UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 [X]QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 20172018
Or
 [   ]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     .
usslogoa01a01a01a05.jpgusslogoa123a02.jpg
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-16811 25-1897152
(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2800
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(412) 433-1121
(Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes Pü  No    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [ Pü ] No [    ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitiondefinitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company”, and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  Pü 
 
Accelerated filer     
 
Non-accelerated filer     
  
Smaller reporting company     
 
Emerging growth company(a) __
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)     
(a) If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ___
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes     No Pü 
Common stock outstanding at October 26, 20172018174,994,464177,268,638 shares




INDEX

 Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
 Item 1.Financial Statements: 
  
  
  
  
  
 Item 2.
 Item 3.
 Item 4.
  
 
 Item 1.
Item 1A.
 Item 4.
 Item 5.
 Item 6.




CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains information that may constitute “forward-looking”forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in those sections. Generally, we have identified such forward-looking statements by using the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “forecast,” “aim,” “should,”"should," “will” and similar expressions or by using future dates in connection with any discussion of, among other things, operating performance, trends, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, statements relating to volume growth, share of sales and earnings per share growth, and statements expressing general views about future operating results. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Company’s beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control. It is possible that the Company’s actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the time made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made. Our Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our Company's historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the risks and uncertainties described in this report and in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to "U. S. Steel," "the Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to United States Steel Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated by the context.







UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Net sales:             
 
Net sales $2,976
 $2,370
 $8,176
 $6,716
 3,351
 $2,976
 $9,415
 $8,176
Net sales to related parties (Note 18) 272
 316
 941
 895
Total 3,248
 2,686
 9,117
 7,611
Net sales to related parties (Note 20) 378
 272
 1,072
 941
Total (Note 5) 3,729
 3,248
 10,487
 9,117
Operating expenses (income):                
Cost of sales (excludes items shown below) 2,829
 2,360
 8,115
 7,193
 3,172
 2,828
 9,101
 8,110
Selling, general and administrative expenses 89
 73
 265
 206
 81
 75
 251
 223
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 118
 126
 376
 384
 126
 118
 384
 376
Earnings from investees (9) (18) (29) (91) (17) (9) (39) (29)
Gain on equity investee transactions (Note 4) (21) 
 (21) 
Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (Note 21) 
 
 (72) 
Impairment of intangible assets 
 14
 
 14
Restructuring and other charges (Note 19) (2) (3) 30
 1
Net (gain) loss on disposal of assets (1) 3
 (2) 6
Gain on equity investee transactions (Note 24) 
 (21) (18) (21)
Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (Note 23) 
 
 
 (72)
Restructuring and other charges (Note 21) 
 (2) 
 30
Net gain on disposal of assets (5) (1) (3) (2)
Other income, net 
 (1) (5) (1) (1) 
 
 (5)
Total 3,003
 2,554
 8,657
 7,712
 3,356
 2,988
 9,676
 8,610
Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes 245
 132
 460
 (101)
Earnings before interest and income taxes 373
 260
 811
 507
Interest expense 60
 58
 173
 173
 41
 60
 134
 173
Interest income (5) (2) (13) (5) (6) (5) (16) (13)
Loss on debt extinguishment 31
 
 32
 22
Loss on debt extinguishment (Note 9) 3
 31
 77
 32
Other financial costs 12
 6
 37
 18
 2
 12
 4
 37
Net interest and other financial costs (Note 7) 98
 62
 229
 208
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 147
 70
 231
 (309)
Income tax provision (Note 9) 
 19
 3
 26
Net earnings (loss) 147
 51
 228
 (335)
Net periodic benefit cost (other than service cost) (Note 3) (a)
 19
 15
 53
 47
Net interest and other financial costs (Note 9) 59
 113
 252
 276
Earnings before income taxes 314
 147
 559
 231
Income tax provision (Note 11) 23
 
 36
 3
Net earnings 291
 147
 523
 228
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to United States Steel Corporation $147
 $51
 $228
 $(335)
Earnings (loss) per common share (Note 10):        
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to United States Steel Corporation stockholders:        
Net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation $291
 $147
 $523
 $228
Earnings per common share (Note 12):     
 
Earnings per share attributable to United States Steel Corporation stockholders:     
 
-Basic $0.84
 $0.32
 $1.30
 $(2.22) $1.64
 $0.84
 $2.96
 $1.30
-Diluted $0.83
 $0.32
 $1.29
 $(2.22) $1.62
 $0.83
 $2.92
 $1.29




(a) Represents postretirement benefit expense as a result of the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits on January 1, 2018.



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


UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)

  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(Dollars in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net earnings (loss) $147
 $51
 $228
 $(335)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:        
Changes in foreign currency translation adjustments 44
 10
 149
 41
Changes in pension and other employee benefit accounts 55
 48
 146
 (134)
Other 8
 (4) 6
 17
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 107
 54
 301
 (76)
Comprehensive income (loss) including noncontrolling interest 254
 105
 529
 (411)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to United States Steel Corporation $254
 $105
 $529
 $(411)
  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(Dollars in millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Net earnings $291
 $147
 $523
 $228
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:     
 
Changes in foreign currency translation adjustments (10) 44
 (58) 149
Changes in pension and other employee benefit accounts 50
 55
 143
 146
Changes in derivative financial instruments 7
 8
 (11) 6
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax 47
 107
 74
 301
Comprehensive income including noncontrolling interest 338
 254
 597
 529
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income attributable to United States Steel
Corporation
 $338
 $254
 $597
 $529





































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


UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited)

(Dollars in millions) (Unaudited) 
 September 30, 
 2017
 December 31,  
 2016
  
 September 30, 
 2018
 December 31,  
 2017
Assets        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $1,694
 $1,515
Receivables, less allowance of $29 and $25 1,317
 976
Receivables from related parties, less allowance of $0 and $265 (Notes 18 and 21) 210
 272
Inventories (Note 11) 1,737
 1,573
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 6) $1,344
 $1,553
Receivables, less allowance of $29 and $28 1,463
 1,173
Receivables from related parties (Note 20) 210
 206
Inventories (Note 13) 1,950
 1,738
Other current assets 43
 20
 101
 85
Total current assets 5,001
 4,356
 5,068
 4,755
Property, plant and equipment 14,781
 14,196
 15,698
 15,086
Less accumulated depreciation and depletion 10,670
 10,217
 11,055
 10,806
Total property, plant and equipment, net 4,111
 3,979
 4,643
 4,280
Investments and long-term receivables, less allowance of $11 and $10 470
 528
Long-term receivables from related parties, less allowance of $0 and $1,627 (Notes 18 and 21) 
 
Intangibles, net (Note 5) 169
 175
Deferred income tax benefits (Note 9) 
 6
Investments and long-term receivables, less allowance of $9 and $11 508
 480
Intangibles – net (Note 7) 160
 167
Deferred income tax benefits (Note 11) 56
 56
Other noncurrent assets 127
 116
 134
 124
Total assets $9,878
 $9,160
 $10,569
 $9,862
Liabilities        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities $2,018
 $1,602
 $2,419
 $2,096
Accounts payable to related parties (Notes 18 and 21) 79
 66
Accounts payable to related parties (Note 20) 106
 74
Payroll and benefits payable 333
 400
 425
 347
Accrued taxes 157
 128
 144
 132
Accrued interest 62
 85
 38
 69
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt (Note 13) 3
 50
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 15) 4
 3
Total current liabilities 2,652
 2,331
 3,136
 2,721
Long-term debt, less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (Note 13) 2,896
 2,981
Long-term debt, less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (Note 15) 2,498
 2,700
Employee benefits 1,119
 1,216
 666
 759
Deferred income tax liabilities (Note 9) 29
 28
Deferred income tax liabilities (Note 11) 7
 6
Deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities 374
 329
 320
 355
Total liabilities 7,070
 6,885
 6,627
 6,541
Contingencies and commitments (Note 20) 
 
Stockholders’ Equity (Note 16):    
Common stock (176,424,554 shares issued) (Note 10) 176
 176
Treasury stock, at cost (1,466,183 and 2,614,378 shares) (92) (182)
Contingencies and commitments (Note 22) 
 
Stockholders’ Equity (Note 18):    
Common stock (177,354,654 and 176,424,554 shares issued) (Note 12) 177
 176
Treasury stock, at cost (96,399 shares and 1,203,344 shares) (3) (76)
Additional paid-in capital 3,937
 4,027
 3,909
 3,932
Accumulated deficit (18) (250)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 17) (1,196) (1,497)
Retained earnings 629
 133
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 19) (771) (845)
Total United States Steel Corporation stockholders’ equity 2,807
 2,274
 3,941
 3,320
Noncontrolling interests 1
 1
 1
 1
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $9,878
 $9,160
 $10,569
 $9,862



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


UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(Dollars in millions) 2017 2016 2018 2017
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash    
Operating activities:        
Net earnings (loss) $228
 $(335)
Net earnings $523
 $228
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 376
 384
 384
 376
Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (Note 21) (72) 
Gain on equity investee transactions (Note 4) (21) 
Impairment of intangible assets 
 14
Restructuring and other charges (Note 19) 30
 1
Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (Note 23) 
 (72)
Gain on equity investee transactions (Note 24) (18) (21)
Restructuring and other charges (Note 21) 
 30
Loss on debt extinguishment (Note 9) 77
 32
Provision for doubtful accounts 1
 
 4
 1
Pensions and other postretirement benefits 42
 (38) 57
 42
Deferred income taxes 7
 9
Net (gain) loss on disposal of assets (2) 6
Distributions received, net of equity investees earnings (18) (86)
Deferred income taxes (Note 11) 1
 7
Net gain on disposal of assets (3) (2)
Equity investee earnings, net of distributions received (35) (18)
Changes in:        
Current receivables (214) (127) (357) (214)
Inventories (123) 339
 (228) (123)
Current accounts payable and accrued expenses 121
 279
 302
 121
Income taxes receivable/payable 15
 14
 53
 15
Bank checks outstanding 12
 15
 1
 12
All other, net 159
 105
 (39) 132
Net cash provided by operating activities 541
 580
 722
 546
Investing activities:        
Capital expenditures (291) (268) (646) (291)
Disposal of assets 
 6
 10
 
Change in restricted cash, net (1) (3)
Proceeds from sale of ownership interest in equity investee (Note 22) 105
 
Proceeds from sale of ownership interest in equity investee (Note 24) 
 105
Investments, net
 (3) (17) (1) (3)
Net cash used in investing activities (190) (282) (637) (189)
Financing activities:        
Issuance of long-term debt, net of financing costs 737
 958
Repayment of long-term debt (902) (1,019)
Settlement of contingent consideration 
 (15)
Net proceeds from public offering of common stock 
 482
Issuance of long-term debt, net of financing costs (Note 15) 640
 737
Repayment of long-term debt (Note 15) (922) (906)
Dividends paid (26) (22) (27) (26)
Taxes paid for equity compensation plans (Note 3) (10) (3)
Receipts from exercise of stock options 14
 4
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (187) 385
Receipt from exercise of stock options 34
 14
Taxes paid for equity compensation plans (Note 10) (9) (10)
Net cash used in financing activities (284) (191)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 15
 7
 (13) 15
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 179
 690
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,515
 755
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $1,694
 $1,445
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (212) 181
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year (Note 6) 1,597
 1,555
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period (Note 6) $1,385
 $1,736

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


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1.    Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
United States Steel Corporation (U. S. Steel or the Company), produces and sells steel products, including flat-rolled and tubular products, in North America and Central Europe. Operations in North America also include iron ore and coke production facilities, railroad services and real estate operations. Operations in Europe also include coke production facilities.
The year-end Consolidated Balance Sheet data was derived from audited statements but does not include all disclosures required for complete financial statements by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The other information in these financial statements is unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods covered. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless disclosed otherwise. These financial statements, including notes, have been prepared in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include all of the information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. Additional information is contained in the United States Steel Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2017, which should be read in conjunction with these financial statements.
Change in Accounting Estimate - Capitalization and Depreciation Method
During 2017, U. S. Steel completed a review of its accounting policy for property, plant and equipment depreciated on a group basis. As a result of this review, U. S. Steel changed its accounting method for property, plant and equipment from the group method of depreciation to the unitary method of depreciation, effective as of January 1, 2017. The Company believes the change from the group method to the unitary method of depreciation is preferable under U.S. GAAP as it will result in a more precise estimate of depreciation expense. Additionally, the change to the unitary method of depreciation is consistent with the depreciation method applied by our competitors, and improves the comparability of our results to the results of our competitors. Our change in the method of depreciation is considered a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle and has been applied prospectively. Due to the application of the unitary method of depreciation and resultant change in our capitalization policy, maintenance and outage spending that had previously been expensed as well as capital investments associated with our asset revitalization program will now be capitalized if it extends the useful life of the related asset.
When property, plant, and equipment are disposed of by sale, retirement, or abandonment, the gross value of the property, plant and equipment and corresponding accumulated depreciation are removed from the Company’s financial accounting records. Due to the application of the unitary method of depreciation, any gain or loss resulting from an asset disposal by sale will now be immediately recognized as a gain or loss on the disposal of assets line in our consolidated statement of operations. Assets that are retired or abandoned will be reflected as an immediate charge to depreciation expense for any remaining book value in our consolidated statement of operations. Gains (losses) on disposals of assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were immaterial.
For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the effect of the change was an increase in both income from continuing operations and net earnings of $95 million (which consists of a $97 million decrease in cost of sales due to the capitalization of maintenance and outage spending that would have been previously expensed, partially offset by increased depreciation expense of $2 million, as a result of the impact of unitary depreciation on the existing net book value of fixed assets, as noted below, and the capitalization of maintenance and outage spending) and an increase in diluted earnings per share of $0.54. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the effect of the change was an increase in both income from continuing operations and net earnings of $205 million (which consists of a $233 million decrease in cost of sales due to the capitalization of maintenance and outage spending that would have been previously expensed, partially offset by increased depreciation expense of $28 million, as a result of the impact of unitary depreciation on the existing net book value of fixed assets, as noted below, and the capitalization of maintenance and outage spending) and an increase in diluted earnings per share of $1.16. The tax effect of this change was immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.
U. S. Steel's property, plant and equipment totaled $3,979 million at December 31, 2016. U. S. Steel allocated the existing net book value of group assets at the transition date to approximate a unitary depreciation methodology, and the fixed assets are being depreciated over their estimated remaining useful lives as follows:


 (In millions)
                                                                          Remaining Useful Life of Assets
Net Book Value at December 31, 2016
Under 5 years$597
6-10 years629
11-15 years765
16-20 years654
21-25 years363
Over 25 years479
Assets not subject to depreciation492
Total$3,979
2.    New Accounting Standards

In August 2017,2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) ASU 2017-12,2018-14, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted ImprovementsCompensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20), Disclosure Framework - Changes to Accountingthe Disclosure Requirements for Hedging ActivitiesDefined Benefit Plans (ASU 2017-12), which amends2018-14). ASU 2018-14 removes certain disclosures that the FASB no longer considers cost beneficial, adds certain disclosure requirements and simplifies existing guidance in order to allow companies to more accurately present the economic effects of risk management activities in the financial statements.clarifies others. ASU 2017-122018-14 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years,2020, with early adoption permitted. U. S. Steel is currently evaluatingassessing the impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-12 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements, but does not expect there to be a material impact.defined benefit plan disclosures.

On May 10, 2017,In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09,2016-13, Compensation – Stock Compensation: ScopeFinancial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Modification Accounting Credit Losses on Financial Instruments( (ASU 2016-13), which adds an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under ASU 2017-09). The amendments included in ASU 2017-09 provide guidance about which changes to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment award require2016-13, an entity to apply modification accounting. The amendmentsrecognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses, which the FASB believes will result in this update will be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date.more timely recognition of such losses. ASU 2017-092016-13 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and2019 including interim reporting periods, within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. U. S. Steel is currently evaluatingassessing the impact of the adoption of ASU, 2017-09 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements, but does not expect there to be a material impact.
On March 10, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (ASU 2017-07). ASU 2017-07 requires an employer who offers defined benefit and post retirement benefit plans to report the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same line item or items as other compensation cost arising from services rendered by employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit costs are required to be presented on a retrospective basis in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. If a separate line item or items are used to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost, that line item or items must be appropriately described. If a separate line item or items are not used, the line item or items used in the income statement to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost must be disclosed. The ASU also allows for the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization into inventory when applicable. ASU 2017-07 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods; early adoption is permitted. The adoption ofbelieve this ASU will not have ana material impact on U. S. Steel's net earnings (loss) but will be a reclassification from a line on the income statement within earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes to a line on the income statement below earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes.its overall Consolidated Financial Statements.
On August 26, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15). ASU 2016-15 reduces diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows by addressing eight specific cash receipt and cash payment issues. ASU 2016-15 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. U. S. Steel is evaluating the financial statement implications of adopting ASU 2016-15, but anticipates it will not have an overall impact to the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows, but may result in a reclassification between cash flow line items.


OnIn February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 supersedes prior lease accounting guidance. Under ASU 2016-02, for operating leases, a lessee should recognize in its statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term; recognize a single lease cost, which is allocated over the lease term, generally on a straight line basis, and classify all cash payments within the operating activities in the statement of cash flows. For financing leases, a lessee is required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability; recognize interest on the lease liability separately from amortization of the right-of-use asset, and classify repayments of the principal portion of the lease liability within financing activities and payments of interest on the lease liability within the operating activities in the statement of cash flows. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In addition, at the inception of a contract, an entity should determine whether the contract is or contains a lease. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, usingyears. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) - Targeted Improvements (ASU 2018-11), which provides an option to use a modified retrospective approach.transition method at the adoption date. U. S. Steel is currently evaluatingexpects to adopt the financial statement implications of adoptingnew lease accounting standard at the adoption date using the optional modified retrospective transition method outlined in ASU 2016-02, and has begun an inventory of its global leasing arrangements.2018-11. U. S. Steel has also beguncompleted its inventory of leases. Based on our lease portfolio and estimated secured borrowing rates at September 30, 2018, we anticipate that the impact of adoption will result in an insignificant cumulative effect of adoption and a right of use asset and total lease liability in the range of $200 million to review its information technology systems, internal controls,$275 million. We estimate that the short-term portion of the total lease liability will be between $45 million and accounting policies$75 million. We anticipate changes in relationour lease portfolio and estimated borrowing rates which will cause the actual impact of adoption to vary.





3.    Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2018-02). ASU 2018-02 allows a reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Retained Earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017 Act). The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods therein; early adoption is permitted. U. S. Steel adopted ASU 2018-02 on July 1, 2018, and elected not to reclassify the stranded tax effects related to the ASU’s2017 Act. As a result, the adoption did not have an impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. U. S. Steel's accounting policy is to release stranded income tax effects from AOCI when the circumstances upon which the stranded tax effects are premised cease to exist.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and reporting requirementsHedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to recognizeAccounting for Hedging Activities (ASU 2017-12), which amends and simplifies hedge accounting guidance so that companies could more accurately present the respective right-of-use assetseconomic effects of risk management activities in the financial statements. ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. U. S. Steel adopted the provisions of ASU 2017-12 on January 1, 2018. The adoption did not result in a material impact to our financial results; however, we expanded our use of hedge accounting effective January 1, 2018 as well as our disclosures of derivative activity. See Note 14 for further details.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting (ASU 2017-09). The amendments included in ASU 2017-09 provide guidance about which changes to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. The amendments in this update will be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. On January 1, 2018, U. S. Steel adopted the provisions of ASU 2017-09 and the adoption did not have an impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (ASU 2017-07). ASU 2017-07 requires an employer who offers defined benefit and postretirement benefit plans to report the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same line item or items as other compensation cost arising from services rendered by employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit costs are required to be presented on a retrospective basis in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. The ASU also allows for the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization into inventory when applicable. ASU 2017-07 was effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods; early adoption was permitted. U. S. Steel adopted ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2018. U. S. Steel has historically capitalized the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost into inventory, when applicable, and will continue to do so prospectively.

The effect of the retrospective presentation change related lease liabilities.to the net periodic benefit cost of our defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefits (OPEB) plans on our consolidated statement of operations was as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
Statement of Operations (In millions)
 As Revised Previously Reported Effect of Change Higher/(Lower)
Cost of Sales $2,828
 $2,829
 $(1)
Selling, general and administrative expenses 75
 89
 (14)
Net periodic benefit cost (other than service cost) 15
 
 15



 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Statement of Operations (In millions)
 As Revised Previously Reported Effect of Change Higher/(Lower)
Cost of Sales $8,110
 $8,115
 $(5)
Selling, general and administrative expenses 223
 265
 (42)
Net periodic benefit cost (other than service cost) 47
 
 47

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18). The ASU reduced diversity in practice in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows by including restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. On January 1, 2018, U. S. Steel adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-18 using a retrospective transition method. As a result, the Change in Restricted Cash, Net line that was included in the investing activities section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows has been eliminated as changes in restricted cash are now included in the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash amounts. Expanded disclosures have been included, which describe the components of cash shown on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. See Note 6 for further details.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15). ASU 2016-15 reduced diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows by addressing eight specific cash receipt and cash payment issues. On January 1, 2018, U. S. Steel adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-15 using a retrospective transition method. As a result, all payments to extinguish debt will now be presented as cash outflows from financing activities on our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in accordance with ASU 2016-15. U. S. Steel has historically presented make-whole premiums as cash outflows from operating activities. There was a $4 million cash outflow for make-whole premiums that was reclassified from cash provided by operating activities to the repayment of long-term debt line within the cash used in financing activities section on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The other cash receipt and cash payment items addressed in ASU 2016-15 did not have an impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Additionally, the Company has elected to use the cumulative earnings approach as defined in ASU 2016-15 to classify distributions received from equity method investees.
OnIn May 28, 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 outlinesand its related amendments (Revenue Recognition Standard) outline a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedessuperseded most currentprevious revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016; early application is not permitted. On August 12, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Deferral of the Effective Date (ASU 2015-14). ASU 2015-14 defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, and only permits entities to adopt the standard one year earlier as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. U. S. Steel has completed a review of its significant customer contracts and is finalizing its evaluation of those contracts in relation to the recognition of revenue under the new standard. U. S. Steel is currently developing disclosures, finalizing its review of information technology systems, and key internal controls related to our ability to process, record and account for revenue under the new standard. U. S. Steel does not expect a material financial statement impact related to the full retrospective adoption of this ASU on January 1, 2018.
3.    Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
On March 30, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (ASU 2016-09). ASU 2016-09 simplifies the accounting and reporting of certain aspects of share-based payment transactions, including income tax treatment of excess tax benefits, forfeitures, classification of share-based awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification in the statement of cash flows for certain share-based transactions related to tax benefits and tax payments. ASU 2016-09 was effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016.
On January 1, 2017, the Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-09. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and included the following items: (1) adoption on a prospective basis of the recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the Company’s income tax expense line in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for vested and exercised equity awards as discrete items in the period in which they occur; (2) adoption on a prospective basis of the classification of excess tax benefits in cash flows from operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows; (3) adoption on a retrospective basis of the classification of cash paid by the Company for directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes in cash flows from financing activities, and (4) adoption on a prospective basis for the exclusion of the amount of excess tax benefits when applying the treasury stock method for the Company’s diluted earnings per share calculation.
Additionally, the Company continues to withhold the statutory minimum taxes for participants in the Company’s stock-based compensation plans and estimates forfeiture rates at the grant date and the expected term of its equity awards based on historical results.
On July 22, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory(ASU 2015-11). ASU 2015-11 requires an entity to measure most inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby


simplifying the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. ASU 2015-11 does not apply to inventories that are measured using either the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method or the retail inventory method. ASU 2015-11 was effective for public entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016.2018, U. S. Steel adopted ASU 2015-11 on January 1, 2017. the Revenue Recognition Standard using the full retrospective method. Generally, U. S. Steel’s performance obligations are satisfied, control of our products is transferred, and revenue is recognized at a single point in time. The adoption did not have a significant financial statement impact to U. S. Steel.Steel but did result in expanded disclosures. See Note 5 for further details.
4.    Segment Information
U. S. Steel has three reportable segments: (1) Flat-Rolled Products (Flat-Rolled), which consists of the following three commercial entities that directly interact with our customers and service their needs: (1)(i) automotive solutions, (2)(ii) consumer solutions, and (3)(iii) industrial, service center and mining solutions; (2) U. S. Steel Europe (USSE); and (3) Tubular Products (Tubular). The results of our railroad and real estate businesses that do not constitute reportable segments are combined and disclosed in the Other Businesses category.
The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and determines resource allocations based on a number of factors, the primary measure being earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes. Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes for reportable segments and Other Businesses does not include net interest and other financial costs (income), income taxes, postretirement benefit expenses (other than service cost and amortization of prior service cost for active employees) and certain other items that management believes are not indicative of future results. Information on segment assets is not disclosed, as it is not reviewed by the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker assesses the Company's assets on an enterprise wide level, based upon the projects that yield the greatest return to the Company as a whole, and not on an individual segment level.
The accounting principles applied at the operating segment level in determining earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes are generally the same as those applied at the consolidated financial statement level.


Intersegment sales and transfers are accounted for at market-based prices and are eliminated at the corporate consolidation level. Corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses and costs related to certain former businesses are allocated to the reportable segments and Other Businesses based on measures of activity that management believes are reasonable.
The results of segment operations for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 are:


(In millions) Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 Customer
Sales
 Intersegment
Sales
 Net
Sales
 Earnings
(Loss)
from
Investees
 Earnings (Loss) Before Interest and Income Taxes
(In millions) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 Customer
Sales
 Intersegment
Sales
 Net
Sales
 Earnings
from
investees
 Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes
Flat-Rolled $2,249
 $42
 $2,291
 $7
 $160
 $2,632
 $32
 $2,664
 $15
 $305
USSE 710
 1
 711
 
 73
 767
 4
 771
 
 72
Tubular 276
 
 276
 2
 (7) 313
 2
 315
 2
 7
Total reportable segments 3,235
 43
 3,278
 9
 226
 3,712
 38
 3,750
 17
 384
Other Businesses 13
 29
 42
 
 12
 17
 31
 48
 
 16
Reconciling Items and Eliminations 
 (72) (72) 
 7
 
 (69) (69) 
 (27)
Total $3,248
 $
 $3,248
 $9
 $245
 $3,729
 $
 $3,729
 $17
 $373

                    
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016          
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017          
Flat-Rolled $1,986
 $
 $1,986
 $18
 $114
 $2,249
 $42
 $2,291
 $7
 $161
USSE 575
 1
 576
 
 81
 710
 1
 711
 
 73
Tubular 114
 
 114
 1
 (75) 276
 
 276
 2
 (7)
Total reportable segments 2,675
 1
 2,676
 19
 120
 3,235
 43
 3,278
 9
 227
Other Businesses 11
 27
 38
 (1) 18
 13
 29
 42
 
 12
Reconciling Items and Eliminations 
 (28) (28) 
 (6) 
 (72) (72) 
 21
Total $2,686
 $
 $2,686
 $18
 $132
 $3,248
 $
 $3,248
 $9
 $260


The results of segment operations for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 are:
(In millions) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 Customer
Sales
 Intersegment
Sales
 Net
Sales
 Earnings
(Loss)
from
Investees
 Earnings (Loss) Before Interest and Income Taxes
(In millions) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 Customer
Sales
 Intersegment
Sales
 Net
Sales
 Earnings (Loss)
from
investees
 Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes
Flat-Rolled $6,265
 $154
 $6,419
 $24
 $288
 $7,114
 $148
 $7,262
 $34
 $562
USSE 2,123
 25
 2,148
 
 215
 2,438
 20
 2,458
 
 297
Tubular 682
 
 682
 6
 (93) 888
 4
 892
 5
 (55)
Total reportable segments 9,070
 179
 9,249
 30
 410
 10,440
 172
 10,612
 39
 804
Other Businesses 47
 89
 136
 (1) 34
 47
 94
 141
 
 44
Reconciling Items and Eliminations 
 (268) (268) 
 16
 
 (266) (266) 
 (37)
Total $9,117
 $
 $9,117
 $29
 $460
 $10,487
 $
 $10,487
 $39
 $811
                    
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016          
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017          
Flat-Rolled $5,643
 $16
 $5,659
 $88
 $(68) $6,265
 $154
 $6,419
 $24
 $293
USSE 1,616
 2
 1,618
 
 122
 2,123
 25
 2,148
 
 215
Tubular 303
 2
 305
 5
 (217) 682
 
 682
 6
 (93)
Total reportable segments 7,562
 20
 7,582
 93
 (163) 9,070
 179
 9,249
 30
 415
Other Businesses 49
 80
 129
 (2) 42
 47
 89
 136
 (1) 34
Reconciling Items and Eliminations 
 (100) (100) 
 20
 
 (268) (268) 
 58
Total $7,611
 $
 $7,611
 $91
 $(101) $9,117
 $
 $9,117
 $29
 $507
The following is a schedule of reconciling items to Earnings (Loss) Before Interestconsolidated earnings (loss) before interest and Income Taxes:income taxes:
  Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016
Items not allocated to segments:        
Postretirement benefit (expense) income(a)
 $(14) $8
 $(42) $36
Other items not allocated to segments:        
Loss on shutdown of certain tubular assets(b)
 
 
 (35) 
Gain on equity investee transactions(c)
 21
 
 21
 
Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (Note 21)
 
 
 72
 
Impairment of intangible assets (Note 5) 
 (14) 
 (14)
Restructuring and other charges and adjustments(d)
 
 
 
 (2)
Total other items not allocated to segments 21
 (14) 58
 (16)
Total reconciling items $7
 $(6) $16
 $20
  Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Items not allocated to segments: 
 
 
 
Gain on equity investee transactions (Note 24) $
 $21
 $18
 $21
Granite City Works restart costs (27) 
 (63) 
Granite City Works adjustment to temporary idling charges 
 
 8
 
Loss on shutdown of certain tubular assets (a)
 
 
 
 (35)
Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (Note 23) 
 
 
 72
Total reconciling items $(27) $21
 $(37) $58
(a) Consists of the net periodic benefit cost elements, other than service cost and amortization of prior service cost for active employees, associated with our defined pension, retiree health care and life insurance benefit plans.
(b)Included in Restructuring and other charges on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(c) The gain in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 primarily relates to the sale of the Company's ownership interest in Tilden Mining Company L.C. See Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(d) For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, approximately $(2) million is included in Cost of sales and approximately $4 million is included in the Restructuring and other charges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Note 1921 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.



5.     Revenue

Revenue is generated primarily from contracts to produce, ship and deliver steel products, and to a lesser extent, to deliver raw materials such as iron ore pellets, to deliver coke by-productsand for railroad services and real estate sales. Generally, U. S. Steel’s performance obligations are satisfied, control of our products is transferred, and revenue is recognized at a single point in time, when title transfers to our customer for product shipped or when services are provided. Revenues are recorded net of any sales incentives. Shipping and other transportation costs charged to customers are treated as fulfillment activities and are recorded in both revenue and cost of sales at the time control is transferred to the customer. Costs related to obtaining sales contracts are incidental and are expensed when incurred. Because customers are invoiced at the time title transfers and U. S. Steel’s right to consideration is unconditional at that time, U. S. Steel does not maintain contract asset balances. Additionally, U. S. Steel does not maintain contract liability balances, as performance obligations are satisfied prior to customer payment for product. U. S. Steel offers industry standard payment terms.
U. S. Steel has three reportable segments: Flat-Rolled, USSE and Tubular. Flat-Rolled primarily generates revenue from sheet and coated product sales to North American customers. Flat-Rolled also sells iron ore pellets and coke making by-products. USSE sells slabs, sheet, strip mill plate, coated products and spiral welded pipe to customers primarily in the Eastern European market. Tubular sells seamless and electric resistance welded (ERW) steel casing and tubing (commonly known as oil country tubular goods or OCTG), standard and line pipe and mechanical tubing and primarily serves customers in the oil, gas and petrochemical markets. Revenue from our railroad and real estate businesses is reported in the Other Businesses category in our segment reporting structure. The following tables disaggregate our revenue by product for each of our reportable business segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively:

Customer Sales by Product
(In millions) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 Flat-RolledUSSETubularOther BusinessesTotal
Semi-finished $40
$83
$
$
$123
Hot-rolled sheets 764
267


1,031
Cold-rolled sheets 718
91


809
Coated sheets 829
282


1,111
Tubular products 
12
304

316
All Other (a)
 281
32
9
17
339
Total $2,632
$767
$313
$17
$3,729
(a) Consists primarily of sales of raw materials and coke making by-products.
(In millions) Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 Flat-RolledUSSETubularOther BusinessesTotal
Semi-finished $15
$51
$
$
$66
Hot-rolled sheets 525
273


798
Cold-rolled sheets 576
79


655
Coated sheets 787
267


1,054
Tubular products 
11
268

279
All Other (a)
 346
29
8
13
396
Total $2,249
$710
$276
$13
$3,248
(a) Consists primarily of sales of raw materials and coke making by-products.


(In millions) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 Flat-RolledUSSETubularOther BusinessesTotal
Semi-finished $50
$172
$
$
$222
Hot-rolled sheets 1,976
959


2,935
Cold-rolled sheets 2,092
293


2,385
Coated sheets 2,332
889


3,221
Tubular products 
37
862

899
All Other (a)
 664
88
26
47
825
Total $7,114
$2,438
$888
$47
$10,487
(a) Consists primarily of sales of raw materials and coke making by-products.
(In millions) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 Flat-RolledUSSETubularOther BusinessesTotal
Semi-finished $16
$155
$
$
$171
Hot-rolled sheets 1,507
862


2,369
Cold-rolled sheets 1,761
235


1,996
Coated sheets 2,291
774


3,065
Tubular products 
30
656

686
All Other (a)
 690
67
26
47
830
Total $6,265
$2,123
$682
$47
$9,117
(a) Consists primarily of sales of raw materials and coke making by-products.
6.     Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within U. S. Steel's Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same amounts shown in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:
(In millions) September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents $1,344
 $1,694
Restricted cash in other current assets 4
 
Restricted cash in other noncurrent assets 37
 42
      Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $1,385
 $1,736

Amounts included in restricted cash represent cash balances which are legally or contractually restricted, primarily for environmental capital expenditure projects and insurance purposes.



7.     Intangible Assets
Intangible assets that are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives and are detailed below:
 
 As of September 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 
 As of September 30, 2018 As of December 31, 2017
(In millions) Useful
Lives
 Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Net
Amount
 Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Net
Amount
 Useful
Lives
 Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Net
Amount
 Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Net
Amount
Customer relationships 12 Years $132
 $63
 $69
 $132
 $59
 $73
 22 Years $132
 $69
 $63
 $132
 $64
 $68
Patents 5-12 Years 22
 4
 18
 22
 2
 20
 10-15 Years
22
 6
 16
 22
 5
 17
Other 4-10 Years 14
 7
 7
 14
 7
 7
 4-20 Years 14
 8
 6
 15
 8
 7
Total amortizable intangible assets 
 $168
 $74
 $94
 $168
 $68
 $100
 
 $168
 $83
 $85
 $169
 $77
 $92
Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable.
Amortization expense was $2 million in both the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Amortization expense was $6 million in both the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. The estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2018 is $2 million. We expect a consistent level of annual amortization expense through 2022.
In addition, the carrying amount of acquired water rights with indefinite lives as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 totaled $75 million. The acquired water rights are tested for impairment annually in the third quarter, or whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. U. S. Steel performed a quantitativequalitative impairment evaluation of its acquired water rights during the third quarter of 2017.2018. Based on the results of the evaluation, the water rights were not impaired.
The research and development activities of the Company's acquired indefinite lived in-process research and development patents was completed during the fourth quarter of 2016 and the carrying amount of the patents is being amortized over the useful lives of the patents (approximately 10 years). As a result of the quantitative impairment evaluation of its in-process research and development patents during the third quarter of 2016, an impairment charge of approximately $14 million was recorded during three months ended September 30, 2016.

Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying values may not be recoverable.
Amortization expense was $2 million for both of the three month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $6 million for both of the nine month periods endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The estimated future amortization expense of identifiable intangible assets during the next five years is $2 million for the remaining portion of 2017 and $9 million each year from 2018 to 2021.
6.8.    Pensions and Other Benefits
The following table reflects the components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017:
  Pension
Benefits
 Other
Benefits
(In millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Service cost $12
 $13
 $4
 $4
Interest cost 58
 59
 23
 23
Expected return on plan assets (90) (98) (20) (16)
Amortization of prior service cost 
 
 7
 8
Amortization of actuarial net loss 38
 37
 1
 1
Net periodic benefit cost, excluding below 18
 11
 15
 20
Multiemployer plans 16
 15
 
 
Settlement, termination and curtailment losses (a)
 $10
 $1
 $
 $
Net periodic benefit cost $44
 $27
 $15
 $20
  Pension
Benefits
 Other
Benefits
 
(In millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 
Service cost $13
 $14
 $4
 $5
 
Interest cost 59
 64
 23
 25
 
Expected return on plan assets (98) (106) (16) (38) 
Amortization of prior service cost 
 2
 8
 6
 
Amortization of actuarial net loss 37
 33
 1
 1
 
Net periodic benefit cost (income), excluding below 11
 7
 20
 (1) 
Multiemployer plans 15
 16
 
 
 
Settlement, termination and curtailment losses 1
 10
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost (income) $27
 $33
 $20
 $(1) 
(a) During the three months ended September 30, 2018, the non-qualified pension plan incurred settlement charges of approximately $10 million due to lump sum payments for certain individuals.
The following table reflects the components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016:


2017:
 Pension
Benefits
 Other
Benefits
  Pension
Benefits
 Other
Benefits
(In millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016  2018 2017 2018 2017
Service cost $37
 $40
 $13
 $15
  $37
 $37
 $12
 $13
Interest cost 177
 194
 70
 74
  174
 177
 69
 70
Expected return on plan assets (292) (316) (49) (113)  (270) (292) (61) (49)
Amortization of prior service cost 
 8
 22
 19
  
 
 22
 22
Amortization of actuarial net loss 111
 97
 3
 2
  114
 111
 3
 3
Net periodic benefit cost (income), excluding below 33
 23
 59
 (3) 
Net periodic benefit cost, excluding below 55
 33
 45
 59
Multiemployer plans 44
 48
 
 
  45
 44
 
 
Settlement, termination and curtailment losses(a) 5
 13
 
 
  10
 5
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost (income) $82
 $84
 $59
 $(3) 
Net periodic benefit cost $110
 $82
 $45
 $59
Settlements
(a) During the first nine months of 20172018 and 2016,2017, the non-qualified pension plan incurred settlement charges of approximately $5$10 million and $13$5 million, respectively, due to lump sum payments for certain individuals.
Employer Contributions
During the first nine months of 20172018, U. S. Steel made cash payments of $44$45 million to the Steelworkers’ Pension Trust and $11$19 million of pension payments not funded by trusts.
During the first nine months of 20172018, cash payments of $44$36 million were made for other postretirement benefit payments not funded by trusts.
Company contributions to defined contribution plans totaled $13 million and $11 million and $10 million infor the three months ended September 30, 2018and2017, and 2016, respectively. Company contributions to defined contribution plans totaled $30$35 million and $32$30 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively.

Pension Funding
In October 2017, U. S. Steel's Board of Directors authorized voluntary contributions to U. S. Steel's trust for its defined benefit pension of up to $200 million through the end of 2018.

Non-retirement postemployment benefits
U. S. Steel recorded a favorable adjustment associated with a change in estimate that resulted in a benefit of approximately $2 million and $3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to costs of $9 million and $7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, related to employee costs for supplemental unemployment benefits and the continuation of health care benefits and life insurance coverage for employees associated with the temporary idling of certain facilities and reduced production at others. Payments for these benefits during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $3 million and $16 million, respectively. Payments for these benefits during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $19 million and $58 million, respectively.
7.9.    Net Interest and Other Financial Costs
Net interest and other financial costs includes interest expense (net of capitalized interest), interest income, financing costs, derivatives gainsnet periodic benefit costs (other than service costs) related to pension and lossesother post-


employment benefits (OPEB) plans, and foreign currency derivative and remeasurement gains and losses. Foreign currency gains and losses are primarily a result of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities that require remeasurement and the impacts of euro-U.S. dollar derivatives activity. During the three months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, net foreign currency gains of $3 million and losses of $6 million and $1 million, respectively were recorded in other financial costs. During the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, net foreign currency gains of $11 million and losses of $21 million and $2 million, respectively, were recorded in other financial costs. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, there were losses on debt extinguishments recognized of $77 million and $32 million, and $22 million, respectively.
See Note 1214 for additional information on U. S. Steel’s use of derivatives to mitigate its foreign currency exchange rate exposure. See Note 13 for further details on U. S. Steel's redemption of its senior debt.



8.10.    Stock-Based Compensation Plans

U. S. Steel has outstanding stock-based compensation awards that were granted by the Compensation & Organization Committee of the Board of Directors (the Committee) under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2005 Plan) and the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the Omnibus Plan), which are more fully described in Note 14 of the United States Steel Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and the 2017 Proxy Statement.2017. On April 26, 2016, the Company's stockholders approved the Omnibus Plan and authorized the Company to issue up to 7,200,000 shares of U. S. Steel common stock under the Omnibus Plan. The Company's stockholders authorized the issuance of an additional 6,300,000 shares under the Omnibus Plan on April 25, 2017. While the awards that were previously granted under the 2005 Plan remain outstanding, all future awards will be granted under the Omnibus Plan. As of September 30, 2017,2018, there were 12,350,80510,993,930 shares available for future grants under the Omnibus Plan.

Recent grants of stock-based compensation consist of stock options, restricted stock units, and total shareholder return (TSR) performance awards and return on capital employed (ROCE) performance awards. Stock options are generally issued at the market price of the underlying stock on the date of the grant. Upon exercise of stock options, shares of U. S. Steel common stock were issued from treasury stock. Beginning in 2018, shares of common stock are issued from treasuryauthorized, but unissued stock. The following table is a general summary of the awards made under the 2005 Plan and the Omnibus Plan during the first nine months of 20172018 and 2016.2017. There were no stock options granted during the first nine months of 2018.
2017 2016 2018 2017
Grant Details
Shares(a)
Fair Value(b)
 
Shares(a)
Fair Value(b)
 
Shares(a)
Fair Value(b)
 
Shares(a)
Fair Value(b)
Stock Options647,780
$17.28
 1,333,210
$6.24
 
$
 647,780
$17.28
Restricted Stock Units344,500
$36.27
 1,117,495
$14.27
 742,495
$41.44
 344,500
$36.27
TSR Performance Awards (c)
169,850
$40.72
 308,130
$10.02
Performance Awards (c)
      
TSR 79,190
$61.57
 169,850
$40.72
ROCE (d)
 247,510
$43.50
 
$
(a) The share amounts shown in this table do not reflect an adjustment for estimated forfeitures.
(b) Represents the per share weighted-average for all grants during the period.
(c) The number of performance awards shown represents the target value of the award.

(d) The ROCE awards granted in 2017 are not shown in the table above because they were granted in cash.
U. S. Steel recognized pretax stock-based compensation expense in the amount of $6$9 million and $5$6 million in the three monththree-month periods ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively, and $21$26 million and $16$21 million in the first nine months of 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively.

As of September 30, 20172018, total future compensation expense related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements was $2429 million, and the weighted average period over which this expense is expected to be recognized is approximately 1 year.

Compensation expense for stock options is recorded over the vesting period based on the fair value on the date of grant, as calculated by U. S. Steel using the Black-Scholes model and the assumptions listed below.model. The stock options generally vest ratably over a three-year service period and have a term of ten years.
Black-Scholes Assumptions(a)
 2017 Grants2016 Grants
Grant date price per share of option award $36.94
$14.78
Exercise price per share of option award $36.94
$14.78
Expected annual dividends per share, at grant date $0.20
$0.20
Expected life in years 5.0
5.0
Expected volatility 57%53%
Risk-free interest rate 1.97%1.46%
Grant date fair value per share of unvested option awards as calculated from above $17.28
$6.24
(a) The assumptions represent a weighted average of all grants during the period.

The expected annual dividends per share are based on the latest annualized dividend rate at the date of grant; the expected life in years is determined primarily from historical stock option exercise data; the expected volatility


is based on the historical volatility of U. S. Steel stock; and the risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury strip rate for the expected life of the option.



Restricted stock units awarded as part of annual grants generally vest ratably over three years. TheTheir fair value is the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant. Restricted stock units granted in connection with new-hire or retention grants generally cliff vest three years from the date of the grant.

TSR performance awards may vest at the end of a three-yearthree-year performance period as a function ofif U. S. Steel's total shareholder return compared to the total shareholder return of a peer group of peer companies over the three-year performance period meets performance criteria established by the Committee at the beginning of the performance period. TSR performancePerformance awards can vest at between zero and 200 percent of the target award. The fair value of the TSR performance awards is calculated using a Monte-Carlo simulation.

ROCE performance awards vest at the end of a three-year performance period contingent upon meeting the specified ROCE metric established by the Committee at the beginning of the performance period. ROCE performance awards can vest at between zero and 200 percent of the target award. The fair value of the ROCE performance awards is the average market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.
9.11.    Income Taxes
Tax provision
For the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017, we recorded a tax provision of $36 million on our pretax earnings of $559 million and a tax provision of $3 million on our pretax earnings of $231$231 million, and a respectively. Included in the tax provision in the first nine months of $26 million on our2018 is a benefit for the release of a portion of the domestic valuation allowance due to pretax loss of $309 million, respectively.income. Included in the tax provision in the first nine months of 2017 is a benefit of $13 million related to the carryback of specified liabilitycertain losses to prior years, as well as a benefit of $25 million related to the Company’sCompany's intent to claim a refund of Alternative Minimum Tax credits pursuant to a provision in the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act. As a result, the provision recorded in the third quarter of 2017 was immaterial. Due to the full valuation allowance on our domestic deferred tax assets in 2016 and 2017, the tax provision does not reflect any benefit for domestic pretax losses.

The tax provision for the first nine months of 20172018 is based on an estimated annual effective rate, which requires management to make its best estimate of annual pretax income or loss.
During the year, management regularly updates forecasted annual pretax results for the various countries in which we operate based on changes in factors such as prices, shipments, product mix, plant operating performance and cost estimates. To the extent that actual 20172018 pretax results for U.S. and foreign income or loss vary from estimates applied herein, the actual tax provision or benefit recognized in 20172018 could be materially different from the forecasted amount used to estimate the tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018.
Deferred taxes
Each quarter U. S. Steel analyzes the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of athe deferred tax asset may not be realized.

At September 30, 2017,2018, U. S. Steel reviewed all available positive and negative evidence and determined that it is more likely than not that all of its net domestic deferred tax assets may not be realized.

U. S. Steel will continue to monitor the realizability of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis.basis taking into consideration, among other items, the uncertainty regarding the Company's continued ability to generate domestic income in the near term. In the future, if we determine that realization is more likely than not for deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance, the related valuation allowance will be reduced, and we will record a non-cash benefit to earnings.
Unrecognized tax benefits
Unrecognized tax benefits are the differences between a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return and the benefit recognized for accounting purposes pursuant to the guidance in ASC Topic 740 on income taxes. As of September 30, 20172018, and December 31, 2016,2017, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $40 million $71 millionand $72$42 million, respectively. The total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if


recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $106 million as of both September 30, 20172018 and $9 million as of December 31, 20162017.
U. S. Steel records interest related to uncertain tax positions as a part of net interest and other financial costs in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Any penalties are recognized as part of selling, general and administrative expenses. As of both September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017, U. S. Steel had accrued liabilities of $6$6 million and $4 million, respectively, for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.


10.12.    Earnings and Dividends Per Common Share
Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to United States Steel Corporation Stockholders
Basic earnings (loss) per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share assumes the exercise of stock options, the vesting of restricted stock units and performance awards, provided in each case the effect is dilutive.
The computations for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations are as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Earnings (loss) attributable to United States Steel Corporation stockholders $147
 $51
 $228
 $(335)
Earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation stockholders $291
 $147
 $523
 $228
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands): 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic 175,003
 160,513
 174,684
 151,199
 177,250
 175,003
 176,815
 174,684
Effect of stock options, restricted stock units and performance awards 1,481
 1,187
 1,652
 
 1,876
 1,481
 1,919
 1,652
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted 176,484
 161,700
 176,336
 151,199
 179,126
 176,484
 178,734
 176,336
Basic earnings (loss) per common share $0.84
 $0.32
 $1.30
 $(2.22)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $0.83
 $0.32
 $1.29
 $(2.22)
Basic earnings per common share $1.64
 $0.84
 $2.96
 $1.30
Diluted earnings per common share $1.62
 $0.83
 $2.92
 $1.29
The following table summarizes the securities that were antidilutive, and therefore, were not included in the computations of diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Securities granted under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended 2,679
 4,613 1,677
 9,568
Securities granted under the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended 1,671
 2,679
 1,689
 1,677
Dividends Paid Per Share
The dividend for each of the first three quarters of 20172018 and 20162017 was five cents per common share.

11.13.    Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market for last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventories and lower of cost and net realizable value for first-in, first-out (FIFO) method inventories. The LIFO method is the predominant method of inventory costing in the United States. The FIFO method is the predominant method of inventory costing method in Europe. At September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017, the LIFO method accounted for 7471 percent and 75 percent of total inventory values, respectively.


(In millions) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Raw materials $442
 $449
 $622
 $527
Semi-finished products 837
 686
 829
 796
Finished products 405
 375
 441
 356
Supplies and sundry items 53
 63
 58
 59
Total $1,737
 $1,573
 $1,950
 $1,738
Current acquisition costs were estimated to exceed the above inventory values by $7571,024 million and $489$802 million at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017, respectively. As a result of the liquidation of LIFO inventories, cost of sales decreased and earnings before interest and income taxes increased by $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. The impact from the liquidation of LIFO inventories


was immaterial infor the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. Cost of sales decreased and earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes increased by $21 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as a result of the liquidation of LIFO inventories. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, cost of sales increased and earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes decreased by $54 million as a result of the liquidation of LIFO inventories.
Inventory includes $4639 million and $5442 million of propertyland held for residential or residential/commercial development as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017, respectively.
12.14.    Derivative Instruments
U. S. Steel is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risks as a result ofin our European operations. USSE’s revenues are primarily in euros and costs are primarily in euros and U.S. dollars and euros. In addition, cash requirements may be funded by intercompany loans, creating intercompany monetary assets and liabilities in currencies other than the functional currency of the entities involved and affect income when remeasured at the end of each period.
(USD). U. S. Steel uses euroforeign exchange forward sales contracts (foreign exchange forwards) with maturities no longer than 12 months to exchange euros for U.S. dollarsUSD to manage our currency requirements and exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Derivative instruments are required to be recognized at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. U. S. Steel has not elected to designate these euro forward sales contracts as hedges. Therefore, changes in their fair value are recognized immediately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
As of September 30, 2017, U. S. Steel held euro forward sales contracts with a total notional value of approximately $253 million. We mitigate the risk of concentration of counterparty credit risk by purchasing our forwards from several counterparties.
During the three months ended September 30, 2018, U. S. Steel entered into long-term freight contracts in its domestic operations that require payment in Canadian dollars (CAD). We entered into foreign exchange forward sales contracts from several counterparties.with maturities up to three years to exchange USD for CAD to mitigate a portion of the related risk of exchange rate fluctuations and to manage our currency requirements. We elected to designate these contracts as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, we record gains and losses on these contracts within accumulated other comprehensive income until the related contract impacts earnings. The impact related to these contracts was not material to our financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2018.
Additionally,From time to time U. S. Steel usesmay use fixed-price forward physical purchase contracts to partially manage our exposure to price risk related to the purchases of natural gas, zinc and certain nonferrous metalstin used in the production process. During 2017 and 2016, theGenerally, forward physical purchase contracts for natural gas and nonferrous metals qualifiedqualify for the normal purchasespurchase and normal sales exemptionexceptions described in ASC Topic 815 and wereare not subject to mark-to-market accounting.
U. S. Steel also uses financial swaps to protect from the commodity price risk associated with purchases of natural gas, zinc and tin (commodity purchase swaps). Commodity purchase swaps did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial results and were classified as cash flow hedges in prior periods (their impacts are included in our expanded tabular disclosure below). Effective January 1, 2018, U. S. Steel adopted the provisions of ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The following summarizes the location and amountscumulative effect of the fair values and gains or losses relatedadoption of ASU 2017-12 was not material to derivatives included in U. S. Steel's consolidated financial statementsresults. See Note 3 for additional information on the recently adopted accounting standard.
Financial swaps are also used to partially manage the sales price of certain hot-rolled coil and iron ore pellet contract sales (sales swaps). In prior periods, we did not elect hedge accounting for these financial swaps and changes in their fair value were immediately recognized in earnings. Effective January 1, 2018, U. S. Steel elected to designate its hot-rolled coil sales swaps as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 andcash flow hedges. See the tabular disclosure below for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:
    Fair Value Fair Value
(In millions) Balance Sheet
Location
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Foreign exchange forward contracts Accounts receivable $
 $9
Foreign exchange forward contracts Accounts payable $12
 $
(In millions) Statement of
Operations
Location
 Amount of Gain (Loss) Amount of Gain (Loss)
  Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2017
Foreign exchange forward contracts Other financial income/
costs
 $(7) $(20)
(In millions) Statement of
Operations
Location
 Amount of Gain (Loss) Amount of Gain (Loss)
  Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Foreign exchange forward contracts Other financial income/
costs
 $
 $(4)


further details.
In accordance with the guidance found in ASC Topic 820 on fair value measurements and disclosures, the fair value of our euro forwardforeign exchange forwards, commodity purchase swaps and sales contractsswaps was determined using Level 2 inputs, which are defined as "significant other observable" inputs. The inputs used are from market sources that aggregate data based upon market transactions.


The table below shows the outstanding swap quantities used to hedge forecasted purchases and sales as of September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017:
Hedge ContractsClassification September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
Natural gas (in mmbtus)Commodity purchase swaps 12,345,000
 24,142,500
Tin (in metric tons)Commodity purchase swaps 470
 320
Zinc (in metric tons)Commodity purchase swaps 13,886
 16,716
Hot-rolled coils (in tons)Sales swaps 38,000
 122,000
Iron ore pellets (in metric tons)Sales swaps 
 225,000
Foreign currency (in millions of euros)Foreign exchange forwards 275
 222
Foreign currency (in millions of CAD)Foreign exchange forwards C$58
 C$
The following summarizes the fair value amounts included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
(In millions) Designated as Hedging InstrumentsBalance Sheet Location September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Sales swapsAccounts payable $6
 $
Commodity purchase swapsAccounts receivable 1
 4
Commodity purchase swapsAccounts payable 9
 2
Commodity purchase swapsInvestments and long-term receivables 
 1
Commodity purchase swapsOther long-term liabilities 
 1
      
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments     
Sales swapsAccounts payable 
 2
Commodity purchase swapsAccounts payable 
 1
Foreign exchange forwardsAccounts receivable 12
 
Foreign exchange forwardsAccounts payable 
 11
The table below summarizes the effect of hedge accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) and amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:
  Gain (Loss) on Derivatives in AOCI   Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
(In millions) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 
Location of Reclassification from AOCI (a)
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
Sales swaps (b)
 $6
 $
 Net sales $(6) $
Commodity purchase swaps 
 8
 
Cost of sales (c)
 (4) (2)
13.(a) The earnings impact of our hedging instruments substantially offsets the earnings impact of the related hedged items since ineffectiveness is less than $1 million.
(b) U. S. Steel has elected hedge accounting for hot-rolled coil sales swaps prospectively on January 1, 2018. Iron ore pellet sales swaps were not classified as hedges.
(c) Costs for commodity purchase swaps are recognized in cost of sales as products are sold.


  Gain (Loss) on Derivatives in AOCI   Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
(In millions) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 
Location of Reclassification from AOCI (a)
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Sales swaps (b)
 $(6) $
 Net sales $(9) $
Commodity purchase swaps (7) 5
 
Cost of sales (c)
 (3) (5)
(a) The earnings impact of our hedging instruments substantially offsets the earnings impact of the related hedged items since ineffectiveness is less than $1 million.
(b) U. S. Steel has elected hedge accounting for hot-rolled coil sales swaps prospectively on January 1, 2018. Iron ore pellet sales swaps were not classified as hedges.
(c) Costs for commodity purchase swaps are recognized in cost of sales as products are sold.
The table below summarizes the impact of derivative activity where hedge accounting has not been elected on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

   Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
(In millions)Consolidated Statement of Operations Location Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
Sales swaps (a)
Net sales $
 $5
Foreign exchange forwards (b)
Other financial costs 5
 (7)
(a) U. S. Steel has elected hedge accounting for hot-rolled coil sales swaps prospectively on January 1, 2018. Iron ore pellet sales swaps were not classified as hedges.
(b) U. S. Steel has elected hedge accounting for foreign exchange forwards to exchange USD for CAD. Foreign exchange forwards to exchange euro for USD were not classified as hedges.
   Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
(In millions)Consolidated Statement of Operations Location Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Sales swaps (a)
Net sales $
 $7
Commodity purchase swapsCost of sales 
 3
Foreign exchange forwards (b)
Other financial costs 18
 (20)
(a) U. S. Steel has elected hedge accounting for hot-rolled coil sales swaps prospectively on January 1, 2018. Iron ore pellet sales swaps were not classified as hedges.
(b) U. S. Steel has elected hedge accounting for foreign exchange forwards to exchange USD for CAD. Foreign exchange forwards to exchange euro for USD were not classified as hedges.

At current contract values, $8 million and $6 million currently in AOCI as of September 30, 2018 will be recognized as an increase in cost of sales and a decrease in net sales, respectively, over the next year as related hedged items are recognized in earnings. The maximum derivative contract duration for commodity purchase swaps is 14 months and the maximum duration for sales swaps is 3 months.


15.    Debt
(In millions) 
Interest
Rates %
 Maturity September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 
Interest
Rates %
 Maturity September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
2037 Senior Notes 6.65 2037 $350
 $350
 6.650 2037 $350
 $350
2026 Senior Notes 6.250 2026 650
 
2025 Senior Notes 6.875 2025 750
 
 6.875 2025 750
 750
2022 Senior Notes 7.50 2022 
 400
2021 Senior Secured Notes 8.375 2021 980
 980
 8.375 2021 
 780
2021 Senior Notes 6.875 2021 
 200
2020 Senior Notes 7.375 2020 432
 432
 7.375 2020 356
 432
2018 Senior Notes 7.00 2018 
 161
Environmental Revenue Bonds 5.50 - 6.88 2017 - 2042 400
 447
 5.750 - 6.875 2019 - 2042 400
 400
Recovery Zone Facility Bonds 6.75 2040 
 70
Fairfield Caster Lease 2022 26
 28
 2022 23
 24
Other capital leases and all other obligations 2019 1
 1
 2019 1
 1
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Variable 2020 
 
USSK Revolver Variable 2020 
 
Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Variable 2023 
 
USSK Credit Agreement Variable 2023 
 
USSK credit facilities Variable 2017 - 2018 
 
 Variable 2018 
 
Total Debt 2,939
 3,069
 2,530
 2,737
Less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs 40
 38
 28
 34
Less short-term debt and long-term debt due within one year 3
 50
 4
 3
Long-term debt $2,896
 $2,981
 $2,498
 $2,700
To the extent not otherwise discussed below, information concerning the senior notes and other listed obligations can be found in Note 16 of the audited financial statements in the United States Steel Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.2017.

Senior Note Repurchases
Through a series of open market purchases, U. S. Steel repurchased approximately $75 million of its 7.375% Senior Notes due 2020 at a weighted average price of 107.119 percent of par during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
Senior Secured Note Tender and Redemption
In March 2018, pursuant to a cash tender offer, U. S. Steel repurchased approximately $499 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 8.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (2021 Senior Secured Notes). The aggregate cash outflow from the tender was approximately $538 million, which included $39 million in premiums. The remaining approximately $281 million aggregate principal amount of 2021 Senior Secured Notes was redeemed on April 12, 2018. The aggregate cash flow from the redemption was $302 million, which included $21 million in premiums.
Issuance of Senior Notes due 20252026
In August 2017,March 2018, U. S. Steel issued $750$650 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875%6.250% Senior Notes due AugustMarch 15, 2025 (20252026 (2026 Senior Notes). U. S. Steel received net proceeds from the offering of approximately $737$640 million after fees of approximately $13$10 million related to the underwriting and third partythird-party expenses. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 20252026 Senior Notes, together with cash on hand, were used to tender or otherwise redeem portionsall of our outstanding senior notes2021 Senior Secured Notes as discussed below.above.

The 20252026 Senior Notes are senior and unsecured obligations that rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future senior and unsecured indebtedness. U. S. Steel will pay interest on the notes semi-annually in arrears on February 15thMarch 15th and August 15thSeptember 15th of each year, commencing on FebruarySeptember 15, 2018.

Similar to our other senior notes, the indenture governing the 20252026 Senior Notes restricts our ability to create certain liens, to enter into sale leaseback transactions and to consolidate, merge, transfer or sell all, or


substantially all of our assets. It also contains provisions requiring the purchase of the 20252026 Senior Notes upon a change of control under certain specified circumstances, as well as other customary provisions.

U. S. Steel may redeem the 20252026 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at our option at any time, or from time to time, on or after AugustMarch 15, 20202021 at the redemption price for such notes set forth below as a percentage of the


principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning AugustMarch 15 of the years indicated below:

YearRedemption PriceRedemption Price
2020103.438%
2021101.719%103.125%
2022 and thereafter100.000%
2022101.563%
2023 and thereafter100.000%

At any time prior to AugustMarch 15, 2020,2021, U. S. Steel may also redeem the 2025 Senior Notes, at our option, in whole, or from time to time, at a price equal to the greater of 100 percent of the principal amount of the 2025 Senior Notes to be redeemed, or the sum of the present value of the redemption price of the 2025 Senior Notes if they were redeemed on August 15, 2020 plus interest payments due through August 15, 2020 discounted to the date of redemption, plus 50 basis points.

Under certain specified circumstances we may also purchase up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 20252026 Senior Notes at 106.875%106.25%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the applicable date of redemption, prior to August 15, 2020 with proceeds from equity offerings.

Senior Note Redemption
In September 2017, U. S. Steel redeemed all of its $161 million 7.00% Senior Notes due 2018, $200 million 6.875% Senior Notes due 2021, and $400 million 7.50% Senior Notes due 2022 in accordance with the redemption provisions under the indentures governing these notes. The aggregate redemption cost of approximately $808 million included $761 million for the present value of the remaining principal balances, $21 million in accrued and unpaid interest and $26 million in redemption premiums, of which approximately $4 million was a make-whole premium.
Redemption of Recovery Zone Facility Bonds
On March 10, 2017, U. S. Steel announced the permanent shutdown of the No. 6 Quench & Temper Mill at Lorain Tubular Operations in Lorain, Ohio. Under the terms of the Trust Indenture dated as of December 1, 2010, between the Lorain County Port Authority and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (the Indenture), this action and our decision to relocate the Lorain No. 6 Quench & Temper equipment to one of several other sites under consideration to optimize our operations, triggered an Extraordinary Mandatory Redemption of the Lorain County Port Authority Recovery Zone Facility Revenue Bonds (the Recovery Zone Bonds) and accordingly required U. S. Steel to redeem the Recovery Zone Bonds and repay in full the principal amount plus accrued interest. In accordance with the terms of the Indenture, U. S. Steel paid in full all amounts due under the Indenture, comprised of $70 million principal and accrued interest of approximately $2 million, on April 27, 2017.
ThirdFourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
As of September 30, 2017, there were no amounts drawn onOn February 26, 2018, U. S. Steel entered into the $1.5 billion credit facility agreement (ThirdFourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Credit Facility Agreement)., replacing the Company's Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Credit Facility Agreement maintains the facility size of $1.5 billion and extends the maturity date to 2023.

As of September 30, 2018, there were no amounts drawn under the $1.5 billion Credit Facility Agreement. U. S. Steel must maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.00 to 1.00 for the most recent four consecutive quarters when availability under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement is less than the greater of 10 percent of the total aggregate commitments and $150 million. Based on the most recent four quarters as of September 30, 2017,2018, we would have met this covenant. If we are unable to meet this covenant in future periods, the amount available to the Company under this facility would be reduced by $150 million.

The Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement provides for borrowings at interest rates based on defined, short-term market rates plus a spread based on availability and includes other customary terms and conditions including restrictions on our ability to create certain liens and to consolidate, merge or transfer all, or substantially all, of our assets. The Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement expires in July 2020.February 2023. Maturity may be accelerated 91 days prior to the stated maturity of any outstanding senior debt if excess cash and credit facility availability do not meet the liquidity conditions set forth in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement. Borrowings are secured by liens on certain domesticNorth American inventory and trade accounts receivable.

The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement permits incurrence of additional secured debt up to 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.


U. S. Steel Košice (USSK) revolver and credit facilities
On September 26, 2018, USSK, and one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, as guarantor, entered into a €460 million unsecured revolving credit facility (USSK Credit Agreement), replacing USSK's €200 million revolving credit facility (Prior Facility). The USSK Credit Agreement has a maturity date of September 26, 2023 and contains terms and conditions substantially similar to the Prior Facility. Concurrent with the execution of the USSK Credit Agreement, USSK reduced the size of a separate €40 million unsecured credit facility to €20 million.

At September 30, 20172018, USSK had no borrowings under its 200460 million (approximately $236533 million) unsecured revolving credit facility (the USSK Credit Agreement).Agreement. The USSK Credit Agreement contains certain USSK financial covenants, including a maximum Leverage, maximum Net Debtnet debt to Tangible Net Worth,EBITDA ratio and a minimum Interest Coverage ratios as defined in the USSK Credit Agreement.stockholders' equity to assets ratio. The covenants are measured semi-annually for the period covering the last twelve calendar months.months and calculated as set forth in the USSK Credit Agreement. If USSK does not comply with the USSK Credit Agreement financial covenants, it may not draw on the USSK Credit Agreement if it does not comply with any of the financial covenantsfacility until the next measurement date.date, outstanding borrowings may be accelerated, or the margin on outstanding borrowings may be increased. At September 30, 20172018, USSK had full availability under the USSK Credit Agreement. Currently, theOn October 15, 2018, USSK drew down €200 million (approximately $232 million) from its USSK Credit Agreement (See Note 25). 
At September 30, 2018, USSK had no borrowings under its €20 million and €10 million unsecured credit facilities (collectively, approximately $35 million) and the availability was approximately $33 million due to approximately $2 million of customs and other guarantees outstanding. The €20 million credit facility expires in July 2020. The USSK Credit Agreement permitsDecember


2018. Currently, the €10 million credit facility also expires in December 2018, but can be extended one additional one-year extensionyear to the final maturity date at the mutual consent of USSK and its lenders.
At September 30, 2017, USSK had no borrowings under its €40 million and €10 million unsecured credit facilities (collectively approximately $59 million) and the availability was approximately $58 million due to approximately $1 million of customs and other guarantees outstanding. On October 27, 2017, USSK entered into an amendment to its €10 million unsecured credit agreement to extend the agreement's final maturity date from December 2017 to December 2018. The amendment also permits one additional one-year extension to the final maturity date at the mutual consent of USSK and its lender.
Each of these facilities bear interest at the applicable inter-bank offer rate plus a margin and contain customary terms and conditions.
Change in control event under various financing agreements
If there is a change in control of U. S. Steel, the following may occur: (a) debt obligations totaling $2,5122,106 million as of September 30, 20172018 (including the senior notes and the senior secured notes) may be declared due and payable; (b) the Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement and USSK's €200 million Revolving Credit Agreementthe USSK credit facilities may be terminated and any amounts outstanding declared due and payable; and (c) U. S. Steel may be required to either repurchasepurchase the leased Fairfield Works slab caster for approximately $2724 million or provide a letter of credit to secure the remaining obligation.
14.16.    Asset Retirement Obligations
U. S. Steel’s asset retirement obligations (AROs) primarily relate to mine, and landfill closure and post-closure costs. The following table reflects changes in the carrying values of AROs:
(In millions) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 
Balance at beginning of year $79
 $89
 $69
 $79
 
Additional obligations incurred 
 2
Obligations settled (4) (15) (7) (8) 
Change in estimate of obligations (6) 



(6)
Foreign currency translation effects 1
 
 
 2
 
Accretion expense 2
 3
 2
 2
 
Balance at end of period $72
 $79
 $64
 $69
 
Certain AROs related to disposal costs of the majority of fixed assets at our integrated steel facilities have not been recorded because they have an indeterminate settlement date. These AROs will be initially recognized in the period in which sufficient information exists to estimate their fair value.
15.17.    Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, current accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, bank checks outstanding, and accrued interest included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet approximate fair value. See Note 1214 for disclosure of U. S. Steel’s derivative instruments, which are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis.


The following table summarizes U. S. Steel’s financial assets and liabilities that were not carried at fair value at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
(In millions) Fair
Value
 Carrying
Amount
 Fair
Value
 Carrying
Amount
 Fair
Value
 Carrying
Amount
 Fair
Value
 Carrying
Amount
Financial liabilities: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt (a)
 $3,059
 $2,872
 $3,139
 $3,002
 $2,501
 $2,478
 $2,851
 $2,678
(a)Excludes capital lease obligations.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments included in the table above:
Long-term debt: Fair value was determined using Level 2 inputs which were derived from quoted market prices and is based on the yield on public debt where available or current borrowing rates available for financings with similar terms and maturities.
Fair value of the financial liabilities disclosed herein is not necessarily representative of the amount that could be realized or settled, nor does the fair value amount consider the tax consequences of realization or settlement.
Financial guarantees are U. S. Steel’s only unrecognized financial instrument. For details relating to financial guarantees see Note 20.22.



16.18.    Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

The following table reflects the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 reconciliationsreconciliation of the carrying amountsamount of total equity, equity attributable to U. S. Steel and equity attributable to noncontrolling interests:interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In millions) Total Accumulated
Deficit
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
 Common
Stock
 Treasury
Stock
 Paid-in
Capital
 Non-
Controlling
Interest
Balance at beginning of year $2,275
 $(250) $(1,497) $176
 $(182) $4,027
 $1
Comprehensive income (loss): 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings 228
 228
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and other benefit adjustments 146
 
 146
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustment 149
 
 149
 
 
 
 
Employee stock plans 26
 
 
 
 90
 (64) 
Dividends paid on common stock (26) 

 

 
 
 (26) 
Other 10
 4
 6
   

    
Balance at September 30, 2017 $2,808
 $(18) $(1,196) $176
 $(92) $3,937
 $1
(a) Amounts for 2017 do not reflect a tax benefit as a result of a full valuation allowance on our domestic deferred tax assets.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (In millions) Total Retained Earnings Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
 Common
Stock
 Treasury
Stock
 Paid-in
Capital
 Non-
Controlling
Interest
Balance at beginning of year $3,321
 $133
 $(845) $176
 $(76) $3,932
 $1
Comprehensive income (loss): 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings 523
 523
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and other benefit adjustments 143
 
 143
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustment (58) 
 (58) 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments (11)   (11)        
Employee stock plans 51
 
 
 1
 73
 (23) 
Dividends paid on common stock (27) (27) 
 
 
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2018 $3,942
 $629
 $(771) $177
 $(3) $3,909
 $1

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 (In millions) Total 
Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated Deficit)
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
 Common
Stock
 Treasury
Stock
 Paid-in
Capital
 Non-
Controlling
Interest
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In millions) Total Accumulated Deficit Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
 Common
Stock
 Treasury
Stock
 Paid-in
Capital
 Non-
Controlling
Interest
Balance at beginning of year $2,437
 $190
 $(1,169) $151
 $(339) $3,603
 $1
 $2,275
 $(250) $(1,497) $176
 $(182) $4,027
 $1
Comprehensive income (loss): 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss (335) (335) 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings 228
 228
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: (b)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and other benefit adjustments (134) 
 (134) 
 
 
 
 146
 
 146
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustment 41
 
 41
 
 
 
 
 149
 
 149
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments 6
   6
        
Employee stock plans 16
 
 
 
 62
 (46) 
 26
 
 
 
 90
 (64) 
Common stock issued 582
 

 
 25
 
 557
 
Dividends paid on common stock (22) 

 
 
 
 (22) 
 (26) 

 
 
 
 (26) 
Other 17
 
 17
 
 
 
 
 4
 4
 

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2016 $2,602
 $(145) $(1,245) $176
 $(277) $4,092
 $1
Balance at September 30, 2017 $2,808
 $(18) $(1,196) $176
 $(92) $3,937
 $1
(b) Amounts for 2016 do not reflect a tax benefit as a result of a full valuation allowance on our domestic deferred tax assets.


17.19.    Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)
(In millions) (a)
 Pension and
Other Benefit
Items
 Foreign
Currency
Items
 Other Total
Balance at December 31, 2016 $(1,771) $274
 $
 $(1,497)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 296
 149
 6
 451
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (141)
(b) 

 
 (141)
Sale of ownership interest in Tilden Mining Company L.C. (9) 
 
 (9)
Net current-period other comprehensive income 146
 149
 6
 301
Balance at September 30, 2017 $(1,625) $423
 $6
 $(1,196)
(In millions) (a)
 Pension and
Other Benefit
Items
 Foreign
Currency
Items
 Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Total
Balance at December 31, 2017 $(1,309) $463
 $1
 $(845)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 292
 (58) 1
 235
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (b)
 (149) 
 (12) (161)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 143
 (58) (11) 74
Balance at September 30, 2018 $(1,166) $405
 $(10) $(771)
(a)Amounts do not reflect a tax benefit as a result of a full valuation allowance on our domestic deferred tax assets.
(b)See table below for further details.
   Amount reclassified from AOCI
   Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions) (a)
Details about AOCI components 2017 2016 2017 2016
 Amortization of pension and other benefit items        
 
Prior service costs (b)
 $8
 $(8) $22
 $(27)
 
Actuarial losses (b)
 38
 (34) 114
 (99)
 
      Settlement, termination and curtailment
(losses)
(b)
 1
 (10) 5
 (13)
 Total before tax 47
 (52) 141
 (139)
 Tax benefit 
 
 
 
 
Net of tax (c)
 $47
 $(52) $141
 $(139)
   Amount reclassified from AOCI
   Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)Details about AOCI components 2018 2017 2018 2017
 Amortization of pension and other benefit items        
 
Prior service costs (a)
 $(7) $(8) $(22) $(22)
 
Actuarial losses (a)
 (39) (38) (117) (114)
 
      Settlement, termination and
      curtailment losses (a)
 (10) (1) (10) (5)
 Total pensions and other benefits items (56) (47) (149) (141)
 Derivative reclassifications to Consolidated Statements of Operations (11) 
 (12) 
 Total before tax (67) (47) (161) (141)
 
Tax benefit (b)
 
 
 
 
 Net of tax $(67) $(47) $(161) $(141)
(a)Amounts in parentheses indicate decreases in AOCI.
(b)These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 68 for additional details).
(c)(b)Amounts do not reflect a tax benefit as a result of a full valuation allowance on our domestic deferred tax assets.

18.20.    Transactions with Related Parties
Net sales to related parties and receivables from related parties primarily reflect sales of raw materials and steel products to equity investees and U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (USSC) after the Canada Companies' Creditor Arrangement Act (CCAA) filing on September 16, 2014, but before the sale to an affiliate of Bedrock Industries Group LLC (Bedrock). on June 30, 2017. Generally, transactions are conducted under long-term market-based contractual arrangements. Related party sales and service transactions were $272$378 million and $316$272 million for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively and $941$1,072 million and $895$941 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Purchases from related parties for outside processing services provided by equity investees and USSC after the CCAA filing on September 16, 2014, but before the sale to Bedrock, amounted to $7$8 million and $25$7 million for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively and $62$23 million and $68$62 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively. Purchases of iron ore pellets from related parties amounted to $40$23 millionand $43$40 million for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively and $120$66 million and $131$120 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016, respectively.2017.
Accounts payable to related parties include balances due to PRO-TEC Coating Company, LLC (PRO-TEC) of $77$103 million and $63$72 million at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively for invoicing and receivables collection services provided by U. S. Steel.Steel on PRO-TEC's behalf. U. S. Steel, as PRO-TEC’s exclusive sales agent, is responsible for credit risk related to those receivables. U. S. Steel also provides PRO-TEC marketing, selling and customer service functions. Payables to other related parties including USSC after the CCAA filing ontotaled $3 million and $2 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.


September 16, 2014, but before the sale Bedrock totaled $2 million and $3 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
As a result of the completion of the restructuring and disposition of U. S. Steel Canada Inc. on June 30, 2017, subsequent transactions between the Company and U. S. Steel Canada Inc. are no longer considered related party transactions and are accounted for and recognized as third-party transactions. See Note 21 for further details.

19.21. Restructuring and Other Charges

Restructuring charges recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were immaterial. Cash payments were made related to severance and exit costs of $18 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded a net restructuring charge of $30 million, which consists of charges of $35 million related to the permanent shutdown of the No. 6 Quench & Temper Mill at Lorain Tubular Operations and a favorable adjustment of $5 million primarily associated with a change in estimate for previously recorded costs for environmental obligationscosts and Company-wide headcount reductions. Cash payments were made related to severance and exit costs of $24 million.
Restructuring charges recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 were immaterial.
Charges for restructuring and ongoing cost reduction initiatives are recorded in the period the CompanyU. S. Steel commits to a restructuring or cost reduction plan, or executes specific actions contemplated by the plan and all criteria for liability recognition have been met. Charges related to the restructuring and cost reductions are reported in restructuring and other charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The activity in the accrued balances incurred in relation to restructuring and other cost reduction programs during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 were as follows:
  Employee Related Exit Non-cash  
(in millions) Costs Costs Charges Total
Balance at December 31, 2016 $14
 $60
 $
 $74
Additional charges 1
 
 35
 36
Cash payments/utilization (7) (17) (35) (59)
Other adjustments and reclassifications (4)
(2) 
 (6)
Balance at September 30, 2017 $4
 $41
 $
 $45
  Employee Related Exit 
(in millions) Costs Costs Total
Balance at December 31, 2017 $4
 $34
 $38
Cash payments/utilization (3) (15) (18)
Balance at September 30, 2018 $1
 $19
 $20

Accrued liabilities for restructuring and other cost reduction programs are included in the following balance sheet lines:
(in millions) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Accounts payable $30
 $50
 $11
 $26
Payroll and benefits payable 3
 11
 1
 4
Employee benefits 1
 1
Deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities 11
 12
 8
 8
Total $45
 $74
 $20
 $38

20.22.    Contingencies and Commitments
U. S. Steel is the subject of, or party to, a number of pending or threatened legal actions, contingencies and commitments involving a variety of matters, including laws and regulations relating to the environment. Certain of these matters are discussed below. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements. However, management believes that U. S. Steel will remain a viable and competitive enterprise even though it is possible that these contingencies could be resolved unfavorably.
U. S. Steel accrues for estimated costs related to existing lawsuits, claims and proceedings when it is probable that it will incur these costs in the future and the costs are reasonably estimable.


Asbestos matters As of September 30, 20172018, U. S. Steel was a defendant in approximately 830750 active cases involving approximately 3,3252,300 plaintiffs. The vast majority of these cases involve multiple defendants. At December 31, 2016,2017, U. S. Steel was a defendant in approximately 845 active820 cases involving approximately 3,3403,315 plaintiffs. As of September 30, 2017,2018, about 2,5001,540, or approximately 7567 percent, of these plaintiff claims are currently pending in jurisdictions which permit filings with massive numbers of plaintiffs. Based upon U. S. Steel’s experience in such cases, we believe that the actual number of plaintiffs who ultimately assert claims against U. S. Steel will likely be a small fraction of the total number of plaintiffs.


The following table shows the number of asbestos claims in the current period and the prior three years:
Period ended Opening
Number
of Claims
 Claims
Dismissed,
Settled
and Resolved
 New
Claims
 Closing
Number
of Claims
 Opening
Number
of Claims
 
Claims
Dismissed,
Settled
and Resolved
(a)
 New
Claims
 Closing
Number
of Claims
December 31, 2014 3,320 190 325 3,455
December 31, 2015 3,455 415 275 3,315 3,455 415 275 3,315
December 31, 2016 3,315 225 250 3,340 3,315 225 250 3,340
September 30, 2017 3,340 200 185 3,325
December 31, 2017 3,340 275 250 3,315
September 30, 2018 3,315 1,225 210 2,300
(a) The period ending September 30, 2018 includes approximately 1,000 dismissed cases previously pending in the State of Texas.
Historically, asbestos-related claims against U. S. Steel fall into three groups: (1) claims made by persons who allegedly were exposed to asbestos on the premises of U. S. Steel facilities; (2) claims made by persons allegedly exposed to products manufactured by U. S. Steel; and (3) claims made under certain federal and maritime laws by employees of former operations of U. S. Steel.
The amount U. S. Steel accrues for pending asbestos claims is not material to U. S. Steel’s financial condition. However, U. S. Steel is unable to estimate the ultimate outcome of asbestos-related claims due to a number of uncertainties, including: (1) the rates at which new claims are filed, (2) the number of and effect of bankruptcies of other companies traditionally defending asbestos claims, (3) uncertainties associated with the variations in the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, (4) uncertainties regarding the facts, circumstances and disease process with each claim, and (5) any new legislation enacted to address asbestos-related claims. Despite these uncertainties, management believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on U. S. Steel’s financial condition, although the resolution of such matters could significantly impact results of operations for a particular quarter.
Environmental matters U. S. Steel is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the environment. These laws generally provide for control of pollutants released into the environment and require responsible parties to undertake remediation of hazardous waste disposal sites. Penalties may be imposed for noncompliance. Changes in accrued liabilities for remediation activities where U. S. Steel is identified as a named party are summarized in the following table:
(In millions)Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Beginning of period$179
$179
Accruals for environmental remediation deemed probable and reasonably estimable6
2
Obligations settled(5)(4)
End of period$180
$177
Accrued liabilities for remediation activities are included in the following Consolidated Balance Sheet lines:
(In millions) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Accounts payable $20
 $19
 $30
 $29
Deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities 160
 160
 147
 150
Total $180
 $179
 $177
 $179
Expenses related to remediation are recorded in cost of sales and were immaterial for both the three and nine monthnine-month periods ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016.September 30, 2017. It is not presentlycurrently possible to estimate the ultimate amount of all remediation costs that might be incurred or the penalties that may be imposed. Due to uncertainties inherent in remediation projects and the associated liabilities, it is reasonably possible that total remediation costs for active matters may exceed the accrued liabilities by as much as 15 to 30 percent.


Remediation Projects
U. S. Steel is involved in environmental remediation projects at or adjacent to several current and former U. S. Steel facilities and other locations that are in various stages of completion ranging from initial characterization through post-closure monitoring. Based on the anticipated scope and degree of uncertainty of projects, we categorize projects as follows:
(1)
Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development - Projects which are still in the development phase. For these projects, the extent of remediation that may be required is not yet known, the remediation methods and plans are not yet developed, and/or cost estimates cannot be determined. Therefore, significant costs, in addition to the accrued liabilities for these projects, are reasonably possible. There are six environmental remediation projects where additional costs for completion are not currently estimable, but could be material. These projects are at Fairfield Works, Lorain Tubular, USS-POSCO Industries (UPI), the Fairless Plant, Cherryvale Zinc and the former steelmaking plant at Joliet, Illinois. As of September 30, 2017,2018, accrued liabilities for these projects totaled $1 million for the costs of studies, investigations, interim measures, design and/or remediation. It is reasonably possible that additional liabilities associated with future requirements regarding studies, investigations, design and remediation for these projects could be as much as $30 million to $50 million.
(2)
Significant Projects with Defined Scope - Projects with significant accrued liabilities with a defined scope. As of September 30, 2017,2018, there are three significant projects with defined scope greater than or equal to $5 million each, with a total accrued liability of $136$134 million. These projects are Gary RCRAResource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (accrued liability of $26 million), the former Geneva facility (accrued liability of $63$62 million), and the former Duluth facility St. Louis River Estuary (accrued liability of $47$46 million).
(3)
Other Projects with a Defined Scope -Projects with relatively small accrued liabilities for which we believe that, while additional costs are possible, they are not likely to be significant, and also include those projects for which we do not yet possess sufficient information to estimate potential costs to U. S. Steel. There are two other environmental remediation projects which each had an accrued liability of between $1 million and $5 million. The total accrued liability for these projects at September 30, 20172018 was $4 million. These projects have progressed through a significant portion of the design phase and material additional costs are not expected.
The remaining environmental remediation projects each have an accrued liability of less than $1$1 million each. The total accrued liability for these projects at September 30, 20172018 was approximately $76 million. We do not foresee material additional liabilities for any of these sites.
Post-Closure Costs – Accrued liabilities for post-closure site monitoring and other costs at various closed landfills totaled $2322 million at September 30, 20172018 and were based on known scopes of work.
Administrative and Legal Costs – As of September 30, 20172018, U. S. Steel had an accrued liability of $68 million for administrative and legal costs related to environmental remediation projects. These accrued liabilities were based on projected administrative and legal costs for the next three years and do not change significantly from year to year.
Capital Expenditures For a number of years, U. S. Steel has made substantial capital expenditures to bring existing facilities into compliance with various laws relating to the environment. In the first nine months of 20172018 and 20162017, such capital expenditures totaled $3955 million and $24$39 million,, respectively. U. S. Steel anticipates making additional such expenditures in the future; however, the exact amounts and timing of such expenditures are uncertain because of the continuing evolution of specific regulatory requirements.
EU Environmental Requirements - Under the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), USSK's final allocation of free allowances for the Phase III period, which covers the years 2013 through 2020 is 48 million allowances. We estimate a shortfall of approximately 16 million allowances for the Phase III period. Based on projected future production levels, we started to purchase allowances in the third quarter of 2017 to meet the annual compliance submission in the future. As of September 30, 2017,2018, we have purchased 1approximately 10 million European Union Allowances (EUA) totaling €7€101 million (approximately $8$117 million). We estimate a shortfall of approximately 16 million allowances for the


Phase III period. However, due to a number of variables such as the future market value of allowances, future production levels and future emissionemissions intensity levels, we cannot reliably estimate the full cost of complying with the ETS regulations at this time.
The EU’s Industry Emission Directive requires implementation of EU determined best available techniques (BAT) for Iron and Steel production to reduce environmental impacts as well as compliance with BAT associated


emission levels. Our most recent broad estimate of future capital expenditures for projects to comply with orthat go beyond BAT requirements is €138 million (approximately $163 million)$160 million) over the 2017 to 2020 program period. ThereIn order to receive full grant amounts USSK is required to comply with certain financial covenants, which are ongoing effortsassessed annually. USSK complied with these covenants as of September 30, 2018. If we are unable to seek EU grantsmeet these covenants in the future, USSK might be required to fundprovide additional collateral (e.g. bank guarantee) to secure potential claims from the Slovak Government for repayment of a portion of these capital expenditures. The actual amount spent will depend largely upon the amount of EU incentive grantsgrant funds received. See Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Environmental Matters, Litigation and Contingencies, Slovak Operations.
Due to other EU legislation, requirements - BAT for Large Combustion Plants (LCP), we are required to make changes to the boilers at our steam and power generation plant in order to comply with stricter air emission limits for large combustion plants. The new requirements for LCP resulted in the construction of a new boiler and certain upgrades to our existing boilers. In January 2014, the operation of USSK's boilers was approved by the European Commission (EC) as part of Slovakia's Transitional National Plan (TNP) for bringing all boilers in Slovakia into compliance by no later than 2020. The TNP establishes emissionemissions ceilings for each category of emissions (total suspended particulate, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxide (NOx)(NOx) for both stacks within the power plant.). The allowable amount of discharged emissions from existing boilers will decrease each year until mid 2020. An emission ceiling will be a limiting factor for future operation of the boilers. The boiler projects have been approved by our Board of Directors and we are now in the execution phase.mid-2020. These projects will result in a reduction in electricity, carbon dioxide (CO2)emissions, and operating, maintenance and waste disposal costs once completed.costs. The construction of the new boilerboth boilers is complete with a total final installed cost of €76€128 million (approximately $90 million). Reconstruction of the existing boiler, with a projected cost of €52 million (approximately $61 million), is in progress. The total remaining to be spent on the existing boiler project is projected to be €10 million (approximately $12$150 million). Broad legislative changes were enacted by the Slovak Republic to extend the scope of support for renewable sources of energy, that are intended to allow USSK to participate in Slovakia's renewable energy incentive program once the boiler projects are completed.
Guarantees – The maximum guarantees of the indebtedness and other obligations of unconsolidated entities of U. S. Steel totaled $4$4 million at September 30, 2017.
EPA Region V Federal Lawsuit – This is a Clean Air Act (CAA) enforcement action brought in Federal Court in the Northern District of Indiana in 2012. The U.S. Government, joined by the States of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan initiated the action alleging the Company violated the CAA and failed to have in place appropriate pollution control equipment at Gary Works, Granite City Works, and Great Lakes Works. A Consent Decree with a proposed settlement agreement was filed with the Court on November 22, 2016. As part of the settlement agreement, U. S. Steel agreed to perform seven supplemental environmental projects totaling approximately $3 million and to pay a civil penalty of approximately $2 million. The enforcement action concluded on March 30, 2017 when the Court signed and entered the Consent Decree. In April 2017, U. S. Steel satisfied payment of the approximately $2 million civil penalty and is currently in various phases of implementing the supplemental environmental projects.
CCAA - On September 16, 2014, U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (USSC) commenced court-supervised restructuring proceedings under Canada's Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the Court). As part of the CCAA proceedings, U. S. Steel submitted both secured and unsecured claims of approximately C$2.2 billion which were verified by the court-appointed Monitor. U. S. Steel's claims were challenged by a number of interested parties, and on February 29, 2016, the Court denied those challenges and verified U. S. Steel's secured claims in the amount of approximately $119 million and unsecured claims of approximately C$1.8 billion and $120 million. The interested parties had appealed the determinations of the Court, but the appeals have been discontinued as a result of the sale of USSC to Bedrock on June 30, 2017 for approximately $127 million.2018.
Other contingencies Under certain operating lease agreements covering various equipment, U. S. Steel has the option to renew the lease or to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease term. If U. S. Steel does not exercise the purchase option by the end of the lease term, U. S. Steel guarantees a residual value of the equipment as determined at the lease inception date (totaling approximately $10$16 million at September 30, 2017)2018). No liability has been recorded for these guarantees as the potential loss is not probable.


Insurance U. S. Steel maintains insurance for certain property damage, equipment, business interruption and general liability exposures; however, insurance is applicable only after certain deductibles and retainages. U. S. Steel is self-insured for certain other exposures including workers’ compensation (where permitted by law) and auto liability. Liabilities are recorded for workers’ compensation and personal injury obligations. Other costs resulting from losses under deductible or retainage amounts or not otherwise covered by insurance are charged against income upon occurrence.
U. S. Steel uses surety bonds, trusts and letters of credit to provide whole or partial financial assurance for certain obligations such as workers’ compensation. The total amount of active surety bonds, trusts and letters of credit being used for financial assurance purposes was approximately $157197 million as of September 30, 20172018, which reflects U. S. Steel’s maximum exposure under these financial guarantees, but not its total exposure for the underlying obligations. A significant portion of our trust arrangements and letters of credit are collateralized by our Third Amended and Restatedthe Credit Facility Agreement. The remaining trust arrangements and letters of credit are collateralized by restricted cash. Restricted cash, which is recorded in other current and noncurrent assets, totaled $4241 million and $4044 million at September 30, 20172018 and andDecember 31, 20162017, respectively.
Capital Commitments At September 30, 20172018, U. S. Steel’s contractual commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment totaled $143649 million.
Contractual Purchase Commitments – U. S. Steel is obligated to make payments under contractual purchase commitments, including unconditional purchase obligations. Payments for contracts with remaining terms in excess of one year are summarized below (in millions):
Remainder of 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Later
Years
 Total
$147 $734 $402 $316 $309 $1,067 $2,975
Remainder of 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Later
Years
 Total
$195 $581 $482 $309 $304 $1,147 $3,018
The majority of U. S. Steel’s unconditional purchase obligations relates to the supply of industrial gases, and certain energy and utility services with terms ranging from two to 15 years. Unconditional purchase obligations also include coke and steam purchase commitments related to a coke supply agreement with Gateway Energy &


Coke Company LLC (Gateway) under which Gateway is obligated to supply a minimum volume of the expected targeted annual production of the heat recovery coke plant, and U. S. Steel is obligated to purchase the coke from Gateway at the contract price. As of September 30, 20172018, if U. SS. Steel were to terminate the agreement, it may be obligated to pay in excess of $193168 million.
Total payments relating to unconditional purchase obligations were $132147 million and $117132 million for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017, respectively, and $425$454 million and $372$425 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively.
21.23.    U. S. Steel Canada Inc. Retained Interest
On June 30, 2017, U. S. Steel completed the restructuring and disposition of USSC through a sale and transfer of all of the issued and outstanding shares in USSC to an affiliate of Bedrock. In accordance with the Second Amended and Restated Plan of Compromise, Arrangement and Reorganization, approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on June 9, 2017, U. S. Steel received approximately $127 million in satisfaction of its secured claims, including interest, which resulted in a gain of $72 million on the Company's retained interest in USSC. U. S. Steel also agreed to the discharge and cancellation of its unsecured claims for nominal consideration. The terms of the settlement also included mutual releases among key stakeholders, including a release of all claims against the Company regarding environmental, pension and other liabilities.
22.24.    Sale of Ownership Interest in Equity Investee Transactions

On September 29, 2017, a subsidiary of U. S. Steel completed the sale of its 15% ownership interest in Tilden Mining Company L.C. for $105 million.  As a result of the transaction, U. S. Steel recognized a gain of approximately $26 million. 

On May 31, 2018, U. S. Steel assigned its equity ownership interest in Leeds Retail Center, LLC and recognized a gain of approximately $18 million.

25.    Subsequent Events
On October 15, 2018, U. S. Steel and the United Steelworkers (USW) reached a tentative agreement on successor four-year Collective Bargaining Agreements covering approximately 14,000 USW-represented employees at all of the company’s domestic flat-rolled and iron ore mining facilities as well as tubular operations in Fairfield, Alabama, Lorain, Ohio, and Lone Star, Texas. The tentative agreements remain subject to ratification, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of November of 2018.
On October 15, 2018, USSK drew down €200 million (approximately $232 million) from its USSK Credit Agreement and subsequently repatriated most of the funds to its parent, U. S. Steel.  U. S. Steel intends to use the funds, together with cash on hand, for the redemption of its 7.375% Senior Notes due in 2020 (2020 Senior Notes) as discussed below.  
On October 23, 2018, a subsidiary of U. S. Steel completed the sale of its 40% ownership interest in Acero Prime, S. R. L. de CV. As a result of the transaction, U. S. Steel recognized a pretax gain of approximately $20 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.
On November 1, 2018, U. S. Steel issued a notice to redeem its 2020 Senior Notes. On December 3, 2018, the next business day after the redemption date, the Company will redeem for cash all of its outstanding 2020 Senior Notes (approximately $356 million aggregate principal amount), at the redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. The redemption will be funded by a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under the USSK Credit Agreement. U. S. Steel will incur a loss on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $20 million associated with this redemption.




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

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net sales by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 are set forth in the following table:
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
   Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
   Nine Months Ended September 30,  
(Dollars in millions, excluding intersegment sales) 2017 2016 
%
Change
 2017 2016
%
Change
 2018 2017 
%
Change
 2018 2017 
%
Change
Flat-Rolled Products (Flat-Rolled) $2,249
 $1,986
 13% $6,265
 $5,643
11 % $2,632
 $2,249
 17% $7,114
 $6,265
 14%
U. S. Steel Europe (USSE) 710
 575
 23% 2,123
 1,616
31 % 767
 710
 8% 2,438
 2,123
 15%
Tubular Products (Tubular) 276
 114
 142% 682
 303
125 % 313
 276
 13% 888
 682
 30%
Total sales from reportable segments 3,235
 2,675
 21% 9,070
 7,562
20 % 3,712
 3,235
 15% 10,440
 9,070
 15%
Other Businesses 13
 11
 18% 47
 49
(4)% 17
 13
 31% 47
 47
 %
Net sales $3,248
 $2,686
 21% $9,117
 $7,611
20 % $3,729
 $3,248
 15% $10,487
 $9,117
 15%


Management’s analysis of the percentage change in net sales for U. S. Steel’s reportable business segments for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 versus the three months ended September 30, 20162017 is set forth in the following table:
Three Months Ended September 30, 20172018 versus Three Months Ended September 30, 20162017
 
Steel Products (a)
     
Steel Products (a)
    
 Volume Price Mix 
FX (b)
 
Coke, Pellets &
Other
(c)
 Net
Change
 Volume Price Mix 
FX (b)
 
Coke &
Other
(c)
 Net
Change
Flat-Rolled (3)% 1% 2% % 13% 13% 4 % 16% (1)%  % (2)% 17%
USSE (3)% 18% 3% 5% % 23% 3 % 7% (1)% (1)%  % 8%
Tubular 73 % 7% 58% % 4% 142% (2)% 13% 1 %  % 1 % 13%
(a) Excludes intersegment sales
(b) Foreign currency translation effects
(c) Includes sales of coke and scrap inventory
Net sales were $3,248$3,729 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared with $2,686$3,248 million in the same period last year. The increase in sales for the Flat-Rolled segment primarily reflected a favorable impact from increased third-party pellet sales, areflects higher value added product mix, and higher average realized prices (increase of $10$131 per net ton) as a resultacross all product types and increased shipments (increase of improved market conditions.115 thousand net tons) due to accelerated demand for steel products in line with the recent economic growth. The increase in sales for the USSE segment was primarily due to higher average realized euro-based prices (increase of 93€31 per net ton) as a resultand increased shipments (increase of lower imports, partially offset by decreased shipments (decrease of 3834 thousand net tons). due to improved market conditions. The increase in sales for the Tubular segment primarily reflected increased shipments (increase of 82 thousand net tons), a favorable impact on product mix as a result of increased shipments of seamless tubular products, andresulted from higher average realized prices (increase of $384$169 per net ton) as a result ofdue to improved market conditions.
Management’s analysis of the percentage change in net sales for U. S. Steel’s reportable business segments for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 versus the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 is set forth in the following table:
Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 versus Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
2017
 
Steel Products (a)
     
Steel Products (a)
    
 Volume Price Mix 
FX (b)
 
Coke, Pellets &
Other
(c)
 Net
Change
 Volume Price Mix 
FX (b)
 
Coke &
Other
(c)
 Net
Change
Flat-Rolled (5)% 22% (11)% % 5% 11% 4% 10% (1)% % 1% 14%
USSE 3 % 29% (1)% % % 31% 1% 5% 1 % 8% % 15%
Tubular 96 % 6% 16 % % 7% 125% 11% 18% 1 % % % 30%
(a) Excludes intersegment sales
(b) Foreign currency translation effects
(c) Includes sales of coke and scrap inventory

Net sales were $9,117$10,487 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared with $7,611$9,117 million in the same period last year. The increase in sales for the Flat-Rolled segment primarily reflectedreflects higher average realized prices (increase of $72$77 per net ton) across all product types and increased third-party pellet sales, partially offset by a decrease in shipments (decrease(increase of 280332 thousand net tons) as a result of a planned outage at our Great Lakes Works facility and an unfavorable impact on product mix as a result of increased sales of hot-rolled products.due to accelerated demand for steel products in line with the recent economic growth. The increase in sales for the USSE segment was primarily due to strengthening of the euro versus the U.S. dollar and higher average realized euro-based prices (increase of €121€28 per net ton) and an increase in shipments (increase of 98 thousand net tons), both as a result of improved market conditions.. The increase in sales for the Tubular segment primarily reflectedresulted from higher realized prices (increase of $209 per net ton) and increased shipments (increase of 24755 thousand net tons), a higher value product mix, and higher average realized prices (increase of $174 per net ton) as a result of due to improved market conditions.

Pension and other benefits costs
Pension and other benefit costs (other than service cost) are reflected in ourwithin net interest and other financial costs and the service cost component is reflected within cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expense line items in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.


Defined benefit and multi-employermultiemployer pension plan costs included in cost of goods sold totaled $27$28 million and $82 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, respectively, compared to $33$28 million and $84$81 million in the comparable periods in 2016.2017.


Costs related to defined contribution plans totaled $11 million and $32 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to $11 million and $32 million in the comparable periods in 2017.
Other benefit expense included in cost of sales totaled $4 million and $12 million in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $4 million and $13 million in the comparable periods in 2017.

Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $81 million and $251 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to $75 million and $223 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to $10 million and $32 million in the comparable periods in 2016.
Other benefit expense (income), totaled $20 million and $(1) million inrespectively. For both the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively, and $59 million and $(3) million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The $21 million and $62 million increases in expense in the 2017 periods are primarily due to a lower return on asset assumption as a result of actions taken in 2016 to de-risk the other postemployment benefit (OPEB) plans.
Net periodic pension cost, including multi-employer plans, is expected to total approximately $105 million in 2017. Total other benefits costs in 2017 are expected to total approximately $78 million. The pension cost projection includes approximately $57 million of contributions to the Steelworkers Pension Trust.
Non-retirement post-employment benefits
U. S. Steel incurred a favorable adjustment associated with a change in estimate that resulted in a benefit of approximately $2 million and $3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to costs of approximately $9 million and $7 million for2018 the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, related to employee costs for supplemental unemployment benefits and the continuation of health care benefits and life insurance coverage for employees associated with the temporary idling of certain facilities and reduced production at others. Payments for these benefits during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $3 million and $16 million, respectively. Payments for these benefits during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $19 million and $58 million, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $89 million and $265 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to $73 million and $206 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The increase is primarily relateddue to increased other benefit costs as described above.an increase in variable compensation.

Operating configuration adjustmentsupdate                            
OverIn March 2018, U. S. Steel announced that it would restart the past three years,"B" blast furnace and steelmaking facilities at its Granite City Works facility, which would enable the Company has adjusted its operating configurationto support anticipated increased demand for steel produced in response to challenging market conditionsthe United States as a result of global overcapacity and unfair trade practices by temporarily idling productionthe Section 232 investigation into steel imports. The restart occurred in the second quarter of 2018.

Additionally, in June 2018, U. S. Steel announced that it would restart the "A" blast furnace at certain of its facilities.
As of September 30, 2017, the following facilities are temporarily idled:
Temporarily Idled:
Tubular Processing (idled in April 2015)
Granite City Works - Steelmaking Operations (idledfacility, which will support increased demand for steel manufactured in December 2015)

the United States, while allowing the Company to continue to support customers during planned asset revitalization efforts. The carrying value of the long-lived assets associated with the temporarily idled facilities listed above total approximately $164 million.

Other Strategic Decisionsrestart was completed in October 2018.

In March of 2017, U. S. Steel made the strategic decision to permanently shutdownshut down and relocate the Lorain #6 Quench & Temper Mill as a result of the challenging market conditions for tubular products.

In December of 2016, U. S. Steel made the strategic decision to permanently shutdown the Lorain #4 and Lone Star #1 pipe mills and the Bellville Tubular Operations after considering a number of factors, including challenging market conditions for tubular products, reduced rig counts and unfairly traded imports.

U. S. Steel will continue to evaluate potential strategic and organizational opportunities, which may include the acquisition, divestiture or consolidation of assets. Given recent market conditions, the cyclicality of our industry, and the continued challenges faced by the Company, we are focusedWe continue to focus on strategically maintaining and spendingdeploying cash (including capital investments under our asset revitalization program), in order to invest in areas consistent with our long-term strategy, and are considering various possibilities, including exiting lines of business and the sale of certain


assets, that we believe would further that goal and ultimately result in a stronger balance sheet and greater stockholder value. The Company will pursue opportunities based on its long-term strategy, and what the Board of Directors determines to be in the best interests of the Company's stockholders at the time.

Better operating performance in our Flat-Rolled segment, coupled with relatively stable market conditions during 2017 and 2018, have resulted in improved segment results in recent quarters. As we continue with the implementation of our asset revitalization plan, as notedprogram, described below, and as our investmentsincrease investment in our facilities, continuewe expect to increase, we expectrealize the sustainable improvements in safety, quality, delivery and costscost that we are targeting to position us to succeed over the long term and to support future growth initiatives.

Asset Revitalization
As part of aour long-term strategic initiative of the Company,strategy, the Board of Directors has approved a $2 billion multi-year asset revitalization program focused on our Flat-Rolled segment. The program is structured over three to four years, and involves an aggregate capital investment of approximately $1.2 billion. Management evaluated our performance in the key industries we serve, and developed projects across multiple Flat-Rolled segment assets with a continuous focus on improvingcontinuous improvement in safety, quality, delivery and costs.cost. The Company views this program as essential to improving predictabilityreliability and our ability to compete effectively in the industry. As we revitalize our assets, we expect to increase profitability, productivity and operational consistency,stability and reduce volatility.
The asset revitalization program includes projects to address short-term operational and maintenance enhancements as well as larger initiatives. The projects vary in scope and cost. The investments specifically address issues that are critical to delivering quality products to our customers in a timely manner.
The identified projects and schedule may change to address our customers’ needs, current and future economic operating conditions, and risks identified in the production cycle. Through the multi-year asset revitalization program, we expect to make total capital investments of $1.2$1.5 billion, which consist of capital investments in our iron making facilities, steel making facilities, hot rolling facilities, and finishing facilities. The Company plans to fund the program through cash generated from operations and cash on hand.
Our total capital expenditures for 2017 are expected to be approximately $575 million, which includes approximately $200-250 million for

The benefits of the Company’s asset revitalization program are already evident, as we have achieved performance improvements from assets in which we have invested.  We continue to experience operational challenges on assets we have not yet fully addressed.   We expect further improvements in performance as we execute the remainder of our structured asset revitalization program.


Restructuring and Other Charges

Restructuring charges recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were immaterial. Cash payments were made related to severance and exit costs of $18 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded a net restructuring charge of $30 million, which consists of charges of $35 million related to the permanent shutdown of the No. 6 Quench & Temper Mill at Lorain Tubular Operations and a favorable adjustment of $5 million primarily associated with a change in estimate for previously recorded costs for environmental obligationscosts and Company-wide headcount reductions. Cash payments were made related to severance and exit costs of $24 million.
Restructuring charges recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 were immaterial.
Charges for restructuring and ongoing cost reduction initiatives are recorded in the period the CompanyU. S. Steel commits to a restructuring or cost reduction plan, or executes specific actions contemplated by the plan and all criteria for liability recognition have been met. Charges related to the restructuring and cost reductions include severance costs, accelerated depreciation, asset impairmentsare reported in the restructuring and other closure costs.
Management believes its restructuring actions with regards tocharges in the Company’s operations since 2014 will potentially impact the Company’s annual cash flows by approximately $300 million over the courseConsolidated Statements of subsequent annual periods as a result of decreased employee, maintenance and other facility costs, as well as eliminating the need for capital investment at the facilities. These actions will result in other non-cash savings of approximately $90 million, primarily related to reduced depreciation expense in future periods. Management does not believe there will be any significant impact related to the Company’s revenues as a result of these actions. The Company has realized actual cash savings of approximately $300 million related to restructuring efforts through September 30, 2017.

Operations.


Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 is set forth in the following table:

 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 %
Change
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 %
Change
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 %
Change
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 %
Change
(Dollars in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016  2018 2017 2018 2017 
Flat-Rolled $160
 $114
 40 % $288
 $(68) 524 % $305
 $161
 89 % $562
 $293
 92%
USSE 73
 81
 (10)% 215
 122
 76 % 72
 73
 (1)% 297
 215
 38%
Tubular (7) (75) 91 % (93) (217) 57 % 7
 (7) 200 % (55) (93) 41%
Total earnings (loss) from reportable segments 226
 120
 88 % 410
 (163) 352 %
Total earnings from reportable segments 384
 227
 69 % 804
 415
 94%
Other Businesses 12
 18
 (33)% 34
 42
 (19)% 16
 12
 33 % 44
 34
 29%
Segment earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes 238
 138
 72 % 444
 (121) 467 %
Segment earnings before interest and income taxes 400
 239
 67 % 848
 449
 89%
Items not allocated to segments:                   
 
 
Postretirement benefit (expense) income (14) 8
 (275)% (42) 36
 (217)%
Other items not allocated to segments: 
 
 
 
 

 

Gain on equity investee transactions 
 21



 18
 21
 
Granite City Works restart costs (27) 
 

 (63) 
 
Granite City Works adjustment to temporary idling charges 
 
 

 8
 
 
Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc. 
 
  % 72
 
 100 % 
 



 
 72
 
Gain on equity investee transactions 21
 
 100 % 21
 
 100 %
Loss on shutdown of certain tubular assets 
 
  % (35) 
 (100)% 
 
 

 
 (35) 
Impairment of intangible assets 
 (14) 100 % 
 (14) 100 %
Restructuring and other charges and related adjustments 
 
  % 
 (2) 100 %
Total earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes $245
 $132
 86 % $460
 $(101) 555 %
Total earnings before interest and income taxes $373
 $260
 43 % $811
 $507
 60%
Segment results for Flat-Rolled
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 %
Change
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 % Change Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 %
Change
 Nine Months Ended September 30, %
Change
 2017 2016 2017 2016  2018 2017 2018 2017 
Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes ($ millions) $160
 $114
 40% $288
 $(68) 524 %
Earnings before interest and taxes ($ millions) $305
 $161
 89% $562
 $293
 92%
Gross margin 13% 13% % 11% 5% 6 % 16% 13% 3% 14% 11% 3%
Raw steel production (mnt) 2,821
 2,734
 3% 8,247
 8,248
  % 2,933
 2,821
 4% 8,558
 8,247
 4%
Capability utilization 66% 64% 2% 65% 65%  % 68% 66% 2% 67% 65% 2%
Steel shipments (mnt) 2,544
 2,535
 % 7,445
 7,725
 (4)% 2,659
 2,544
 5% 7,777
 7,445
 4%
Average realized steel price per ton $728
 $718
 1% $730
 $658
 11 % $859
 $728
 18% $807
 $730
 11%
The increase in Flat-Rolled results for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 20162017 was primarily resulted from a favorable impact relateddue to our change in accounting method for property, plant and equipment (approximately $85 million), higher average realized prices (approximately $70$325 million) as a result of improved market conditions, and higher results fromincreased shipments, including substrate to our mining operationsTubular segment (approximately $50$30 million). This change was offset by increased spending for maintenance and outage costs (approximately $90 million), including benefits from the restart of our Keetac facility to support third-party pellet sales. These changes were partially offset by higher raw materialsmaterial costs (approximately $100$75 million), and an increase in other operating costs primarily due to increased maintenance costs and asset revitalization spendingvariable compensation (approximately $35$45 million) and higher energy costs (approximately $20 million).


The increase in Flat-Rolled results for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016 resulted from2017 was primarily due to higher average realized prices (approximately $625$610 million) as a result of improved market conditions, a favorable impact relatedincreased shipments, including substrate to our change in accounting method for property, plantTubular segment (approximately $75 million) and equipmentlower energy costs (approximately $185 million), higher results from our mining operations (approximately $35 million) including benefits from the restart of our Keetac facility to support third-party pellet sales, and decreased costs for profit-based payments (approximately $25$20 million). These changes wereThis change was partially offset by increased maintenancehigher raw material costs and asset revitalization spending (approximately $325$245 million), higher raw materialsincreased spending for maintenance and outage costs (approximately $125 million) and an increase in other operating costs primarily scrap and coaldue to increased variable compensation (approximately $115 million), higher energy costs (approximately $50 million) and decreased shipment volumes as a result of a planned outage at our Great Lakes Works facility (approximately $30$65 million).
Gross margin for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 as2018 compared to the same periodperiods in 20162017 increased primarily as a result of higher average realized prices due to improved contract and spot market prices, in addition to the favorable impact on cost of goods sold related to our change in accounting method for property, plant and equipment.prices.


Segment results for USSE
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 %
Change
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 % Change Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 %
Change
 Nine Months Ended September 30, %
Change
 2017 2016 2017 2016  2018 2017 2018 2017 
Earnings before interest and income taxes ($ millions) $73
 $81
 (10)% $215
 $122
 76%
Earnings before interest and taxes ($ millions) $72
 $73
 (1)% $297
 $215
 38%
Gross margin 15% 20% (5)% 14% 14% % 13% 15% (2)% 16% 14% 2%
Raw steel production (mnt) 1,235
 1,279
 (3)% 3,778
 3,689
 2% 1,210
 1,235
 (2)% 3,810
 3,778
 1%
Capability utilization 98% 102% (4)% 101% 98% 3% 96% 98% (2)% 102% 101% 1%
Steel shipments (mnt) 1,067
 1,105
 (3)% 3,333
 3,235
 3% 1,101
 1,067
 3 % 3,384
 3,333
 2%
Average realized steel price per ton ($) $639
 $503
 27 % $617
 $483
 28%
Average realized steel price per ton (€) 544
 451
 21 % 554
 433
 28%
Average realized steel price per ton $669
 $639
 5 % $695
 $617
 13%
The decrease in USSE results for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 remained consistent compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily2017. The results included an increase due to higher raw materials costs, primarily for coal and iron ore (approximately $120 million), partially offset by higher average realized euro-based prices (approximately $105$45 million). This increase was offset by higher raw material costs (approximately $30 million) and the strengthening of the euro versus the U.S. dollarincreased other costs (approximately $10$15 million).
The increase in USSE results for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 20162017 was primarily due to higher average realized euro-based prices (approximately $470$115 million) and increased shipment volumesthe strengthening of the euro versus the U.S. dollar (approximately $10$65 million),. These increases were partially offset by higher raw materialsmaterial costs primarily coal(approximately $50 million), which includes a favorable first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory impact and iron oreincreased operating costs (approximately $390$50 million).
Gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as2018 compared to the same period in 20162017 decreased primarily as a result of reduced capacity utilization. Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 increased primarily as a result of higher raw materials costs, partially offset by higher average realized euro-based prices.
Segment results for Tubular
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 %
Change
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 % Change Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 %
Change
 Nine Months Ended September 30, %
Change
 2017 2016 2017 2016  2018 2017 2018 2017 
Loss before interest and income taxes ($ millions) $(7) $(75) 91% $(93) $(217) 57%
Earnings (loss) before interest and taxes ($ millions) $7
 $(7) 200 % $(55) $(93) 41%
Gross margin 4% (43)% 47% (5)% (45)% 40% 7% 4% 3 % % (5)% 5%
Steel shipments (mnt) 185
 103
 80% 509
 262
 94% 184
 185
 (1)% 564
 509
 11%
Average realized steel price per ton $1,433
 $1,049
 37% $1,268
 $1,094
 16% $1,602
 $1,433
 12 % $1,477
 $1,268
 16%
The increase in Tubular results for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 as compared to the same period in 20162017 was primarily due to increasedhigher average realized prices and shipment volumes as a result of improving market conditions (approximately $60$20 million) and decreased labor and other operating costs (approximately $25$15 million),. These increases were partially offset by higher substrate costs ($20(approximately $20 million).


The increase in Tubular results for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as2018 compared to the same period in 20162017 was primarily due to decreased labor and other operating costs (approximately $115 million), increasedhigher average realized prices (approximately $90 million) and improved shipment volumes as a result of improving market conditions (approximately $45$10 million),. This increase was partially offset by higher substrate costs (approximately $40$60 million).
Gross marginsmargin for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 as2018 compared to the same periods in 20162017 increased primarily due to increasedas a result of higher average realized prices and shipment volumes and operating efficiencies.prices.
Results for Other Businesses

Other Businesses had earningsincome of $16 million and $44 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to income of $12 million and $34 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared.




Items not allocated to earnings segments

We recognized a gain on equity investee transactions of $18 million and $42in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 as a result of the assignment of our entire equity ownership interest in Leeds Retail Center, LLC in May 2018. We recognized a $21 million gain on equity investee transactions in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017 due to the sale of our 15% ownership interest in Tilden Mining Company, L.C.
Items not allocated to segments
The increaseWe recognized $27 million and $63 million in postretirement benefit expenseGranite City Works restart costs in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016 resulted from lower return on asset assumptions2018, respectively, as a result of actions takencosts associated with the restart of the "A" and "B" blast furnaces at Granite City Works.

We recorded an $8 million favorable adjustment in 2016the nine months ended September 30, 2018 related to de-riskGranite City Works temporary idling charges as a result of the OPEB plan.decision to restart the "B" blast furnace and steelmaking facilities at this facility in 2018.

We recognized a $72 million gain associated with our retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc. (USSC) in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as a result of the restructuring and disposition of USSC on June 30, 2017.

We recognized a $21 million gain on equity investee transactions primarily due to the sale of our 15% ownership interest in Tilden Mining Company, L.C.

We recorded a $35 million loss on the shutdownshut down of certain tubular assets in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as a result of the permanent shutdown,shut down and relocation of the No. 6 Quench & Temper Mill at Lorain Tubular Operations.

We recorded an impairment charge of $14 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 on our indefinite lived intangible assets related to certain of our patents in our Tubular segment as a result of an annual quantitative evaluation that was performed during the third quarter of 2016.
We recorded a net favorable adjustment of $2 million for restructuring and other charges and related adjustments in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to changes in estimates associated with supplemental unemployment and severance cost accruals with respect to our actions to adjust our operating configuration, streamline our operational processes, and reduce costs. The favorable adjustment resulted from a reduction in the estimated number of employees on layoff and the length of time employees are projected to be on layoff.
Net interest and other financial costs
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
%
Change
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 %
Change
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
%
Change
 Nine Months Ended September 30, %
Change
(Dollars in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016  2018 2017 2018 2017 
Interest expense $60
 $58
 3% $173
 $173
 % $41
 $60
 (32)% $134
 $173
 (23)%
Interest income (5) (2) 150% (13) (5) 160% (6) (5) 20 % (16) (13) 23 %
Loss on debt extinguishment 31
 
 100% 32
 22
 45% 3
 31
 (90)% 77
 32
 141 %
Other financial costs (income) 12
 6
 100% 37
 18
 106%
Other financial costs 2
 12
 (83)% 4
 37
 (89)%
Net periodic benefit cost (other than service cost) 19
 15
 27 % 53
 47
 13 %
Total net interest and other financial costs $98
 $62
 58% $229
 $208
 10% $59
 $113
 (48)% $252
 $276
 (9)%

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, U. S. Steel issued $750$650 million aggregate principal amount of 2026 Senior Notes and repurchased through a tender offer $780 million of 6.875%its 2021 Senior Secured Notes due August 15, 2025 (2025 Senior Notes) and redeemed all of its $161 million 7.00% Senior Notes due 2018, $200 million 6.875% Senior Notes dues 2021, and $400 million 7.50% Senior Notes due 2022 for an aggregate redemption costcash outflow of approximately $808$840 million, which included $761 million for the remaining principal balances, $21$60 million in accrued and unpaid interest and $26premiums. Additionally, U. S. Steel repurchased approximately $75 million in redemption premiums which have been reflected withinof its 2020 Senior Notes during the first nine months of 2018.  The loss on debt extinguishment line in the table above includes $66 million in premiums and $11 million in unamortized debt issuance costs which were written off in connection with the extinguishment of which approximately $4 million was a make-whole premium.debt.  For further information, see Note 1315 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, U. S. Steel issued $980 million of 8.375% Senior Secured Notes due July 1, 2021 (2021 Senior Notes) and repurchased several tranches of its outstanding senior notes through various tender offers, redemptions and open market purchases, including the redemption of our remaining 6.05% Senior Notes due 2017 for an aggregate principal amount of approximately $444 million plus a total make-whole premium of approximately $22 million, which has been reflected within the loss on debt extinguishment line in the table above.
The increasedecrease in net interest and other financial costs in the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016same period last year is primarily due to a loss on debt extinguishment in the three months ended September 30, 2017, reduced interest expense due to our improved debt profile and net foreign currency gains on our euro-U.S. dollar derivatives.
The decrease in net interest and other financial costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 as describedcompared to the same period last year is primarily due to reduced interest expense as a result of our improved debt profile and net foreign currency gains on our euro-U.S. dollar derivatives partially offset by a higher loss on debt extinguishment in 2018.
The net periodic benefit cost (other than service cost) components of pension and other benefit costs are reflected in the table above, and decreased foreign currency gains.increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the same


periods last year mainly due to higher settlement charges in 2018 resulting from lump sum payments for certain individuals.
Total net periodic pension cost, including service cost and multiemployer plans, is expected to total approximately $143 million in 2018. Total other benefits costs, including service cost, in 2018 are expected to total approximately $60 million. The pension cost projection includes approximately $60 million of contributions to the Steelworkers Pension Trust.
Income taxes
The income tax (benefit) provision was $23 million and $36 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to less than $1 million and $3 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $19 million and $26 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017. In 2018, the tax provision reflects a benefit for the release of a portion of the domestic valuation allowance due to pretax income. Included in the tax provision in the first nine months of 2017 is a benefit of $13 million related to the carryback of certain losses to prior years, as well as a benefit of $25 million related to the Company’sCompany's intent to claim a refund of Alternative Minimum Tax credits pursuant to a provision in the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act. DueAs a result, the provision recorded in the third quarter of 2017 was immaterial.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the 2017 Act) was signed into law. The 2017 Act includes changes to U.S. federal tax rates, imposes significant additional limitations on the deductibility of interest, allows for the immediate expensing of capital expenditures, and puts into effect the migration from a worldwide system of taxation to a territorial system, among other things. After review, we have determined that the 2017 Act will have a minimal impact on the 2018 effective tax rate due to the full valuation allowance onCompany's current corporate tax structure and net operating losses. However, we had a reduction in cash taxes paid in 2018 due to the elimination of the Alternative Minimum Tax and expect that benefit to continue in future years.
Each quarter U. S. Steel analyzes the likelihood that our domestic deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax provision doesasset may not reflect anybe realized.
Despite six consecutive quarters of pretax domestic income, at September 30, 2018, U. S. Steel determined that the negative evidence, including the uncertainty regarding the Company's continued ability to generate domestic income in the near term, still outweighs the positive evidence and concluded that is more likely than not that all of its net domestic tax benefitasset may not be realized.
As our projections for 2019 are refined in the fourth quarter of this year, and with consideration of the profitability of our domestic pretax losses.operations in 2017 and year to date in 2018, it is reasonably possible that we may conclude that realization is more likely than not for some or all of the deferred tax asset with a valuation allowance, and we will reduce the related valuation allowance and record a non-cash benefit.
For further information on income taxes see Note 911 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation were $291 million and $523 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to net earnings of $147 million and $228 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to net earnings (loss) of $51 million and $(335) million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. The changes primarily reflect the factors discussed above.
BALANCE SHEET
Accounts receivable increased by $279$294 million from year-end 20162017 primarily due to higher average realized prices as well as increased shipment volumes inacross all of our Flat-Rolled and Tubular segments in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter of 2016.segments.
Inventoriesincreased by $164$212 million from year-end 20162017 primarily as a result of increased operating levels and higher raw materials prices in our USSE and Flat-Rolled segments.material prices.
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities increased by $429$355 million from year-end 20162017 primarily as a result of increased operating levels and higher raw materialsmaterial prices inacross all of our USSEsegments.
Property, plant and Flat-Rolled segments.equipment, net increased by $363 million due to the level of capital expenditures exceeding depreciation expense.
Payroll and benefits payable decreasedincreased by $67$78 million from year-end 20162017 primarily due to incentive payments related to 2016 financial performance that we paid in March 2017.increased accruals for variable compensation.


Short-termLong-term debt and current maturities of long-term debtdecreased by $47$202 million from year-end 20162017 primarily due to the repaymenttender of environmental bonds.approximately $499 million of our 2021 Senior Secured Notes in March 2018 and the redemption of the remaining $281 million in April 2018 and the repurchase of $75 million of our 2020 Senior Notes throughout 2018, partially offset by the issuance of $650 million aggregate principal amount of our 2026 Senior Notes in March 2018 . For additional information, see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Employee benefitsdecreased by $97$93 million from year-end 20162017 primarily as a result of impacts from the natural maturation of our pension plans.
Long-term debt decreased by $85 million from year-end 2016 primarily due to the repayment of the Recovery Zone Bonds, for which an "Extraordinary Mandatory Redemption" was triggered under the applicable indenture as a result of the permanent shutdown of and decision to relocate the No. 6 Quench & Temper Mill at Lorain Tubular Operations during the first quarter of 2017. We have decided to relocate the Lorain No. 6 Quench & Temper equipment to one of several other sites under consideration to optimize our operations.
CASH FLOW
Net cash provided by operating activities was $541$722 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to $580net cash provided by operating activities of $546 million in the same period last year. The decreaseincrease in cash from operations is primarily due tostronger financial results, partially offset by changes in working capital period over period partially offset by improved financial results and the payment received in satisfaction of our secured claims from U. S. Steel Canada Inc..
Changes in working capital can vary significantly depending on factors such as the timing of inventory production and purchases, which is affected by the length of our business cycles as well as our captive raw materials position, customer payments of accounts receivable and payments to vendors in the regular course of business.


Our key working capital components include accounts receivable and inventory. The accounts receivable and inventory turnover ratios for the three months and twelve months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 are as follows:
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Twelve Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Twelve Months Ended 
 September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Accounts Receivable Turnover 2.2
 2.2
 8.6
 8.0
 2.3
 2.2
 8.5
 8.6
Inventory Turnover 1.6
 1.4
 6.1
 4.7
 1.7
 1.6
 6.4
 6.1
The increase in the inventory turnover approximates 10 daysone day for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 as compared to September 30, 20162017 and is primarily due to an increase in cost of goods sold mainly attributableattributed to higher raw materials costs across all of our segments.
material costs. The increase in the accounts receivableinventory turnover approximates 3three days for the twelve months ended September 30, 20172018 as compared to September 30, 2016 and is primarily due to increased sales as a result of increased shipments in our Tubular and USSE segments as well as higher average realized prices across all of our segments in the twelve months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to September 30, 2016. The increase in the inventory turnover approximates 17 days for the twelve months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to September 30, 2016 and is primarily due to an increase in cost of goods sold mainly attributableattributed to higher raw materials costs across all of our segmentsmaterial costs.
The accounts receivable turnover remained consistent for the three months and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 as well as decreased inventory levels in our Flat-Rolledcompared to the three months and Tubular segments resulting from better inventory management.twelve months ended September 30, 2017.
The last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory method is the predominant method of inventory costing in the United States. At September 30, 20172018 and September 30, 2016,2017, the LIFO method accounted for 7471 percent and 7774 percent of total inventory values, respectively. In the U.S., management monitors inventory realizability by comparing the LIFO cost of inventory with the replacement cost of inventory. To the extent the replacement cost (i.e., market value) of inventory is lower than the LIFO cost of inventory, management will write the inventory down. As of September 30, 20172018, and December 31, 20162017 the replacement cost of the inventory was higher by approximately $757$1,024 million and $489$802 million, respectively. Additionally, based on the Company’s latest internal forecasts and its inventory requirements, management does not believe there will be significant permanent LIFO liquidations that would impact earnings for the remainder of 2017.2018.
Our cash conversion cycle for the third quarter of 2018 decreased by four days as compared to the fourth quarter of 2017 as shown below:


Cash Conversion Cycle2018  2017
 $ millions Days  $ millions Days
Accounts receivable, net (a)
$1,673
 41  $1,379
 43
         
+ Inventories (b)
$1,950
 55  $1,738
 58
         
- Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities (c)
$2,523
 70  $2,163
 71
         
         
= Cash Conversion Cycle (d)
  26    30
(a) Calculated as Average Accounts Receivable, net divided by total Net Sales multiplied by the number of days in the period.
(b) Calculated as Average Inventory divided by total Cost of Sales multiplied by the number of days in the period.
(c) Calculated as Average Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities less bank checks outstanding and other current liabilities divided by total Cost of Sales multiplied by the number of days in the period.
(d) Calculated as Accounts Receivable Days plus Inventory Days less Accounts Payable Days.

The cash conversion cycle is a non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) financial measure. We believe the cash conversion cycle is a useful measure in providing investors with information regarding our cash management performance and is a widely accepted measure of working capital management efficiency. The cash conversion cycle should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to other GAAP metrics as an indicator of performance.
Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, were $291$646 million, compared with $268$291 million in the same period in 20162017. Flat-RolledFlat-rolled capital expenditures were $206$531 million and included spending for the Great Lakes Works Basic Oxygen Process truss off gas main replacement andblast furnace stove rebuild,Blast Furnace D4 Major Repairs, Mon Valley Works blast furnace stove rebuild, Midwest Plant galvanneal furnace upgrade,sulfur dioxide (SO2) Boiler Stack project, Great Lakes Blast Furnace D4 No. 1 Stove Rebuild, Clairton C-Battery, Minntac Open Pit Equipment, Gary Hot Strip Mill Motors and Table Covers, Granite City A Restart and various other infrastructure, environmental and strategic projects. Tubular capital expenditures of $19$33 million primarily related to Lone Star pipe mill finishingOffshore Operations Threading Line No. 5 and Swage extension, Lorain primary electric utility supply,No. 3 Rotary Mill Reliability, as well as various other strategic capital projects. USSE capital expenditures of $62$63 million consisted of spending for a boiler houseNo. 3 coke battery Thru-Wall Replacement, Blast Furnace 1 No. 13 Stove Rebuild, Continuous Pickle Line 1 upgrade pickle line upgrades and various other infrastructure and environmental projects.
U. S. Steel’s contractual commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment at September 30, 2018, totaled $649 million.
Capital expenditures for 20172018 are expected to total approximately $575 million$1 billion and remain focused largely on strategic, infrastructure and environmental projects, as well as asset revitalization of our equipment to improve our operating reliability and efficiency, and product quality and cost by focusing on investments in our North American Flat-Rolled assets.
U. S. Steel’s contractual commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment at September 30, 2017, totaled $143 million.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, U. S. Steel received approximately $105 million for the sale of its 15% ownership interest in Tilden Mining Company L.C. on September 29, 2017.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, U. S. Steel received approximately $127 million in satisfaction of its secured and unsecured claims, including interest, as a result of the restructuring and disposition of USSC on June 30, 2017.
With reduced pricing for iron-ore, management is considering its options with respect to the Company's iron-ore position in the United States, and restarted its Keetac mining operations in February of 2017 as a result of reaching agreements to supply iron ore pellets to third-party customers. The Company is also exploring opportunities related to the availability of reasonably priced natural gas as an alternative to coke in the iron reduction process to improve our cost


competitiveness, while reducing our dependence on coal and coke. After receiving the necessary authorizations from the Jefferson County Department of Health and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for the Fairfield Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) project, construction began in the second quarter of 2015, but due to challenging market conditions resulting from depressed oil prices and reduced oil rig counts, the completion of the Fairfield EAF has been postponed.segment.
Issuance of long-term debt, net of financing costs,totaled $737 million and $958$640 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 20172018, U. S. Steel issued $750$650 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875%2026 Senior Notes due August 15, 2025.Notes. U. S. Steel received net proceeds from the offering of approximately $737$640 million after fees of approximately $13$10 million related to underwriting and third party expenses. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016,U. S. Steel issued $980 million of 8.375% Senior Secured Notes due July 1, 2021. U. S. Steel received net proceeds from the offering of approximately $958 million after fees of approximately $22 million related to underwriting and third partythird-party expenses. For further information, see Note 1315 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Repayment of long-term debttotaled $902 million and $1,019$922 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018. Pursuant to a cash tender offer, U. S. Steel repurchased $499 million of our 2021 Senior Secured Notes in March 2018 and redeemed the entire aggregate principal amount of its $70remaining $281 million ofin April 2018. Approximately $60 million in premiums were paid for the Lorain County Port Authority Recovery Zone Facility Revenue Bonds.2021 Senior Secured Notes transactions. Additionally, U. S. Steel redeemed all of the aggregate principal amount of its $161 million 7.00% Senior Notes due 2018, $200 million 6.875% Senior Notes due 2021, and $400 million 7.50% Senior Notes due 2022 for a total aggregate redemption cost of approximately $785 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, U. S. Steel repurchased approximately $6$75 million of its 6.05%2020 Senior Notes due 2017 through a series of open market purchases and redeemed the remaining aggregate principal amountat a weighted average price of approximately $444 million. Also,107.119 percent of par during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, U. S. Steel repurchased portions2018 and paid premiums of our outstanding senior notes which included our 7.00% Senior Notes due 2018, 7.375% Senior Notes due 2020, and our 6.875% Senior Notes due 2021 for a total aggregate principal value of $575 million through a series of issuer tender offers and open market repurchases. approximately $5 million.
For further information, see Note 1315 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
During 2016, U. S. Steel paid $15 million for a settlement of contingent consideration, consisting of milestone payments and royalties, related to a 2013 acquisition of intangible assets.
Net proceeds fromour public offering of 21,735,000 sharesof common stock in August 2016totaled $482 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Third-party expenses related to the issuance were approximately $18 million.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The following table summarizes U. S. Steel’s liquidity as of September 30, 2017:2018:
(Dollars in millions)
 

Cash and cash equivalents$1,694
 Amount available under $1.5 Billion Credit Facility1,500

Amount available under USSK credit facilities294

Total estimated liquidity$3,488
(Dollars in millions)
 

Cash and cash equivalents$1,344
 Amount available under $1.5 Billion Credit Facility Agreement1,500

Amount available under USSK credit facilities566

Total estimated liquidity$3,410

As of September 30, 20172018, $274$197 million of the total cash and cash equivalents was held by our foreign subsidiaries. Substantially all of the liquidity attributable to our foreign subsidiaries can be accessed without the imposition of income taxes as a result of the election effective December 31, 2013 to liquidate for U.S. income tax purposes a foreign subsidiary that holds most of our international operations.
On February 26, 2018, U. S. Steel entered into the Credit Facility Agreement, replacing its Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Credit Facility Agreement maintains athe facility size of $1.5 billion asset-backed revolving credit facility. and extends the maturity date to 2023.
As of September 30, 2017,2018, there were no amounts drawn onunder the $1.5 billion credit facility agreement (Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement).Facility Agreement. U. S. Steel must maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.00 to 1.00 for the most recent four consecutive quarters when availability under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement is less than the greater of 10 percent of the total aggregate commitments and $150 million. Based on the most recent four quarters as of September 30, 2017,2018, we would have met this covenant. If we are unable to meet this covenant in future periods, the amount available to the Company under this facility would be reduced by $150 million.
On September 26, 2018, USSK, and one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, as guarantor, entered into a 460 million unsecured revolving credit facility (USSK Credit Agreement), replacing USSK's 200 million revolving credit facility (Prior Facility). The USSK Credit Agreement has a maturity date of September 26, 2023 and contains terms and conditions similar to the Prior Facility. Concurrent with the execution of the USSK Credit Agreement, USSK reduced the size of a separate €40 million unsecured credit facility to €20 million.
At September 30, 2017,2018, USSK had no borrowings under its 200460 million (approximately $236$533 million) unsecured revolving credit facility (the USSK Credit Agreement).Agreement. The USSK Credit Agreement contains certain USSK financial covenants, including a maximum net debt to EBITDA ratio and a minimum stockholders' equity to assets ratio. The covenants are measured semi-annually for the period covering the last twelve calendar months and calculated as well as other customary terms and conditions.set forth in the USSK Credit Agreement. If USSK does not comply with the USSK Credit Agreement financial covenants, it may not draw on the facility until the next measurement date, outstanding borrowings may be accelerated, or the margin on outstanding borrowings may be increased. At September 30, 2017,2018, USSK had full availability under the USSK Credit Agreement. TheOn October 15, 2018, USSK drew down €200 million (approximately $232 million) from its USSK Credit Agreement expiresand subsequently repatriated most of the funds to its parent, U. S. Steel.  U. S. Steel intends to use the funds, together with cash on hand, for the redemption of its 7.375% Senior Notes due in July 2020. Currently, the USSK Credit Agreement permits one additional one-year extension to the final maturity date with the mutual consent of USSK and its lender.2020 (2020 Senior Notes) as discussed below.  
At September 30, 2017,2018, USSK had no borrowings under its 40€20 million and 10€10 million unsecured credit facilities (collectively approximately $59$35 million) and the aggregate availability was approximately $58$33 million due to approximately $1$2 million of customs and other guarantees outstanding. The 40€20 million credit facility expires in December 2018. On October 27, 2017, USSK entered into an amendment to itsCurrently, the €10 million unsecured credit agreement to extend the agreement's final maturity date fromfacility also expires in December 2017 to December 2018. The amendment also permits2018, but can be extended one additional one-year extensionyear to the final maturity date at the mutual consent of USSK and its lender.

In AugustThrough a series of 2017,open market purchases, U. S. Steel repurchased approximately $75 million of its 2020 Senior Notes at a weighted average price of 107.119 percent of par during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

On November 1, 2018, U. S. Steel issued $750 milliona notice to redeem its 2020 Senior Notes. On December 3, 2018, the next business day after the redemption date, the Company will redeem for cash all of 6.875%its outstanding 2020 Senior Notes due August 15, 2025 (2025(approximately $356 million aggregate principal amount), at the redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. The redemption will be funded by a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under the USSK Credit


Agreement. U. S. Steel will incur a loss on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $20 million associated with this redemption.
In March 2018, U. S. Steel issued $650 million aggregate principal amount of 2026 Senior Notes).Notes. U. S. Steel received net proceeds from the offering of approximately $737$640 million after fees of approximately $13$10 million related to the underwriting and third partythird-party expenses. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 20252026 Senior Notes, together with cash on hand, were used to repurchase portionsall of our outstanding senior notes2021 Senior Secured Notes (see Note 1315 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Debt”"Debt" for further details). InterestU. S. Steel will pay interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on FebruaryMarch 15th and AugustSeptember 15th of each year, commencing on FebruarySeptember 15, 2018.

For the twelve months ended September 30, 2017, the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture governing the 2021 Senior Secured Notes), which consist principally of our tubular subsidiaries and our foreign subsidiaries, including USSK, represented approximately 39% of our net sales, 16% of our operating income and 37% of our adjusted earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization (EBITDA) on a consolidated basis. As of September 30, 2017, the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries represented 40% of our total assets and had $1.4 billion of total liabilities on a consolidated basis, including trade payables but excluding intercompany liabilities, all of which would be structurally senior to the 2021 Senior Secured Notes.
We may from time to time seek to retire or repurchase our outstanding long-term debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, exchange transactions, redemptions or otherwise. Such purchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, and other factors and may be commenced or suspended at any time. The amounts involved may be material.

On March 10, 2017, U. S. Steel announced the permanent shutdown of the No. 6 Quench & Temper Mill at Lorain Tubular Operations in Lorain, Ohio. Under the terms of the Trust Indenture dated as of December 1, 2010, between


the Lorain County Port Authority and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (the Indenture), this action and our decision to relocate the Lorain No. 6 Quench & Temper equipment to one of several other sites under consideration to optimize our operations, triggered an Extraordinary Mandatory Redemption of the Recovery Zone Bonds and accordingly required U. S. Steel to redeem the Recovery Zone Bonds and repay in full the principal amount plus accrued interest. In accordance with the terms of the Indenture, U. S. Steel paid in full all amounts due under the Indenture, comprised of $70 million principal and accrued interest of approximately $2 million, on April 27, 2017.
We use surety bonds, trusts and letters of credit to provide financial assurance for certain transactions and business activities. The use of some forms of financial assurance and cash collateral have a negative impact on liquidity. U. S. Steel has committed $157$197 million of liquidity sources for financial assurance purposes as of September 30, 2017.2018. Increases in certain of these commitments which use collateral are reflected inwithin cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
At September 30, 2017,2018, in the event of a change in control of U. S. Steel, the following may occur: (a) debt obligations totaling $2,512$2,106 million as of September 30, 2017 (including the Senior Notes and Senior Secured Notes)2018 may be declared due and payable; (b) the Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement and USSK's 200 million revolvingthe USSK credit agreementfacilities may be terminated and any amounts outstanding declared due and payable; and (c) U. S. Steel may be required to either repurchase the leased Fairfield slab caster for $27$24 million or provide a cash collateralized letter of credit to secure the remaining obligation.
The maximum guarantees of the indebtedness and other obligations of unconsolidated entities of U. S. Steel totaled $4 million at September 30, 20172018. If any default related to the guaranteed indebtedness occurs, U. S. Steel has access to its interest in the assets of the investees to reduce its potential losses under the guarantees.
Our major cash requirements in 20172018 are expected to be for capital expenditures, including asset revitalization, employee benefits and operating costs, includingwhich includes purchases of raw materials. We finished the third quarter of 20172018 with $1,694$1,344 million of cash and cash equivalents and $3.5$3.4 billion of total liquidity. Available cash is left on deposit with financial institutions or invested in highly liquid securities with parties we believe to be creditworthy.
The Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program under which up to $300 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock may be acquired over the next two years at the discretion of management.  The shares will be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions.  Under the program, the purchases will be funded from cash on hand, and the repurchased shares will be held as treasury shares.  As of September 30, 2018, there were no repurchases under this program.
U. S. Steel management believes that U. S. Steel's liquidity will be adequate to satisfy our obligations for the foreseeable future, including obligations to complete currently authorized capital spending programs. Future requirements for U. S. Steel’s business needs, including the funding of acquisitions and capital expenditures, scheduled debt maturities, repurchase of debt, share buyback,buybacks, contributions to employee benefit plans, and any amounts that may ultimately be paid in connection with contingencies, are expected to be financed by a combination of internally generated funds (including asset sales), proceeds from the sale of stock, borrowings, refinancings and other external financing sources.
Environmental Matters, Litigation and Contingencies
Some of U. S. Steel’s facilities were in operation before 1900. Although management believes that U. S. Steel’s environmental practices have either led the industry or at least been consistent with prevailing industry practices, hazardous materials may have been released at current or former operating sites or delivered to sites operated by third parties.

Our U.S. facilities are subject to environmental laws applicable in the U.S., including the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), as well as state and local laws and regulations.



U. S. Steel has incurred and will continue to incur substantial capital, operating, and maintenance and remediation expenditures as a result of environmental laws and regulations, related to release of hazardous materials, which in recent years have been mainly for process changes to meet CAA obligations and similar obligations in Europe.

Midwest Plant Incident

On April 11, 2017, there was a process waste water release at our Midwest Plant (Midwest) in Portage, Indiana that impacted a water outfall that discharges to Burns Waterway near Lake Michigan. U. S. Steel identified the source of the process release and made the necessary repairs.  We determined that all repairs were safely working as intended and, on April 14, 2017, we resumed operations in a controlled, phased and highly monitored approach with extensive input from participating government agencies. The Company has since implemented substantial operational, process and notification improvements at Midwest. The Company has been presented with cost reimbursements, loss of use and penalty requests from the involved governmental agenciesagencies.  In January of 2018, The Surfrider Foundation and intends to amicably resolve the matter.



Slovak Operations

A MemorandumCity of Understanding (MOU) was signedChicago initiated suits in Marchthe Northern District of 2013Indiana alleging CWA and Permit violations at Midwest. On April 2, 2018, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the State of Indiana initiated a separate action against the Company and lodged a Consent Decree negotiated between U. S. Steel and the governmentrelevant governmental agencies consisting of Slovakia. The MOU outlines areas in whichall material terms to resolve the governmentCWA and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) violations at the Midwest Plant. A public comment period for the Consent Decree ensued. U. S. Steel, will work togetherU.S. EPA and the State of Indiana continue to help create a more competitive environmentreview those comments. The Surfrider Foundation and conditions for USSK. Incentives the governmentCity of SlovakiaChicago initially agreed to provide include potential participationstay their actions pending finalization of the Consent Decree, but filed a motion to lift that stay in a renewable energy program that providesJuly 2018.  On September 13, 2018, both The Surfrider Foundation and the opportunityCity of Chicago filed motions to reduce electricity costs, as well as the potential for government grants and other support concerning investments in environmental control technology. Although there are many conditions and uncertainties regarding the grants, including matters controlled by the European Union (EU), the value of these incentives as statedintervene in the MOU could be as much as €75 million (approximately $89 million). U. S. Steel also agreed to pay the government of Slovakia specified declining amounts should U. S. Steel sell USSK within five years of the date of the MOU. We expect the total amount of EU funds will be as much as €85 million (approximately $100 million). The final grant value will depend on public procurement results.Consent Decree case which remain pending.

Slovakia adopted a new waste code in March 2015 that became effective January 1, 2016. This legislation implements the EU Waste Framework Directive that strictly regulates waste disposal and encourages recycling, among other provisions, by increasing fees for waste disposed of in landfills, including privately owned landfills. The impact of this legislation is estimated to be €2 million (approximately $2 million) annually due to waste stabilization requirements and increased fees for packaging materials recycling fees. Slovakia is considering legislation implementing an EU Directive, which is expected to increase existing fees upon USSK for use of its landfills. Because the legislation has not yet been adopted, the impact on operations at USSK facilities cannot be estimated at this time.Slovak Operations

The EU’s Industry Emission Directive requires implementation of EU determined best available techniques (BAT) for iron and steel production, to reduce environmental impacts as well as compliance with BAT associated emission levels. This directive includes operational requirements for air emissions, wastewater discharges, solid waste disposal and energy conservation, dictates certain operating practices and imposes stricter emissionemissions limits. Producers were required to be in compliance with the iron and steel BAT by March 8, 2016, unless specific exceptions or extensions were granted by the Slovak environmental authority. USSK updated existing operating permits for different facilities involved in producing iron and steel in the plant in accordance with the new BAT requirements. Through this process for some facilities, USSK has obtained extensions from the 2016 compliance deadline in order to meet or exceed the BAT requirements. Compliance with stricter emissionemissions limits going beyond BAT requirements makes us eligible for EU funding support and prepares us for any further tightening of environmental protection standards. Our most recent broad estimate of likely total capital expenditures for projects to comply with or go beyond the BAT requirements for the 2017 to 2020 program period is €138 million (approximately $163$161 million) over. Through September 30, 2018, USSK spent €9 million (approximately $11 million) toward the total estimated capital expenditures for the 2017 to 2020 timeprogram period.

The EU has various programs under which funds are allocated to member states to implement broad public policies which are then awarded by the member states to public and private entities on a competitive basis. The funding intensity under these programs currently ranges from 55 percent of defined eligible costs on a project under the standard state scheme to 90 percent onunder an approved ad hoc scheme to improve the air quality in the Košice region of Slovakia. Based on our list of projects that comprise the approximate €138 million (approximately $163$161 million) of spending noted, we currently believe we will be eligible to receive up to €85€78 million (approximately $100$91 million) of incentive grants. This could potentially reduce our net cash expenditures to approximately €53€60 million (approximately $63$70 million). The actual amount of capital spending will be dependent upon, among other things, the actual amount of incentive grants received. In order to receive full grant amounts, USSK is required to comply with certain financial covenants, which are assessed annually. USSK complied with these covenants as of September 30, 2018. If we are unable to meet these covenants in the future, USSK might be required to provide additional collateral (e.g. bank guarantee) to secure potential claims from the Slovak Government for repayment of a portion of the grant funds received.

We also believe there will be increased operating costs associated with these projects, such as increased energy and maintenance costs. We are currently unable to reliably estimate what the increase in operating costs will be as many projects are still in the development stage.

On March 28, 2017, the Regional Court in Košice issued an ex parte judicial lien on USSK's real property to plaintiffs in an ongoing legal case. Following a decision of the Slovakian Supreme Court, which reversed and remanded the


lien petition to the Regional Court, the lien has been removed. The Regional Court, which had originally issued the ex parte judicial lien, has decided that the imposition of a lien is not warranted and has not re-imposed the lien. The underlying case is still ongoing. We do not expect this matter to have an impact on the eligibility of USSK to obtain EU funding support for BAT projects.

For further discussion of laws applicable in Slovakia and the EU and their impact on USSK, see Note 2022 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Contingencies and Commitments - Environmental Matters, EU Environmental Requirements.”


New and Emerging Environmental Regulations

United States and European Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations

Future compliance with carbon dioxide (COCO2)emission requirements may include substantial costs for emission allowances, restriction of production and higher prices for coking coal, natural gas and electricity generated by carbon based systems. Because we cannot predict what requirements ultimately will be imposed in the U.S. and Europe, it is difficult to estimate the likely impact on U. S. Steel, but it could be substantial. On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13783 instructing the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(U.S. EPA) to review the Clean Power Plan. In earlyOn October 16, 2017, the U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt publicly stated that the EPA will propose a ruleproposed to repeal the Clean Power Plan.Plan after reviewing the plan pursuant to President Trump’s executive order. Any repeal and/or replacement of the Clean Power Plan is likely to be challenged by various proponents of the plan, such as environmental groups and certain states. Any impacts to our operations as a result of any future greenhouse gas regulations are not estimable at this time since the matter is unsettled. In any case, to the extent expenditures associated with any greenhouse gas regulation, as with all costs, are not ultimately reflected in the prices of U. S. Steel's products and services, operating results will be reduced. In addition, on April 2, 2018, the U.S. EPA Administrator signed a notice in which the U.S. EPA withdrew from its prior January 12, 2017 Final Determination regarding greenhouse gas emission standards for model year (MY) 2022-2025 light duty vehicles. In the April 2, 2018 notice, the U.S. EPA provided its new determination that the greenhouse gas emission standards for MY 2022-2025 light duty vehicles are not appropriate in light of the record before the U.S. EPA and, therefore, the standards should be revised. The U.S. EPA, in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will initiate a notice and comment rulemaking in a forthcoming Federal Register notice to further consider appropriate standards for MY 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles. California and other states have threatened to sue the U.S. EPA over the Agency’s withdrawal of the prior determination. There werehave been no material changes in U. S. Steel’s exposure to European Greenhouse Gas Emissions regulations since December 31, 2016.2017.

United States - Air

The CAA imposes stringent limits on air emissions with a federally mandated operating permit program and civil and criminal enforcement sanctions. The CAA requires, among other things, the regulation of hazardous air pollutants through the development and promulgation of National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standards. The U.S. EPA has developed various industry-specific MACT standards pursuant to this requirement. The CAA requires the U.S. EPA to promulgate regulations establishing emission standards for each category of Hazardous Air Pollutants. The U.S. EPA also must conduct risk assessments on each source category that is already subject to MACT standards and determine if additional standards are needed to reduce residual risks.

While our operations are subject to several different categories of NESHAP and MACT standards, the principal impact of these standards on U. S. Steel operations includes those that are specific to coke making, iron making, steel making and iron ore processing.

The U.S. EPA is currently in the process of completing a Residual Risk and Technology Review of the Integrated Iron and Steel MACT regulations, Coke MACT regulations, and CokeTaconite Iron Ore Processing MACT regulations as required by the CAA. The U.S. EPA is under a court order to complete the Residual Risk and Technology Review of the Integrated Iron and Steel regulations no later than March 13, 2020; and to complete the Residual Risk and Technology Review of the Taconite Iron Ore Processing Regulations by June 30, 2020. Because the U.S. EPA has not completed its review, any impacts related to the U.S. EPA’s review of these standards cannot be estimated at this time.

On March 12, 2018, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) submitted a CAA Section 126 petition to the U.S. EPA. In the petition, the DEC asserts that stationary sources from the following nine states are interfering with attainment or maintenance of the 2008 and 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)


in New York state: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. DEC is requesting the U.S. EPA to require sources of nitrogen oxides in the nine states to reduce such emissions. On May 4, 2018, citing Section 307(d)(10) of the CAA, the U.S. EPA issued a notice extending the deadline for the agency to respond to the petition until November 9, 2018. The U.S. EPA indicated the extension is justified because more time is needed to review the petition and to solicit public comment. U.S. EPA approval of the petition could potentially result in increased capital and operating costs to our operations in the states identified in the petition.

The CAA also requires the U.S. EPA to develop and implement National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)NAAQS for criteria pollutants, which include, among others, particulate matter (PM) - consisting of PM10 and PM2.5, lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide,SO2, and ozone. Sulfur dioxide is the NAAQS criteria pollutant of most concern to the Company at this time.

In June 2010, the U.S. EPA significantly lowered the primary NAAQS for sulfur dioxide (SOSO2) from 140 parts per billion (ppb) on a 24-hour basis to an hourly standard of 75 ppb. Subsequently, the U.S. EPA designated the areas in which Great Lakes Works and Mon Valley Works facilities are located as nonattainment with the 2010 standard for the SO2 NAAQS. The non-attainment designation will requirerequires the facilities to implement operational and/or capital improvements to demonstrate attainment with the 2010 standard. In addition, the EPA is currently evaluating the attainment status for all other areas as required by a Consent Decree that the EPA entered with the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Counsel in March 2015 pursuant to a lawsuit filed by the non-governmental organizations. U. S. Steel is workingworked with the relevant regulatory agenciesAllegheny County Health Department (ACHD) in completingdeveloping a State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the evaluation process as required byAllegheny County portion of the Consent Decree. WhilePennsylvania SIP that includes reductions of SO2 and improved dispersion from U. S. Steel has determined that it will face increased capital, operating and compliance costs,sources. The SIP is currently being reviewed by the U.S. EPA. In addition, as noted in the Legal Proceedings section, U. S. Steel continues to work with the regulatory authorities to address the Wayne County, Michigan (where Great Lakes Works is located) nonattainment status. The operational and financial impactimpacts of the SO2 NAAQS is not estimated to be material at this time.

In October 2015, the U.S. EPA lowered the NAAQS for ozone from 75 ppb to 70 ppb. TheOn November 6, 2017, the U.S. EPA has designated certainmost areas in which we operate as nonattainmentattainment with the 2008 ozone2015 standard. In addition, somea separate ruling, on June 4, 2018, the U.S. EPA designated other areas in which we operate have been recommended as nonattainment“marginal nonattainment” with the 2015 ozone standard by the respective states. The EPA has yet to act on the recommendations. In June 2017, the EPA had published a notice extending the deadline to promulgate initial designations by one year, extending the deadline from October 1, 2017 to October 1, 2018. However, in August 2017, the EPA withdrew the notice; and therefore, the designation deadline remains October 1, 2017. However, the EPA has yet to make the designations.standard. Because attainment designation and any implementation plansregulatory or permitting actions to bring the


ozone nonattainment areas into attainment have yet to be proposed or developed, the operational and financial impact of the ozone NAAQS cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

On December 14, 2012, the U.S. EPA lowered the annual standard for PM2.5 from 15 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) to 12 ug/m3, and retained the PM2.5 24-hour and PM10 NAAQS rules. In December 2014, the U.S. EPA designated some areas in which U. S. Steel operates as nonattainment with the 2012 annual PM2.5 standard. On April 6, 2018, the U.S. EPA published a notice that Pennsylvania, California and Idaho failed to submit a SIP to demonstrate attainment with the 2012 fine particulate standard by the deadline established by the CAA. As a result of the notice, Pennsylvania, in which we operate, is required to submit a SIP to the U.S. EPA no later than November 7, 2019 to avoid sanctions. Because it is early in the State Implementation PlanSIP development stages, any impacts to U. S. Steel cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

In 2010, the U.S. EPA retained the annual nitrogen dioxide NAAQS standard, but created a new 1-hour NAAQS and established new data reduction and monitoring requirements. While the U.S. EPA has classified all areas as being in attainment or unclassifiable, it is requiring implementation of a network of monitoring stations to assess air quality. Until the network is implemented and further designations are made, the impact on operations at U. S. Steel facilities cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.estimated.
United States - CERCLA 108(b) Financial Assurance
In December 2016,July 2018, the EPA published a proposed rule focused on developing financial assurance for managing hazardous substancesACHD provided U. S. Steel, ACHD Regulation Subcommittee members and interested parties with draft regulations that would modify the existing air regulations applicable to coke plants in Allegheny County. While ACHD currently has some of the most stringent air regulations in the hard rock, mining industry,country governing coke plants, which apply to U. S. Steel’s coke plant in accordanceClairton, Pennsylvania (the only remaining coke plant in Allegheny County and one of two remaining in Pennsylvania), the draft regulations would reduce the current allowable emissions from coke plant operations and would be more stringent than the Federal Best Available Control Technology and Lowest Achievable Emission Rate requirements. In various meetings with CERCLA Section 108(b). The EPAACHD, U. S. Steel has a court-mandated deadline for publication of the final rule by December 1, 2017. The proposed rule requires subject facilities to calculate their level of financial responsibility based on a formula includedraised significant objections, in the rule, secure an instrument or otherwise self-assure for the calculated amount, demonstrate to the EPA the proof of the security, and maintain the security until the EPA releases facilities from the CERCLA 108(b) regulations. The draft form of the proposed ruleparticular, that ACHD has been commented upon by the public and the regulated community, and the EPA is currently evaluating the comments to determine if changes tonot demonstrated that continuous compliance with the draft rule are needed. The final impact of the rule uponis economically and technologically feasible. While U. S. Steel taconite mines is unknown at this time, butcontinues to meet with ACHD regarding the draft rule, U. S. Steel will take appropriate actions to ensure that any rule promulgated by ACHD complies with their statutory authority. Adopting the draft rule or similar rule could have abe material adverse impact on the Company's liquidity.to U. S. Steel.



Environmental Remediation

In the United States, U. S. Steel has been identified as a potentially responsible party (PRP) at seveneight sites under CERCLA as of September 30, 2017.2018. Of these, there are 2three sites where information requests have been received or there are other indications that U. S. Steel may be a PRP under CERCLA, but where sufficient information is not presently available to confirm the existence of liability or to make a reasonable estimate with respect to any potential liabilities. There are also 1918 additional sites where U. S. Steel may be liable for remediation costs in excess of $100,000 under other environmental statutes, both federal and state, or where private parties are seeking to impose liability on U. S. Steel for remediation costs through discussions or litigation. At many of these sites, U. S. Steel is one of a number of parties involved and the total cost of remediation, as well as U. S. Steel’s share, is frequently dependent upon the outcome of ongoing investigations and remedial studies. U. S. Steel accrues for environmental remediation activities when the responsibility to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable.estimable. As environmental remediation matters proceed toward ultimate resolution or as remediation obligations arise, charges in excess of those previously accrued may be required.
For further discussion of relevant environmental matters, see "Part II. Other information - Item 1. Legal Proceedings - Environmental Proceedings."
The total accrual for environmental remediationsuch liabilities at September 30, 20172018 was $180$177 million. These amounts exclude liabilities related to asset retirement obligations, disclosed in Note 1416 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
U. S. Steel is the subject of, or a party to, a number of pending or threatened legal actions, contingencies and commitments involving a variety of matters, including laws and regulations relating to the environment. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other Relevant Matters
Apolo Tubulars
Apolo Tubulars S.A. (Apolo), an unconsolidated Brazilian joint venture of which the Company owns 50%, was the subject of a search of its premises by Brazilian federal authorities on May 24, 2016. Apolo's CEO was among those subsequently indicted by the Brazilian federal prosecutor on June 27, 2016 for corruption, money laundering and organized crime in connection with alleged payments to government officials in exchange for contracts with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (commonly known as “Petrobras”), Brazil’s state-run energy company. In March 2017, Apolo's CEO


was acquitted of all charges due to a lack of evidence as to him personally, although the court did find that there was a misuse of certain Apolo funds by others not employed by Apolo. The prosecution has appealed that acquittal. The Company is actively monitoring this matter. While there can be no assurance that a successful appeal by the prosecution would not have an adverse effect on the joint venture or result in an impairment of the Company's investment in the joint venture, it would not have a material impact on the Company as a whole. The prosecutor has not alleged any violations of law by, or initiated any investigation of, the Company or any of its employees.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
U. S. Steel did not enter into any new material off-balance sheet arrangements during the third quarter of 2017.2018.


CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING ESTIMATEGUIDANCE
Capitalization
Market conditions remain solid, with stable end-user steel consumption. We experienced lower customer order rates for an extended period, driven by falling spot and Depreciation Methodindex prices. However, we expect continued strength in steel demand will support favorable market conditions as we enter 2019.
During 2017, U. S. Steel completed a review of its accounting policy
We expect results for property, plant and equipment depreciated on a group basis. As a result of this review, U. S. Steel changed its accounting method for property, plant and equipment from the group method of depreciationour Flat-rolled segment to the unitary method of depreciation, effective as of January 1, 2017. The change from the group methodcontinue to the unitary method of depreciation is preferable under U.S. GAAP as it will result in a more precise estimate of depreciation expense. Additionally, the change to the unitary method of depreciation is consistent with the depreciation method applied by our competitors, and improves the comparability of our results to our competitors. Our change in the method of depreciation is considered a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle and has been applied prospectively.
When property, plant, and equipment are disposed of by sale, retirement, or abandonment, the gross value of the property, plant and equipment and corresponding accumulated depreciation are removed from the Company’s financial accounting records. Due to the application of the unitary method of depreciation, any gain or loss resulting from an asset disposal by sale will now be immediately recognized as a gain or loss on the disposal of assets line in our consolidated statement of operations. Assets that are retired or abandoned will be reflected as an immediate charge to depreciation expense for any remaining book value in our consolidated statement of operations. Gains (losses) on disposals of assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were immaterial.
For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the effect of the change was an increase in both income from continuing operations and net earnings of $95 million (which consists of a $97 million decrease in cost of salesimprove primarily due to the capitalization ofincreased shipments and lower maintenance and outage spending that would have been previously expensed,costs, partially offset by increased depreciation expense of $2 million, aslower average realized prices. Despite a result ofsoftening in the impact of unitary depreciation on the existing net book value of fixed assets and the capitalization of maintenance and outage spending) and an increaseenergy tubulars market, we expect a slight improvement in diluted earnings per share of $0.54. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the effect of the change was an increase in both income from continuing operations and net earnings of $205 million (which consists of a $233 million decrease in cost of salesTubular segment results primarily due to the capitalization of maintenance and outage spending that would have been previously expensed,increased shipments, partially offset by increased depreciation expense of $28 million, as a result of the impact of unitary depreciation on the existing net book value of fixed assets and the capitalization of maintenance and outage spending) and an increase in diluted earnings per share of $1.16. The tax effect of this change was immateriallower average realized prices. We expect results for our European segment to the consolidated financial statements.
Due to the application of the unitary method of depreciation and resultant change in our capitalization policy, spending associated with major maintenance and outage work, that had previously been expensed, will now be capitalized if it extends the useful life of the related asset. Based upon our average spending in years prior to 2017, we have estimated the impact on 2017 results to be a reduction of approximately $175 million in cost of sales on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Additionally,decrease primarily due to the projected increased spendinginventory revaluation adjustments related to maintenance under our asset revitalization program, weraw material price volatility.

We currently expect approximately $100 million of incremental expenditures to be capitalized in 2017.
Total capital expenditures are estimatedfourth quarter 2018 adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $575 million, in 2017 and total depreciation, depletion and amortization is estimated to be approximately $525 million in 2017.
The impact of the change in accounting method is included in the Outlook for 2017 below.


OUTLOOK

We remain focused on our operations, revitalizing our assets, and developing our talent. We are seeing operating improvements in the assets in which we are investing. This increases our confidence that we will achieve the 2020 improvement targets we have disclosed. We believe the attention to our assets and employees, with continued focus on improving safety, quality, delivery, and cost, willwould result in improved operating reliability and enable us to remain a strong business partner for our customers.

If market conditions remain at their current levels, we expect 2017 net earnings of approximately $323 million, or $1.83 per share, 2017 adjusted net earnings of approximately $300 million, or $1.70 per share, and consolidatedfull-year 2018 adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1.075$1.8 billion.

We believe market conditions, which include spot prices, raw material costs, customer demand, import volumes, supply chain inventories, rig counts and energy prices, will change, and as changes occur during the balance of 2017, we expect these changes to be reflected in our net earnings and adjusted EBITDA.

Please refer to the table below for the reconciliation of the OutlookGuidance net earnings to adjusted EBITDA.
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF ANNUAL ADJUSTED EBITDA OUTLOOK


RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA GUIDANCE (a)
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA GUIDANCE (a)


Year Ended Quarter EndedYear Ended


Dec. 31 December 31,
(Dollars in millions)(Dollars in millions)2017(Dollars in millions)2018
Reconciliation to Projected Annual Adjusted EBITDA Included in Outlook
Reconciliation to Projected Adjusted EBITDA Included in GuidanceReconciliation to Projected Adjusted EBITDA Included in Guidance 

Projected net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation included in Outlook$323
Projected net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation included in Guidance$349
$872

Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc.
(72)Estimated income tax expense30
66

Gain on equity investee transactions
(21)Estimated net interest and other financial costs75
327

Loss on shutdown of certain tubular assets
35
Estimated depreciation, depletion and amortization136
520

Loss on debt extinguishment and other related costs35
Gain on equity investee transactions(20)(38)

Adjusted net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation included in Outlook$300
Granite City Works restart costs5
68
Estimated income tax expense10
Granite City works adjustment to temporary idling charges
(8)
Estimated net interest and other financial costs250
Projected adjusted EBITDA included in Guidance$575
$1,807

Estimated depreciation, depletion and amortization515

Projected annual adjusted EBITDA included in Outlook$1,075
(a) Note: projected adjusted EBITDA included in Guidance excludes one-time costs resulting from the future ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement.

We present adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share, earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures, as additional measurements to enhance the understanding of our operating performance. We believe that EBITDA, considered along with net earnings (loss), is a relevant indicator of trends relating to our operating performance and provides management and investors with additional information for comparison of our operating results to the operating results of other companies.

Adjusted net earnings (loss) and adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share areEBITDA is a non-GAAP measuresmeasure that excludeexcludes the effects of gains (losses) associated with our retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc., gains (losses) on the sale of ownership interests in equity investees, restructuring charges, impairment chargesfacility restart costs and debt extinguishment and other related costs that are not part of the Company's core operations. Adjusted EBITDA is also a non-GAAP measure that excludes the effects of gains (losses) associated with our retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc., gains (losses) on the sale of ownership interests in equity investees, restructuring charges and impairmentsignificant temporary idling charges. We present adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA to enhance the understanding of our ongoing operating performance and established trends affecting our core operations, by excluding the effects of items such as gains (losses) associated with our retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc., gains (losses) on the sale


of ownership interests in equity investees, restructuringfacility restart costs and significant temporary idling charges impairment charges and debt extinguishment and other related costs that can obscure underlying trends. U. S. Steel's management considers adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA as an alternative measuresmeasure of operating performance and not as an alternative measuresmeasure of the Company's liquidity. U. S. Steel’s management considers adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA useful to investors by facilitating a comparison of our operating performance to the operating performance of our competitors. Additionally, the presentation of adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA provides insight into management’s view and assessment of the Company’s ongoing operating performance, because management does not consider the adjusting items when evaluating the Company’s financial performance or in preparing the Company’s annual financial Outlook.Guidance. Adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for net earnings (loss), earnings (loss) per diluted share or other financial measures as computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.



LABOR AGREEMENT
On October 15, 2018, U. S. Steel and the United Steelworkers (USW) reached a tentative agreement on successor four-year Collective Bargaining Agreements covering approximately 14,000 USW-represented employees at all of the company’s domestic flat-rolled and iron ore mining facilities as well as tubular operations in Fairfield, Alabama, Lorain, Ohio, and Lone Star, Texas. The tentative agreements remain subject to ratification, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of November of 2018.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE
U. S. Steel continues to face import competition, from foreign steel producers, manymuch of which are heavily subsidizedis unfairly-traded, supported by theirforeign governments, and dumpfueled by massive global steel into the United States (U.S.) market. Trade-distortingovercapacity. Such practices, policies, and practices, coupled with global steel overcapacity impact pricing in the U.S. marketCompany’s operational and influence the Company's ability to compete on a level playing field.financial performance. U. S. Steel continues to lead the industry in efforts to address dumped and subsidized steel imports and global overcapacity that injurethreaten the Company, our workers, our shareholders, and our country’s national and economic security.

U. S. Steel iscontinues to actively involveddefend and maintain the 54 antidumping and countervailing (antisubsidy) duty orders covering products U. S. Steel produces in several appealsproceedings before the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) concerning the orders imposed in 2016 on flat-rolled steel cases as well as several Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) cases. In addition to the ongoing appeals before the CIT, U. S. Steel is litigating several cases at, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

U. S. Steel also continues to be actively engaged in relevant administrative reviewsCircuit, and five-year (sunset) reviews before the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) and the U. S. Department of Commerce (DOC). The DOC issued preliminary results in the second administrative review of the AD order on OCTG from Korea for the period of review of September 2015 through August 2016. In its preliminary results, the DOC calculated the dumping margins of 46.37% for Nexteel Co., Ltd., 6.66% for SeAH Steel Corporation and 19.58% for non-examined companies. On May 1, 2017, the DOC automatically initiated a five-year (sunset) review (“Sunset Review”) of the antidumping order on tin mill products from Japan. The USITC concurrently published its notice of institution of the Sunset Review which covers the same order. On May 11, 2017, U. S. Steel filed a notice to participate in the Sunset Review of the antidumping order on tin mill products from Japan. The DOC proceedings have ended with margins of up to 95.29%. The USITC has yet to release its schedule. If U. S. Steel is successful, the order will remain in effect for another five years.

In April 2016, U. S. Steel launched a case under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 against several Chinese producers and their distributors. All but seven of the producers did not respond and are considered to be in default. The complaint alleged three causes of action: 1) illegal conspiracy to fix prices and control output and export volumes; 2) the theft of trade secrets through industrial espionage; and 3) circumvention of duties by false labeling and transshipment. On May 26, 2016, the USITC instituted an investigation on all three causes of action. On February 15, 2017, U. S. Steel voluntarily withdrew the trade secrets claim preserving its right to resurrect the claim when additional information becomes available. The false designation of origin claim continues to be aggressively litigated. A scheduling order was entered and the target date to conclude the investigation has been set for May 2018, with hearings on the foreign designation of origin claim proceeding on October 16-20, 2017. All of the non-defaulting respondents filed Motions for Summary Determination in the false designation of origin claim seeking to dismiss the claim. On October 2, 2017, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) assigned to the case granted those motions. The Company has elected not to pursue an appeal leaving the price fixing claim as the remaining claim. That claim is pending before the USITC. The remedy sought by U. S. Steel in that claim is the barring of all Chinese carbon and alloy steel from the U. S. market.

On December 12, 2016, China filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the U.S. and the European Union (EU) alleging that the U.S. and EU are violating their treaty obligations by continuing.
Through a series of Presidential Proclamations pursuant to use the non-market economy (NME) methodology for price comparisons in antidumping duty investigations. On April 3, 2017, the DOC issued a notice requesting comments and information on whether China should continue to be treated as a NME country under U.S. antidumping laws. U. S. Steel and other domestic producers submitted comments to the DOC on May 10, 2017. The outcome of the ongoing litigation may impact U.S. dumping orders on Chinese goods, including many steel products.



On April 19, 2017, the DOC initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as of October 31, 2018, U.S. imports of certain steel products are subject to determinea 25 percent tariff, except for imports from: (1) Turkey, which are subject to a 50 percent tariff; (2) Argentina, Brazil, and South Korea, which are subject to restrictive quotas; and (3) Australia, which is not subject to either tariffs or quotas. The DOC is managing a process in which U.S. companies may request and/or oppose temporary product exclusions from the effects of steel imports on U.S. national security. On May 24, 2017,Section 232 tariffs or quotas. Over 30,000 exclusions have been requested. U. S. Steel testifiedis actively opposing exclusion requests for products that are the same or similar products to those U. S. Steel produces.
Several legal challenges, trade measures, and retaliation actions have been initiated in response to the Section 232 action on steel. In the U.S., the American Institute for International Steel’s constitutional challenge to the Section 232 statute filed in June 2018 before the CIT is in the briefing stage. Multiple countries have challenged the Section 232 action at the DOC public hearingWTO and/or imposed retaliatory tariffs. Mexico imposed a 25 percent tariff on imports of U.S. steel and remains activeother products in June 2018. Canada imposed a countermeasure surtax of 25 percent on imports of U.S. steel and other products in July 2018 and imposed a provisional safeguard in the investigation. Underform of tariff rate quotas (TRQs; 25 percent tariffs on imports that exceed the statute,quota) on certain steel products in October 2018. The European Union imposed 25 percent retaliatory tariffs on imports of U.S. steel and other products in June 2018 and imposed a provisional TRQ safeguard on global steel imports in July 2018. In response, the AdministrationUnited States has 270 days for completion ofchallenged the above retaliation at the WTO.
Following an investigation of China’s technology transfer and DOC officials have publicly stated it willintellectual property violations by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, approximately $250 billion of U.S. imports from China, including finished steel couplings and some products used in steel production, are subject to 10 to 25 percent tariffs.
On September 30, 2018, the United States, Canada, and Mexico agreed in principle to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a new free trade agreement that is intended to replace the current North American Free Trade Agreement. USMCA contains several new provisions designed to increase the use of USMCA-origin steel and increase trade enforcement coordination among the three countries. To become law, USMCA must be completed within that deadline.

ratified and implemented by the three governments. The agreement in principle to USMCA does not change the current Section 232 steel action or retaliation thereto.
U. S. Steel continually assesses the impact of imports from foreign countries on our business, and continues to execute a broad, global strategy to enhance the meansmaximize opportunities and manner in which it competes in the U.S. marketnavigate challenges presented by imports, global steel overcapacity, and internationally. In an effort to mitigate the negative impact of unfairly traded steel imports on our business, U. S. Steel has commenced substantive work with regionalinternational trade partnerslaw and organizations, and outlined a robust engagement with the Administration to tackle global overcapacity. Across diverse platforms, U. S. Steel is leveraging its unique experience, knowledge, and reputation to forge alliances and partnerships to advance innovative structural changes to commercial and legal regimes to better position and support the U.S. steel industry in the 21st century and beyond.policy developments.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See NoteNotes 2 and 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.


Item 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There were no material changes in U. S. Steel's exposure to market risk from December 31, 2016.2017.



Item 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
U. S. Steel has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 20172018. These disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that were designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that are filed with or submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are: (1) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and (2) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable lawslaw and regulations. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2017,2018, U. S. Steel’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There have not been any changes in U. S. Steel’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, U. S. Steel’s internal control over financial reporting.




UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL STATISTICS (Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Dollars in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
SEGMENT EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INTEREST AND INCOME TAXES: 
 
 
 
 
 
    
Flat-Rolled $160
 $114
 $288
 $(68) $305
 $161
 $562
 $293
U. S. Steel Europe 73
 81
 215
 122
 72
 73
 297
 215
Tubular (7) (75) (93) (217) 7
 (7) (55) (93)
Total reportable segments 226
 120
 410
 (163) 384
 227
 804
 415
Other Businesses 12
 18
 34
 42
 16
 12
 44
 34
Items not allocated to segments: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postretirement benefit (expense) income (14) 8
 (42) 36
Other items not allocated to segments:        
Gain on equity investee transactions 
 21
 18
 21
Granite City Works restart costs (27) 
 (63) 
Granite City Works adjustment to temporary idling charges 
 
 8
 
Gain associated with retained interest in U. S. Steel Canada Inc. 
 
 72
 
 
 
 
 72
Gain on equity investee transactions 21
 
 21
 
Loss on shutdown of certain tubular assets 
 
 (35) 
 
 
 
 (35)
Impairment of intangible assets 
 (14) 
 (14)
Restructuring and other charges and adjustments 
 
 
 (2)
Total earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes $245
 $132
 $460
 $(101)
Total earnings before interest and income taxes $373
 $260
 $811
 $507
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flat-Rolled $134
 $23
 $206
 $97
 $213
 $134
 531
 206
U. S. Steel Europe 28
 17
 62
 68
 25
 28
 63
 62
Tubular 8
 11
 19
 81
 9
 8
 33
 19
Other Businesses 1
 
 4
 22
 18
 1
 19
 4
Total $171
 $51
 $291
 $268
 $265
 $171
 $646
 $291
OPERATING STATISTICS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average realized price: ($/net ton) (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flat-Rolled $728
 $718
 $730
 $658
 $859
 $728
 807
 730
U. S. Steel Europe 639
 503
 617
 483
 669
 639
 695
 617
Tubular 1,433
 1,049
 1,268
 1,094
 1,602
 1,433
 1,477
 1,268
Steel Shipments: (a)(b)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flat-Rolled 2,544
 2,535
 7,445
 7,725
 2,659
 2,544
 7,777
 7,445
U. S. Steel Europe 1,067
 1,105
 3,333
 3,235
 1,101
 1,067
 3,384
 3,333
Tubular 185
 103
 509
 262
 184
 185
 564
 509
Intersegment Shipments: (b)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flat-Rolled to Tubular 43
 
 137
 42
 26
 43
 158
 137
U. S. Steel Europe to Flat-Rolled 
 
 47
 
 
 
 22
 47
Raw Steel Production: (b)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flat-Rolled 2,821
 2,734
 8,247
 8,248
 2,933
 2,821
 8,558
 8,247
U. S. Steel Europe 1,235
 1,279
 3,778
 3,689
 1,210
 1,235
 3,810
 3,778
Raw Steel Capability Utilization: (c)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flat-Rolled 66% 64% 65% 65% 68% 66% 67% 65%
U. S. Steel Europe 98% 102% 101% 98% 96% 98% 102% 101%
(a)Excludes intersegment transfers.
(b) Thousands of net tons.
(c) Based on annual raw steel production capability of 17.0 million net tons for Flat-Rolled and 5.0 million net tons for USSE.

Excludes intersegment transfers.
(b)
Thousands of net tons.
(c)
Based on annual raw steel production capability of 17.0 million net tons for Flat-Rolled and 5.0 million net tons for USSE.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
GENERAL LITIGATION

On April 26, 2016, the Company filed11, 2017, there was a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)process waste water release at our Midwest Plant (Midwest) in Portage, Indiana that impacted a water outfall that discharges to initiate an investigation under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 against Chinese steel producers and their distributors.  The complaint alleges three causes of action: 1) illegal conspiracy to fix prices and control output and export volumes; 2) the theft of trade secrets through industrial espionage; and 3) circumvention of duties by false designation of origin (FDO). The remedy sought byBurns Waterway near Lake Michigan. U. S. Steel identified the source of the release and made the necessary repairs.  We determined that all repairs were safely working as intended and, on April 14, 2017, resumed operations in that claim is the barringa controlled, phased and highly monitored approach with extensive input from participating government agencies. The Company has since implemented substantial operational, process and notification improvements at Midwest. The Company has been presented with cost reimbursements, loss of all Chinese carbonuse and alloy steelpenalty requests from the U. S. market.involved governmental agencies.  In February 2017,January of 2018, The Surfrider Foundation and the City of Chicago initiated suits in the Northern District of Indiana alleging CWA and Permit violations at Midwest. On April 2, 2018, the U.S. EPA and the State of Indiana initiated a separate action against the Company and lodged a Consent Decree negotiated between U. S. Steel voluntarily withdrew its trade secrets claim, but preservedand the rightrelevant governmental agencies consisting of all material terms to refileresolve the CWA and NPDES violations at a later date. On November 25, 2016, the ALJ issued an order dismissingMidwest Plant. A public comment period for the price fixing claims. However, the USITC granted U. S. Steel’s petition to review the ALJ's initial determination to terminate the price fixing portion of the litigation. A hearing on that review was held on April 20, 2017. We are awaiting the USITC's decision. On January 11, 2017, the ALJ issued an order dismissing the FDO claims.Consent Decree ensued. U. S. Steel, U.S. EPA and the State of Indiana continue to review those comments. The Surfrider Foundation and the City of Chicago initially agreed to stay their actions pending finalization of the Consent Decree, but filed a petitionmotion to reviewlift that stay in July 2018.  On September 13, 2018, both The Surfrider Foundation and the ALJ’s order withCity of Chicago filed motions to intervene in the USITC commissioners. The USITC reinstated the FDO claim on February 27, 2017. After an aggressive discovery schedule, the Respondent manufacturers filed Motions for Summary Determination seeking to dismiss the claim. On October 2, 2017, the ALJ granted those motions. The Company has elected not to pursue an appeal leaving the price fixing claim as the remaining claim.Consent Decree case which remain pending.

U. S. Steel v.On August 9, 2017, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued rulemaking proposals to replace the current sulfate standard with an equation-based standard. As part of the rulemaking process, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) was appointed to preside over public hearings and Commissioner John Linc Stine:comments. The Company and others challenged the standards and presented evidence that the standards were unsupported by science and that the MPCA failed to consider associated costs as part of the rulemaking process. On February 21, 2017,January 9, 2018, the ALJ rejected the MPCA’s proposals, concluding that the MPCA failed to comply with state law requirements for drafting and adopting a new standard, that portions of the rule were unsupported by the MPCA’s evidence and that the MPCA proposal was unconstitutional due to vagueness. On March 28, 2018, the MPCA submitted comments to the Chief ALJ seeking revisions to these determinations. The ALJ has not reversed the decision and the litigation on this matter has ended. However, the Minnesota Governor rejected any new wild rice legislation and by Executive Order created a new "Wild Rice Task Force." This Task Force is to issue a new wild rice report by the end of December 2018. U. S. Steel filed a Verified Complaint and Writ of Mandamus against the MPCA for failure to acthas representation on U. S. Steel’s request for revisions to water quality standards which will affect the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (water) permit at Minntac. MPCA filed an Answer and Counterclaim and U. S. Steel responded to the Counterclaim on April 5, 2017. Three citizen groups, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Save Lake Superior Association and Save Our Sky Blue Waters (collectively MCEA), filed a Notice of Intervention, which was granted by the district court. Both parties have filed cross-motions for summary judgment, which remain outstanding pending a court-ordered mediation.

this Task Force.
On October 2, 2017, an Amended Shareholder Class Action Complaint was filed in Federal Court in the Western District of Pennsylvania consolidating previously-filed actions. Separately, four related shareholder derivative lawsuits were filed in State and Federal courts in Pittsburgh.Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The underlying consolidated class action lawsuit alleges that U. S. Steel, Mario Longhi, Dave Burritt, Dan Lesnakcertain current and former officers, an upper level manager of the Company and the financial Underwritersunderwriters who participated in the August 2016 secondary public offering (collectively, Defendants) violated federal securities laws in making false statements and/or failing to discover and disclose material information regarding the financial condition of the Company. The lawsuit claims that this conduct caused a prospective class of plaintiffs to sustain damages during the period offrom January 27, 2016 andto April 25, 2017 as a result of the prospective class purchasing the Company's common stock at artificially inflated prices and/or suffering losses when the price of the common stock dropped. The derivative lawsuits generally make the same allegations against Mario Longhi and Dave Burrittthe same officers and also allege that thecertain current and former members of the Board of Directors failed to exercise appropriate control and oversight over the Company and seekswere unjustly compensated. The plaintiffs seek to recover losses sustained bythat were allegedly sustained. The class action Defendants moved to dismiss plaintiffs’ claims. On September 29, 2018 the Company.Court ruled on those motions granting them in part and denying them in part. The Company is vigorously defending these matters.the remaining claims.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROCEEDINGS

The following is a summary of the proceedings of U. S. Steel that were pending or contemplated as of September 30, 2017,2018, under federal and state environmental laws. Information about specific sites where U. S. Steel is or has been engaged in significant clean up or remediation activities is also summarized below. Except as described herein, it is not possible to accurately predict the ultimate outcome of these matters.






CERCLA Remediation Sites

Claims under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) have been raised with respect to the cleanup of various waste disposal and other sites. Under CERCLA, potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for a site include current owners and operators, past owners and operators at the time of disposal, persons who arranged for disposal of a hazardous substance at a site, and persons who transported a hazardous substance to a site. CERCLA imposes strict and joint and several liabilities. Because of various factors, including the ambiguity of the regulations, the difficulty of identifying the responsible parties for any particular site, the complexity of determining the relative liability among them, the uncertainty as to the most desirable remediation techniques, and


the amount of damages and cleanup costs and the time period during which such costs may be incurred, we are unable to reasonably estimate U. S. Steel’s ultimate liabilities under CERCLA.

As of September 30, 2017,2018, U. S. Steel has received information requests or been identified as a PRP at a total of seveneight CERCLA sites, twothree of which have liabilities that have not been resolved. Based on currently available information, which is in many cases preliminary and incomplete, management believes that U. S. Steel’s liability for CERCLA cleanup and remediation costs at the other five sites will be between $100,000 and $1 million for four4 of the sites, and over $5 million for one1 site as described below.

Duluth Works

The former U. S. Steel Duluth Works site was placed on the National Priorities List under CERCLA in 1983 and on the State of Minnesota’s Superfund list in 1984. Liability for environmental remediation at the site is governed by a Response Order by Consent executed with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)MPCA in 1985 and a Record of Decision signed by MPCA in 1989. U. S. Steel has submitted a feasibility study that includes remedial measurespartnered with the Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) of U.S. EPA Region 5 to address contaminated sediments in the St. Louis River Estuary and several other Operable Units that could impact the Estuary if not addressed. An amendment to the Project Agreement between U. S. Steel and GLNPO was executed during the second quarter of 2018 to recognize the costs associated with implementing the proposed remedial plan at the site.

While work continues on obtaining additional information forcompletion of the remedial design and educating the public and key stakeholders on the details of the plan, there has been no material change in the status of the project during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018. Additional study, investigation, design, oversight costs, and implementation of U. S. Steel's preferred remedial alternatives on the upland property and Estuary are currently estimated as of September 30, 20172018 at approximately $47$46 million.

RCRA and Other Remediation Sites

U. S. Steel may be liable for remediation costs under other environmental statutes, both federal and state, or where private parties are seeking to impose liability on U. S. Steel for remediation costs through discussions or litigation. There are 1918 such sites where remediation is being sought involving amounts in excess of $100,000. Based on currently available information, which is in many cases preliminary and incomplete, management believes that liability for cleanup and remediation costs in connection with 9eight sites have potential costs between $100,000 and $1 million per site, 5five sites may involve remediation costs between $1 million and $5 million per site and 5five sites are estimated to or could have, costs for remediation, investigation, restoration or compensation in excess of $5 million per site.

For more information on the status of remediation activities at U. S. Steel’s significant sites, see the discussions related to each site below.

Gary Works

On October 23, 1998, the U.S. EPA issued a final Administrative Order on Consent (Order) addressing Corrective Action for Solid Waste Management Units (SWMU) throughout Gary Works. This Order requires U. S. Steel to perform a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Investigation (RFI), a Corrective Measures Study (CMS) and Corrective Measure Implementation. While work continues on several items, there has been no material change in the status of the project during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018. Until the remaining Phase I work and Phase II field investigations are completed, it is not possible to assess what additional expenditures will be necessary for Corrective Action projects at Gary Works. In total, the accrued liability for Corrective Action projects is approximately $26 million as of September 30, 2017,2018, based on our current estimate of known remaining costs.



Geneva Works

At U. S. Steel’s former Geneva Works, liability for environmental remediation, including the closure of three hazardous waste impoundments and facility-wide corrective action, has been allocated between U. S. Steel and the current property owner pursuant to an agreement and a permit issued by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ). Having completed the investigation on a majority of the remaining areas identified in the permit, U. S. Steel has determined the most effective means to address the remaining impacted material is to manage those materials in a previously approved on-site Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU). While preliminary approval of the conceptual CAMU design has been granted by the UDEQ, there has been no material change in the status of the project during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018. U. S. Steel has an accrued liability of approximately $63$62 million as of September 30, 2017,2018, for our estimated share of the remaining costs of remediation.



USS-POSCO Industries (UPI)

A joint venture in Pittsburg, California between subsidiaries of U. S. Steel and POSCO, UPI's facilities were previously owned and operated solely by U. S. Steel which retains primary responsibility for the existing environmental conditions. During 2016, U. S. Steel implemented its preferredWork continues to monitor the impacts of the remedial plan implemented in 2016 to address groundwater impacts from trichloroethylene at SWMU 4. Evaluations continue for the three SWMUs known as the Northern Boundary Group and it is likely that corrective measures will be required, but it is not possible at this time to define a scope or estimate costs for what may be required by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. As such, there has been no material change in the status of the project during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018. As of September 30, 2017,2018, approximately $1 million has been accrued for ongoing environmental studies, investigations and remedy implementation.monitoring. Significant additional costs associated with this site are possible and are referenced in Note 2022 to the Consolidated Financial Statements “Contingencies and Commitments - Environmental Matters - Remediation Projects - Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development.”

Fairfield Works

A consent decree was signed by U. S. Steel, the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice and filed with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (United States of America v. USX Corporation) in December 1997. In accordance with the consent decree, U. S. Steel initiated a RCRA corrective action program at the Fairfield Works facility. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, (ADEM), with the approval of the U.S. EPA, assumed primary responsibility for regulation and oversight of the RCRA corrective action program at Fairfield Works. While work continues on different aspects of the program, there has been no material change in the status of the project during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018. In total, the accrued liability for remaining work under the Corrective Action Program, was approximately $229,000$252,000 at September 30, 2017.2018. Significant additional costs associated with this site are possible and are referenced in Note 2022 to the Consolidated Financial Statements “Contingencies and Commitments - Environmental Matters - Remediation Projects - Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development.”

Fairless Plant

In April 1993, U. S. Steel entered into a consent order with the U.S. EPA pursuant to RCRA, under which U. S. Steel would perform Interim Measures (IM), an RFI and CMS at our Fairless Plant. A Phase I RFI Final Report was submitted in September of 1997. With U.S. EPA’s agreement, in lieu of conducting subsequent phases of the RFI and the CMS, U. S. Steel has been working through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Act 2 Program to characterize and remediate facility parcels for redevelopment. While work continues on these items, there has been no material change in the status of the project during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018. As of September 30, 2017,2018, the accrued liability to maintain the interim measures, and clear properties through the Act 2 process is approximately $156,000.$189,000. Significant additional costs associated with this site are possible and are referenced in Note 2022 to the Consolidated Financial Statements “Contingencies and Commitments - Environmental Matters - Remediation Projects - Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development.”



Lorain Tubular Operations

In September 2006, U. S. Steel received a letter fromand the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) inviting U. S. Steel to enter intocommenced discussions about RCRA Corrective Action at Lorain Tubular Operations. A Phase I RFI on the identified SWMUs and Areas of Contamination was submitted in March 2012. While work continuesdiscussions continue with OEPA on finalizing the Phase II RFI report that addresses additional investigations of soil, site wide groundwater and the pipe mill lagoon, there has been no material change in the status of the project during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018. As of September 30, 2017,2018, costs to complete additional projects are estimated to be approximately $113,000.$98,000. Significant additional costs associated with this site are possible and are referenced in Note 2022 to the Consolidated Financial Statements “Contingencies and Commitments - Environmental Matters - Remediation Projects - Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development.”


Joliet Works

The 50-acre parcel at the former Joliet Works is enrolled in the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (IEPA) voluntary Site Remediation Program.Program (the Program). The Program requires investigation and establishment of cleanup objectives followed by submission/approval of a Remedial Action Plan to meet those objectives. The 50-acre parcel was divided into four (4) subareas with remedial activities completed in 2015 for three (3) of the subareas. While work continues to define the requirements for further investigation of the remaining parcel,subarea, there has been no material change in the


status of the project during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018. U. S. Steel has an accrued liability of $294,000$287,000 as of September 30, 2017.2018. Significant additional costs associated with this site are possible and are referenced in Note 2022 to the Consolidated Financial Statements “Contingencies and Commitments - Environmental Matters - Remediation Projects - Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development.”

Cherryvale (KS) Zinc

In April 2003, U. S. Steel and Salomon Smith Barney Holdings, Inc. (SSB) entered into a Consent Order with the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) concerning a former zinc smelting operation in Cherryvale, Kansas. Remediation of the site proper was essentially completed in 2007. The Consent Order was amended on May 3, 2013, to require investigation (but not remediation) of potential contamination beyond the boundary of the former zinc smelting operation. On November 22, 2016, KDHE approved a State Cooperative Final Agency Decision Statement that identified the remedy selected to address potential contamination beyond the boundary of the former zinc smelting site. Work continues on developing theThe Removal Action Design Plan was approved during the second quarter of 2018, and work continues on finalizing the institutional controls required under the Plan. Negotiations of an amended consent order for remediation is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2018.As of September 30, 2017,2018, an accrual of approximately $448,000$220,000 remains available for addressing these outstanding issues. Significant additional costs associated with this site are possible and are referenced in Note 2022 to the Consolidated Financial Statements “Contingencies and Commitments - Environmental Matters - Remediation Projects - Projects with Ongoing Study and Scope Development.”

South Works

On August 29, 2017, U. S. Steel was notified by the U.S. Coast Guard of a sheen on the water in the North Vessel Slip at our former South Works in Chicago, Illinois.  U. S. Steel has been working with the IEPA under their voluntary Site Remediation Program since 1993 to evaluate the condition of the property including the North Vessel Slip. The result of this cooperative effort has been the issuance of a series of “No Further Remediation” (NFR) notices to U. S. Steel including one specific to the North Vessel Slip. U. S. Steel has notified the IEPA of the potential changed condition and is working closely with the IEPA and the U. S. Coast Guard to determine the source of the sheen and options to address the issue. U. S. Steel has an accrued liability of $25,000 as of September 30, 2018.

Air Related Matters

Great Lakes Works

In June 2010, the U.S. EPA significantly lowered the primary NAAQSNational Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for SO2 from 140 parts per billion (ppb) on a 24-hour basis to an hourly standard of 75 ppb. Based upon the 2009-2011 ambient


air monitoring data, the U.S. EPA designated the area in which Great Lakes Works is located as nonattainment with the 2010 SO2 NAAQS.

As result, MDEQ mustpursuant to the CAA, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) was required to submit a State Implementation Plan (SIP)SIP to the U.S. EPA that demonstrates that the entire nonattainment area (and not just the monitor) willwould be in attainment by October 2018 by using conservative air dispersion modeling.  To develop the SIP, U. S. Steel met with MDEQ on multiple occasions and had offered reduction plans to MDEQ but the parties could not agree to a plan. MDEQ, instead promulgated Rule 430 which was solely directed toat U. S. Steel. The Company challenged Rule 430 before the Michigan Court of Claims who by Order dated October 4, 2017, granted the Company’s motion for summary disposition voiding Rule 430 finding that it violated rule-making provisions of the Michigan Administrative Procedures Act and Michigan Constitution. TheSince Rule 430 has been invalidated and MDEQ's SIP has not been approved, U.S. EPA has indicated that it would promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) pursuant to its obligations and authority under the Clean Air Act. Because development of the FIP is in the early stages, the impacts of the nonattainment designation to the Company are not estimable at this time.

On October 8, 2018, U. S. Steel received a Violation Notice from MDEQ in which MDEQ alleges that U. S. Steel exceeded applicable limits at the pickle line based upon the results of a stack test conducted in April 2018. U. S. Steel is responding to the MDEQ with information regarding improvements made at the pickle line and related equipment since April 2018. No penalty has been assessed.

On January 31, 2018, U. S. Steel received a Violation Notice from MDEQ in which MDEQ alleges that U. S. Steel exceeded the applicable six-minute opacity standard at the B2 Blast Furnace Casthouse on October 25, 2017. U. S. Steel responded to the notice on February 21, 2018. No penalty has been assessed.

On May 27, 2015, Great Lakes Works received a Violation Notice in which MDEQ alleged that U. S. Steel did not obtain a required permit to install a BOP vessel replacement that occurred in November 2014. U. S. Steel responded to MDEQ on June 17, 2015. While the resolution of the matter is uncertain at this time, it is not anticipated that the resolution will be material to U. S. Steel.Steel.

Granite City Works

In October 2015, Granite City Works received a Violation Notice from IEPA in which the AgencyIEPA alleges that U. S. Steel violated the emission limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds from the Basic Oxygen Furnace Electrostatic Precipitator Stack. In addition, the AgencyIEPA alleges that U. S. Steel exceeded its natural gas usage limit at its CoGeneration Boiler. U. S. Steel responded to the notice and is currently discussing resolution of the matter with IEPA.

Although discussions with IEPA regarding the foregoing alleged violations are ongoing and the resolution of these matters is uncertain at this time, it is not anticipated that the result of those discussions will be material to U. S. Steel.


Minnesota Ore Operations

On February 6, 2013, the U.S. EPA published a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP)FIP that applies to taconite facilities in Minnesota. The FIP establishes and requires emission limits and the use of low NOx reduction technology on indurating furnaces as Best Available Retrofit Technology.Technology (BART). While U. S. Steel installed low NOx burners on three furnaces at Minntac and is currently obligated to install low NOx burners on the two other furnaces at Minntac pursuant to existing


agreements and permits, the rule would require the installation of a low NOx burner on the one furnace at Keetac for which U. S. Steel did not have an otherwise existing obligation. U. S. Steel estimates expenditures associated with the installation of low NOx burners of as much as $25 to $30 million. In 2013, U. S. Steel filed a petition for administrative reconsideration to the U.S. EPA and a petition for judicial review of the 2013 FIP and denial of the Minnesota State Implementation Plan (SIP)SIP to the Eighth Circuit of the 2013 FIP.Circuit. In April 2016, the U.S. EPA promulgated a revised FIP with the same substantive requirements for U. S. Steel. In June 2016, U. S. Steel filed a petition for administrative reconsideration of the 2016 FIP to the U.S. EPA and a petition for judicial review of the 2016 FIP before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The EPA has yet to publish a response to eitherWhile the proceedings regarding the petition for administrative reconsideration injudicial review of the Federal Register as required, and2013 FIP remained stayed, oral arguments regarding the petition for judicial review of the 2016 FIP were heard by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on November 15, 2017. Thus, both petitions for judicial review remain with the Eighth Circuit. On December 4, 2017, U.S. EPA published a notification in the Federal Register in which the U.S. EPA denied U. S. Steel’s administrative petitions for reconsideration and stay of the 2013 FIP and 2016 FIP. On February 1, 2018, U. S. Steel filed a petition for judicial review of U.S. EPA’s denial of the administrative petitions for reconsideration to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. U. S. Steel continues to defend its three petitions


that are before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding BART requirements at Minntac and Keetac while pursuing a resolution that would include an equitable revision to the FIP.

Mon Valley Works

On November 9, 2017, U.S. EPA Region III and ACHD jointly issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) regarding the Company’s Edgar Thomson facility in Braddock, PA. In addition, on November 20, 2017, ACHD issued a separate, but related NOV to the Company regarding the Edgar Thomson facility. In the NOVs, based upon their inspections and review of documents collected throughout the last two years, the agencies allege that the Company has violated the CAA by exceeding the allowable visible emission standards from certain operations during isolated events. In addition, the agencies allege that the Company has violated certain maintenance, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements. U. S. Steel met with U.S. EPA Region III and ACHD on December 18, 2017. ACHD, U.S. EPA Region III and U. S. Steel continue to negotiate a potential resolution of the matter.

U. S. Steel received a civil enforcement order with an assessed penalty in the amount of $263,400 from the ACHD on April 4, 2018. The allegations in the order are based on events that were alleged to have occurred in February and March of 2016. The allegations were the subject of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations that were resolved through a settlement agreement after U. S. Steel contested the OSHA citations.  Specifically, the ACHD alleges that U. S. Steel failed to properly abate asbestos-containing material in conformance with applicable permits and regulations.  After meeting with U. S. Steel, on May 3, 2018, the ACHD vacated the original order and issued a new order reducing the penalty to $198,600 for alleged violations of the asbestos Operating and Maintenance Permit. U. S. Steel appealed the new order on June 4, 2018. In addition, the ACHD issued three new civil enforcement orders on June 3, 2018, assessing a total penalty of $91,100 for the Company’s alleged failure to submit quarterly reports of asbestos removed under its Operating and Maintenance Permits at the Irvin Works, Edgar Thomson, and Clairton plants in 2015, 2016, 2017, and the first quarter of 2018. The Company appealed the June 3, 2018 orders on June 28, 2018. The cases were consolidated. After agreeing to perform some community supplemental environmental projects to offset part of the penalty, U. S. Steel withdrew the appeal of the consolidated cases on October 15, 2018.

On June 28, 2018, U. S. Steel received an Enforcement Order from the ACHD for the Clairton plant for alleged violations of various environmental permit and regulatory requirements pertaining to air emissions. The total penalty demand is $1,091,950 for alleged violations that were to have occurred in late 2017 and early 2018. ACHD ordered U. S. Steel to conduct a SO2 stack test of C Battery Quench Tower exhaust. ACHD also ordered U. S. Steel to provide an assessment of all emissions points at the Clairton facility to ACHD; and to propose measures, for ACHD approval, to reduce SO2, particulate matter and visible emissions within sixty days of receipt of the Order. In the Order, ACHD demanded that if U. S. Steel fails to meet any requirements in the Order, U. S. Steel shall place its two worst performing batteries on hot idle until ACHD determines U. S. Steel is in compliance with the Order. U. S. Steel has appealed the Order and posted the penalty amount in an escrow account; and is currently engaged in discovery regarding the matter. A hearing date has been scheduled for December 3, 2018.

On October 17, 2018, ACHD issued an administrative order and assessed a penalty of $620,300 for violations regarding fugitive emission sources (coke oven doors, lids, offtakes, charging, high opacity doors and soaking) at the Clairton plant that were alleged to have occurred during the second quarter of 2018. We are currently reviewing the Order and will take appropriate action once our review is complete.
ASBESTOS LITIGATION
As of September 30, 2017,2018, U. S. Steel was a defendant in approximately 830750 active cases involving approximately 3,3252,300 plaintiffs. The vast majority of these cases involve multiple defendants. At December 31, 2016,2017, U. S. Steel was a defendant in approximately 845820 active cases involving approximately 3,3403,315 plaintiffs. As of September 30, 2017,2018, about 2,500,1,540, or approximately 7567 percent, of these plaintiff claims are currently pending in jurisdictions which permit filings with massive numbers of plaintiffs. Based upon U. S. Steel’s experience in such cases, it believeswe believe that the actual number of plaintiffs who ultimately assert claims against U. S. Steel will likely be a small fraction of the total number of plaintiffs.


The following table shows the number ofactivity with respect to asbestos claims in the current period and the prior three years:

litigation:
Period ended Opening
Number
of Claims
 Claims
Dismissed,
Settled
and Resolved
 New
Claims
 Closing
Number
of Claims
 Opening
Number
of Claims
 
Claims
Dismissed,
Settled
and Resolved
(a)
 New
Claims
 Closing
Number
of Claims
December 31, 2014 3,320 190 325 3,455
December 31, 2015 3,455 415 275 3,315 3,455 415 275 3,315
December 31, 2016 3,315 225 250 3,340 3,315 225 250 3,340
September 30, 2017 3,340 200 185 3,325
December 31, 2017 3,340 275 250 3,315
September 30, 2018 3,315 1,225 210 2,300
(a) The period ending September 30, 2018 includes approximately 1,000 dismissed cases previously pending in the State of Texas.

Historically, asbestos-related claims against U. S. Steel fall into three major groups: (1) claims made by persons who allegedly were exposed to asbestos on the premises of U. S. Steel facilities; (2) claims made by persons allegedly exposed to products manufactured by U. S. Steel; and (3) claims made under certain federal and maritime laws by employees of former operations of U. S. Steel.

The amount U. S. Steel accrues for pending asbestos claims is not material to U. S. Steel’s financial condition.  However, U. S. Steel is unable to estimate the ultimate outcome of asbestos-related claims due to a number of uncertainties, includingincluding: (1) the rates at which new claims are filed, (2) the number of and effect of bankruptcies of other companies traditionally defending asbestos claims, (3) uncertainties associated with the variations in the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, (4) uncertainties regarding the facts, circumstances and disease process with each claim, and (5) any new legislation enacted to address asbestos-related claims. Despite these uncertainties, management believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on U. S. Steel’s financial condition, although the resolution of such matters could significantly impact results of operations for a particular quarter.




Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Please refer to item 1A. of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and item 1A. of our quarterly report on Form 10-Q  for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 for a description of the principal risk factors affecting our business.


Item 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
The information concerning mine safety violations and other regulatory matters required by Section 150 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95 to this Form 10-Q.

Item 5.OTHER INFORMATION

None.

Item 6.EXHIBITS
10.1
   
31.1 
  
31.2 
  
32.1 
  
32.2 
  
95 
  
101 INS XBRL Instance Document
  
101 SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  
101 CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  
101 DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  
101 LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  
101 PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document



SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned chief accounting officer thereunto duly authorized.
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
  
By /s/ Colleen M. Darragh
  
  Colleen M. Darragh
  Vice President & Controller
November 1, 20172, 2018
WEB SITE POSTING
This Form 10-Q will be posted on the U. S. Steel web site, www.ussteel.com, within a few days of its filing.

-56--60-