On Jan. 29, U.S. Steel (NYSE:X) released fourth-quarter earnings for the period ended Dec. 31.

  • Net profit increased by 172.5%, helped by a reduced tax rate.
  • The company retired most of its 10 3/4% senior notes during the quarter.
  • The company repurchased more than 700,000 shares for $46 million.
  • For the year, free cash flow increased 126%.
  • U.S. Steel is a two-star stock, according to Motley Fool CAPS. Tell us what you think about the company.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$3,774

$3,470

8.8%

Net Profit

$297

$109

172.5%

EPS

$2.50

$0.85

194.1%

Diluted Shares

119.0

128.2

(7.1%)



Get back to basics with a look at the income statement.

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

14.6%

14.0%

0.6

Operating Margin

9.0%

6.4%

2.6

Net Margin

7.9%

3.1%

4.7

*Expressed in percentage points

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$1,422

$1,479

(3.9%)

Accounts Rec.

$1,799

$1,609

11.8%

Inventory

$1,604

$1,466.0

9.4%



Liabilities

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$1,314

$1,256

4.6%

Long-Term Debt

$943

$1,363

(30.8%)



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

YTD 2006

YTD 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$1,689

$1,218

38.7%

Capital Expenditures

$612

$741

(17.4%)

Free Cash Flow

$1,077

$477

125.8%



Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related Companies:

  • Allegheny Technologies (NYSE:ATI)
  • IPSCO (NYSE:IPS)
  • Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD)
  • Nucor (NYSE:NUE)
  • Gerdau Ameristeel (NYSE:GNA)

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