNESS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS THAT LIMIT
OUR ACCESS TO THE FINANCIAL MARKETS AND REQUIRE OUR OPERATIONS TO SUPPORT
SIGNIFICANT DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS.
As of September 30, 2003, we were liable for indebtedness of approximately $1.9
billion. This does not include obligations of Marathon Oil Corporation
("Marathon") for which we are contingently liable and that are not recorded on
our balance sheet. As of September 30, 2003, such obligations of
5
Marathon were $68 million. We may incur other obligations for working capital,
refinancing of a portion of the $1.9 billion referred to above or for other
purposes. This substantial amount of indebtedness and related covenants limits
our access to financial markets and requires our operations to support
significant debt service payments.
Our high degree of leverage could have important consequences to you, including
the following:
O Our ability to satisfy our obligations with respect to any other debt
securities or preferred stock may be impaired in the future;
O It may become difficult for us to obtain additional financing for working
capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisitions or
general corporate or other purposes in the future;
O A substantial portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to
the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, thereby reducing
the funds available to us for other purposes;
O Some of our borrowings may be at variable rates of interest (including
borrowings under our inventory credit facility), which will expose us to the
risk of increased interest rates;
O The sale prices, costs of selling receivables and amounts available under
our accounts receivable program fluctuate due to factors that include the
amount of eligible receivables available, the costs of the commercial paper
funding and our long-term debt ratings; and
O Our substantial leverage may limit our flexibility to adjust to changing
economic or market conditions, reduce our ability to withstand competitive
pressures and make us more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic
conditions.
OUR BUSINESS REQUIRES SUBSTANTIAL DEBT SERVICE, PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND
PAYMENTS, CAPITAL INVESTMENT, OPERATING LEASE PAYMENTS, CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS,
MAINTENANCE EXPENDITURES AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS THAT WE MAY BE UNABLE TO FULFILL.
Our business may not generate sufficient operating cash flow or external
financing sources may not be available in an amount sufficient to enable us to
service or refinance our indebtedness or to fund other liquidity needs.
With approximately $1.9 billion of debt outstanding as of September 30, 2003, we
have substantial debt service requirements. Based on this outstanding debt, our
combined principal and interest payments will average approximately $185 million
annually over the next five years excluding a principal payment of $535 million
due on our Senior Notes in August 2008. We also currently anticipate paying
preferred stock dividends at a rate of $18 million per year through June 2006.
Our operations are capital intensive. For the five-year period ended December
31, 2002, total capital expenditures were $1.4 billion, and through September
30, 2003, capital expenditures totaled $205 million. As of December 31, 2002, we
were obligated to make aggregate lease payments of approximately $500 million
under operating leases over the next five years and our acquisition of
National's assets has increased this sum by $157 million. Our business also
requires substantial expenditures for routine maintenance.
Some of our operating lease agreements include contingent rental charges that
are not determinable to any degree of certainty. These charges are primarily
based on utilization of the power generation facility at our Gary Works location
and operating expenses incurred related to our headquarters' office space.
6
USSK has a commitment to the Slovak government for a capital improvements
program over a period commencing with the acquisition date and ending on
December 31, 2010, and, as of September 30, 2003, the remaining commitment under
this program was $477 million.
At September 30, 2003, our domestic contract commitments to acquire property,
plant and equipment totaled $34 million.
USSB, an indirect wholly-owned Serbian subsidiary of U.S. Steel, acquired a
Serbian integrated steel company. USSB committed to future spending of up to
$150 million over five years for working capital and the repair, rehabilitation,
improvement, modification and upgrade of the facilities and $6.5 million for
cultural and economic development activities.
As of September 30, 2003 we had contingent obligations consisting of indemnity
obligations under active surety bonds, trusts and letters of credit totaling
approximately $146 million, guarantees of approximately $30 million of
indebtedness for unconsolidated entities and commitments under take or pay
arrangements of approximately $889 million, plus contingencies under the sale of
our mining assets of approximately $79 million. As the general partner of the
Clairton 1314B Partnership, L.P., we are obligated to fund cash shortfalls
incurred by that partnership but may withdraw as the general partner if we are
required to fund in excess of $150 million in operating cash shortfalls. As of
September 30, 2003, we were also contingently liable for $68 million of debt and
other obligations of Marathon.
RATING AGENCIES MAY DOWNGRADE OUR CREDIT RATINGS WHICH WOULD INCREASE OUR
FINANCIAL COSTS AND MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO RAISE CAPITAL.
The fees payable and the amount of receivables eligible under our receivables
sales program are determined in part by our credit ratings and the fees increase
if these ratings drop. In January 2003, following our announcement that we
entered into an asset purchase agreement with National, rating agencies placed
our credit ratings under review and these ratings were subsequently reduced in
May 2003. If our credit ratings are downgraded further, the fees payable under
our receivables sales program would increase and the amount of receivables
eligible for sale could be reduced. In addition, any further downgrade in our
credit ratings could make raising capital more difficult, increase the cost of
future borrowings and affect the terms on which we purchase goods and services.
WE HAVE LOST MARKET SHARE OVER THE LAST DECADE AND THIS HAS REDUCED OUR SELLING
PRICES AND SHIPMENT LEVELS.
USS has lost market share over the past decade. Based on statistics supplied by
the American Iron and Steel Institute, we believe our domestic flat-rolled
market share has dropped from 19.4% in 1990 to a low of 13.3% in 2001.
MINI-MILLS ARE INCREASINGLY ABLE TO COMPETE IN OUR MARKETS AND THIS COULD REDUCE
OUR SELLING PRICES AND SHIPMENT LEVELS.
An increasing number of mini-mills utilize thin slab casting technology to
produce flat-rolled products. Through the use of thin slab casting, mini-mill
competitors are increasingly able to compete directly with integrated producers
of flat-rolled products. Depending on market conditions, the additional
production generated by flat-rolled minimills could significantly reduce our
selling prices and shipment levels.
HIGH ENERGY COSTS REDUCE OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND CASH FLOWS.
Our operations consume large amounts of energy and we consume significant
amounts of natural gas. Domestic natural gas prices increased from an average of
$2.74 per million BTU in 1999 to an
7
average of $5.86 per million BTU in the first ten months of 2003. At normal
annual consumption levels (including the National assets), a $1.00 per million
BTU change in domestic natural gas prices would result in an estimated $80
million change in our annual domestic pretax operating costs without taking into
account the effect of any hedging. Due to the volatility of natural gas prices,
which in recent years have reached historically high levels, we may hedge part
of our natural gas purchases from time to time. Hedging programs will affect our
energy costs.
REDUCED AVAILABILITY OF RAW MATERIALS COULD AFFECT OUR PRODUCTION AND HIGH RAW
MATERIAL COSTS COULD REDUCE OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND CASH FLOWS.
With recent increases in global demand for steelmaking raw materials, prices and
related transportation costs are increasing for commodities such as coking coal,
coke, iron ore and scrap. Future results will be affected by market prices for,
and availability of, these purchased commodities. In the United States, we
purchase all our coking coal requirements and a portion of our scrap
requirements, but are self-sufficient in iron ore and we are a net seller of
coke. In Europe, we purchase all of our coking coal and iron ore requirements
and a modest portion of our coke and scrap requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND REMEDIATION COULD RESULT IN SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND OPERATING COSTS.
Our domestic businesses are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws
and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. These laws are
constantly evolving and becoming increasingly stringent. The ultimate impact of
complying with existing laws and regulations is not always clearly known or
determinable because regulations under some of these laws have not yet been
promulgated or are undergoing revision. We are also involved in a number of
environmental remediation projects at both former and present operating
locations and are involved in a number of other remedial actions under federal
and state law. Our worldwide environmental expenditures were $230 million in
2002, $231 million in 2001 and $230 million in 2000. For more information see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Environmental Matters, Litigation and
Contingencies" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2002, our Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 and
subsequent filings.
The specific impact of environmental compliance on each competitor may vary
depending upon a number of factors, including the age and location of operating
facilities, production processes (such as a mini-mill versus an integrated
producer) and the specific products and services it provides. To the extent our
competitors, particularly foreign steel producers and manufacturers of
competitive products, are not required to undertake equivalent costs, our costs
could be higher and, accordingly, we could be at a disadvantage in the market
with respect to such competitors.
USSK is subject to the laws of the Slovak Republic. The environmental laws of
the Slovak Republic generally follow the requirements of the European Union
("EU"), which are comparable to U. S. standards. USSK's capital spending
commitments include significant expenditures for environmental equipment to
bring it into compliance with EU environmental regulations. We believe these
projects, most of which will be completed during the next 12-24 months, will
result in USSK being in compliance with those requirements.
USSB is subject to the laws of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The
environmental laws of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro are currently more
lenient than either the EU or U. S. standards, but this is expected to change
over the next several years in anticipation of possible EU accession. A portion
of the $150 million we committed to spend in connection with USSB's Serbian
acquisition is expected to be used for environmental controls and upgrades.
8
OUR RETIREE EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE AND RETIREE LIFE INSURANCE COSTS ARE HIGHER
THAN THOSE OF MANY OF OUR COMPETITORS.
We maintain defined benefit retiree health care and life insurance plans
covering substantially all domestic employees upon their retirement. U. S.
Steel's under funded benefit obligations for retiree medical and life insurance
increased from $1.8 billion at year-end 2001 to $2.6 billion at year-end 2002.
U. S. Steel estimates its under funded benefit obligation at year-end 2003 will
be $2.6 billion. Other post retirement benefit expense is expected to increase
to approximately $180 million in 2003, excluding one-time charges of
approximately $65 million related to workforce reductions.
These estimates are forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect the
amount of other post-retirement benefit expense include, among other things,
investment performance, medical cost inflation, liability changes and interest
rates.
OUR RETIREE EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE AND RETIREE LIFE INSURANCE COSTS WILL BE PAID
OUT OF CORPORATE CASH FLOW STARTING IN 2004.
Payments for retiree medical and life insurance in 2002 and 2001 totaled $212
million and $183 million, respectively. During 2002 and 2001, substantially all
payments on behalf of union retirees were paid from the Voluntary Employee
Benefit Association ("VEBA") trust. U. S. Steel expects that all payments on
behalf of union retirees will also be paid from the VEBA trust in 2003, but
beginning in early 2004, corporate funds will be used for these payments.
Corporate funds used for all retiree health and life benefits in 2004 and 2005,
excluding multiemployer plan payments, are expected to total $230 million and
$260 million, respectively.
These estimates are forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect the
amount of corporate funds used to pay these benefits include, among other
things, investment performance, medical cost inflation, liability changes and
interest rates.
OUR PENSION COSTS ARE HIGHER THAN THOSE OF MANY OF OUR COMPETITORS.
Unlike many of our competitors, we have noncontributory defined benefit pension
plans covering most of our domestic employees upon their retirement. The funded
status of these plans declined from an overfunded position of $1.2 billion at
year-end 2001 to an underfunded position of $0.4 billion at year-end 2002. With
the workforce reduction and certain retirement rate assumption changes, the
plan, after the merger hereinafter discussed, is expected to have a year-end
2003 underfunded position of approximately $0.7 billion. Pension costs for the
domestic defined benefit plans are expected to be approximately $100 million in
2003, excluding one-time charges of approximately $440 million connected with
the union and salaried workforce reduction. This amount also does not include
expenses for contribution payments to the Steelworkers Pension Trust ("SPT") for
former National union employees who joined U.S. Steel and for union employees
who join U. S. Steel after July 1, 2003. Non-union employees who join U. S.
Steel after July 1, 2003 participate in a defined contribution program.
These estimates are forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect the
amount of net periodic pension costs include, among other things, investment
performance, liability changes and interest rates.
WE MAY BE REQUIRED TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR DEFINED BENEFIT
PENSION PLAN THAT COULD UNFAVORABLY IMPAIR OUR CASH FLOWS.
Funding requirements for our defined benefit pension plan could have an
unfavorable impact on our debt covenants, borrowing arrangements, and cash
flows. During the fourth quarter of 2003, we merged our defined benefit pension
plan for union employees and our defined benefit pension plan
9
for nonunion employees. Preliminary valuations indicate that the merged plan
will not require cash funding for the 2003 or 2004 plan years. Thereafter,
annual funding requirements are broadly estimated to be $75 million per year,
excluding any contributions to the SPT. In the fourth quarter of 2003, we made a
$75 million voluntary contribution to our main defined benefit pension plan,
consisting primarily of timber assets previously managed by U. S. Steel's real
estate unit. We may also decide to make other voluntary contributions in one or
more future periods in order to mitigate potentially larger required
contributions in later years.
These estimates are forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect the
amount of cash funding requirements include future asset performance, the level
of interest rates used to measure minimum funding levels, the impacts of
business acquisitions or sales, union negotiated changes and future government
regulation.
DECLINES IN THE VALUE OF INVESTMENTS OF OUR MAJOR PENSION TRUSTS COULD
MATERIALLY REDUCE OUR STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY.
Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States changes in
the market value of the assets held in trust for pension purposes can result in
significant changes in the sponsor's balance sheet. The accounting rules provide
that if at any plan measurement date (which in our case is December 31 of each
year or an earlier date if certain significant plan events occur) the fair value
of plan assets is less than the plan's accumulated benefit obligation ("ABO"),
the sponsor must establish a liability at least equal to the amount by which the
ABO exceeds the fair value of the plan assets and any prepaid pension assets
must be removed from the balance sheet. The sum of the liability and prepaid
pension assets must be offset by the recognition of an intangible asset and/or
as a direct charge against stockholders' equity, net of tax effects. Such
adjustments will have no direct impact on earnings per share or cash.
The re-measurement of our union pension plan that was required to reflect the
workforce reduction, increased the net charge against equity to $927 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2003, U. S. Steel merged its two major defined
benefit pension plans. Pension accounting rules may require that U. S. Steel
increase the additional minimum liability that was recorded at year-end. This
increase would result in a non-cash net charge against equity, which is
currently estimated in a range of $500 million to $600 million. The actual
amount of such charge will be determined based upon facts and circumstances on
the measurement date and the result could be materially different from the
foregoing estimate. Such differences could range from a reversal of the $927
million net charge against equity to a cumulative charge against equity of $1.4
to $1.5 billion. These entries will have no impact on income. These charges
against equity would result in an increase in federal and state deferred tax
assets, which management will assess to determine if such assets may be
realized. Should a valuation allowance be required, the upper range of the
cumulative charge against equity could increase from $1.5 billion discussed
above to as much as $2.5 billion, representing an increase of as much as $1
billion related to a valuation allowance for the full or partial effect in the
net charge as of September 30, 2003.
The foregoing estimates are forward-looking statements. Predictions as to the
value of and return on plan assets and the resulting impact on equity are
subject to substantial uncertainties such as (among other things) investment
performance and interest rates.
DOMESTIC COMPETITORS EMERGING FROM BANKRUPTCY MAY HAVE LOWER COSTS THAN OURS.
Since 1998, more than 30 domestic steel companies have sought protection under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Many of these companies have
continued to operate. Some have reduced prices to maintain volumes and cash flow
and obtained concessions from their labor unions and suppliers. Upon emergence
from bankruptcy, these companies, or new entities that purchase
10
their facilities through the bankruptcy process, may be relieved of many
environmental, employee, retiree and other obligations.
OUR INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS EXPOSE US TO UNCERTAINTIES AND RISKS FROM ABROAD,
WHICH COULD REDUCE OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND CASH FLOWS.
USSK, located in the Slovak Republic, constitutes 20% of our total raw steel
capability, and accounted for 17% of revenue for 2002. USSK exports about 85% of
its products, with the majority of its sales being to other European countries.
Both USSK and USSB are affected by the worldwide overcapacity in the steel
industry and the cyclical nature of demand for steel products and that demand's
sensitivity to worldwide general economic conditions. In particular, both USSK
and USSB are subject to economic conditions and political factors in Europe,
which if changed could negatively affect their results of operations and cash
flows. Political factors include, but are not limited to, taxation,
nationalization, inflation, currency fluctuations, increased regulation and
protectionist measures. USSK and USSB are also subject to foreign currency
exchange risks. USSK's revenues are primarily in euros and its costs are
primarily in Slovak korunas and United States dollars. USSB's revenues are
primarily in euros and United States dollars, most of its labor and other
domestic costs are primarily in Serbian dinars and most of its raw materials
purchases are in United States dollars.
Although the bankruptcy laws of Serbia provide a discharge of all pre-closing
liabilities, USSB will be subject to the political and economic risks of
operating in Serbia.
USSK MAY LOSE SOME OF THE TAX BENEFITS IT ENJOYS IN SLOVAKIA.
In October 2002, a tax credit limit was negotiated by the Slovak government as
part of the Accession Treaty governing the Slovak Republic's entry into the EU.
The Treaty limits to $500 million the total tax credit to be granted to USSK
during the period 2000 through 2009. The impact of the tax credit limit is
expected to be minimal since Slovak tax laws have been modified and tax rates
have been reduced since the acquisition of USSK. The Treaty also places limits
upon total production and export sales to the EU, allowing for modest growth
each year through 2009. The limits upon export sales to the EU take effect upon
the Slovak Republic's entry into the EU, which is expected to occur in May 2004.
A question has recently arisen with respect to the effective date of the
production limits. The European Commission has taken the position that the
production limitations apply as of 2002 and is currently demanding that USSK pay
taxes on USSK's 2003 income as a result of allegedly exceeding the production
limits. Discussions between representatives of the Slovak Republic and the
European Commission are ongoing. At this time it is not possible to predict the
outcome of those discussions or the impact upon the results of USSK.
THE TERMS OF OUR INDEBTEDNESS MAY RESTRICT OUR ABILITY TO PAY DIVIDENDS.
Under the terms of our 10 3/4% Senior Notes due 2008 and our 9 3/4% Senior Notes
due 2010 (collectively, the "Senior Notes"), we are not able to pay dividends on
capital stock unless we can meet certain restricted payment tests.
11
THE TERMS OF OUR INDEBTEDNESS AND OUR ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE PROGRAM CONTAIN
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS, CROSS-DEFAULT, CROSS ACCELERATION AND OTHER PROVISIONS
THAT MAY LIMIT OUR OPERATING FLEXIBILITY.
We currently have Senior Notes outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of
$985 million as of September 30, 2003. The Senior Notes impose significant
restrictions on us that may limit our flexibility. These restrictions include
the following:
O Limits on additional borrowings, including limits on the amount of
borrowings secured by inventories or accounts receivable;
O Limits on sale/leasebacks;
O Limits on the use of funds from asset sales and sale of the stock of
subsidiaries; and
O Restrictions on our ability to invest in joint ventures or make certain
acquisitions.
We also have a revolving credit agreement secured by inventory that imposes
additional restrictions on us including the following:
O We must meet a fixed charge coverage ratio (the ratio of consolidated
earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and rental expense to
consolidated fixed charges) of at least 1.25: 1 if our average availability
under the credit agreement is less than $100,000,000;
O Limitations on capital expenditures; and
O Restrictions on investments.
The accounts receivable program terminates on the occurrence and failure to cure
certain events, including, among others:
O Certain defaults with respect to the inventory facility and other debt
obligations;
O Failure to maintain certain ratios related to the collectability of
receivables; and
O Failure of the commercial paper conduits' liquidity providers to extend
their commitments that currently expire in November of each year.
If these covenants are breached or if we fail to make payments under our
material debt obligations or our receivables purchase agreement, creditors would
be able to terminate their commitments to make further loans, declare their
outstanding obligations immediately due and payable and foreclose on any
collateral, and it may also cause a default under the Senior Notes. Additional
indebtedness that USS may incur in the future may also contain similar
covenants, as well as other restrictive provisions. Cross-default and
cross-acceleration clauses in our revolving credit facility, the Senior Notes,
the accounts receivable program and any future additional indebtedness could
have an adverse effect upon our financial position and liquidity to the extent
we are unable to satisfy the acceleration of all such debt. Such defaults
include failure to make payments when due, failure to comply with the covenants
described above and failure to pay judgments entered against USS (which may
include any judgments resulting from the environmental and asbestos litigation
matters described in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by
reference).
The sale prices, costs of selling receivables and amounts available under our
accounts receivable program fluctuate due to factors that include the amount of
eligible receivables available, costs of commercial paper funding and our
long-term debt ratings. The amount available under our secured inventory
facility fluctuates based on our eligible inventory levels.
We are currently in compliance with the terms of our outstanding indebtedness.
12
"CHANGE IN CONTROL" CLAUSES MAY REQUIRE US TO IMMEDIATELY PURCHASE OR REPAY
DEBT.
Upon the occurrence of "change in control" events specified in our Senior Notes,
inventory facility and various other loan documents, the holders of our
indebtedness may require us to immediately purchase or repay that debt on less
than favorable terms. We may not have the financial resources to make these
purchases and repayments, and a failure to purchase or repay such indebtedness
would trigger cross-acceleration clauses under the Senior Notes and other
indebtedness.
OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS COULD BE ADVERSELY
IMPACTED BY STRIKES OR WORK STOPPAGES BY OUR UNIONIZED EMPLOYEES.
Strikes or work stoppages and the resulting adverse impact on our relationships
with our customers could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows. In addition,
mini-mill producers and certain foreign competitors and producers of comparable
products do not have unionized work forces. This may place us at a competitive
disadvantage.
Substantially all hourly employees of our domestic steel, coke and taconite
pellet facilities are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the
United Steelworkers of America that expires in September 2008 and includes a
no-strike provision. Other hourly employees (for example, those engaged in
transportation activities) are represented by the United Steelworkers of America
and other unions.
The majority of USSK employees are represented by a union and are covered by a
collective bargaining agreement that expires in February 2004.
The majority of USSB employees are represented by two trade unions and are
covered by a collective bargaining agreement that expires in November 2006.
PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW, OUR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND OUR RIGHTS PLAN MAY MAKE
A TAKEOVER OF USS MORE DIFFICULT.
Certain provisions of Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation and by-laws
and our rights plan could make more difficult or delay our acquisition by means
of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise and the removal of incumbent
directors. These provisions are intended to discourage certain types of coercive
takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids, even though such a transaction
may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above
the prevailing market price.
INTERNATIONAL ACQUISITIONS MAY EXPOSE US TO ADDITIONAL RISKS.
If we acquire companies or facilities outside the United States, we may be
exposed to increased risks including the following:
O Economic and political conditions in the countries where the facilities are
located and where the products made at those facilities are marketed;
O Currency fluctuations; Uncertain sources of raw materials;
O Economic disruptions in less developed economies where many potential
acquisition candidates have facilities or market products;
O Expenditures necessary to bring such facilities to profitable operation;
O Foreign tax risks; and
O Expenditures required to comply with potential new environmental
requirements.
13
TRADE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE MAY AFFECT OUR EUROPEAN
SALES.
Although the European Commission recently announced the termination of safeguard
measures, it could reinstate such measures or impose others, such as quotas and
tariffs. Although the safeguard measures currently in place in Poland and
Hungary are not expected to have a material adverse impact on USSK, other
countries could impose similar measures.
Serbia also is subject to customs duties for shipments into certain Central and
Eastern European countries. Discussions and negotiations are being held with
many of these countries regarding these duties.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF THE NATIONAL STEEL ASSETS
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE NATIONAL'S OPERATIONS AND REALIZE THE
FULL COST SAVINGS WE ANTICIPATE.
Among the factors considered by our board of directors in approving the National
transaction were the anticipated cost savings and operating synergies that could
result from the National transaction. These savings may not be realized within
the time periods contemplated or at all.
A substantial portion of the cost savings that we anticipate are due to the
reduced staffing levels allowed under our labor agreement. We may find that we
need more employees than we anticipated to operate our business, thereby
reducing the anticipated cost savings.
Also, the process of integrating the operations of National could cause an
interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our existing
businesses or the loss of key personnel. This diversion of management's
attention from our existing businesses and any delays or difficulties
encountered with the integration of National's operations could further reduce
the anticipated cost savings.
THE NATIONAL TRANSACTION WILL RESULT IN COSTS OF INTEGRATION.
We are incurring charges reflecting costs of integration, including information
technology integration and other expenses related to the National transaction.
Integration-related costs will be recognized as integration-related activities
take place. Although we expect the elimination of duplicative costs, as well as
the realization of other benefits related to the integration of National's
business may offset additional expenses over time, there may be no net benefit
achieved in the near term or at all. In addition, we must renegotiate
contractual arrangements with a number of National's suppliers, vendors and
lessors. This means our actual costs may substantially exceed estimates.
Unanticipated expenses associated with the integration of National's operations
may also arise.
THERE MAY BE UNKNOWN ENVIRONMENTAL OR OTHER RISKS INHERENT IN THE NATIONAL
TRANSACTION.
Although we have conducted due diligence with respect to National's assets, we
may not be aware of all of the risks associated with the National transaction.
For example, we may not be aware of all of the existing environmental conditions
at the former National facilities. Any future discovery of adverse information
concerning these assets could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We believe the
likelihood of obtaining any damages from National in connection with undisclosed
liabilities is remote. We may also need to make capital expenditures, which may
be significant, to maintain the assets we acquired and to comply with regulatory
requirements, including environmental laws.
14
CUSTOMERS MAY PURCHASE LESS FROM US FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL TRANSACTION THAN THEY
DID FROM NATIONAL AND US PRIOR TO THE NATIONAL TRANSACTION.
Customers who purchased steel from us and National may not buy as much steel
from us after the National transaction as they previously bought from the
separate companies. They may also seek to negotiate price concessions from us.
RISKS RELATED TO THE SEPARATION
Prior to December 31, 2001, our businesses were owned by USX Corporation, now
named Marathon Oil Corporation.
BECAUSE WE ARE NO LONGER OWNED BY USX, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RELY ON MARATHON
FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
Prior to our separation from Marathon ("Separation"), we funded our negative
operating cash flow through an increase in USX debt attributable to the U. S.
Steel Group. Because we are no longer owned by USX, we are not able to rely on
USX for financial support or benefit from a relationship with USX to obtain
credit.
WE HAVE INCURRED OPERATING AND CASH LOSSES AND WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO REALIZE
THE BENEFITS OF CASH FROM MARATHON TAX SETTLEMENTS.
Before the Separation, the USX tax allocation policy required the U. S. Steel
Group and the Marathon Group to pay the other for tax benefits resulting from
tax attributes that could not be utilized by the group for which those tax
attributes arose on a stand-alone basis but which could be used on a
consolidated, combined or unitary basis. The net amount of cash settlements made
by Marathon to USS under this policy for prior years, subject to adjustment, was
$819 million, $91 million and $(2) million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
These payments allowed USS to realize the cash value of its tax benefits on a
current basis. Now, if USS generates losses or other tax attributes, we can
generally realize the cash value from them only if and when we generate enough
taxable income in future years to use those tax losses or other tax attributes
on a stand-alone basis. A delay in realizing tax benefits will reduce our cash
flow.
USS IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONTINUING CONTINGENT LIABILITIES OF MARATHON THAT
COULD REDUCE OUR CASH FLOW AND OUR ABILITY TO INCUR ADDITIONAL INDEBTEDNESS AND
COULD CAUSE A DEFAULT UNDER OUR BORROWING FACILITIES.
USS is contingently liable for debt and other obligations of Marathon in the
amount of $68 million as of September 30, 2003. Marathon is not limited by
agreement with USS as to the amount of indebtedness that it may incur. In the
event of the bankruptcy of Marathon, these obligations for which USS is
contingently liable, as well as obligations relating to industrial development
and environmental improvement bonds and notes that were assumed by USS from
Marathon, may be declared immediately due and payable. If that occurs USS may
not be able to satisfy those obligations. In addition, if Marathon loses its
investment grade ratings, certain of these obligations will be considered
indebtedness under our indentures and for covenant calculations under our
revolving credit facility. This occurrence could prevent USS from incurring
additional indebtedness under our indentures or may cause a default under our
revolving credit facility.
Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, USS and each subsidiary of USS that was a
member of the Marathon consolidated group during any taxable period or portion
thereof ending on or before the effective time of the Separation is jointly and
severally liable for the federal income tax liability of the entire Marathon
consolidated
15
group for that taxable period. Other provisions of federal law establish similar
liability for other matters, including laws governing tax qualified pension
plans as well as other contingent liabilities.
THE SEPARATION MAY BE CHALLENGED BY CREDITORS AS A FRAUDULENT TRANSFER OR
CONVEYANCE THAT COULD PERMIT UNPAID CREDITORS OF MARATHON TO SEEK RECOVERY FROM
US.
If a court determines that the Separation and the related transactions violated
applicable provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code and/or applicable
state fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws, the Separation could be rescinded
and unpaid creditors of Marathon could seek recovery from us.
THE SEPARATION MAY BECOME TAXABLE UNDER SECTION 355(E) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE
CODE IF 50% OR MORE OF USS' SHARES OR MARATHON OIL CORPORATION'S SHARES ARE
ACQUIRED AS PART OF A PLAN THAT INCLUDES THE SEPARATION AND THE IMPOSITION OF
SUCH A TAX WOULD MATERIALLY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.
The Separation may become taxable to Marathon pursuant to section 355(e) of the
Internal Revenue Code if 50% or more of either Marathon's shares or our shares
are acquired, directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related
transactions that include the Separation. If section 355(e) applies, Marathon
would be required to pay a corporate tax based on the excess of the fair market
value of the shares distributed over Marathon's tax basis for such shares. The
amount of this tax would be materially greater if the Separation were deemed to
be a distribution of Marathon's shares. If an acquisition occurs that results in
the Separation being taxable under section 355(e), a Tax Sharing Agreement
between USS and Marathon provides that the resulting corporate tax liability
will be borne by the entity, either USS or Marathon, that is deemed to have been
acquired.
WE MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A CORPORATE TAX IF THE SEPARATION FAILS TO QUALIFY AS
A TAX-FREE TRANSACTION.
Based on representations made by USX Corporation prior to the Separation, the
Internal Revenue Service issued a private letter ruling that the Separation was
tax-free to Marathon and its shareholders. To the extent a breach of one of
those representations results in a corporate tax being imposed on Marathon, the
breaching party, either USS or Marathon, will be responsible for payment of the
corporate tax. If the Separation fails to qualify as a tax-free transaction
through no fault of either USS or Marathon, the resulting tax liability, if any,
is likely to be borne by us under the Tax Sharing Agreement.
If the Separation is determined to be a taxable distribution of the stock of U.
S. Steel, but there is no breach of a representation or covenant by either U. S.
Steel or Marathon, we would be liable for any resulting taxes ("Separation
No-Fault Taxes") incurred by Marathon. Our indemnity obligation for Separation
No-Fault Taxes survives until the expiration of the applicable statute of
limitations. The maximum potential amount of our indemnity obligation for
Separation No-Fault Taxes as of September 30, 2003 was estimated to be
approximately $140 million. No liability has been recorded for this indemnity
obligation because we believe the likelihood of the Separation being determined
to be a taxable distribution of U. S. Steel is remote.
16
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference include
"forward-looking statements" that are identified by the use of forward-looking
words or phrases, including, but not limited to, "intends," "intended,"
"expects," "expected," "anticipates" and "anticipated." These forward-looking
statements are based on (1) a number of assumptions made by management
concerning future events and (2) information currently available to management.
Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on those forward-looking
statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number
of uncertainties and other facts, many of which are outside our control, that
could cause actual events to differ materially from those statements. All
statements other than statements of historical facts included in this prospectus
and the documents incorporated herein by reference, including those regarding
our future financial position, results of operations, cash flows and costs, and
those regarding our business strategy and growth opportunities, are
forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our expectations reflected
in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that
these expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from our expectations, in addition to those
factors disclosed under "Risk factors" beginning on page 4 of the attached
prospectus, and in our SEC filings described under "Documents Incorporated by
Reference" on page 30 of this prospectus, include:
- prices and volumes of our sales of steel products:
- levels of imports of steel products into the United States;
- general economic and financial market conditions;
- ability to finance our future business requirements through internally
generated funds and available external financing sources; and
- the extent to which we are successful in implementing our consolidation
strategy.
These forward-looking statements represent our judgment as of the date of this
prospectus. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements are
expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors referred to above. Unless
otherwise required by law, we disclaim any intent or obligation to update the
respective forward-looking statements.
17
THE PLAN
The following describes and constitutes the Plan, as in effect on the date of
this prospectus.
ENROLLMENT
The following table explains how to enroll in the Plan:
-- IF YOU DO NOT OWN ANY U. S. You can join the Plan by making an initial investment
STEEL COMMON STOCK of at least $500 (maximum is $10,000) and returning a
completed authorization form along with your check
payable to the Initial Purchase Administrator. (See
Schedule II for information about fees and Schedule
III for information about the Administrators.)
An enrollment fee will be deducted from your initial
investment. Please allow two weeks for your Plan
account to be established, initial shares to be
purchased and a statement to be mailed to you. No
interest will be paid on amounts held pending
investment.
-- IF YOU OWN U. S. STEEL COMMON You can join the Plan by returning a completed
STOCK IN YOUR NAME authorization form to the General Administrator. (See
Schedule II for information about fees and Schedule
III for information about the Administrators.)
-- IF YOU OWN U. S. STEEL COMMON To participate directly in the Plan, you should direct
STOCK THROUGH A BROKER your broker, bank, or trustee to register some or all
of your U. S. Steel common stock directly in your
name. You can then get started in the Plan by
returning a completed authorization form to the
General Administrator. Authorization forms are mailed
automatically once shares are registered in your name.
(See Schedule II for information about fees and
Schedule III for information about the
Administrators.)
18
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE PLAN
U. S. Steel (the "General Administrator") administers the Plan, keeps records,
sends statements of Plan accounts to you and performs other duties related to
the Plan. U. S. Steel may appoint a different administrator for the Plan at any
time. U. S. Steel, or any appointed administrator, is referred to as the, or an,
"Administrator," whether it be a "General Administrator," or "Initial Purchase
Administrator," or other such Administrator. To the extent that U.S. Steel
continues to administer the Plan, or any portion of the Plan, we believe that
there is no material risk to participants posed by U.S. Steel, instead of a
registered broker/dealer or federally insured banking institution, serving as an
Administrator of the Plan because we have a formal system of internal controls
and procedures. All open market purchases are made through registered
broker/dealers and, as issuer and transfer agent, we handle the issuance of our
stock for all non-open market purchases.
U. S. Steel has recently appointed Wells Fargo Shareowner Services ("Wells
Fargo") to be a co-administrator under the Plan to handle all initial
investments. Wells Fargo is referred to herein as the "Initial Purchase
Administrator." U. S. Steel handles all other administrative duties and reserves
the right to increase or decrease Wells Fargo's duties under the Plan, or to
appoint a different Administrator at any time. (See Schedule III for additional
information about the Administrators.)
All shares included in the Plan and held by an Administrator will be registered
and held in the name of the Administrator, or its nominee, as agent (such shares
are referred to as "Held Shares"), until a request is received from you for the
sale of such shares or for the issuance of certificates in your name. U. S.
Steel also acts as dividend disbursing and transfer agent for the U. S. Steel
common stock and it may appoint another dividend disbursing agent and/or
transfer agent at any time.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS
You have the following investment options:
-- DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
When completing the Dividend Reinvestment section of the authorization form, YOU
MUST CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
FULL DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT. Purchase shares of U. S. Steel common stock
with all of your cash dividends. The dividends on all of your shares
held in the Plan will also be reinvested in shares of U. S. Steel common
stock.
PART CASH--PART DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT. Receive a cash dividend payment
based on the number of full shares you specify. This option allows you
to receive a fixed amount of cash each quarter, assuming the dividend is
paid and stays the same. The balance of your dividends will be used to
purchase shares of U. S. Steel common stock.
REINVEST DIVIDENDS ON OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS ONLY. Purchase shares
of U. S. Steel common stock with all of your cash dividends pertaining
to only (i) your optional cash purchases held in the Plan and (ii) the
reinvested dividends relating to such shares. You will receive cash,
assuming a dividend is paid, respecting the dividends on all other
shares of U. S. Steel common stock owned by you.
You can have your cash dividends deposited directly into your bank account
instead of receiving a check by mail. Just complete the appropriate sections of
the Direct Deposit Form, which may be obtained from the appropriate
Administrator (see Schedule III for more information about the Administrators).
You can also change your designated bank account for direct deposit with the
same
19
form. The forms will be acted upon as soon as possible after they are received,
and you can discontinue this feature by notifying the General Administrator.
Shares of U. S. Steel common stock may be included in the Plan for dividend
reinvestment purposes if they are (i) purchased for you through the Plan and
held by an Administrator, (ii) deposited by you for safekeeping in the Plan, or
(iii) held by you in certificate form; provided, however, for any such shares to
be included in the dividend reinvestment portion of the Plan, you must (a) have
an open Plan account and (b) except in the case of transfers (see "Gifts,
Transfers and Pledges of Shares"), have submitted a valid authorization form
identifying the shares to participate in the Plan's dividend reinvestment
feature.
You can change your dividend reinvestment election at any time by notifying the
General Administrator.
-- OPTIONAL AND INITIAL CASH INVESTMENTS
OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS. As a Plan participant, you can purchase
additional shares of U. S. Steel common stock by using the Plan's
optional cash investment feature. Dividends on these additional shares
will be invested according to your current Plan dividend reinvestment
instructions (you may change your instructions at any time). Unless
otherwise instructed, the General Administrator will automatically
assume that distributions on any additional shares are to be reinvested
and retained in the Plan.
INITIAL CASH INVESTMENTS. You do not need to be a current Plan
participant or a current U. S. Steel common stock shareholder to
purchase shares through the Plan. You can become a shareholder and a
Plan participant by purchasing your initial shares through the Plan and,
unless you instruct the Initial Purchase Administrator otherwise,
dividends on your initial shares will be automatically reinvested in
shares of U. S. Steel common stock.
-- INVESTMENT METHODS
Shares can be purchased by check or through automatic withdrawal from your bank
account:
O BY CHECK. You can make optional and initial cash investments by sending a
check, payable to the appropriate Administrator (see Schedule III), and the
appropriate form. DO NOT SEND CASH OR MONEY ORDERS.
O BY AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. If you wish to make regular
monthly purchases, you can authorize an automatic monthly withdrawal from
your bank account by completing the reverse side of the authorization form.
This feature enables you to make ongoing investments without writing a
check. Funds will be deducted from your bank account on, or shortly after,
the fifth day of each month. If this date falls on a bank holiday or
weekend, funds will be deducted on, or shortly after, the next business day.
Please allow up to six weeks for the first automatic monthly withdrawal to
be initiated. You must notify the General Administrator in writing to change
or terminate automatic withdrawal.
Because funds will normally be invested on Friday of each week, funds from
checks received after 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday will normally be
invested on Friday of the following week. INTEREST WILL NOT BE PAID ON AMOUNTS
HELD PENDING INVESTMENT. Shares purchased pursuant to a check may not be sold or
withdrawn from the Plan for a period of 14 days from the purchase date of the
shares. A fee will be assessed for a check that is returned for insufficient
funds (See Schedule II, "Plan Service Fees").
20
-- LIMITATIONS ON PURCHASES
O Initial Cash Investments
-- at least $500
-- no more than $10,000
O Optional Cash Investments
-- at least $50 at any one time
-- no more than $10,000 in any one month
O Dividend Reinvestments
-- up to $15,000 per dividend payment
O All limitations may be waived by U. S. Steel upon written request
-- AGGREGATION OF PLAN ACCOUNTS FOR PURPOSE OF LIMITATIONS
For the purpose of the above limitations ("Plan Limits"), U. S. Steel may
aggregate all reinvested dividends and optional and initial cash investments for
participants with more than one Plan account using the same Social Security
Number or Taxpayer Identification Number. For participants unable to supply a
Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number, their participation
may be limited by U. S. Steel to only one Plan account.
Also for the purpose of such Plan Limits, all Plan accounts which U. S. Steel
believes to be under common control or management or to have common ultimate
beneficial ownership may be aggregated. Unless U. S. Steel has determined that
reinvestment of dividends and investment of optional cash investments for each
such account would be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, U. S. Steel will
have the right to aggregate all such accounts and to return, without interest,
within 30 days of receipt, any amounts in excess of the investment limitations
applicable to a single Plan account received in respect of all such accounts.
-- WAIVER OF LIMITATIONS
Optional cash investments in excess of $10,000 per month may be made only
pursuant to a written Waiver of Limitation by U. S. Steel for the total amount
submitted. A copy of such written approval must accompany any payment to which
this limitation applies.
Requests for waiver of the $15,000 limitation on reinvestment of dividends and
other questions concerning waivers should be directed to U. S. Steel at (412)
433-4707. It is solely within U. S. Steel's discretion as to whether any waiver
respecting the Plan Limits will be granted.
In deciding whether to approve a Waiver of Limitation request, U. S. Steel will
consider relevant factors including, but not limited to, U. S. Steel's need for
additional funds, the attractiveness of obtaining such additional funds by the
sale of U. S. Steel common stock by comparison to other sources of funds, the
applicable purchase price, the participant submitting the request, the extent
and nature of such participant's prior participation in the Plan and whether U.
S. Steel believes the participant may be effecting a distribution under federal
securities laws, the number of shares of U. S. Steel common stock registered in
the participant's name and the aggregate amount of such dividends and initial or
optional cash investments in excess of the allowable maximum amounts for which
requests have been submitted by all participants.
If requests are submitted for any Investment Date (see "Purchases Exceeding Plan
Limits--Discount in Effect" on page 23 for a discussion of the Investment Date)
in an aggregate amount exceeding the amount U. S. Steel is then willing to
accept, U. S. Steel may honor such requests in order of receipt, pro rata or by
any other method which U. S. Steel determines to be appropriate.
21
PURCHASE OF SHARES FOR THE PLAN
The following discussion pertains to:
(a) all purchases within Plan Limits and
(b) all purchases in excess of Plan Limits when no Discount (as
defined below) is in effect.
-- PURCHASE INTERVALS
The Administrators will use initial and optional cash investments to purchase
shares of U. S. Steel common stock as promptly as practicable, normally once
each week. To the extent dividends are declared, the General Administrator will
use reinvested dividends to purchase shares on the quarterly dividend payment
date. Purchases may be made over a number of days to meet the requirements of
the Plan.
-- SOURCE AND PRICING OF SHARES
SOURCE OF SHARES. Stock needed to meet the requirements of the Plan will
either be purchased in the open market or issued directly by U. S. Steel.
PRICE OF SHARES PURCHASED IN THE OPEN MARKET. If the shares are purchased
in the open market, your price per share will be the weighted average price of
the shares purchased on that day, or those days. With respect to open market
purchases, the Administrators will facilitate the purchase of shares for the
Plan on any securities exchange where U. S. Steel common stock is traded, in the
over-the-counter market or in privately negotiated transactions.
See Schedule II for information about fees. Trading fees paid by U. S. Steel and
not charged to you will be reported to you as taxable income on Form 1099-DIV.
All computations of shares are calculated to three decimals and fractional
shares are credited to your Plan account.
PRICE OF SHARES PURCHASED FROM U. S. STEEL. If the shares are purchased
from U. S. Steel, your price per share (the "Purchase Price") will be the
average of the daily high and low sale prices as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE") Composite Tape (the "NYSE Composite"). If there is no
trading of U. S. Steel common stock on the NYSE on the day the price per share
is to be determined, the Purchase Price will be determined by U. S. Steel on the
basis of such market quotations as it considers appropriate.
Because the method for purchasing shares may periodically change between the
above options, there can be no assurance that the method for determining your
price per share will not change. To obtain the current method, please call (412)
433-4707.
DISCOUNT. Shares purchased under the Plan may, IN THE SOLE DISCRETION OF
U. S. STEEL, be subject to a discount of 0 to 3% ("Discount"). The Discount will
be established in U. S. Steel's sole discretion after a review of current market
conditions, the level of participation and current and projected capital needs.
The Discount will apply to initial and optional cash investments and the
reinvestment of dividends. The Discount will be subtracted from the Purchase
Price of shares purchased for the Plan. Notice will be given to participants or
a public announcement will be made upon the implementation or discontinuance of
any Discount.
PURCHASES EXCEEDING PLAN LIMITS--DISCOUNT IN EFFECT
The following discussion pertains only to purchases for which a Waiver of
Limitation has been obtained when the Discount is in effect. The terms set forth
below will apply to the full amount for which a waiver has been obtained. For
example, if a waiver is obtained to make an optional cash purchase of $20,000,
or $10,000 over the limit, the full $20,000 will be subject to these terms.
22
For a list of important dates and terms with respect to purchases exceeding Plan
limits when a Discount is in effect, see Schedule I. Schedule I is only a guide;
actual dates may be obtained by calling (412) 433-4707.
-- PURCHASE INTERVALS
The General Administrator will use optional cash investments for which a waiver
has been obtained to purchase shares of U. S. Steel common stock once each
month. To the extent dividends are declared, the General Administrator will use
reinvested dividends to facilitate the purchase of shares on a quarterly basis.
-- SOURCE AND PRICING OF SHARES
SOURCE OF SHARES. Stock required to meet the requirements of the Plan when
a Discount is in effect will be issued directly by U. S. Steel.
PRICE OF SHARES. Your price per share will be the average of the daily
high and low sales prices of U. S. Steel common stock on the NYSE Composite for
the twelve Trading Days immediately preceding the relevant Investment Date, less
the Discount.
SEE SCHEDULE I FOR A LIST OF RELEVANT DATES AND DEFINITIONS.
O A "Trading Day" means a day on which trades of the U. S. Steel common stock
are reported on the NYSE.
O The twelve Trading Days immediately preceding the relevant Investment Date
is the relevant "Pricing Period."
-- TIMING. Shares purchased from U. S. Steel will be purchased on the
Investment Date which is on or about the tenth of each month.
IN ORDER FOR SUCH FUNDS TO BE INVESTED ON THE NEXT INVESTMENT DATE, U. S. STEEL
MUST BE IN RECEIPT OF FUNDS ON OR BEFORE THE BUSINESS DAY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING
THE FIRST DAY OF THE RELATED PRICING PERIOD. U. S. STEEL WILL RETURN, WITHOUT
INTEREST, ANY PAYMENTS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE BUSINESS DAY
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE FIRST DAY OF THE PRICING PERIOD AND BEFORE THE RELATED
INVESTMENT DATE
-- THRESHOLD PRICE LIMIT
With respect to optional cash purchases exceeding plan limits when the Discount
is in effect, U. S. Steel will establish for each Pricing Period a minimum price
(the "Threshold Price") applicable to the purchase of newly issued shares of U.
S. Steel common stock. The Threshold Price and return procedure, discussed
below, do not apply to the reinvestment of dividends.
The Threshold Price will be established by U. S. Steel two business days prior
to the Record Date at U. S. Steel's sole discretion after a review of current
market conditions and other relevant factors. It will be a stated dollar amount
and the average of the high and low sale prices on the NYSE Composite for a
Trading Day of the Pricing Period must equal or exceed it.
If the Threshold Price is not equaled or exceeded for a Trading Day of the
Pricing Period, then that Trading Day and the trading prices for that day will
be excluded from the Pricing Period and the determination of the purchase price.
A day will also be excluded from the Pricing Period and the determination of the
purchase price if there are no trades of U. S. Steel common stock reported on
the NYSE for such day. For example, if the Threshold Price is not equaled or
exceeded for three of the twelve Trading Days, then the purchase price will be
based upon the remaining nine Trading Days for which the Threshold Price was
equaled or exceeded.
Each Trading Day of a Pricing Period for which the Threshold Price is not
equaled or exceeded or each day for which there are no trades of U. S. Steel
common stock reported on the NYSE will cause
23
the return of a portion of your optional cash investment. The returned amount
will equal one-twelfth of the total amount of the optional cash investment for
which the relevant Waiver of Limitation was received for each Trading Day that
the Threshold Price is not equaled or exceeded or for each day no such sales are
reported. For example, if the Threshold Price is not equaled or exceeded or no
such sales are reported for three Trading Days, 3/12 (or 25%) of your optional
cash investment for which the relevant Waiver of Limitation was received will be
returned without interest to you.
CONTROL OVER PURCHASES
Unless otherwise provided herein, U. S. Steel decides whether purchases are to
be made in the open market or from U. S. Steel and the Administrators engage a
bank or other agent for purposes of making open market purchases. Neither U. S.
Steel, nor any participant in the Plan has the authority or power to control
either the timing or pricing of shares purchased in the open market.
If you send in an initial or optional cash investment, it is possible that the
market price of U. S. Steel common stock could go up or down before your funds
are used to purchase stock. Further, U. S. Steel may change the method of stock
purchase (purchase in the open market or from U. S. Steel) at any time after the
three month period following the last such change. THIS MEANS, YOU WILL NOT BE
ABLE TO PRECISELY TIME YOUR PURCHASES THROUGH THE PLAN AND WILL BEAR THE MARKET
RISK ASSOCIATED WITH FLUCTUATIONS IN THE PRICE OF U. S. STEEL COMMON STOCK.
IN ADDITION, YOU WILL NOT EARN INTEREST ON INITIAL OR OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD BEFORE THE SHARES ARE PURCHASED.
SALE OF SHARES FOR THE PLAN
TIMING AND CONTROL
You can sell any number of shares held by an Administrator, Held Shares, in your
Plan account by notifying the General Administrator. The General Administrator
will endeavor to arrange sales weekly on Friday, provided that it has been
advised of such sale no later than 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) of the preceding
day. If Friday is not a business day or, if for any reason the General
Administrator cannot facilitate the sale of your shares, the General
Administrator will endeavor to arrange for the sale of the shares on the
preceding day or the next day that its office and the NYSE are open. The sale
price will be the weighted average price of all Plan shares sold on that sale
date for Plan participants. You will receive the proceeds of the sale less (i)
any applicable fee (See Schedule II, "Plan Service Fees") and (ii) any required
tax withholdings.
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PRECISELY TIME YOUR SALES THROUGH THE PLAN AND WILL BEAR
THE MARKET RISK ASSOCIATED WITH FLUCTUATION IN THE PRICE OF U. S. STEEL COMMON
STOCK. That is, if you send in a request to sell shares, it is possible that the
market price of U. S. Steel common stock could go down or up before your shares
are sold. In addition, you will not earn interest on a sales transaction.
You can choose to sell your shares through a stockbroker of your choice, in
which case you should request a certificate for your shares from the General
Administrator. Allow two weeks for delivery of the certificate. (See "Issuance
of Certificates" on page 27.)
SAFEKEEPING OF YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES AND BOOK ENTRY
Any participant in the Plan may use the Plan's "safekeeping" service to deposit
U. S. Steel common stock certificates, whether or not dividends are reinvested.
Safekeeping is beneficial because you no longer bear the risk and cost
associated with the loss, theft, or destruction of stock certificates.
24
With safekeeping, you have the option of reinvesting all, a portion or none of
your dividends. You may also take advantage of the sale of shares feature of the
Plan. If you decide you no longer want to use the safekeeping service, a
certificate will be issued upon request. (See "Issuance of Certificates" on page
26.)
To use the safekeeping service, send your certificates to the General
Administrator by registered mail with written instructions to deposit them for
safekeeping. At the time of mailing, the shares should be insured for
approximately 2% of the value of the shares. Do not endorse the certificates or
complete the assignment section. The address of the current General
Administrator is in Schedule III, attached hereto.
Your shares of U. S. Steel common stock that are held by an Administrator will
be maintained in your Plan account for safekeeping in book entry form. You will
receive a quarterly statement detailing the status of your holdings.
Shares held by an Administrator, Held Shares, may take as long as two weeks to
be certificated and mailed to you after our receipt of notice to do so. THIS
MEANS SALES OF HELD SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN THE
MARKET PRICE DURING EITHER (A) THE PERIOD REQUIRED TO CERTIFICATE AND DELIVER
SHARES, FOR SALES BY YOU, OR (B) THE PERIOD REQUIRED FOR U. S. STEEL TO SELL
YOUR SHARES (see "Sale of Shares for the Plan-Timing and Control", on page 24).
GIFTS, TRANSFERS AND PLEDGES OF SHARES
YOU CAN GIVE OR TRANSFER SHARES OF U. S. STEEL COMMON STOCK TO ANYONE YOU CHOOSE
BY:
O Making an initial $500 cash investment to establish a Plan account in the
recipient's name; or
O Submitting an optional cash investment on behalf of an existing stockholder
in the Plan in an amount not less than $50 nor more than $10,000; or
O Transferring shares from your Plan account to the recipient (minimum of five
shares to each new Plan account).
You may transfer shares to new or existing stockholders. The General
Administrator will automatically assign to such transferred shares full dividend
reinvestment status. New participants and existing participants, at their
discretion, may elect another investment option by providing written notice to
the General Administrator. If you participate in dividend reinvestment and you
request to either (a) transfer all of your shares or (b) make a partial sale and
transfer the balance of your shares between the ex-dividend and the dividend
record date, the processing of your request may be held until after your Plan
account is credited with reinvested dividends. This holding period could be as
long as three weeks.
To transfer shares, you must have your signature guaranteed by a financial
institution participating in the Medallion Guarantee Program (generally a broker
or a bank). The Medallion Guarantee Program ensures that the individual signing
the certificate or stock power is in fact the registered owner.
Held Shares may not be pledged and any such purported pledge shall be void. If
you want to pledge your shares, you must first request that such shares be
certificated and delivered to you (see "Issuance of Certificates", below).
If you need additional assistance, please call the General Administrator.
25
ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES
If you wish to withdraw from the Plan at any time, a certificate may be issued
to you for all whole shares held in the Plan for you by the General
Administrator. Any fractional shares in the account will be sold and a check for
the proceeds (less applicable fees) will be issued and mailed to you. Your Plan
account will be closed.
You may also have a certificate issued for whole shares without removing those
shares from Plan participation. Dividends, for your certificated shares and any
remaining Held Shares will continue to be reinvested in U. S. Steel common stock
unless the General Administrator is specifically advised to discontinue
reinvestment.
Certificates will be issued in the name(s) under which the Plan account is
registered, unless otherwise instructed. If the certificate is to be issued in a
name other than your Plan account registration name, the signature on the
instructions or stock power authorizing the issuance must be guaranteed by a
financial institution participating in the Medallion Guarantee Program, as
described under "Gift, Transfers and Pledges of Shares", above. You should
receive your certificate approximately two weeks from our receipt of your
request.
TRACKING YOUR INVESTMENTS
The General Administrator will mail you a quarterly statement showing all
transactions (shares, amounts invested, purchase prices) for your Plan account
including year-to-date and other Plan account information. Supplemental
statements or notices will be sent when you make an initial or optional cash
investment or a deposit, transfer or withdrawal of shares.
PLEASE RETAIN YOUR STATEMENTS TO ESTABLISH THE COST BASIS OF SHARES PURCHASED
UNDER THE PLAN FOR INCOME TAX AND OTHER PURPOSES AND TO AVOID PLAN ACCOUNT
RESEARCH FEES (SEE SCHEDULE II).
You should notify the General Administrator promptly of any change in address
since all notices, statements and reports will be mailed to your address of
record.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION
Cash dividends reinvested under the Plan will be taxable as having been received
by you even though you have not actually received them in cash. Any Discount on
cash purchases and any Discount on dividend reinvestments is treated as a
dividend to the shareholder. You will receive an annual statement from the
General Administrator indicating the amount of reinvested dividends and
Discounts reported to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as dividend income. The
statement will also reflect any trading fees paid by U. S. Steel on your behalf
for purchases of shares.
You will not realize gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes upon
deposit of shares into the Plan or the withdrawal of whole shares from the Plan.
You will, however, generally realize gain or loss upon the sale of shares
(including the receipt of cash for fractional shares) held in the Plan.
Plan participants who are non-resident aliens or non-U.S. corporations,
partnerships or other entities generally are subject to a withholding tax on
dividends paid on shares held in the Plan. The General Administrator is required
to withhold from dividends paid the appropriate amount determined in accordance
with U.S. Treasury regulations. Any applicable withholding tax may be determined
by treaty between the U.S. and the country in which such participant resides.
Accordingly, the amount of any dividends, net of the applicable withholding tax,
will be credited to participant Plan accounts for the investment in additional
common stock.
26
The above summary is not a comprehensive summary of all of the tax
considerations that may be relevant to a participant in the Plan. Therefore, you
are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the consequences of
participation in the Plan.
MISCELLANEOUS
-- VOTING OF PROXIES
A proxy card will be mailed to you for all shares in your Plan account. Your
shares will be voted as indicated by you. If you do not return the proxy card or
if you return it unsigned, none of your shares will be voted.
-- RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ADMINISTRATORS AND U. S. STEEL
NEITHER U. S. STEEL NOR ANY ADMINISTRATOR NOR ANY AGENT WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY
ACT THEY DO IN GOOD FAITH OR FOR ANY GOOD FAITH OMISSION TO ACT. This includes,
without limitation, any claims of liability for:
O failure to terminate a Plan account upon a shareholder's death prior to
receiving written notice of such death; or
O purchases or sales prices reflected in your Plan account or the dates of
purchases or sales of your Plan shares; or
O any fluctuation in the market value after purchase or sale of shares.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, WE SHALL NOT BE RELIEVED FROM ANY LIABILITY
IMPOSED UNDER ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITY LAW THAT CANNOT BE
WAIVED.
NEITHER U. S. STEEL NOR ANY ADMINISTRATOR CAN ASSURE YOU A PROFIT OR PROTECT YOU
AGAINST A LOSS ON THE SHARES YOU PURCHASE UNDER THE PLAN.
-- DIVIDENDS
The terms of U. S. Steel's indebtedness limit the ability of U. S. Steel to pay
dividends. Subject to these limitations, the declaration of dividends on U. S.
Steel common stock is at the discretion of U. S. Steel's board of directors and
will be declared and paid after consideration of various factors, including,
without limitation, the earnings and financial condition of U. S. Steel. The
board of directors of U. S. Steel has the right to change the amount of
dividends at any time.
-- PLAN MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION
U. S. STEEL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SUSPEND, MODIFY OR TERMINATE THE PLAN AT ANY
TIME. You will receive notice of any such suspension, modification or
termination. U. S. Steel and any other Administrator also reserve the right to
change any and all administrative procedures and costs/fees associated with the
Plan.
-- CHANGE OF ELIGIBILITY OR TERMINATION
You will remain a participant of the Plan until you withdraw from the Plan or
the Plan is terminated. U. S. Steel reserves the right to deny, suspend or
terminate participation by a stockholder who is using the Plan for purposes
inconsistent with the intended purpose of the Plan. In such event, the General
Administrator will notify you in writing, issue a certificate to you, and sell
any fractional share remaining in the account.
If the number of shares on which dividends are reinvested falls below one share,
your participation in the Plan may be automatically terminated and a check for
net proceeds will be sent to you for any fractional share remaining.
27
-- FOREIGN PARTICIPATION
If you live outside of the U. S., you should first determine if there are any
laws or governmental regulations that would prohibit your participation in the
Plan. U. S. Steel reserves the right to terminate participation of any
stockholder if it deems it advisable under any foreign laws or regulations.
-- INTERPRETATION
U. S. Steel may adopt rules and regulations to facilitate the administration of
the Plan. Any question of interpretation under the Plan will be determined by U.
S. Steel and any such determination will be final.
The Plan, all related forms and your Plan account shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and
cannot be modified orally.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will receive no proceeds when we use common stock purchased on the open
market for the plan. When we use original issue common stock for the plan, we
will use the proceeds for general corporate purposes.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Except to the extent an Administrator facilitates the purchases of U. S. Steel
common stock ("Common Shares") in open market transactions, the Common Shares
acquired under the Plan will be sold directly by U. S. Steel through the Plan.
U. S. Steel may sell Common Shares to owners of shares (including brokers or
dealers) who, in connection with any resales of such shares, may be deemed to be
underwriters. In connection with any such transaction, compliance with
Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 would be required. Such
shares, including shares acquired pursuant to waivers granted with respect to
the initial or optional cash purchase feature of the Plan, may be resold in
market transactions (including coverage of short positions) on any national
securities exchange on which Common Shares trade or in privately negotiated
transactions. The Common Shares are currently listed on the NYSE. Under certain
circumstances, it is expected that a portion of the Common Shares available for
issuance under the Plan will be issued pursuant to such waivers. The difference
between the price such owners pay to U. S. Steel for Common Shares acquired
under the Plan, after deduction of the applicable discount from the purchase
price, and the price at which such shares are resold, may be deemed to
constitute underwriting commissions received by such owners in connection with
such transactions. Any such underwriter involved in the offer and sale of the
Common Shares will be named in an applicable prospectus supplement. Any
underwriting compensation paid by U. S. Steel to underwriters or agents in
connection with the offering of the Common Shares, and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers,
will be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement.
Except with respect to open market purchases of Common Shares relating to
reinvested distributions, U. S. Steel will pay any and all brokerage commissions
and related expenses incurred in connection with purchases of Common Shares
under the Plan. Upon withdrawal by a participant from the Plan by the sale of
Common Shares held under the Plan, the participant will receive the proceeds of
such sale less (i) a nominal fee per transaction (see Schedule II, "Plan Service
Fees") paid to the General Administrator (if such resale is facilitated by the
General Administrator at the request of a participant), (ii) any related
brokerage commissions and (iii) any applicable taxes.
28
Common Shares may not be available under the Plan in all states. This Prospectus
does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any
Common Shares or other securities in any state or any other jurisdiction to any
person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT U. S. STEEL
U. S. Steel files annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy this information at the
following location of the Securities and Exchange Commission:
Public Reference Room
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Room 1024
Washington, D.C. 20549
You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by
calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about U. S.
Steel at the offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
9513 Key West Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850.
The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains an Internet worldwide web
site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about
issuers, like U. S. Steel, who file electronically with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the
information in documents we file with it, which means that we can disclose
important information to you by referring you to those documents. The
information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this
prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will update and
supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents
and any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the termination of the
offering:
(a) U. S. Steel's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2002;
(b) U. S. Steel's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated March 14, 2003;
(c) U. S. Steel's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2003 and on Form 10-Q/A for the
quarter ended September 30, 2003, and
(d) U. S. Steel's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 9, January
28, February 3, February 4, February 10, March 31, March 31, April
1, April 11, April 21, April 29, May 6, May 20, June 30, September
12, September 22, September 30, October 10, October 28, and December
8, 2003 and January 2, 2004.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference to this
prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded will not
be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus except as so modified or
superseded.
29
U. S. STEEL WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST, TO EACH
PERSON TO WHOM A COPY OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED A COPY OF ANY OF THE
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE (NOT INCLUDING THE EXHIBITS TO SUCH
DOCUMENTS, UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN
SUCH DOCUMENTS). REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION,
600 GRANT STREET, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15219-2800, ATTENTION: SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES, TELEPHONE (412) 433-4801.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of United States Steel Corporation
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2002 have been so incorporated in reliance on
the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of National Steel Corporation and
Subsidiaries (Debtor-in-Possession) as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, appearing in the
U. S. Steel Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 20, 2003, have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon
(which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise
substantial doubt about National Steel Corporation's ability to continue as a
going concern as described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements)
incorporated by reference herein, in reliance upon such report given on the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the issuance of the shares of U. S. Steel common stock offered
hereby will be passed upon for U. S. Steel by Dan D. Sandman, Esq., Vice
Chairman and Chief Legal & Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
of U. S. Steel, Stephan K. Todd, Esq., Vice President-Law and Environmental
Affairs of U. S. Steel, or by Robert M. Stanton, Esq., Assistant General
Counsel-Corporate and Assistant Secretary of U. S. Steel. Messrs. Sandman, Todd
and Stanton, in their respective capacities as set forth above, are paid
salaries by U. S. Steel, participate in various employee benefit plans offered
by U. S. Steel and own common stock of U. S. Steel.
30
SCHEDULE I
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION COMMON STOCK
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND
STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
LIST OF IMPORTANT DATES THROUGH 2007
APPLICABLE ONLY IF DISCOUNT IS IN EFFECT
(C) (D) (E) (G)
THRESHOLD PRICE AND * OPTIONAL CASH (F)
WAIVER DISCOUNT, IF RECORD INVESTMENTS MUST PRICING PERIOD INVESTMENT
CYCLE ANY, WILL BE SET BY: DATE: BE RECEIVED BY: START DATE: DATE:
----- -------------------- -------- ---------------- -------------- ----------
B.... 12/17/03 12/19/03 12/22/03 12/23/03 1/12/04
B.... 1/16/04 1/21/04 1/22/04 1/23/04 2/10/04
A.... 2/13/04 2/18/04 2/20/04 2/23/04 3/10/04
B.... 3/18/04 3/22/04 3/23/04 3/24/04 4/12/04
B.... 4/16/04 4/20/04 4/21/04 4/22/04 5/10/04
A.... 5/17/04 5/19/04 5/21/04 5/24/04 6/10/04
B.... 6/17/04 6/21/04 6/22/04 6/23/04 7/12/04
B.... 7/19/04 7/21/04 7/22/04 7/23/04 8/10/04
A.... 8/16/04 8/18/04 8/23/04 8/24/04 9/10/04
B.... 9/17/04 9/21/04 9/22/04 9/23/04 10/11/04
B.... 10/19/04 10/21/04 10/22/04 10/25/04 11/10/04
A.... 11/15/04 11/17/04 11/22/04 11/23/04 12/10/04
B.... 12/16/04 12/20/04 12/21/04 12/22/04 1/10/05
B.... 1/19/05 1/21/05 1/24/05 1/25/05 2/10/05
A.... 2/14/05 2/16/05 2/18/05 2/22/05 3/10/05
B.... 3/17/05 3/21/05 3/22/05 3/23/05 4/11/05
B.... 4/18/05 4/20/05 4/21/05 4/22/05 5/10/05
A.... 5/16/05 5/18/05 5/23/05 5/24/05 6/10/05
B.... 6/16/05 6/20/05 6/21/05 6/22/05 7/11/05
B.... 7/19/05 7/21/05 7/22/05 7/25/05 8/10/05
A.... 8/15/05 8/17/05 8/23/05 8/24/05 9/12/05
B.... 9/16/05 9/20/05 9/21/05 9/22/05 10/10/05
B.... 10/19/05 10/21/05 10/24/05 10/25/05 11/10/05
A.... 11/14/05 11/16/05 11/22/05 11/23/05 12/12/05
B.... 12/15/05 12/19/05 12/20/05 12/21/05 1/10/06
B.... 1/19/06 1/23/06 1/24/06 1/25/06 2/10/06
A.... 2/14/06 2/16/06 2/21/06 2/22/06 3/10/06
B.... 3/17/06 3/21/06 3/22/06 3/23/06 4/10/06
B.... 4/18/06 4/20/06 4/21/06 4/24/06 5/10/06
A.... 5/15/06 5/17/06 5/23/06 5/24/06 6/12/06
B.... 6/15/06 6/19/06 6/20/06 6/21/06 7/10/06
B.... 7/19/06 7/21/06 7/24/06 7/25/06 8/10/06
A.... 8/14/06 8/16/06 8/22/06 8/23/06 9/11/06
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(C) (D) (E) (G)
THRESHOLD PRICE AND * OPTIONAL CASH (F)
WAIVER DISCOUNT, IF RECORD INVESTMENTS MUST PRICING PERIOD INVESTMENT
CYCLE ANY, WILL BE SET BY: DATE: BE RECEIVED BY: START DATE: DATE:
----- -------------------- -------- ---------------- -------------- ----------
B.... 9/18/06 9/20/06 9/21/06 9/22/06 10/10/06
B.... 10/19/06 10/23/06 10/24/06 10/25/06 11/10/06
A.... 11/14/06 11/16/06 11/21/06 11/22/06 12/11/06
B.... 12/15/06 12/19/06 12/20/06 12/21/06 1/10/07
B.... 1/19/07 1/23/07 1/24/07 1/25/07 2/12/07
A.... 2/16/07 2/21/07 2/21/07 2/22/07 3/12/07
B.... 3/16/07 3/20/07 3/21/07 3/22/07 4/10/07
B.... 4/18/07 4/20/07 4/23/07 4/24/07 4/10/07
A.... 5/14/07 5/16/07 5/22/07 5/23/07 6/11/07
B.... 6/15/07 6/19/07 6/20/07 6/21/07 7/10/07
B.... 7/19/07 7/23/07 7/24/07 7/25/07 8/10/07
A.... 8/14/07 8/16/07 8/21/07 8/22/07 9/10/07
B.... 9/18/07 9/20/07 9/21/07 9/24/07 10/10/07
B.... 10/19/07 10/23/07 10/24/07 10/25/07 11/10/07
A.... 11/19/07 11/21/07 11/21/07 11/21/07 12/10/07
B.... 12/17/07 12/19/07 12/20/07 12/21/07 1/10/08
---------------
A. Investment of optional cash investments and reinvestment of dividends.
B. Investment of optional cash investments only.
C. The Threshold Price and Waiver Discount (if any) will be established two
business days prior to the Record Date.
D. The Record Date for dividend months (those indicated by the letter "A" in
the cycle column) will be established by the Board of Directors. The Record
Date for non-dividend months (those indicated by the letter "B" in the cycle
column) will be two business days immediately preceding the first day of the
Pricing Period.
E. Optional cash investments are due by the last business day prior to
commencement of the Pricing Period.
F. The Pricing Period will be the twelve consecutive Trading Days ending on the
Trading Day immediately preceding the Investment Date.
G. The Investment Date will be the dividend payment date during a month in
which a cash dividend is paid and in any other month, will be the tenth
calendar day of such month, however, if either the dividend payment date or
such tenth day falls on a date when the New York Stock Exchange is closed,
the Investment Date will be the first day following on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open.
U.S. EQUITY MARKETS CLOSED
-----------------------------------------
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
New Years Day 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1
Martin L. King Day 1/19 1/17 1/16 1/15
Presidents Day 2/16 2/21 2/20 2/19
Good Friday 4/9 3/25 4/14 4/6
Memorial Day 5/31 5/30 5/29 5/28
Independence Day 7/5 7/4 7/4 7/4
Labor Day 9/6 9/5 9/4 9/3
Thanksgiving Day 11/25 11/24 11/23 11/22
Christmas Day 12/25 12/25 12/25 12/25 12/25
* Record Dates in dividend months (February, May, August and November) are
established as 3rd Wednesday of month unless that day is 15th, then date is
16th.
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SCHEDULE II
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION COMMON STOCK
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND
STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
PLAN SERVICE FEES
ENROLLMENT FEE FOR NEW INVESTORS......... $10.00 per Account Enrollment
REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS................ No Charge
PURCHASE OF SHARES (via check)........... $0.05 per Share
PURCHASE OF SHARES (via Automatic
Investment)............................ No Charge
SALE OF SHARES:
Transaction Fee..................... No Charge
Trading Fee......................... $0.10 per Share
GIFT OR TRANSFER OF SHARES............... No Charge
SAFEKEEPING OF STOCK CERTIFICATES........ No Charge
CERTIFICATE ISSUANCE..................... No Charge
RETURNED CHECKS.......................... $25.00 per Check
DUPLICATE STATEMENTS:
Current Year........................ No Charge
Prior Year(s)....................... $5.00 per Year, up to $25 Maximum
The fee for duplicate statements must be paid in advance. In all other cases,
the applicable fees will be deducted from either the investment or proceeds from
a sale.
Any trading fees paid by USS for which you are not charged will be reported to
you as taxable income on Form 1099-Div.
Depending upon whether U. S. Steel is an Administrator, U. S. Steel may receive
all, or a portion, of the fees related to Plan services. Our estimated annual
cost to operate the Plan is $400,000. Some or all of these costs may be
recovered through these Plan service fees.
All fees, including those for which there is currently "No Charge", are subject
to change; however, we will not change any fees without first notifying you.
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SCHEDULE III
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For recorded information concerning the following Plan features, Call (412)
433-4707.
Current Administrator Information
Discount
Threshold Price
Requests for Waivers
Source of Shares--Open Market Purchase or U. S. Steel Issuance
CURRENT ADMINISTRATOR INFORMATION
We currently have two Administrators of the Plan, Wells Fargo Shareowner
Services ("Wells Fargo") and U. S. Steel Shareholder Services. Wells Fargo is
the Initial Purchase Administrator and handles all initial purchases, that is
purchases by those who do not own any of our common stock at the time of their
first Plan purchase. U. S. Steel Shareholder Services is the General
Administrator and will administer all other transactions.
Initial Purchase Administrator
For those who do not currently own any common stock of United States Steel
Corporation, please direct all initial inquiries, initial enrollment forms,
and initial purchase monies to the Initial Purchase Administrator, Wells
Fargo, at:
WELLS FARGO SHAREOWNER SERVICES
P.O. BOX 64856
ST. PAUL, MN 55164-0856
1-866-280-0244
Please make all initial purchase checks payable to WELLS FARGO SHAREOWNER
SERVICES.
General Administrator
For all purchases and inquiries, other than those respecting initial purchases
(see above), about the Plan, please contact the General Administrator, United
States Steel Shareholder Services:
Toll-free Calls: (866)433-4801
Local Calls: (412)433-4801
Facsimile: (412)433-4818
Email: SHAREHOLDERSERVICES@USS.COM
Make all checks, other than for first time purchases by non-owners of our
common Stock (see Initial Purchase Administrator, above), payable to: UNITED
STATES STEEL CORPORATION.
Send written correspondence and optional cash investments to:
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
600 GRANT STREET, ROOM 611
PITTSBURGH, PA 15219-2800
Please include your daytime telephone number. Please use the transaction stub
at top of your quarterly statement for optional cash investments.
SIII-1
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
Securities and Exchange Commission filing fee............... $ 4,125
Costs of printing and engraving............................. 14,000
Accounting fees and expenses................................ 40,000
Miscellaneous expenses...................................... 20,000
-------
Total.................................................. $78,125
=======
All of the foregoing expenses are estimated except for the Securities and
Exchange Commission filing fee.
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Article V of the By-Laws of United States Steel Corporation (the "Corporation")
provides that the Corporation shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by
law any person who is made or is threatened to be made a party or is involved in
any action, suit, or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise, or nonprofit entity.
The Corporation is empowered by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, subject to the procedures and limitations stated therein, to indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was an
officer, employee, agent or director of the Corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The Corporation may
indemnify any such person against expenses (including attorneys' fees) in an
action by or in the right of the Corporation under the same conditions, except
that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if such person is
adjudged to be liable to the Corporation. To the extent a director or officer is
successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to
above, the Corporation must indemnify him against the expenses which he actually
and reasonably incurred in connection therewith.
Policies of insurance are maintained by the Corporation under which directors
and officers of the Corporation are insured, within the limits and subject to
the limitations of the policies, against certain expenses in connection with the
defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities which might be
imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings, to which they are
parties by reason of being or having been such directors or officers.
The Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director shall
be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages
for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director, except (i) for
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its
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stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section
174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from
which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) See Exhibit Index.
(b) All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required
information is contained in the respective financial statements or notes
thereto.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post- effective amendment to the registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the registration
statement;
Provided however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the
registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference herein.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The Corporation hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Corporation's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Corporation pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Corporation
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Corporation of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Corporation in the successful defense of any action, suit
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or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Corporation will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE
REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 TO BE SIGNED
ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF
PITTSBURGH, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, ON JANUARY 27, 2004.
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
By: /s/ LARRY G. SCHULTZ
------------------------------------
Name: Larry G. Schultz
Title: Vice President & Controller
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING
PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED ON JANUARY 27, 2004.
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
* Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
----------------------------------------------------- Board (Principal Executive Officer and
Thomas J. Usher Director)
* Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
----------------------------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Gretchen R. Haggerty Financial Officer)
/S/ LARRY G. SCHULTZ Vice President & Controller (Controller)
-----------------------------------------------------
Larry G. Schultz
* Director
-----------------------------------------------------
J. Gary Cooper
* Director
-----------------------------------------------------
Robert J. Darnall
* Vice Chairman and Director
-----------------------------------------------------
Roy G. Dorrance
* Director
-----------------------------------------------------
John G. Drosdick
* Director
-----------------------------------------------------
Shirley Ann Jackson
* Director
-----------------------------------------------------
Charles R. Lee
* Director
-----------------------------------------------------
Frank J. Lucchino
* Vice Chairman, Chief Legal &
----------------------------------------------------- Administrative Officer and Director
Dan D. Sandman
* Director
-----------------------------------------------------
Seth E. Schofield
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SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
* President and Director
-----------------------------------------------------
John P. Surma, Jr.
* Director
-----------------------------------------------------
Douglas C. Yearley
*By: /s/ LARRY G. SCHULTZ
-----------------------------------------------------
Larry G. Schultz, Attorney-in-Fact
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EXHIBIT LIST
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
*3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of United States Steel
Corporation dated September 30, 2003.
3.2 By-laws of United States Steel Corporation dated April 30,
2002, as currently in effect (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 5 to United States Steel's Report on Form 8-A dated
February 6, 2003).
4.1 Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2001, by and
between United States Steel and Mellon Investors Services,
LLC, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4
to United States Steel's Registration Statement on Form
8-A/A filed on December 31, 2001).
4.2 Indenture, dated as of July 27, 2001 (as amended by the
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 26, 2001),
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to United States
Steel's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No.
333-85152) filed March 28, 2002).
4.3 Form of Indenture for Debt Securities (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to United States Steel's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-84200)
filed on March 19, 2002).
4.4 Officer's Certificate setting forth the terms and form of
the 9 3/4% Notes due 2010 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to United States Steel's Current Report on Form
8-K dated May 20, 2003).
4.5 Certificate of Designation respecting the Series A Junior
Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(h)
to United States Steel Corporation's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2001).
4.6 Certificate of Designation respecting the 7% Series B
Mandatory Convertible Preferred Shares (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(i) to United States Steel
Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2002).
*5 Opinion of Robert M. Stanton, Esq. regarding the validity of
United States Steel Corporation common stock to be issued
pursuant to this Registration Statement.
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
*23.2 Consent of Robert M. Stanton, Esq. is contained in the
opinion of counsel filed as Exhibit 5.
23.3 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
*24 Powers of Attorney
---------------
* Previously filed.
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