United States Steel Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:X)

United States Steel Co. (NYSE:X) saw some unusual options trading on Monday. Investors acquired 101,458 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of 42% compared to the typical volume of 71,636 call options.

United States Steel Stock Performance

X opened at $40.24 on Tuesday. United States Steel has a twelve month low of $26.92 and a twelve month high of $43.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.06 billion, a PE ratio of 27.01, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.86. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $37.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.66.

United States Steel (NYSE:X) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.18) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.38). United States Steel had a net margin of 2.46% and a return on equity of 4.27%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that United States Steel will post 1.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United States Steel Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th were given a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.50%. United States Steel’s payout ratio is 13.42%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United States Steel

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of X. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in United States Steel during the fourth quarter worth $130,731,000. Castle Hook Partners LP purchased a new position in shares of United States Steel during the 3rd quarter worth $91,712,000. Forest Avenue Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of United States Steel during the 4th quarter worth about $50,795,000. Holocene Advisors LP purchased a new stake in United States Steel in the 3rd quarter valued at about $51,620,000. Finally, NWI Management LP acquired a new position in United States Steel in the fourth quarter valued at about $48,946,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.92% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

X has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of United States Steel from $39.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of United States Steel from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on United States Steel from $40.00 to $43.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Bank of America initiated coverage on United States Steel in a research report on Monday, January 6th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $35.00 price target on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on United States Steel from $43.00 to $40.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $40.70.

United States Steel Company Profile

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