ArcelorMittal (ADR) (MT), Nucor Corporation (NUE): The Best Way to Play a US-Led Steel Recovery

The US steel market is facing headwinds given low metal prices. There are many factors that could be encouraging this issue, including the declining prices of raw materials, which impact steel production. On the other hand, there’s been increased imports of Chinese steel into the US, which is another reason of concern for these companies.

Despite all of these issues, investors can find an opportunity to enter this market. The construction sector has been recovering and this could be advantageous for the steel industry.  Let’s take a look at the very competitive steel business.

The global steel king

ArcelorMittal (ADR) (NYSE:MT), with its vertical integration and high degree of operating leverage, is well-positioned relative to other steelmakers. The main concern about the company is that most of its production is destined to the sluggish European market. That said, ArcelorMittal (ADR) (NYSE:MT) has arguments to show a little recovery.

The company has already beaten its guidance and has reaffirmed its expectations to beat its net-debt guidance too. Consequently, covenant breaches have disappeared thus lowering the risk premium related to the stock.

ArcelorMittal (ADR) (NYSE:MT) is currently trading at x6.4 EV/EBITDA for 2013 and x4.2 EV/EBITDA for 2014. Even if only a small share of the company’s EBITDA (around 7%) comes from the US, I think that ArcelorMittal (ADR) (NYSE:MT), trading at 33% of its book value, represents a long-term opportunity for those looking for exposure to the global steel market.

A leveraged US steel bet

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) has proven to lead the pack. In the US, the company has achieved an 80% of self-sufficiency in coke and almost completely in iron ore. This vertical integration gives the company a cost advantage over its competitors as it sources the majority of its raw materials at cost and mitigates cost volatility, a winning card these days.

The company, with a net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio at x4.6, is a leveraged play within the US steel industry.  The company’s fundamentals are ameliorating fast and there are positive points that should be highlighted.

The key aspect for this company is its European profitability, which has showed significant improvement (its highest level since 2010). Finally, United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) paid the majority of its convertible notes due in 2014 and increased its liquidity to $2.5 billion. US Steel is currently trading at x8 EV/EBITDA for 2013 but analysts expect the company to increase its earnings for 2014. This stock is the right bet for those who are looking for a risky US stock.