United States Steel Co. (NYSE:X) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of United States Steel Co. (NYSE:X) have received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eight analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $41.07.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on X shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of United States Steel from $44.00 to $40.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 17th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on United States Steel from $43.00 to $40.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on United States Steel from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of United States Steel in a report on Monday, January 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $35.00 price target for the company.

United States Steel Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of X opened at $37.43 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $35.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $37.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The company has a market capitalization of $8.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.62 and a beta of 1.88. United States Steel has a 52 week low of $26.92 and a 52 week high of $48.61.

United States Steel (NYSE:X) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The basic materials company reported $0.56 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.15. United States Steel had a net margin of 2.41% and a return on equity of 6.01%. The business had revenue of $3.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.77 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.36 EPS. The business’s revenue was down 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that United States Steel will post 1.78 EPS for the current year.

United States Steel Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 11th. Investors of record on Monday, November 11th were given a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 8th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.53%. United States Steel’s payout ratio is presently 13.16%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United States Steel

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Castle Hook Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of United States Steel during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $91,712,000. KGH Ltd increased its stake in United States Steel by 68.2% during the second quarter. KGH Ltd now owns 4,255,000 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $160,839,000 after acquiring an additional 1,724,670 shares during the last quarter. Holocene Advisors LP acquired a new position in shares of United States Steel in the 3rd quarter valued at $51,620,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in shares of United States Steel by 26.5% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 4,598,831 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $162,477,000 after purchasing an additional 964,467 shares during the period. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in United States Steel by 4,445.5% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 571,326 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $20,185,000 after buying an additional 558,757 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.92% of the company’s stock.

About United States Steel

United States Steel Corporation produces and sells flat-rolled and tubular steel products primarily in North America and Europe. The company operates through North American Flat-Rolled (Flat-Rolled), Mini Mill, U. S. Steel Europe (USSE), and Tubular Products (Tubular) segments. The Flat-Rolled segment offers slabs, strip mill plates, sheets, and tin mill products, as well as iron ore and coke.